Car needs 1st MOT - main dealer or cheaper small independant garage?

LuFo

Hi all, I hope you can give me some advice please!

I was lucky enough to get a small car from new, and it's about to need it's first MOT. It has done 21000 miles.

I have been getting "free" RAC cover each year I have had it serviced at the main dealer where it came from (I realise this is probably included in their prices somewhere).

The question is should I get the car serviced and MOT'd there again (assuming I get the RAC cover included for the year again - assume also it's basic cover - I've never used it so don't know for sure!).

They have quoted me almost £350 for the service & MOT which is quite a lot more than I expected!

I am not planning on changing the car anytime soon, so not sure how relevant the main dealer service stamp will be on the service record as opposed to a stamp from a small independant garage.

I haven't yet had any quotes from other garages, (I am assuming a small independant will be cheaper), but wanted a general opinion first - my brother goes to Kwik Fit but looking at some of the comments about them on this forum I am not sure that it would be wise - and being female - I still believe there is a sexist attitude in garages - they think women know nothing about cars etc and are more likely to be ripped off than a male! (sorry if I've offended anyone by saying that!).

Thanks in advance for any advice/opinions!

photome

Get quotes from elsewhere, you may find the main dealer will reduce or match.

Dont use kwik fit

Stooby2

The three year service is often more expensive as that's usually when timing belts and other more major bits and pieces are replaced. Dealers are never cheap. You might find a local reputable garage will do it cheaper.

JulieM

If the main dealer has done the previous 2 services I would get them to do this service and MOT. There should be less chance of an MOT fail if they've done the earlier services, after all, it would be a bad reflection on their workmanship if they suddenly found lots of faults.

LuFo

Yes, the main dealer did the last 2 services, although I had to negotiate on price both times!

I have also just (yesterday) received a letter from them telling me the 3-yr manufacturer's warranty runs out soon, so I can get a free check-up in case the car needs anything before said warranty expires; I have booked that in for this Weds, so before I go for that I will ring around for other quotes, and maybe try to negotiate their price a bit more whilst I am there! I don't want to book it in until the last minute as the first MOT date will dictate future due-dates! Wish I didn't pick it up on xmas eve now! lol!

Thanks anyway for advice!

red_eye

photome wrote: »

Get quotes from elsewhere, you may find the main dealer will reduce or match.

Dont use kwik fit

yes dont use kwik s#!7 what type of service is it due and what car? that price sounds like a big service

lil.smartie

Get them to check it over (as it's free!) but get another garage to at least do the MOT if not the service too and make them aware that it's almost out of warranty & to keep an eye for anything they are concerned about so you can get it sorted before warranty runs out. MOT can be done 30 days before it's due and you will get upto 13 months on it.

Service costs, I'd ask for a list of what they are checking and replacing for their money so you can get a like for like quote to compare costs.

Kate

red_eye

LuFo wrote: »

Hi all, I hope you can give me some advice please!

I was lucky enough to get a small car from new, and it's about to need it's first MOT. It has done 21000 miles.

I have been getting "free" RAC cover each year I have had it serviced at the main dealer where it came from (I realise this is probably included in their prices somewhere).

The question is should I get the car serviced and MOT'd there again (assuming I get the RAC cover included for the year again - assume also it's basic cover - I've never used it so don't know for sure!).

They have quoted me almost £350 for the service & MOT which is quite a lot more than I expected!

I am not planning on changing the car anytime soon, so not sure how relevant the main dealer service stamp will be on the service record as opposed to a stamp from a small independant garage.

I haven't yet had any quotes from other garages, (I am assuming a small independant will be cheaper), but wanted a general opinion first - my brother goes to Kwik Fit but looking at some of the comments about them on this forum I am not sure that it would be wise - and being female - I still believe there is a sexist attitude in garages - they think women know nothing about cars etc and are more likely to be ripped off than a male! (sorry if I've offended anyone by saying that!).

Thanks in advance for any advice/opinions!

I would direct you to foxychoice but I just had a look and it only lists two dealerships in derby. there is a garage in derby full of female mechanics I remember seeing a bright pink banner while going though derby.

so instead http://ata.theimi.org.uk/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ws3zmVigKQ&feature=plcp

BobQ

Be sure that you know what is included in the manufacturers 3 year service and check that this is also included in any third party service. Most reputable independents will do a good job, but make sure you get some good recommendations.

oldagetraveller

Stooby2 wrote: »

The three year service is often more expensive as that's usually when timing belts and other more major bits and pieces are replaced. Dealers are never cheap. You might find a local reputable garage will do it cheaper.

No, it's usually the second and particularly the fourth that are more expensive.
First and third are normally basic/intermediate glorified engine oil and filter changes and general inspections.:)
Which manufacturer specifies 3 years for a timing belt replacement? It would be useful to know to avoid them in the future.

Zekko

oldagetraveller wrote: »

Which manufacturer specifies 3 years for a timing belt replacement? It would be useful to know to avoid them in the future.

I was going to say... replace the timing belt after 3 years? Just exactly how many miles are you doing per year? Most timing belts are good until around 60k-75k miles. Some last even longer.