Free or not courtesy car when using dealer for service

photome

Is it now customary for dealers to charge for courtsey cars?

I have been using courtesy cars for at least 10 years, twice a year and have never been charged, I must point out I have comp insurance that covers me for the car and I pay for the fuel.

My car is due in to a garage next month and the garage want £18 for use of their car, i asked why the charge and was told its to cover fuel and insurance, I replied i didnt need either.

Was then told again that is what the charge is for, so I asked if i could pick it up full and return empty, was told no you have to fill it back to how it was on collection....how is the charge for fuel then?

eventuallay was told take it or leave it. great customer service.

I guess I can see why they may charge as they are there to make a profit, but they are already making a profit on the service and I fail to understand why they want to charge me for something i wont be using, ie fuel and insurance

bengalknights

Majority of garages still dont charge

Ich_2

The dealer I use started "for insurance" this until they got slapped down by all the lease companies and the larger employers as courtesy cars are automatically covered by company insurance

photome

bengalknights wrote: »

Majority of garages still dont charge

That is what i thought,

just to add, as I said they want the £18 to cover insurance , but still want me to produce my comp policy.

It seems to me it is just a money making scheme, which is ok , but would be nice if they just came clean

photome

Ich wrote: »

The dealer I use started "for insurance" this until they got slapped down by all the lease companies and the larger employers as courtesy cars are automatically covered by company insurance

exactly, mine is a lease car on company insurance, but he wouldnt have it when i spoke to them this morning

prowla

They often say you have to have insurance.

neilmcl

OP, your comp insurance, if standard, will only cover you third party to drive another vehicle which is why quite a few dealerships now either charge you a small fee to cover you on their insurance or get your to add their car to your insurance and for you to provide a cover note showing this. This is not unusual.

rs65

Mercedes have 4 options for servicing.

Lite - £139 - drop off
Lounge - £159 - while you wait
Drive - £189 - courtesy car
Collect - £189 - they collect and return the car

Prices are 'from' and for an A service.

So, an extra £20 to drink their coffee or an extra £50 for a courtesy car !!!!

giraffe69

My Ford garage wanted to charge £20 for a courtesy car and that excluded any use of petrol. I said no and put the phone down. 20 minutes later the "manager" phoned to do one of these "on this one occasion" calls. I did use them on that occasion but have found another garage now.

adamc260

You might have fully comp but that a) doesn't automatically include the ability to drive other cars and b) covers third party only.

If I lent a new or nearly new car out to someone I'd like to make sure it was covered properly.

If you don't like the cost, ask them to pick it up and drop it back to you.

photome

adamc260 wrote: »

You might have fully comp but that a) doesn't automatically include the ability to drive other cars and b) covers third party only.

If I lent a new or nearly new car out to someone I'd like to make sure it was covered properly.

If you don't like the cost, ask them to pick it up and drop it back to you.

I understand our insurance does give fully comp cover.

picking up and dropping back is not really an option as I need a car.

As I said initially its not all about the charge its about what the charge is for, they did huff and puff and didnt really clarify, after I said I had insurance and would put fuel in.

This is my first experience with this garage and may still use it in jan, depending on what my fleet manager comes back with.