Car Service...dealer or independent?

OddballJamie

Strider590 wrote: »

That's all very well, but it's western thing to trust people who talk a lot and smile, but talk is cheap and a smile can hide a thousand lies.
Most people, not knowing anything about cars, they'll trust someone even if they're spouting utter sh*te.

So I take it you only trust grumpy indies?

As you clearly don't like main dealers or people that smile.

hollie.weimeraner

My wife's had 2 yaris now (she's a driving instructor) and has always had them serviced at the dealers. They are extremely competitive on service costs although spares can be expensive (Brake pads and discs are the only things she has ever needed). Whenever they state they need doing they supply a quote and I ring round a couple of independents to quote (making sure they use genuine Toyota parts) and then go back to the dealership who up to present day have always matched the independent.

Service from Toyota has always been exemplary which is more than I can say for Nissan and Ford dealerships I have used.

Whilst she has the current Yaris it will be serviced by the dealership unless they decide to inflate their servicing astronomically like Ford who I just paid £187 for nothing more than an oil change

Iceweasel

I would agree with the idea of staying with the Toyotadealer's workshop and keeping the service record complete in the realistic prospect of getting a quick and more profitable sale somewhere down the line.

There are less horror stories regarding Toyota dealers than many other marques.

You could easily go to an indy and get ripped off with shoddy work.

There are good and bad workshops everywhere.

In the OP's case the price differential is not worth it.

Shop around a bit more before making the final decision.

Strider590

OddballJamie wrote: »

So I take it you only trust grumpy indies?

As you clearly don't like main dealers or people that smile.

No I just walk away as soon as they try to BS me.

tea_break

How do you always know if they're trying to bs you? eg on last service they told me the drop link had some play and the lower arm front bush was slightly deteriorated and might need doing in the next year or so.
Not being a car expert, I have to take them at their word, unless I'm going to start paying different garages for second opinions.

vansboy

If there is such a small difference in cost, then Main Dealer Serviced, is nice to be able to say, when selling on, regardless of how good an independent may be.

Plus some brands will price match independents - VW were doing this a while ago.

Vauxhall have their discount 'club' for owners of older Vehicles, which gives you £25 voucher just for joining. It has limitations on what you can spend it on, but my Astra just got a fresh set of mats for £1.95!! So worth joining to see if there are savings on something you'd like.

VB

jaydeeuk1

sam1970 wrote: »

It is a Toyota which is in a very good shape and has been always serviced at the dealership

I just had mine serviced and mot'd at Toyota which is now 5 years old, mine is the vintage iq that only came with 3 years warranty. Figured if i came to sell it privately it will look better showing full toyota service history, all recalls done, the checklist sheets all signed and also the latest ecu updates installed. Other than the new airbag it would have cost £116 for mot and service. Might have got it done for £90 or so elsewhere but for the sake of £20...

nash1977

I have a 5 yr old honda which has always been serviced at the dealer as the car came with a cheap 5 yr service plan. However from next year I will take it to an independent which I use for my other car as repairs are significantly cheaper, and there is no difference in service. Also I find that independents are better at diagnosing problems and I have never been charged for diagnostics. I plan to keep the car for 10 yrs+ and so there is no point in having a full mains dealer service history.

Gloomendoom

I get both our everyday cars serviced at their respective dealers. With a bit of haggling the price is comparable to using an independent garage.

sam1970

so..after few phone calls this is what I got for an MOT and interim service:

1- Local dealer £199
2- 30 miles away dealer £182
3- Independent garage £165
4- Halfords autocentre £139
5- Kwikfit (with discount code) £119

decision..decision