Warranties, garages and such

DeeGee75

After 22 happy years of motoring, I'm considering replacing my third ever car in the next couple of years.

Apart from my first ever car (10 year old Fiat Uno with 67000 miles, that I took up to about 120,000) I've only ever bought new (VW Polo which I got rid of far too early at 110,000, and my current Suzuki Ignis which currently sits at 103,000). The Polo was only ever serviced at a Main Dealer, and the Suzuki has only ever been serviced at the place I bought it from (which was the main dealer but lost the concession and is now a Suzuki "Specialist" independent)

I may or may not buy new again, but really I'd like to keep using my garage. Obvs, if I buy a used car, I can get the thing serviced wherever I want, but what if I buy new? Is it still compulsory to get the thing serviced at a Main Dealer to keep the Warranty and Breakdown cover current? Or can I use anyone so long as I adhere to the Service Intervals? Does it make any difference that the lead mechanic was trained by Suzuki while the garage was still a Suzuki main dealer? And what if I choose a Citroen instead?

Or is the depreciation on new cars still so relevant on cars that are kept for 10-15 years that I'd be better off getting something a few months old and going where I like for servicing?

EdGasket

To maintain your warranty, my understanding is that you can get a new car serviced at any VAT registered garage so long as they use the genuine service parts for your make of car; not aftermarket parts. You cannot however service the car yourself even though you may be using genuine parts, without losing your warranty.

However any other 'guarantees' such as anti-corrosion, will be lost if you go anywhere other than the main dealer for your make of car (if they don't get you one way, they get you another).

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If you are choosing between Citroen and Suzuki, stick with Suzuki. The swift has a proper 4 speed automatic, my (and your I guess) Suzuki has been perfectly reliable (I'll post back if it breaks down now). Citroens look too "modern" inside for my taste (and they are French).

DeeGee75

I'm nowhere near making a decision, yet. Just happened to spot a 2 year old Picasso on my way back from getting the Suzuki serviced yesterday and thought about it. I'd happily buy a Suzuki again at the drop of a hat, if I can get one that suits my family.

I like the Ignis because it has a high driving position, feels big enough inside for four adults, has a useable boot (and a full-sized spare wheel!), but is still pretty small outside.

bigjl

I like the Citroen Cactus for some reason.

But only in a few colour combinations.

The bias against Citroen and other French manufacturers is silly. And when people talk about Japanese being better than cars made in Europe when loads of them are made in the UK and Nissans are more Renault than anything else.

A basic entry level Cactus is just over £11k at DrivetheDeal. I have a friend that has had a Picasso from new (52 plate from memory) and he has had no problems.

I have owned Citroens, Renaults and Peugeots over the years and they have been as reliable as anything else. We kept the Clio for 6yrs.

If keeping for the long term I would also consider Dacias, Sandero Stepway is not a bad looking little car and the Duster is a common sight.

I think the trick with a Duster is keep the spec basic.

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bigjl wrote: »

And when people talk about Japanese being better than cars made in Europe when loads of them are made in the UK and Nissans are more Renault than anything else.

This is perfectly true, when you buy a Japanese car, you must look at the VIN number and verify it starts with a J.

If it starts with any other letter, consider something else

forgotmyname

You can buy a new car and service it wherever you like, but when its just out of warranty and a major.expensive fault occurs do not expect any help.

If your a regular customer with a dealer then there is a chance they will help when its out of warranty.

Haggle the price down with the dealer.

Also check what the service entails at a fast fit type place, my parents nearly took theirs to KwikFit because it was £99. But all they would have got for that £99 was an oil change and a look over for some work to add to the bill.

A proper dealers servoice was a lot more involved and included an ECU update that would not have been done elsewhere.