Get car serviced at main dealer or local garage?

Mercdriver

Scooby.Doo wrote: »

Where do you get the latest software updates and what diagnostic tool are you using?

I wouldn't pay much heed to this Fred or the one 1000-10. They are both intransigent in their views.

I had goodwill with my Merc which had a few EGR issues after the warranty ended. The fact that I kept my servicing with the dealer meant that the EGR work and a full set of injectors were fitted FOC.

fred246

Software should be tested well before release. I have not owned a car that has ever had a software update released. If any safety critical update was needed the car should be recalled. Surveys of car servicing show massive failure to do the work that is supposed to be done. They aren't going to spend ages trying to update software if the car is running OK. It's all just a game. Very little is done at a service especially if the car is new. People don't really care about what is done. They just want a stamp in the book.

Mercdriver

Modern cars have software updates which aren't safety critical but may improve efficiency.

Car_54

fred246 wrote: »

Software should be tested well before release. I have not owned a car that has ever had a software update released. If any safety critical update was needed the car should be recalled. Surveys of car servicing show massive failure to do the work that is supposed to be done. They aren't going to spend ages trying to update software if the car is running OK. It's all just a game. Very little is done at a service especially if the car is new. People don't really care about what is done. They just want a stamp in the book.

Which decade are you living in? Why would they "spend ages" "trying" to update software?

The mechanic doesn't need to write the program or debug software. He just plugs it in and gets on with changing the oil.

motorguy

fred246 wrote: »

Have you ever noticed that main dealers have big shiny showrooms full of staff doing nothing? Who pays for that? There isn't much profit in new cars, a little in selling used cars. Part of the deal of being a franchised garage is that you can sell services at rip off prices. You have brochures telling the public that you have specialist technicians etc. when in reality there is nothing specialised about an oil change. No survey of garages have ever shown main dealers to be better. There is no reason why they would be. In fact surveys of garage services show them to be universally poor. The best way of servicing a car and the only way to know it has been done properly is to do it yourself.

No. Not "universally poor". And how would you know, as you say you never go near them?

You would be taking a massive risk doing it yourself and then hoping the warranty would remain intact.

And finally, 95% of people dont have the time, inclination, capability or tools required to do it themselves.

motorguy

fred246 wrote: »

Software should be tested well before release. I have not owned a car that has ever had a software update released. If any safety critical update was needed the car should be recalled. Surveys of car servicing show massive failure to do the work that is supposed to be done. They aren't going to spend ages trying to update software if the car is running OK. It's all just a game. Very little is done at a service especially if the car is new. People don't really care about what is done. They just want a stamp in the book.

Software IS tested before it is released, however UPDATES - not FIXES - are applied when enhanced software versions are developed. This can enhance functionality, reduce emissions, reduce fuel usage or simply allow your car to be connected to the latest software that the dealer is using from the manufacturer.

This has been the same for several decades. Just because you havent had any on your cars doesnt mean there werent a myriad available that would have been applied via normal servicing.

All very well on some old scrapper, but on a new car? :rotfl: Its a frankly daft idea to DIY service it and avoid the updates.

motorguy

Mercdriver wrote: »

I wouldn't pay much heed to this Fred or the one 1000-10. They are both intransigent in their views.

I had goodwill with my Merc which had a few EGR issues after the warranty ended. The fact that I kept my servicing with the dealer meant that the EGR work and a full set of injectors were fitted FOC.

Thats exactly it.

You might pay a bit more at a main dealer but its a small price to pay to ensure the warranty remains intact and you are getting the latest s/w updates.

Plus, come resale / trade in time, can you imagine what it would do the value of your £50,000-£100,000 Land Rover if you said you'd serviced it yourself??? :eek: Any financial benefit would be flushed down the toilet instantly.

PLUS. given the prevalence of HP / PCP / PCH as a means of funding vehicles, there may be a contractual minimum requirement in terms of servicing standards.

motorguy

Mercdriver wrote: »

I wouldn't pay much heed to this Fred or the one 1000-10. They are both intransigent in their views.

To the point that both of them derail threads entirely with frankly nonsense.

motorguy

These days there are a lot of service plans available for cars too. With BMW & MINI you can buy a 3 year servicing plan for £299.

That can be bought up to the time the first service is due.

Am i going to be bothered spannering at the car myself and worrying about whether the warranty will remain intact or how it will affect the resale value of the car down the line to save a bit on that? Not a pups chance.

motorguy

fred246 wrote: »

Have you ever noticed that main dealers have big shiny showrooms full of staff doing nothing? Who pays for that? There isn't much profit in new cars, a little in selling used cars. Part of the deal of being a franchised garage is that you can sell services at rip off prices. You have brochures telling the public that you have specialist technicians etc. when in reality there is nothing specialised about an oil change. No survey of garages have ever shown main dealers to be better. There is no reason why they would be. In fact surveys of garage services show them to be universally poor. The best way of servicing a car and the only way to know it has been done properly is to do it yourself.

I cant believe any sane person would suggest spannering yourself on an 18 month old Land Rover when there is so much at risk. Banal! :eek: