Dacia Service Query

fred246

Car servicing is quite easy. It is easier than it ever has been. Tasks have gradually reduced over the years. Cars now have computers running software. They test the cars extensively but they might make a mistake in the software writing process. If they discover a mistake they can correct it via a software update. Obviously if an update was critical they would have to recall the vehicle. So if your car is working fine you don't need a software update. The rest of a service is a few simple tasks and checks. Main dealers charge more because it is part of the 'deal' with manufacturers. We set up a posh branded showroom and that allows us to charge extra. Europe was unhappy with the deal the consumer was getting so they made it law that you could use cheaper independent garages. The manufacturers and main dealers were upset so they invented the concept that only main dealer servicing got you goodwill. That is something you may or may not get. I have spoken to a few people recently who have been very unhappy that they didn't get the 'goodwill' that they expected. You can't expect lifetime free repairs just because you have main dealer servicing. I service my own which is the cheapest way and can be done very satisfactorily on a drive with a few tools. So a mobile mechanic or a knowledgeable relative could service a car easily. They may be able to teach and supervise you. Cars last 15-20 years so most of the time they are 'out of warranty'. The customer just mends the car as necessary. There seems to be a group of people who buy brand new cars, get them serviced at the main dealer and sell them before the warranty expires. This is the most unbelievably expensive way to run a car. I keep my cars a long time so I am not too bothered about warranties. People buy second hand cars with warranties that are normally useless. So there are choices to be made. If you want to keep your warranty you will have to spend more. It's a choice you make.

452

Thing is Fred not everyone wants to run round in an 11 year old Ford.

fred246

They want something newer and more unreliable that needs a warranty to fix all it's faults?

Mercdriver

fred246 said:

They want something newer and more unreliable that needs a warranty to fix all it's faults?

No.  If they have forked out 5 figures, they want the assurance of a warranty as a back up.  They don't want the warranty to be null and void because some !!!!!! has done their own thing copying a youtube video

fred246

So you have paid a lot, and then you have to pay even more to the dealers so they will fix all the faults that the brand new very expensive car has and then you pass it on to someone else who looks after it for years with no warranty. It's amazing how the dealers then can service older cars cheaper than brand new ones. It all sounds as if brand new cars are a load of trouble and old ones no problem at all.

452

fred246 said:

So you have paid a lot, and then you have to pay even more to the dealers so they will fix all the faults that the brand new very expensive car has and then you pass it on to someone else who looks after it for years with no warranty. It's amazing how the dealers then can service older cars cheaper than brand new ones. It all sounds as if brand new cars are a load of trouble and old ones no problem at all.

Bit like your daughters, you've fixed all the faults and will pass them on without any warranty. How much have they cost you?

motorguy

Deleted_User said:

The mods may as well close this thread as the usual arguing spamming posters have ruined it again. 

Yes, from the very first post, Fred replied - "You would want your oil changing. Everything else will just be checks. They won't bother with half of those at least. You've probably just paid for the stamp."

We've been trying to give an objective, balanced and correct view since, not base an argument on some bit of paper his dad had in the 1970s.

motorguy

fred246 said:

I do feel sorry for the people who have a genuine problem with their car or want some good advice and they post on here expecting a reply from fellow consumers. They then get a load of abuse from the 'motor industry insiders' who post on here within a few minutes. It's like going into a garage with the world's worst customer service.

Fred it was your "advice" that was wrong.  Your very first post - and the first response on the thread was "You would want your oil changing. Everything else will just be checks. They won't bother with half of those at least. You've probably just paid for the stamp."  This was incorrect.  The O/P checked and the car has been serviced correctly to Dacias requirements.  

Telling the O/P the car should have had the oil changed and that at least half the work he paid for wasnt done when you had and have no proof at all that that was the case is misleading at best and trolling at worst.

motorguy

fred246 said:

Car servicing is quite easy. It is easier than it ever has been. Tasks have gradually reduced over the years. Cars now have computers running software. They test the cars extensively but they might make a mistake in the software writing process. If they discover a mistake they can correct it via a software update. Obviously if an update was critical they would have to recall the vehicle. So if your car is working fine you don't need a software update. The rest of a service is a few simple tasks and checks. Main dealers charge more because it is part of the 'deal' with manufacturers. We set up a posh branded showroom and that allows us to charge extra. Europe was unhappy with the deal the consumer was getting so they made it law that you could use cheaper independent garages. The manufacturers and main dealers were upset so they invented the concept that only main dealer servicing got you goodwill. That is something you may or may not get. I have spoken to a few people recently who have been very unhappy that they didn't get the 'goodwill' that they expected. You can't expect lifetime free repairs just because you have main dealer servicing. I service my own which is the cheapest way and can be done very satisfactorily on a drive with a few tools. So a mobile mechanic or a knowledgeable relative could service a car easily. They may be able to teach and supervise you. Cars last 15-20 years so most of the time they are 'out of warranty'. The customer just mends the car as necessary. There seems to be a group of people who buy brand new cars, get them serviced at the main dealer and sell them before the warranty expires. This is the most unbelievably expensive way to run a car. I keep my cars a long time so I am not too bothered about warranties. People buy second hand cars with warranties that are normally useless. So there are choices to be made. If you want to keep your warranty you will have to spend more. It's a choice you make.

They didnt "invent the concept" of goodwill.  Its common sense.  Why should a manufacturer or a dealer go above and beyond in someones time of need when they havent darkened their doors ever?

fred246

Well the OP had a one year old car with 13000 miles on the clock. I would certainly want an oil change. I would not want my first oil change at 2 years and 26000 miles. Every independent trading standards investigation into car servicing has shown appalling standards.
The conclusions from the welsh report were:
There was clear evidence that many traders were not thorough in their approach to the service. Many were negligent and some even fraudulently charged for work that they did not carry out. 3.2 The general standard of servicing was poor and only a small percentage of the garages picked up most of the faults. 3.3 There is no standard definition of what constitutes a “full” or “major” service and many independent servicing agents did not follow the manufacturer’s servicing schedules although they are available for reference from a number of sources. As a result different garages do a different set of works in their services and consumers have no way of comparing the packages on offer or their relative value for money when they book their service. 3.4 It was common for invoices not to detail the work done, the parts replaced and the costs of parts and labour. 3.5 Many traders appeared to routinely “stamp” consumers vehicle service records implying that the manufacturer’s recommended service schedules had been followed when they had not. Essential replacements such as drive belts are often not carried out and this could lead to expensive, avoidable repairs when the elements later fail. 6 Many purchasers rely on the integrity of service records when they decide to purchase a vehicle. 3.6 The prices charged by main dealers were generally higher than the small independent garages but both missed faults that ought to have been picked up. 
Maybe you could show an independent report which has shown good standards.