British Gas saying elderly parents need new boiler

Iloveveg

Hello everyone, I'm new to this site and need some advice re British Gas. My elderly parents are on a service plan with British Gas. They've had it serviced today and the engineer has told them they need a new boiler because it is not very efficient. Apparently it 'needs replacing' and this will also involve new pipe work being fitted (?). I live in an area where there is no gas at all so we only have an oil boiler. My, limited, understanding is that gas boilers are not very efficient anyway, and so long as the boiler has not been condemned and deemed unsafe then there is no real reason to replace. It works fine and they have never had any problems with it as they've been on the service plan since it was installed. 
I am extremely wary of what the engineer has said as it seems like a sales pitch, as they are elderly. I'm sure i've read stuff about British Gas being OTT with sales to vulnerable, elderly people on service plans before. 
I've asked parents if there is a written record of the service detailing what the engineer said, apparently there is (they will send it over) and advised them to get a local independent Gas Safe engineer to look at it and give an opinion. 
Does anyone have any experience of British Gas and this sales pitch? Are they pressure selling? I'm assuming the British Gas price for new boiler and installation will be inflated compared to an independent gas safe engineer? 
I live 200 miles from them so cannot easily pop in to help.
Thanks

JJ_Egan

This is the LPG and Oil board/

As you say get an independent report .

But BG have not turned it off as unsafe .

I would ( in same position with BG ) One run it until it does breakdown  and in the meantime get a few local installer quotes .

Mine has only broken down twice in the last 15 years but both times freezing cold and just before Christmas .

Browntoa

My mother in law , BG quote £4000 ISH , local installers £1600. 

BG will only service if they can get the amount of spares they need , does not apply to local who will attempt to source parts 

macman

BG RGI's get paid a referral fee if you request a BG site visit to spec a new boiler, so that is the motivation here. It also explains why BG typically quote 40% more than a local independent RGI.
Modern condensing boilers are indeed more efficient, but that doesn't mean it is unsafe or worth replacing.

Gerry1

At 2p/kWh you can buy an awful lot of cheap gas for the same amount as an expensive new boiler.

Iloveveg

Thanks everyone.