Buying a Service Plan from a Dealership

LouiseAH

I am looking to buy a car from a dealership. I have already visited a few dealerships and test drove a few cars that I am interested in buying. When I was in the dealerships they mentioned the service plans they had for sale. In one dealership if I got the car on finance I could get 2 services, 1 major and 1 minor for £79.00. I have never bought a service plan before. Is there a catch, will the dealership service the car and then find extra work to try and extract cash from my pocket? The car will have low mileage at the time of the services. 

Grumpy_chap

When you buy the service plan, is this being offered as a service plan from the dealer or a service plan from the manufacturer?
This makes a difference as the former ties you to the specific dealer while the latter allows you to go to any authorised service outlet for the make of vehicle.

LouiseAH

Grumpy_chap said:

When you buy the service plan, is this being offered as a service plan from the dealer or a service plan from the manufacturer?
This makes a difference as the former ties you to the specific dealer while the latter allows you to go to any authorised service outlet for the make of vehicle.

Its a service plan from the manufacturer. 

daveyjp

Provide vehicle details and another owner may be able to offer real life experience.

Grumpy_chap

Service plans from the manufacturers are often good value - and you can check relatively easily as the costs for the plan and the routine servicing are usually available on the website - though of course you may be able to negotiate.  The manufacturers like it because it ties you in to their network - it is also quite good for you as you get the main dealer stamp.

The BMW / MINI plan is particularly well-reviewed and I know a few people that had that and it worked well and excellent value.

My Mum had a Honda plan on her Jazz - the admin was a bit adhoc, but the plan worked well over all.  However, the Honda plan showed the importance of checking the detail as there was a query on Mum's plan whether or not it included MOT and some dealers would not provide the full level of service (collection/delivery or courtesy car) - that meant choosing another dealer that did.

BOWFER

I've had a service plan on my previous Polo, and now the Gti one I have too.
It was £149 for two services.
The cynic in me has a nagging doubt you're not 'quite' getting the same service as someone paying full whack, same as I think restaurants reduce portion sizes when you're using vouchers, but I've got no proof.
I don't really care either, TBH, it's a PCP car and I really don't give a monkeys if it's getting the bare minimum, as long as it complies with the PCP requirements.

Car_54

I've had two (free) service plans - Honda and Mercedes - and have never seen any evidence either of cost cutting or finding additional work. With the Merc I got free collection and delivery, wash and vac, and a video of the work.

fred246

I would love to put hidden cameras in these nearly new cars when they go in for service. The owner is only doing it for the paperwork. They aren't bothered if it is serviced or not. People seem to think the plan is cheap but it's probably about the price it should be anyway. If you take on a main dealership charging silly prices for servicing is all part of the deal.

BOWFER

fred246 said:

I would love to put hidden cameras in these nearly new cars when they go in for service. The owner is only doing it for the paperwork. They aren't bothered if it is serviced or not. People seem to think the plan is cheap but it's probably about the price it should be anyway. If you take on a main dealership charging silly prices for servicing is all part of the deal.

I wouldn't go as far as saying I'm not bothered about it getting serviced.
I do want the oil changed, I do want filters changed and I do want stuff like software updates done.
I can do without videos of the car up on a ramp and a mechanic telling me my tyres that have done 6000 miles are fine though.
And I can live without the wash/hoover too.

Grumpy_chap

BOWFER said:

I wouldn't go as far as saying I'm not bothered about it getting serviced.
I do want the oil changed, I do want filters changed and I do want stuff like software updates done.
I can do without videos of the car up on a ramp and a mechanic telling me my tyres that have done 6000 miles are fine though.
And I can live without the wash/hoover too.

The video of the service is actually a bad thing IMO.
Mum had that with her Honda - rather than a service report, they sent her a video to the phone plus some cryptic message about returning the car in the current condition.  So Mum gets stressed and sends it to me to sort out what to do next.  I am in a meeting, but I've now got an urgent issue to deal with so need to try to watch a video which won't run on my phone anyway.  I then phone the garage, but the lady answering the phone simply says to watch the video.  
All that was needed was a simple message "your car is all serviced, all OK, and we'll be dropping it back in half hour."  Why overcomplicate things?

JamoLew

The bit that gets me is all the "extras" they try and flog you

Gearbox oil change -- ooo that'll be £90 - we really do recommend you get that done
Brake Fluid change -- ooo that'll be £90 - we really do recommend you get that done

Well include it in the service then !!

Oh, sorry, it won't be ready for another 60min while we wash and valet it 

Don't bother and knock some £ off (always wondered how much the "free" wash and valet costs)

Or - drop if off at 9 -- ok, done
I phone at 12 -- is it ready yet ?
They say: its not due to be done untill 2pm 
Me: so why did I have to drop it off at 9am then !

Set me off now, on a Friday as well