Local Seat Garage has closed, I’m expected to drive 90 miles to the next closest.

KMcCormack

Hello,

I have a Seat Arona and purchased a Seat all in service plan in September last year at my local seat garage.  The service plan is sold under VW group financial services. 

At the time of purchase, my local Seat garage was 1.7miles from me and this is the garage I have always taken my car to for all services, MOTs and any repairs. I received communication 23/11/2023 that the garage would be closing on 18/12/2023. Between those dates I called the garage to ask if I would be able to take my car to another approved seat garage, that also operates under the VW group and claim against my all in service plan. This was due to the next closest seat garage being 45 miles from me, and therefore a 90 mile round trip. Whereas I have 3 VW group garages less than a mile from me, one VW, one Audi and one Skoda. However I’ve been told I cannot claim under the seat service plan at a non seat garage, despite them all being VW group garages. 

Is there anything I can do in this situation, I’m torn between giving in a making the 90 mile trip every time my car is due a service/MOT, or when I need an adhoc repair. Or I just sell the car to avoid this. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. 

BoGoF

if that's the terms of the service plan then you are stuck with the option of sucking it up or selling the car - which seems a bit drastic imho for what will in all likelihood be a once a year thing?

Car_54

Bentley and Lamborghini are also in the group. Do you think their dealers would service your Seat?

More seriously, could you get a refund on the service plan?

Wonka_2

I've been subject to this, albeit with a different brand. Is one of the more local dealers part of the same dealer group as the closed one and are they taking on Seat servicing ? Or did you ask the closing dealership (before it closed) where they recommended you took it ?

Selling the car seems a bit radical - given I was on a 2yr service plan I ended up with a day out to a local city and planned it with an agreement with dealer that if there happened to be an issue that needed them to keep the car then they had a loan car available for me.

Bigwheels1111

I travel 120 miles round trip for my service at Peugeot.

Because it £85-100 pound cheaper per year for my service.

That is after my per mile insurance cost and fuel.

But this was my decision.

Herzlos

Is there anything in the service plan contract that'll allow you to back out of it given the frustration of contract is coming from their side.

If so, then you'd only really need to get it serviced at a Seat place whilst the warranty was in effect, and could take it somewhere more locally for MOT.

You'll lose a lot more trading the car in for another badge, then paying for the extra travel or paying to get it serviced locally.

Stubod

I would ask for a refund of the service plan....seems to be a bit drastic to sell the car just for this and you will probably be worse off financially??

Tiexen

Looks like SEAT as a brand is on the way out:

"Seat is to stop making cars and will be fully replaced by Cupra over the coming years as part of a major change of strategy for Volkswagen Group."

400ixl

Is that the next closest Seat Dealership, or the next closest one in their group?

Often when one group gives up / loses the franchise someone else picks it up pretty quickly locally but may not be the same location.

Where are you OP?

photome

Tiexen said:

Looks like SEAT as a brand is on the way out:

"Seat is to stop making cars and will be fully replaced by Cupra over the coming years as part of a major change of strategy for Volkswagen Group."

I think that is a little misleading

 Cupra is pretty much Seat by another name and they are going to continue to make the popular Seat brand cars

also most if not all Seat dealers are now either joint Seat/Cupra dealers or have rebranded to Cupra

Okell

@KMcCormack

Why is your local garage closing?

I'd have thought that they were in breach of contract if they can't do the servicing etc.  Unless they've gone bust I'd be demanding a refund in respect of services you've paid for that they are not now going to provide.

You should be entitled to a full or partial refund depending on how much of the contract (if any) they have performed