Ford Service Plan - Should I just use a local garage instead?

JadeHighland

I have a 1.25 Fiesta and it has just had its service (100,000 miles). The starter motor needs changing and they are charging £465. There is also a £951 charge for the thermostat, water pump and belt change. 

A quick Google search shows that I may be getting overcharged here (would be good to get the opinions of others here). I pay £25 a month which covers service and MOT and supposed to get a discount on on any fixes. 

It's the first and only car I have so just always went along with the service plan. Time to end it? 

Goudy

If it was me, then yes I would consider it's time to end the service plan.

From the prices they are quoting, it doesn't look like they are giving you a discount or an incentive for that matter, to continue paying it.

But before you jump go back to the dealers service desk and ask them about a discount due to your service plan and why should you consider paying the plan if the discounts aren't being applied.
Give them a reason to give you money off!
It'll cost you nothing to ask but even if they sliced a reasonable slice off the labour costs, they still won't be cheap.

You could do with finding a decent local garage you can trust. 
I know this sounds like a task but you could start with this.
The Good Garage Scheme: Good Garage Scheme – Car servicing, MOTs and car repairs
Or ask around your friends and family.

It's not like your car will scare them, it's a well known make and model and the parts for it aren't that expensive.

A starter motor can be bought for around £80 to £100 and won't take longer than a hour to swap.

I would say a cam belt change on one of these is fairly easy compared to some cars and would bank on it being around £400 plus the parts cost for the water pump and thermostat. 

born_again

Why are you using main dealer, when car is out of warranty?

MSE. Find a well recommended local independent & save a fortune. No need for a service plan on a car such as yours.

Bigwheels1111

I have a Peugeot 5008 2016, I get it serviced at the main dealer as took out extended warranty.

Years 1-5   £13.42 a month from memory. Mot not included.

Years 6-10 £14.99 a month.

Year 1 Oil & filter, Adblue top up.

Year 2 Oil & filter, Adblue top up, Pollen filters and brake fluid.

Year 3 Oil & filter, Adblue top up.

Year 4 Oil & filter, Adblue top up, Pollen filters and brake fluid and air filter.

For year 5 The cycle starts again at year 1.

The price they charge for timing belt and water pump, is a made up figure in the dealers.

I swear to god.

https://www.stellantisandyou.co.uk/peugeot/service/fixed-price-repairs

£689.00 Timing belt and water pump.

A garage I used in August 23.  £499.00 Both are main Peugeot dealers.

https://www.yeomans.co.uk/peugeot/servicing-parts/10-most-common-repairs/

Call around, say 20 miles from home max.

Get prices.

Mildly_Miffed

You don't say what age your Fiesta is, but I presume not recent. Just saying "1.25", it could be from almost any point this side of the millennium.

So this £300/year "plan" just includes one (presumably small) service and a £50-legal-maximum-price MOT? With everything else charged on top, albeit with a discount?

Think of it as a savings plan. In return for drip-feeding payment, you're tied to who you use.

Yes, you can certainly get a service for less than £250. I wouldn't go near a main dealer for anything once outside the new-car warranty. They charge an absolute premium rate for both parts and labour.