Car service plan - might have dodged a bullet, but are they all bad?

MSR01

Hello,

I recently bought a seven year old Suzuki with circa 72k on the clock and in generally excellent condition. It came from what was once Car Store but which, since the sale, has now been taken over by Evans Halshaw. They are now offering to sell me one of these EMaC service plans. They sent me a link to get an online quote. It starts with a basic offer for two services, one major after two years, one minor before that. This was about £19/month. If I added the two MOTs over that period, it went up to around £22. Ok, fine, I was thinking. The maths roughly checks out. It should be generally cheaper than anything any local garage would offer at short notice. But then... with the final price of £22 per month still visible on the screen, I clicked on the 'Continue' button to input personal details and progress to payment... and just as it refreshed I saw £22 become £26, the one-off upfront payment went up, and the total went from £470-something to well over £500, all in the second before the payment page replaced it.

And that's when I decided to stop. (This is also why I never pay for anything on a mobile phone. You need a nice big screen to properly see everything.)

So, I think I have a bad feeling about this particular offer, from these particular people, on this particular website. But... should that colour my feelings about dealership service plans in general? Can they be good?

Or, as an alternative, should I look for a service plan from the manufacturer through one of their dealerships? There's a Suzuki dealer just down the road. I imagine this might come with advantages, such as genuine parts and specialist mechanics.

Or is this all a waste of time for a second hand car?

Mr.Generous

Good spot, My service plan quote online that was cheap was suddenly dearer when I came to pay for in the dealers until I showed them a screenshot ... and it went back down. £438 for 2 services on a performance Cupra - still not as cheap as VW group offer on black Friday but for some spurious reason even after they took payment they decided they couldn't do it and refunded me. Makes me feel better seeing yours, but then I don't get the MOT's. Did a decent job first service, sent a video and fixed a puncture.

Reece_

Personally I’d just find a good reputable garage/indie you can trust. If you’re bothered about genuine parts then you can request that anyway wherever you go. On the whole and without wanting to tar them all with the same brush, I find main dealer servicing well overrated, inflated costs paying for a coffee machine and a nice waiting room. I’ve had main dealers do things as silly as putting in a pollen filter incorrectly and skip parts of the service schedule. The savings from a service plan can obviously be variable depending on how much costs increase year on year but when I have had them previously, the savings were negligible especially considering the dealers increased cost in the first place although I will say their minor service cost was okay but major service cost was frankly ridiculous. 

born_again

EMaC provide manufactures service plans.

https://cars.suzuki.co.uk/owners/servicing/service-payment-plan/

Cancellation

Can I cancel my Suzuki Service Payment Plan?

Yes, you can cancel at any time by contacting EMaC. You'll receive a refund, excluding any services that you have claimed for and any applicable management fees. Refunds will be paid into the account you originally used to pay for the plan.

What happens if I sell my vehicle?

If you sell your car, you can either cancel the plan and receive a refund (detailed above) or, if you’ve bought a new Suzuki, you can transfer the balance from your current policy to your new policy. If you contact EMaC, they will be able to complete this for you. 

How do I contact EMaC?

You can email EMaC at support@emac.ltd.uk or call on 0330 099 6826 (lines are open Monday to Friday (8:00am to 6:00pm) and Saturday (9:00am to 1:00pm).

MSR01

born_again said:

EMaC provide manufactures service plans.

https://cars.suzuki.co.uk/owners/servicing/service-payment-plan/

I don't think EMaC ran that website. I think it was an Evans Halshaw site as you buy the plan through them, they pitch it to you, set the price, etc. I have a friend who just cancelled her service plan with the same dealership (she sold the car in question within the two years) and the dealership said they couldn't cancel it, that she had to call EMaC directly, who then said that the dealership could in fact cancel it... but EMaC then cancelled it anyway, and charged her a £30 fee for the pleasure.

jimbo6977

For a 7yo 72k car I wouldn't bother. For a new or nearly new car from a main dealer the service plans can be good value. Part of the benefit to the dealer is that your return visits give them opportunities to sell you another car. 

born_again

MSR01 said:

born_again said:

EMaC provide manufactures service plans.

https://cars.suzuki.co.uk/owners/servicing/service-payment-plan/

I don't think EMaC ran that website. I think it was an Evans Halshaw site as you buy the plan through them, they pitch it to you, set the price, etc. I have a friend who just cancelled her service plan with the same dealership (she sold the car in question within the two years) and the dealership said they couldn't cancel it, that she had to call EMaC directly, who then said that the dealership could in fact cancel it... but EMaC then cancelled it anyway, and charged her a £30 fee for the pleasure.

That is the official Suzuki site. As I said EMaC sell service plans for manufactures. Same with my Kia.

Be careful buying direct from dealers, it maybe their own plan. In which case if they shut up shop, or lose franchise. Then you have paid for nothing.

7 year old car, why bother with a service plan. Cheaper to fond a good local indi to do it for you. As any warranty is long gone. Would never trust a dealer such as the seller to do a good service. You will get calls, you need this that & another every time. Boosting the cost.

Bigwheels1111

I must admit I was not a fan on Evens Halshaw, friends had dealings with them and issues in the past.
I’ve just moved and local Peugeot is stone acre.
I was due a mot so walked in and tried to book it in.
Was told I needed to see a sales representative, warning Will Robinson warning.
I was informed that a mot was no problem just leave to car for 2.5-3 hours so we can give it a free full going over.
I said no, I just want an mot and not the free check over thanks, their reply was something like no it by law etc and MUST be done.
Now it sounds like Kwikfit.
I ran for the hills.
Next closest is Evan’s Halshaw, I called about the mot and was told no problem just leave it with us for 60 minutes.
So I did and all was good.
Now after moving I need a new service plan as old dealership Is 175 miles away.
So I used Evan’s Halshaw quote system for a 3 year price, and like you it kept changing the price.
I called Emac they could not understand it, nor could Evan’s Halshaw when I called.
I was given a call back 2 hours later with an even better offer.
They had tweaked my quote. Year 9 and 10 service.
A 2 year plan plus an intermediate service, that can be used after 9 & 10 for year 11.
Down from £642t to £532.
A £100 saving.
I need a main dealer service to keep up extended warranty.

I would call direct and see what they can do.

EssexExile

jimbo6977 said:

For a 7yo 72k car I wouldn't bother. For a new or nearly new car from a main dealer the service plans can be good value. Part of the benefit to the dealer is that your return visits give them opportunities to sell you another car. 

Although part of the deal with my service plan is that they collect and return the car, so no visit to the dealer!

Stubod

I was offered one this year by my local Kia garage (who service my car). It's £18 per month and covers the annual service and MOT...so seemed like a bit of a bargain? 

My car is just over 2 years old, (so first MOT next year). 

I intend keeping the car for at least anther 3 (possibly 4) years as it has a 7 year warranty....

born_again

Stubod said:

I was offered one this year by my local Kia garage (who service my car). It's £18 per month and covers the annual service and MOT...so seemed like a bit of a bargain? 

My car is just over 2 years old, (so first MOT next year). 

I intend keeping the car for at least anther 3 (possibly 4) years as it has a 7 year warranty....

https://www.kia.com/uk/owners/service-maintenance/service-plans/service-plans---buy-online/

4&5 on mine is £279 👍