Service plans - is there any advantage?

GunJack

It's horses for courses..... I'm normally in Bangernomics territory for my car, but with Mrs.G-J's we splashed out (for us) on a 5-y-o car which we've had 5 years now, but we intend for it to be, if poss, her "forever" car. It came with a full main dealer service history, and we've used the local main dealer to keep this going by using their service plan. It's not bad tbf, works out at £300 p/a for major service & MoT (fixed for the 3 year period) and at £25 a month it's one less takeaway and you can just forget about it, knowing the service (and any software updates) and MoT are taken care of. 

The s/w updates came in handy year before last, the seatbelt/airbag warning started playing up. Turned out it was solved by a s/w update as part of the service, not the sort of thing our trusted local garage would have been able to solve without a massive bill (probably including taking it to the main dealer anyway).

kassy64

Mine is with Hyundai and good value in my opinion, especially as it covers the big year 4 service and can be used at any Hyundai dealer nationwide. Biggest factor for me is it no increase due to inflation.

Shedman

kassy64 said:

Mine is with Hyundai and good value in my opinion, especially as it covers the big year 4 service and can be used at any Hyundai dealer nationwide. Biggest factor for me is it no increase due to inflation.

Likewise and the 3 MOTs in years 3,4 & 5 being included at £40 a pop also helps its value.  The big 4th year service (March 28) on my TucsonHEV was included for £320....on the Tucson forums people are reporting that they are being quoted north of £400 outside of service plans now so goodness knows what it would be in 2028 (especially with things Ms Reeves is doing to employers costs...)

Desmond_Hume

It’ll depend on your own circumstances. My own, I’m leasing a Golf GTI for two years.  Year 1 service would be £280, year 2 £700.  A service pack - which gets me both Y1 and Y2 - is £500. So a no brainer. 

I’ll let people froth about the cost of all that in later posts. 

Bigwheels1111

I’ve had 3 service plans for my car.
A Peugeot 5008.
First was direct through Peugeot when car was purchased.
A 5 year plan, including AA cover, European cover included.
It was around £14.62 a month.
Very good plan, included oil & filter, Pollen filter, Air filter, fuel filter, Brake fluid, Adblue top up.
All For under £900.
That was at any Peugeot dealer.

I took out a second 5 year plan but at that dealership only.
Cost was £900 for 5 years but no AA cover.
Plus Was a 65 mile drive, suited me as was a mile
from my mum’s house.
Free breakfast during visit.

The local dealer I was using wanted £1100 for a 3 year plan.

I moved 200 miles from that dealer so got a refund and now have a plan with another locs dealer.
£540 for 3 years plan.
Just oil and filter, plus pollen filter.
I change the air filter, £10.

I like the fact that prices don’t change and you get an interest free loan to pay it off.

jimjames

Depending on the brand maybe check if service plan is included if you take out finance. Mine was and I get 2 services included along with 2 years manufacturer warranty. Finance cancelled the day after purchase but all other incentives still retained.

shera12

The only real extras are price certainty (services won’t cost more if labour/parts go up), dealer servicing for warranty history, and sometimes extras like MOTs or inspections. If you’re happy paying as you go and using a good independent, there’s usually not much advantage.

dnpark38

Yes but using a not your make service might effect your warranty. It would very possibly with my MG. 
It has no paper log book and an MG dealer is only the one who can enter your service history on the MG computer.
Also this gives you another years MG Assist breakdown cover.

EnPointe

GDB2222 said:

I'm looking at buying a new car, and I have been offered a service plan. I'm trying to figures out if there's any point? Being able to pay in monthly instalments might suit some people, but it's of no benefit to me.  Are there any other benefits I haven't spotted?

fixed price for the duration of the Plan 

can oil the wheels with your local dealer - 

may be other benefits  depending o nthe  nature of the service plan (  guaranteed / better courtesy cars  ,  discount on accessories or  any spares you purchase  yourself   , various other freebies )  

EnPointe

marlot said:

What happens if you write off the car?  Or sell it?
Is the service plan valid at any main dealer (for the marque) or only the one?
What happens if your local dealer changes owner?  Or changes the brand of cars they sell?

Several of these have happened to me (including the last two).  So I much prefer to pay as I go.

1. you may well get a refund  or the 'unused'  payments 
2. depends- understand what you are purchasing  
3. depends on  if the plan in manufacturer or dealer