AM Dealer Service Plans - Do you have one?

[V8softtop]

Any input would be gratefully received. I was at the main dealers before Christmas and was offered a 2 year service plan on the car. I know the topic of main dealer servicing for a stamp has been thrashed out many times before, but for me my main dealer is a lot closer than any inderpendent and I like the service they provide, plus I believe in supporting local business as we'll all need them sooner or later.

2 years is the longest I intend to keep my car and any balance is transferable to another AM or if my financial situation changes, the plan can be paid out. Basic principle is a fixed monthly amount via DD for a tailored service plan on your vehicle. The plan offers a 20% saving on the standard service cost and 10% on other parts.

I like the idea of spreading the cost out over its remaining ownership (same could be done paying into a slush fund) however my main hang up is the stated costing saving? I see massive savings using some of the comparisons sites for servicing costs that equal the service plan savings or even beat them. However it doesnt protect against rises in labour, oil and part prices.

So does anyone have a service plan on their car? Does it work for you?

[Jockman]

I know George has one but I believe that these types of plan do not offer value for money as a general rule.

You would be much better off keeping your money, following this forum for tips and advice then posting up again nearer your service date for prevailing thoughts

PS Your Dealer probably isn't a local company - a bit like your local McDonalds

PPS Most companies include a collect / return service as part of the price so distance (within reason) is no object.

Edited by Jockman on Saturday 29th December 10:48

[V8softtop]

Jockman said:

I know George has one but I believe that these types of plan do not offer value for money as a general rule.

You would be much better off keeping your money, following this forum for tips and advice then posting up again nearer your service date for prevailing thoughts

PS Your Dealer probably isn't a local company - a bit like your local McDonalds

PPS Most companies include a collect / return service as part of the price so distance (within reason) is no object.

Edited by Jockman on Saturday 29th December 10:48

Thank you for your thoughts and you're correct about where the money ends up
Sadly I'm a round trip of 140 miles from this dealer and 480 miles from the nearest indie I would trust.

[Jockman]

Lacking any figures - age of car, price quoted etc - it's difficult to be more than theoretical about your situation and whether it reflects any underlying VFM

[MaverickV12]

V8softtop said:

The plan offers a 20% saving on the standard service cost and 10% on other parts

I wonder if these dealer actually believe their own bullst ?

I wonder if any of the dealer staff have signed up to this deal? I bet they can't afford a AM, unless its a Toyota, opps ...... I mean Cygnet.

Any garage can offer you any deal, I like the 95% off deal from most dealers, they do fk all for you, but you get a stamp in the book.

I suggest you save your money, buy your own oil and filter, get the local main dealer to change your oil for £100.00 get the stamp, then go somewhere proper to get your car serviced. The dealer will charge you for doing fk all, you'll be paying for them to wipe an oily rag over your car and giving you expensive coffee by a girl in high heels (The girl in high heels does not sound so bad).

Please please save your money and go to someone you know can be trusted ..........

[V8softtop]

Gents, thanks for your input. A very important point that I missed with fixed price servicing is you're sometimes paying for items that may not be required on lower mileage cars, the example I was given was spark plugs.
A valid point and one that makes the offer look less and less attractive!

Edited by V8softtop on Saturday 29th December 20:34

[AMDBSNick]

MaverickV12 said:

I wonder if these dealer actually believe their own bullst ?

I wonder if any of the dealer staff have signed up to this deal? I bet they can't afford a AM, unless its a Toyota, opps ...... I mean Cygnet.

Any garage can offer you any deal, I like the 95% off deal from most dealers, they do fk all for you, but you get a stamp in the book.

I suggest you save your money, buy your own oil and filter, get the local main dealer to change your oil for £100.00 get the stamp, then go somewhere proper to get your car serviced. The dealer will charge you for doing fk all, you'll be paying for them to wipe an oily rag over your car and giving you expensive coffee by a girl in high heels (The girl in high heels does not sound so bad).

Please please save your money and go to someone you know can be trusted ..........

Clearly no dealer competition where you live