Servicing - Dealer only for keeping value for a V12?

[AstonExige]

On my 2008 V8vr, I happily use an independent as I'm a firm believer in getting a good quality service from those guys, and on a car of that age and value (around the £40k mark) I don't believe it makes any difference to the resale value, dealer vs reputable independent.

However, what are thoughts when we're talking a car worth >£90k and 2012 or newer? Would anyone on here shirk a V12V with part dealer, part independent?

[Gettoff]

Having a part MD, part Indy history wouldn't bother me in the slightest if it was one of the well known and reputable specialists. That said, on a car still in factory warranty I would probably stick with the MD, especially if you are likely to move the car on in a year two. If it's a keeper however, go with whoever you like and trust with your car. In ten years or so it won't matter who has stamped the service book as long as it's been looked after properly, and a MD stamp is no guarantee of that.

[Ken Figenus]

>Would anyone on here shirk a V12V with part dealer, part independent? <

Not myself, personally, but I can not speak for people who have not a clue about the Indie sector and have no idea how good they can be. Also if you are on any main dealer 3 year change cycles then they would not appreciate a non franchise stamp so may mark down a part ex value?

As you say when the car gets older I think it increasingly less of a factor, and in fact an Indie history could maybe be of higher value for the right and clued up buyer.

edit - well said Jeff - snap!

[Flugplatz]

As wrong and illogical as this is I would not buy a £100K +- with an indie stamp at all.

I never trust a newish car with an Indie stamp.

[bogie]

I think in the warranty period and maybe up to 5 years old, its nice to see main dealer stamps. After that less important. Although to be fair the best indies are as good if not better than some dealers, same as any brand in that respect really. Having a dealer stamp is one thing though, having every indy stamps and every receipt ever spent on the car would be more useful than just stamp.

[cayman-black]

well i paid 950 euros to a main dealer this year just for oil and filter change and a AMD stamp. Wont be doing it this year i can tell you!

[AMDBSTony]

I wouldn't buy a newish car without a main dealer stamp.

Whenever i have sold more modern cars and have been asked about servicing, i am told that a main dealer serviced car will always be worth more.

I think that once the main dealer service schedule has been broken, there's probably no point in going back.

Not sure if AM extended warranty would be available if the car is taken out of the network?

[haworthj]

Hmm, I'm in this position too!. I have a 2008 DB9 with 18k on the clock. The car is literally like brand new, and has a full MD collection of stamps on the book. I have it booked in for its annual service in January and have been quoted £830 by the MD.

I have been thinking on a car of this age, it's a lot, but the chain hasn't been broken to this point.

I'd like to speak to a local, trusted independent, but don't know any.

I live in Sussex/Kent.

Are there any recco's?

Any answers much appreciated.

Edited by haworthj on Monday 5th December 08:00

[Flugplatz]

haworthj said:

Hmm, I'm in this position too!. I have a 3008 DB9 with 18k on the clock. The car is literally like brand new, and has a full MD collection of stamps on the book. I have it booked in for its annual service in January and have been quoted £830 by the MD.

I have been thinking on a car of this age, it's a lot, but the chain hasn't been broken to this point.

I'd like to speak to a local, trusted independent, but don't know any.

I live in Sussex/Kent.

Are there any recco's?

Any answers much appreciated.

With that mileage I'd stick to main dealers for sure.

[moveover]

I'd say the number of times a dealership has f**ked up one way or the other with my cars, I'd be avoiding any cars WITH a dealer stamp.

[Gettoff]

haworthj said:

I have been thinking on a car of this age, it's a lot, but the chain hasn't been broken to this point.

Sounds like a nice clean car, £830 is a fair sum but an AM specialist isn't going to be massively different in price at a guess either. It boils down to how long are you keeping it for and are you happy with the current service agent? If you are, then stick with it.

I agree with those above that would insist on a nearly new car having a MD stamp up to 4 or 5 years old because of the warranty and the likelihood you'll possibly want to develop a relationship with said main dealer for future trade in, goodwill on service items etc. However plucking a monetary value of a cars worth out of the air is just arbitrary and doesn't make any sense to me.

If I was looking for a 1970's vantage or DBS I wouldnt insist on a service book full of MD stamps, nor would I on a DB7 or original Vanquish but some of those are now well into six figures. An early DB9 or V8V are over 10 years old now and although you'll find quite a few with that full MD history there will also be a good number with a mixed service history. At some point the perception of the buying public shifts to accept that the hallowed MD service stamp is less important, and the condition and what has actually been done to a car is.

To add, I have no particular axe to grind either way. I've used main dealer and Indy in the past and haven't had an unsatisfactory experience to date, thankfully.

[R129 300SL]

AMDBSTony said:

I wouldn't buy a newish car without a main dealer stamp.

Whenever i have sold more modern cars and have been asked about servicing, i am told that a main dealer serviced car will always be worth more.

I think that once the main dealer service schedule has been broken, there's probably no point in going back.

Not sure if AM extended warranty would be available if the car is taken out of the network?

I can confirm that main dealers do sell cars without Full AM dealer history and put an AM warranty on them. I bought such a car.

[Ken Figenus]

I think it worth remembering that any car out of any warranty could have a squeaky water pump and a rattly camchain tensioner but still be awarded a stamp in the book at service time if you settle the oil and filter invoice. This is why invoices and receipts are often far more valuable than an inky stamp with ANY marque!

[Charlie san]

Having my V8Vantage for 6 months and realising how negligent the so-called MD was with it in the past, I will definitely go with an Independent going forward. Just as I did with my S2000 back in 2009, after paying for a "mayor" service at Honda and the haven't even touched the valves that were meant to be adjusted. After that experience I've found a very good local independent, so the chap is now looking for both of my babies. I do value these stamps much more then the Honda/AM ones.

[Ken Figenus]

Charlie san said:

... after paying for a "mayor" service at Honda and the haven't even touched the valves that were meant to be adjusted.

I had this with a Kawasaki bike years ago - had bucket and shim tappets which I hadn't dealt with before so took it in for a service specifically mentioning this. They charged me in full for the job (gaskets the lot...) but hadn't even removed the rocker cover as the small piece of tape I put between the head and rocker cover was still intact... This made me the cynic I am and also had a very poor outcome for the thieves too.

[avinalarf]

Two years ago I used a respected indie and there was hardly any price difference.
As I live in north London it's a bit of a faff to go to other indies mentioned on this forum that are based in the Midlands area.
If I knew of a respected indie that was more conveniently located and offered much better value I would use them.
I agree that on a car under 5 years old it probably makes selling on less hassle.

[JohnG1]

Under initial manufacturer warranty, stick with a main dealer. Just before the warranty expires, take it to a decent independent garage and get them to go over it with a fine-tooth comb. I did this with my V12V and Bamford Rose spotted thousands of pounds worth of warranty claims for the car, including a new clutch and respray.

Then stick with the independent if they give good service.

[Charlie san]

JohnG1 said:

Under initial manufacturer warranty, stick with a main dealer. Just before the warranty expires, take it to a decent independent garage and get them to go over it with a fine-tooth comb. I did this with my V12V and Bamford Rose spotted thousands of pounds worth of warranty claims for the car, including a new clutch and respray.

Then stick with the independent if they give good service.

Did they change the clutch in warranty?

[JohnG1]

Charlie san said:

JohnG1 said:

Under initial manufacturer warranty, stick with a main dealer. Just before the warranty expires, take it to a decent independent garage and get them to go over it with a fine-tooth comb. I did this with my V12V and Bamford Rose spotted thousands of pounds worth of warranty claims for the car, including a new clutch and respray.

Then stick with the independent if they give good service.

Did they change the clutch in warranty?

After Bamford Rose inspected, they took the car to a main dealer, pointed out the defects and project managed the main dealer doing remediation work.

And yes, I got a new V12V clutch under warranty. The issue was "chirp" under power take-up for a spirited take-off. Which, since I drive like the guy who drives the guys who drives Miss Daisy was entirely unnoticed by me!

[haworthj]

thank you for your answers. But does anyone recco an independent in the South East?

J