Dealer servicing; is it worth it?
Discussion
Toyota have servicing cost quoted as monthly payments rather than the total price. For my leased Prius+ it was just under £30pm, so just gets added on as I potentially don't want a big bill just before the cars handed back. £360 is steep though, when it's oil/filter change, mostly visual examinations, and hook up to a computer. If I was a private buyer I would want the hybrid battery test to maintain the 10 year warranty on that, but general servicing would be done where labour isn't £100+ ph
My next car 4yo Subaru was always serviced outside the main dealer network. The buyers didn't have a Subaru main dealer near so took it to the local Mitsubishi dealer. It then went to an ex Subaru main dealer when it hit a pheasant and there was some bumper/ air con damage that needed parts ordering.
Now it's going to an independent where labour rates are around £70ph.
My next car 4yo Subaru was always serviced outside the main dealer network. The buyers didn't have a Subaru main dealer near so took it to the local Mitsubishi dealer. It then went to an ex Subaru main dealer when it hit a pheasant and there was some bumper/ air con damage that needed parts ordering.
Now it's going to an independent where labour rates are around £70ph.
When in warranty I always pay for dealer servicing. It’s one less argument to have with them if you need to make a warranty claim.
I’ve got the extended warranty on my Alpine so that ties me into the dealer network for a few more years (yes, I know I’m able to use other garages and just keep proof of servicing).
My experience of Alpine customer support (not the dealerships- Alpine themselves) has not been great so I’d recommend you give them as few reasons as possible not to pony up if you need a warranty claim.
Porsche might have more reliability issues but they at least look after you.
I’ve got the extended warranty on my Alpine so that ties me into the dealer network for a few more years (yes, I know I’m able to use other garages and just keep proof of servicing).
My experience of Alpine customer support (not the dealerships- Alpine themselves) has not been great so I’d recommend you give them as few reasons as possible not to pony up if you need a warranty claim.
Porsche might have more reliability issues but they at least look after you.
Miserablegit said:
I’ve got the extended warranty on my Alpine so that ties me into the dealer network for a few more years (yes, I know I’m able to use other garages and just keep proof of servicing).
I know the standard warrantee permits other garages, but does this apply to additional extended warranties?
stevemcs said:
For some reason Mini now want near on £80 for a cabin filter and the OE plugs are stupidly expansive, like £20 each. For a full service on a Mini we would be around £350, The BMW for filter and oil, around £130.
But, for me i'd be having the Allpina serviced at BMW for the first few years, the Mini get anyone to do.
BMW/MINI do have some strange pricing on some things. The £80 for the cabin filter is a £20-£30 part retail (less for trade) and slots straight in. But, for me i'd be having the Allpina serviced at BMW for the first few years, the Mini get anyone to do.
If the car is a keeper, then service it wherever you like. The problem is if the car needs to be sold back to trade where they use the lack of dealer servicing as a chipping tool.
OverSteery said:
Miserablegit said:
I’ve got the extended warranty on my Alpine so that ties me into the dealer network for a few more years (yes, I know I’m able to use other garages and just keep proof of servicing).
I know the standard warrantee permits other garages, but does this apply to additional extended warranties?
Sebring440 said:
johnoz said:
So there was no wiggle out, they did try.
In what way did they "try" to wiggle out.All good well-paying, warranty work for them! Why would they try to "wiggle out" of it?
At first there obligation was just to repair and get it to the end of its 12 year warranty, BMW have some super rust cure you see
Dealer pushed foe the new hatch as they reported the car was well looked after etc.
If I remember right it was the paint and body check they asked for, the dealer found out that its written in the bumph somewhere that it was part of the service on the Gen 1 Minis..
For a younger car or high value car, probably as it makes it easier to sell on as it’s that extra security if selling privately. However, the reality is that main dealers are generally expensive and the technicians not that great from my experience. When I had my Disco4 the local dealer damaged it and I had to revert to the small claims court.
Baldchap said:
OverSteery said:
Miserablegit said:
I’ve got the extended warranty on my Alpine so that ties me into the dealer network for a few more years (yes, I know I’m able to use other garages and just keep proof of servicing).
I know the standard warrantee permits other garages, but does this apply to additional extended warranties?
I've done dealer servicing during the 3 year warranty. But no more. Was never happy with Mr Clark's outlets. They would never explain exactly what they did in a service, and were simply never helpful.
So I'm going local to a garage I've known for many many years, and is now run by the owner's son. Never hear of any complaints, only recommendations. Had an issue with the spare car, and they bent over backwards to help bring things to a speedy and effective conclusion at a cost far, far less than Mr Clark and his cronies quoted.
Conversely, previous car was a Honda and the dealership was first class. However, I used a dealer in a small town about 30 miles away because of their reputation.
My conclusion: never use the mainstream big guys - go small outfit outside of the cities.
So I'm going local to a garage I've known for many many years, and is now run by the owner's son. Never hear of any complaints, only recommendations. Had an issue with the spare car, and they bent over backwards to help bring things to a speedy and effective conclusion at a cost far, far less than Mr Clark and his cronies quoted.
Conversely, previous car was a Honda and the dealership was first class. However, I used a dealer in a small town about 30 miles away because of their reputation.
My conclusion: never use the mainstream big guys - go small outfit outside of the cities.
worldwidewebs said:
My Alpine is due its first service next month which is just oil, filter and cabin filter plus 'safety check' and for that they want a 'discounted' £430. My partner's 4 year old Mini is also due a service which is coming in at £422 for oil, filter, air and pollen filters and spark plugs. Ordinarily I'd just take the car to the dealer without hesitation but I feel they're just taking the proverbial these days. Is it just me that feels like this?
I feel the same.Upping the service costs knowing most will still use them.
Mid last year the intermediate service on a GR86 was £190, and full service was £310
Took delivery of the car to find they'd changed.
Minor service now £300, full service now £450
ScoobyChris said:
My (now 6 year old) BMW goes to the main dealer as they are cheaper than our local BMW specialist and I've also had some good will that covered fixing non-warranty items FOC.
Chris
BMW also do the older car servicing prices which reduces the price quire a lot, It goes down at the 6 and 10 year points if i remember correctly. My local dealership though always seem to forget this until i remind them. Surprise surprise. Chris
I do think £400+ to change the oil, filter and cabin filter and have a quick 15 min look underneath to try and generate more work is a lot of a piss take.
66HFM said:
I remember when I bought my first Mini Cooper R52 and there was the TLC package, 5 years of servicing for £100!
Those days are now long gone...
I had the same package on my 2004 Cooper S.Those days are now long gone...
When I collected it from Nine Elms it hadn’t been washed and the service light was still on. When I told them this they merely reset the key fob to say it had been serviced. Was never sure if it had been serviced or not. Was living in London so mileage was low and oil was always golden.
Never convinced these “cheap” service packages are good for people like me who normally keep cars a good while - cheapest possible servicing plan might only be designed to keep car working until final pcp payment.
On new cars in warranty I like dealer service for the following reasons:
- Typically dealer servicing and branded parts come with breakdown cover, recovery and warranty on work done. Mercedes being a prime example of extending the warranty on the car so long as it was serviced with them. Brilliant.
- Usually you can get a service plan that allows for monthly payment and a slight discount to just paying
- Garage good will, I have received support for claims because we were familiar
- If I were to keep the car as we did with my wife's Jeep within 4 years I think it has a perceived positive impact on value after four years and we were going to keep longer we switched (the car is 8 years old now and still running well).
However all this being said a car over four years old so long as it is serviced somewhere reputable I'm OK with that. We take older cars to an MOT provider chain who are VAG approved and although my cars aren't VAG they have looked after me for a number of years doing a fantastic job.
- Typically dealer servicing and branded parts come with breakdown cover, recovery and warranty on work done. Mercedes being a prime example of extending the warranty on the car so long as it was serviced with them. Brilliant.
- Usually you can get a service plan that allows for monthly payment and a slight discount to just paying
- Garage good will, I have received support for claims because we were familiar
- If I were to keep the car as we did with my wife's Jeep within 4 years I think it has a perceived positive impact on value after four years and we were going to keep longer we switched (the car is 8 years old now and still running well).
However all this being said a car over four years old so long as it is serviced somewhere reputable I'm OK with that. We take older cars to an MOT provider chain who are VAG approved and although my cars aren't VAG they have looked after me for a number of years doing a fantastic job.
I take fdsh with a pinch of salt these days, stamps in the book doesn't always mean the work has been done! For some cars, especially sports or niche stuff, a history form a respected independent can be worth more.
I normally do dealer servicing until the warranty ran out then switch to a local independent but my current Skoda was switched to self-servicing at 6 years old. The main dealer twice charged for work that was never done (brake fluid change and Aircon service) on service 3 and 4 so switched to a local recommended garage who on the third service with them forgot to refill the engine! Thankfully I spotted that the dipstick was showing nothing before leaving their workshop (5 mile drive home and I always check the levels after a service so I know whether anything is going down in the next week or two) and they didn't exactly respond well when I pointed it out to them. 170k on the clock and it's been running better than ever since I did the work myself from 110k.
I normally do dealer servicing until the warranty ran out then switch to a local independent but my current Skoda was switched to self-servicing at 6 years old. The main dealer twice charged for work that was never done (brake fluid change and Aircon service) on service 3 and 4 so switched to a local recommended garage who on the third service with them forgot to refill the engine! Thankfully I spotted that the dipstick was showing nothing before leaving their workshop (5 mile drive home and I always check the levels after a service so I know whether anything is going down in the next week or two) and they didn't exactly respond well when I pointed it out to them. 170k on the clock and it's been running better than ever since I did the work myself from 110k.
worldwidewebs said:
My Alpine is due its first service next month which is just oil, filter and cabin filter plus 'safety check' and for that they want a 'discounted' £430.
That is punchy. I believe the engine in the Alpine is similar to the one in the RS Megane. Depending on where you are in the UK, you could look for a performance Renault specialist, and see what they charge.vaud said:
Legacywr said:
If I was looking to buy your Alpine I’d be looking for main dealer history.
However, I’d accept specialist servicing on a 4 year old Mini.
This ^^^However, I’d accept specialist servicing on a 4 year old Mini.
At this price level, I'd expect dealer history.
It's frustrating though because dealer service is often sub-par!
Something worth mentioning is that when manufacturers launch new cars the dealer techs get specific training on how to fix them. They will also have access to full software and any specific tools needed to work on that model.
Independents probably have to wait until a handy video pops up on Youtube - just like the rest of us!
Lot to said for sticking with main dealer through the warranty period. Any incremental cost is tiny.
Independents probably have to wait until a handy video pops up on Youtube - just like the rest of us!
Lot to said for sticking with main dealer through the warranty period. Any incremental cost is tiny.
I have owned my WRX since new, 17 years now. In the first 3 years of ownership I did deal with the pain of paying the main dealer for servicing as this kept my warrantee in order, after that though, it has been specialists or mechanics I know and trust personally that have worked on it since.
The guy I currently use is very thorough, he checks the whole car over and gives me a heads up of anything that may now or in future need replacing. He is a Subaru owner himself and an enthusiast, so that does help, its far more of a personal service.
Use the main dealer for as long as you need to, then ditch them.
The guy I currently use is very thorough, he checks the whole car over and gives me a heads up of anything that may now or in future need replacing. He is a Subaru owner himself and an enthusiast, so that does help, its far more of a personal service.
Use the main dealer for as long as you need to, then ditch them.
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