Lease car servicing - be warned - options?
Discussion
The first annual service is due on my Volvo V60 D5 (see my "Garage"), which is leased through my work.
To my surprise, the lease company has arranged for this at a non-chain back-street garage. I would not otherwise go to the garage they've identified, no matter how cheap it is. Is this now commonplace for lease companies to do this? (The lease company in question is a biggie).
I know that there's no mystique to the car and that as long as OEM parts as used the warranty will be fine - but I personally would at least use a Volvo specialist. I'll also miss on the opportunity for software upgrades, to fix any recalls and the chance to cover warranty issues (not that there are any I know of).
Is there any point in me trying to argue the case with the lease company? The lease agreement doesn't say anything about where the car should be serviced, just that it needs doing to schedule.
To my surprise, the lease company has arranged for this at a non-chain back-street garage. I would not otherwise go to the garage they've identified, no matter how cheap it is. Is this now commonplace for lease companies to do this? (The lease company in question is a biggie).
I know that there's no mystique to the car and that as long as OEM parts as used the warranty will be fine - but I personally would at least use a Volvo specialist. I'll also miss on the opportunity for software upgrades, to fix any recalls and the chance to cover warranty issues (not that there are any I know of).
Is there any point in me trying to argue the case with the lease company? The lease agreement doesn't say anything about where the car should be serviced, just that it needs doing to schedule.
There's a way around this. Invent a fictitious and intermittent (therefore unprovable) fault that you know will need main dealer diagnostic kit to resolve. Almost always works.
I used to have company cars done by the people with an orange and black sign beginning with H, but the less said about that the better - I eventually refused to take it to them and dug my heels in over it.
I'm always amazed that a lease company will send £30k+ worth of 6 month old car to fast fit chains / back street garages.
I used to have company cars done by the people with an orange and black sign beginning with H, but the less said about that the better - I eventually refused to take it to them and dug my heels in over it.
I'm always amazed that a lease company will send £30k+ worth of 6 month old car to fast fit chains / back street garages.
Urban Sports said:
From my dealing with lease companies they have all insisted on a franchise doing all work on the cars, I used to sell fleet for VAG using all of the big companies.
Strange!
The most bizarre one to me was Leaseplan - 50% owned by VW UK, but happy to send a car to 'Nationwide' for servicing!Strange!
Basil Hume said:
The first annual service is due on my Volvo V60 D5 (see my "Garage"), which is leased through my work.
To my surprise, the lease company has arranged for this at a non-chain back-street garage. I would not otherwise go to the garage they've identified, no matter how cheap it is. Is this now commonplace for lease companies to do this? (The lease company in question is a biggie).
I know that there's no mystique to the car and that as long as OEM parts as used the warranty will be fine - but I personally would at least use a Volvo specialist. I'll also miss on the opportunity for software upgrades, to fix any recalls and the chance to cover warranty issues (not that there are any I know of).
Is there any point in me trying to argue the case with the lease company? The lease agreement doesn't say anything about where the car should be serviced, just that it needs doing to schedule.
Not for you to dictate we're their car goes.To my surprise, the lease company has arranged for this at a non-chain back-street garage. I would not otherwise go to the garage they've identified, no matter how cheap it is. Is this now commonplace for lease companies to do this? (The lease company in question is a biggie).
I know that there's no mystique to the car and that as long as OEM parts as used the warranty will be fine - but I personally would at least use a Volvo specialist. I'll also miss on the opportunity for software upgrades, to fix any recalls and the chance to cover warranty issues (not that there are any I know of).
Is there any point in me trying to argue the case with the lease company? The lease agreement doesn't say anything about where the car should be serviced, just that it needs doing to schedule.
Balfour Beatty service their own cars through fleet but they reset the service indicator on my temp grand scenic.
In my experience the only thing you can guarantee is a large bill at a main dealer. A trusted and known independent could be better and if they have the right Oem kit who cares, I use a small garage with Oem setup and he has a computer full of stuff he checks.
You might like the Volvo badge and door mats but I have been to a vw dealer who left the cap and dipstick out of my passant oil under the bonnet was a mess. I don't trust any garage until proven. They are only branded workshop doesn't guarantee anything.
Edited by jbsportstech on Wednesday 30th October 21:08
Euro1300 said:
I'm always amazed that a lease company will send £30k+ worth of 6 month old car to fast fit chains / back street garages.
I did some financial analysis work for one of the big Lexse companies. They used chains for maintenance to cut costs. The amount of cars that were declined warranty claims for blown turbos because fast fit chains had used the wrong oil grade was astonishing. Plenty of £3k plus bills..veevee said:
If it's a lease, why does it matter?
It used to matter to me, because I'd often buy the company car for my Mrs once the lease was up...In fact, I got my last company car for a mate.... And he wanted it because despite the 90k miles in 3 years, he knew it had been treated right, and had full dealer SH
I expected this to be the other way round: if I get my leased Mercedes (through MBFS) serviced outside the dealer network, I have to pay them liquidated damages of £1,000 (total, not per service). It's probably a fair assessment of the lost value for a non-franchise history so I have no problem with that.
As it's the lease car's choice of garage, and their loss if it diminishes the value of the car, then I'd go along with it.
As it's the lease car's choice of garage, and their loss if it diminishes the value of the car, then I'd go along with it.
Euro1300 said:
The most bizarre one to me was Leaseplan - 50% owned by VW UK, but happy to send a car to 'Nationwide' for servicing!
They seem to change depending on the make. They book my BMW in with franchised dealers only but my colleague's Alfa they only send to Halfords. Maybe something to do with perceived resale values? jbsportstech said:
A trusted and known independent could be better and if they have the right Oem kit who cares, I use a small garage with Oem setup and he has a computer full of stuff he checks.
My beef is that the garage I'm booked-in at is far from a known and trusted indy. Edited by jbsportstech on Wednesday 30th October 21:08
I'd be perfectly happy if I was sent to the Volvo indy just 1/4 mile from my home!
Saves them money. Or should. Normally they'll do it until the warranty runs out, then change to indys/chains
Despite having a SEAT dealer in my town, they sent me to the next town to a Generic chain garage (with a green sign).
Needed new disks and pads all round. (it didn't)
Safety innit.
That'll teach 'em.
I Spoke to an indy once who tried doing lease cars.
He said he signed the agreement with them at a reduced hourly rate, for the extra work and also the profit on the parts.
First car booked in, and a day later a "service kit" with third party oil,filter and brake fluid turned up, with the lease car's registration on.
I think he was "too busy" the next time a booking came in.
Despite having a SEAT dealer in my town, they sent me to the next town to a Generic chain garage (with a green sign).
Needed new disks and pads all round. (it didn't)
Safety innit.
That'll teach 'em.
I Spoke to an indy once who tried doing lease cars.
He said he signed the agreement with them at a reduced hourly rate, for the extra work and also the profit on the parts.
First car booked in, and a day later a "service kit" with third party oil,filter and brake fluid turned up, with the lease car's registration on.
I think he was "too busy" the next time a booking came in.
jbsportstech said:
Basil Hume said:
My beef is that the garage I'm booked-in at is far from a known and trusted indy.
I'd be perfectly happy if I was sent to the Volvo indy just 1/4 mile from my home!
I take it you have used this volvo dealer and know and trust them then?I'd be perfectly happy if I was sent to the Volvo indy just 1/4 mile from my home!
Basil Hume said:
The local Volvo dealer or the indy? My parents have used the indy on and off for 20 years.
You can but ask but I don't see why you can dictate were you take it. I would take it to their garage and if they make a mistake complain, but until then not much you can do its their car not yours, do they not cash allowance option that may suit your better.Euro1300 said:
The most bizarre one to me was Leaseplan - 50% owned by VW UK, but happy to send a car to 'Nationwide' for servicing!
They seem to change depending on the make. They book my BMW in with franchised dealers only but my colleague's Alfa they only send to Halfords. Maybe something to do with perceived resale values? Update:
I duly attended the garage nominated by Leaseplan in mid-December. The experience was nothing to write home about...well, I suppose they did need to be told to use fully synthetic oil, to replace the pollen filter and they washed the car with sandpaper - but hey ho...
Then, within 10 days and over the Christmas holidays, the car started showing the "Engine System Service Required" warning on the dash. I duly arranged via Leaseplan to go to the franchise Volvo dealer to have it checked out.
Turns out that the first garage had over-filled the oil
, which in turn triggered a DPF fault. The service department said they were inundated with similar cases, where the garages don't have access to the technical notes. E.g., on a D5, the oil should be filled to 68% capacity (the garage had done it to 127%).
Well done, Leaseplan. I've done an unncessary trip and you have ended-up with a nice bill from Volvo to wipe out any savings and more!!
I duly attended the garage nominated by Leaseplan in mid-December. The experience was nothing to write home about...well, I suppose they did need to be told to use fully synthetic oil, to replace the pollen filter and they washed the car with sandpaper - but hey ho...
Then, within 10 days and over the Christmas holidays, the car started showing the "Engine System Service Required" warning on the dash. I duly arranged via Leaseplan to go to the franchise Volvo dealer to have it checked out.
Turns out that the first garage had over-filled the oil
, which in turn triggered a DPF fault. The service department said they were inundated with similar cases, where the garages don't have access to the technical notes. E.g., on a D5, the oil should be filled to 68% capacity (the garage had done it to 127%). Well done, Leaseplan. I've done an unncessary trip and you have ended-up with a nice bill from Volvo to wipe out any savings and more!!
Basil Hume said:
Update:
I duly attended the garage nominated by Leaseplan in mid-December. The experience was nothing to write home about...well, I suppose they did need to be told to use fully synthetic oil, to replace the pollen filter and they washed the car with sandpaper - but hey ho...
Then, within 10 days and over the Christmas holidays, the car started showing the "Engine System Service Required" warning on the dash. I duly arranged via Leaseplan to go to the franchise Volvo dealer to have it checked out.
Turns out that the first garage had over-filled the oil, which in turn triggered a DPF fault. The service department said they were inundated with similar cases, where the garages don't have access to the technical notes. E.g., on a D5, the oil should be filled to 68% capacity (the garage had done it to 127%).
Well done, Leaseplan. I've done an unncessary trip and you have ended-up with a nice bill from Volvo to wipe out any savings and more!!
I duly attended the garage nominated by Leaseplan in mid-December. The experience was nothing to write home about...well, I suppose they did need to be told to use fully synthetic oil, to replace the pollen filter and they washed the car with sandpaper - but hey ho...
Then, within 10 days and over the Christmas holidays, the car started showing the "Engine System Service Required" warning on the dash. I duly arranged via Leaseplan to go to the franchise Volvo dealer to have it checked out.
Turns out that the first garage had over-filled the oil
, which in turn triggered a DPF fault. The service department said they were inundated with similar cases, where the garages don't have access to the technical notes. E.g., on a D5, the oil should be filled to 68% capacity (the garage had done it to 127%). Well done, Leaseplan. I've done an unncessary trip and you have ended-up with a nice bill from Volvo to wipe out any savings and more!!
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