Thoughts on Dealer vs. Independent (service/repairs)

[tdigaz]

I think my cam belt is due soon (currently at 62k) and debating whether to go dealer or independent. The car would also probably need a service possibly a major; with Audi’s fixed price servicing it would total £748 (£309 for major / £439 belt). It’s a hell of a lot in my mind but the benefits are proof of work from Audi/stamps etc?

Also

I know it’s called a courtesy car, but should I expect to get one?


09 a3 1.9 TDI

[kambites]

On a car that "old" (yes I know 09 isn't an old car as such, but it's well down its depreciation curve and out of warranty) I'd be using a cheaper garage or just doing it myself. Especially if you don't intend to sell the thing in the next year or two.

An Audi specialist will probably have the Audi rings on their stamp anyway, and most private buyers wont know the difference. If you intend to trade it in, a dealer might knock you down for it, though.

Edited by kambites on Sunday 27th April 18:55

[MarvGTI]

As soon as a car is out of warranty cover, there's no need to service it at a main dealer.

Just making sure that the independent is of good repute and doing a good job

[kambites]

You don't even have to get cars serviced at main dealers to maintain the warranty these days. The EU banned that clause as anti-competitive a few years ago.

[MarvGTI]

kambites said:

You don't even have to get cars serviced at main dealers to maintain the warranty these days. The EU banned that clause as anti-competitive a few years ago.

At last one good thing the EU got through !

[kambites]

MarvGTI said:

kambites said:

You don't even have to get cars serviced at main dealers to maintain the warranty these days. The EU banned that clause as anti-competitive a few years ago.

At last one good thing the EU got through !

Indeed. You still have to use OEM parts, though, which I suppose is fair enough.

[powerstroke]

Maybe Get a price from an indy and compare personally if you know a good local independent that's who I would use

[Engineer1]

Get a quote from the main dealer and a quote from the independent, you may find there isn't masses in it.

[Funkycoldribena]

Just booked my 05 Ford for cambelt and service,70 quid cheaper than the independants.

[kambites]

Engineer1 said:

Get a quote from the main dealer and a quote from the independent, you may find there isn't masses in it.

This is true, sometimes there isn't. Sometimes there is though; and for that matter there is sometimes a big difference between different main dealers and/or different independent garages.

I'd argue that a "specialist" isn't really necessary - it isn't a specialist car, any garage can change the cam belt on diesel Audi A3. I'd have no problems taking it to a general garage that I trusted.

[MarvGTI]

kambites said:

Indeed. You still have to use OEM parts, though, which I suppose is fair enough.

Completely agree!

[Centurion07]

MarvGTI said:

kambites said:

Indeed. You still have to use OEM parts, though, which I suppose is fair enough.

Completely agree!

I believe the garage also has to be VAT registered as well.

[tdigaz]

kambites said:

I'd have no problems taking it to a general garage that I trusted.

That's one of my problems though. I got a "platinum service" once and my plastic engine under guard thing started flapping all over the place on the motorway. I know it's not a massive deal, but I always have those types of thoughts in my mind.

[kambites]

I've seen main dealers screw things up just as badly though - when you go to a main dealer you're paying for the stamp not for the quality of work; they're generally just "ordinary" garages who have paid the manufacturer for a franchise.

I one had a VW main dealer tell me Volkswagen never made a car called the "Corrado".

These days I've decided that I value my cars enough to service them myself, rather than trusting them to a garage.

Edited by kambites on Sunday 27th April 19:14

[blank]

Audi will price match too, although whenever I've checked I've not needed to ask as they've been cheaper anyway!

In my experience, main dealers are trying to win custom back from independents by matching/beating prices, so unless you have an especially bad dealer or good independent, I don't see any reason for not using the dealer.

[tdigaz]

blank said:

Audi will price match too, although whenever I've checked I've not needed too as they've been cheaper anyway!

In my experience, main dealers are trying to win custom back from independents by matching/beating prices, so unless you have an especially bad dealer or good independent, I don't see any reason for not using the dealer.

If the prices are close, the thought of getting a courtesy car while the work is done would probably sway my decision

[zb]

Always better off going to a well respected independent, who specialises in a particular make. I took my previous car to a VW specialist, they had a shelf full of box files for the sub-contracting work they carried out for all the local vw/audi/skoda/seat dealers.

So, you're getting a better price and (IMNHO) someone who simply knows the cars better.

[Sensibleboy]

Think I paid about £330 at an independent for cambelt and water pump change on a Golf 2.0 TDi. It was about £70 cheaper than the VW dealer. Not massive saving but still cheaper. Wouldn't make the car any more desirable/valuable for having the belt done at the dealer.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

I needed the same actually, but I went to an Aldi dealer instead.

True, I didn't get my cambelt actually changed - but it was loads cheaper, and I came home with way more food than I knew what to do with...


Sorry, couldn't resist

[Ozzie Osmond]

Engineer1 said:

Get a quote from the main dealer and a quote from the independent, you may find there isn't masses in it.

^^^ This

And if you talk nicely to the dealer you'll probably find they have a "4-plus" or "5-plus" discount program to try to keep older private cars in the dealer network.