Importance of dealer service history

[Farmergavla]

Morning all, I'm seeking some general advice and to canvass opinion on service history. We have a 6 year old Volvo XC90 we've had since about 12 months old. We've always had it serviced and maintained by Volvo dealers, but at the stage are questioning the merit of the additional spend, given its age, mileage (85k) and value. We can save about £150 by using a trusted local garage over the dealer, but at this stage of its life, what is the value of only Volvo dealer stamps in the book? We're thinking of a change soon, so more pertinent than if we were planning on running it into the ground. Would appreciate the views of the PH members!

[Jasandjules]

I prefer a trusted indie over a main dealer.

[alorotom]

I would place zero kudos on a FVSH vs an indie esp once it’s over 3yrs old

[Jag_NE]

Full main dealer history on a used car is a big attraction for me. Though dealers are far from perfect, it means that they likelihood of penny pinching ownership is lower. A full indie history with loads of receipts is also great but many people don’t tend to keep detailed archives.

[Dave.]

With the availability of blank service books and dealer stamps on ebay, I'd rather see Indy over dealer...

[TheStigsWeeBrother]

If it’s only £150 once a year I would rather the dealer stamp and if they are doing the full checklist I would be more than happy to pay it.

[Old Merc]

Jasandjules said:

I prefer a trusted indie over a main dealer.

By the time you sell your trusty old Volvo people wont be interested in the Main Dealer stamps in the service book.

A pile of invoices from a well known local indie detailing all the work carried out would be far more interesting.All that is needed is proof that the car has been regularly maintained by experts.

When someone is considering buying a 6 - 8 year old car with 80-100 K on the clock their main concern would be its appearance. Followed by evidence of its last cambelt change,if the clutch has been replaced,that sort of thing.

[Spare tyre]

It’s funny, every time I take my car to a dealer they fk something up, miss something, brake something or just generally lie and over charge

However when I’m looking at cars to buy I like to see the dealer stamps!

[anonymous-user]

If you were keeping it for a while I’d say go indie, but since you say you’re selling it soon I’d personally keep the full dealer history up. I doubt it makes any material difference price wise, but a full dealer service history is a nice little differentiator when advertising.

[Nickyboy]

I see dealer history for warranty purposes only, once it's out of warranty i'll get it serviced wherever i see fit. It's not hard to change oil, brakes etc. Manufacturer spec parts (if you require them) can be got from pretty much anywhere nowadays

[Alucidnation]

All of our cars and the lads vans are serviced at the dealers.

When i used to buy used, a pile of some random indy garage invoices always put me off.

Dealer history or no sale as far as i was concerned.

[Baldchap]

If you're changing soon, it's a single £150 we're talking about. For £150 I'd keep it FVSH.

[dhutch]

For me the importance thing is there is service history, at the right intervals, ideal not from a different garage every time.

However it would not bother me in the slightest if at 6years is changed from a dealer stamp to an indi, if it was a Volvo Indi then I might even put that above a dealer stamp if over 6-10yo.

Missing history ofcause being very difficult, certainly given what I've just been reading in the 'clocked Cara's thread!


Daniel

[Oilchange]

Took my wifes runabout to a dealer to get the cambelt changed, they left an 18 inch heavy metal prybar on the scuttle and on the drive home it slid left and right with a loud 'thonk'
Straight to an Indie after that...

[Turbojuice]

Nickyboy said:

I see dealer history for warranty purposes only, once it's out of warranty i'll get it serviced wherever i see fit. It's not hard to change oil, brakes etc. Manufacturer spec parts (if you require them) can be got from pretty much anywhere nowadays

I'm exactly the same. Dealer servicing until the warranty runs out, then it will never see a main dealer again.

[832ark]

I view a full main dealer history as a negative TBH. Paying over the odds for some oik on minimum wage doesn’t appeal. Much rather buy a car with a full specialist history and loads of receipts.

[cayman-black]

This must have full main dealer history is such a con. In my experience, the main dealers do more harm than good that's if they do the job in the first place!

[DuraAce]

832ark said:

I view a full main dealer history as a negative TBH. Paying over the odds for some oik on minimum wage doesn’t appeal. Much rather buy a car with a full specialist history and loads of receipts.

So there are no master techs in dealers anymore? Just minimum wage oiks? Statements like that are just silly.

Where do you think a lot of these super indie specialists learned their trade?! That's right, in franchised dealerships!

A book of stamps (dealer or indie) give me very little confidence unless backed up by itemised bills breaking down what parts were fitted and what work was done.

There are good and bad dealers, same for indies... Some are great and some are bodging cowboys. At least with a dealer you have some chance of recompense if things go awry.
You may also find the dealer has better access to specialist tools, software updates, security reprogramming etc that can often take a while to filter down to indie places.

[Baldchap]

DuraAce said:

You may also find the dealer has better access to specialist tools, software updates, security reprogramming etc that can often take a while to filter down to indie places.

Very valid point indeed.

As vehicles become technology products, this is increasingly important for security and accuracy of systems etc. I can't imagine the local garage, unless a specialist, will have the latest security, bugfix and nav updates and the systems to apply them.

[Swampy1982]

One thing to consider is that his forum probably isnt representative of the marketplace, I suspect a full dealer history holds more appeal for most people in the used car market place. Also, should you come to trade your car in at the same brand dealer, then I imagine it'd be a good thing for them to advertise when they come to sell your car.