Servicing on PCP?

[Darren93]

Hi all,

My mother has a 2015 BMW 1 series 118i (1.5 turbo) which is due a service. The car is out of warranty but on a PCP deal, does she need to have her car serviced at either BMW or Arnold Clark as the salesman (from Arnold Clark) had suggested? or could it be any VAT registered garage?

I would much rather the money went to an independent but wouldn't want any trouble when handing back, she hates the car because RWD turned out to be scary

[MattOz]

I'm pretty sure that any VAT registered garage would be fine. Whether they use OE or pattern filters etc is up to you to discuss with them.

[Court_S]

MattOz said:

I'm pretty sure that any VAT registered garage would be fine. Whether they use OE or pattern filters etc is up to you to discuss with them.

This. Supplying dealers are not allowed to stipulate where it is serviced providing that it’s VAT registered and OE (I believe) parts are used. What they can do is make if difficult for non-franchised garages to update the service history by making it all electronic.

[Earthdweller]

It’s worth price checking it with BMW as they can be very competitive and do 4+ servicing at lower rates

Also check that the independent garage can update the service records in the idrive if you go down that route

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

The terms & conditions that she signed up will specify. They may want to sell the vehicle on with a main dealer service history?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Court_S said:

MattOz said:

I'm pretty sure that any VAT registered garage would be fine. Whether they use OE or pattern filters etc is up to you to discuss with them.

This. Supplying dealers are not allowed to stipulate where it is serviced providing that it’s VAT registered and OE (I believe) parts are used. What they can do is make if difficult for non-franchised garages to update the service history by making it all electronic.

Does this not refer to warranties, rather than servicing?

[Driver101]

Court_S said:

MattOz said:

I'm pretty sure that any VAT registered garage would be fine. Whether they use OE or pattern filters etc is up to you to discuss with them.

This. Supplying dealers are not allowed to stipulate where it is serviced providing that it’s VAT registered and OE (I believe) parts are used. What they can do is make if difficult for non-franchised garages to update the service history by making it all electronic.

Read your PCP contract.

Some deals only honour the GFMV on the basis the car has a main dealer service history.

[Court_S]

Driver101 said:

Read your PCP contract.

Some deals only honour the GFMV on the basis the car has a main dealer service history.

Just checked my BMW agreement and all it states is:

keep the Vehicle in good repair and condition and have it serviced,
maintained and repaired in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and any manufacturer warranty (including any requirement to have an interim running-in service), and keep a full service and repair history, which you must supply to us if we ask you.

[Darren93]

I'll need to have a look at the agreement in her behalf, she's not a big believer in servicing so I imagine the price will come as a shock regardless. For instance my dad's old focus went from 30k-125k miles without a service!

[Sheepshanks]

Court_S said:

This. Supplying dealers are not allowed to stipulate where it is serviced providing that it’s VAT registered and OE (I believe) parts are used. What they can do is make if difficult for non-franchised garages to update the service history by making it all electronic.

It's nothing to do with dealers, supplying or otherwise. The car belongs to the finance company and they can impose whatever conditions they like.

It might be fine to have it serviced outside the network, but good luck getting anyone to confirm that.

[Court_S]

Sheepshanks said:

It's nothing to do with dealers, supplying or otherwise. The car belongs to the finance company and they can impose whatever conditions they like.

It might be fine to have it serviced outside the network, but good luck getting anyone to confirm that.

BMW don’t state anything other than it must be as per the service schedule (checked my agreement) and a record must be kept and made available if requested. But, yes the OP needs to check the finance agreement.