Reasons why you don’t go to a main dealer for a service
Discussion
sparks_190e said:
You don't need to take your car to a main dealer to keep the warranty intact (Google the block exemption rule) However if you have issues not far outside of your warranty period ending it may favour you to have full main dealer history, both from a dealer and manufacturer point of view.
Indeed, my 63 plate 96k car is having £800 of work under goodwill as it has predominantly MD history (none of it whilst I have had it 
)fastbikes76 said:
p4cks said:
Why don’t you visit your main dealer for servicing or repairs?
How does it make you feel when you HAVE to go to the main dealer for something?
What do they do that you DON’T like?
What do they do that you DO like?
20 years motor trade experience.. I know what goes on !How does it make you feel when you HAVE to go to the main dealer for something?
What do they do that you DON’T like?
What do they do that you DO like?
Only ever been once, wouldn’t let them test drive as it was only an oil service done on a specialist car with FMSH
Everything.. the upsales, the spotty 18 year old filter monkey working on the car but £100+ ph labour, the lack of care and pride taken, all finished off with one of Poland’s finest wash n scratch bodge jobs.
Nothing, absolutely SFA.
Get paid more for working faster on cars to get more throughput for example? Standard of work goes down. Has to. The result can hardly be a surprise.
sparks_190e said:
You don't need to take your car to a main dealer to keep the warranty intact (Google the block exemption rule) However if you have issues not far outside of your warranty period ending it may favour you to have full main dealer history, both from a dealer and manufacturer point of view.
You don't for the original manufacturer warranty, but extended or third party warranty can stipulate any conditions they like. Most manufacturers extended warranty do exactly that. monkfish1 said:
And why is that like it is? Simple. If you motivate people to do the wrong thing, mostly, they will. The motivations/incentives to staff in a lot of main dealers does exactly that.
Get paid more for working faster on cars to get more throughput for example? Standard of work goes down. Has to. The result can hardly be a surprise.
100% agree... which is why I ditched the motor trade. One dealer I was workshop manager at , we were targeted to turn round 80 cars per day with 12 ramps. That’s not just oil changes but anything and everything. Feckin ridiculous targets, I had one tech who would pound out services to the tune of being 160% ‘efficient’ , more like 160% feckin useless . I bet the cars he serviced got fresh oil and possibly a filter at best !Get paid more for working faster on cars to get more throughput for example? Standard of work goes down. Has to. The result can hardly be a surprise.
One thing, I know what goes on, had plenty of mates as young mechanics at main dealers when I was younger. I like to have a relationship with the people who work on my cars, not be a faceless c*ntstomer. I suppose I like to pay cash and dodge the VAT too! I’ve been very patronised by jumped up tw*ts at dealers before too, felt like a second class citizen as I didn’t buy new. Even in parts departments! Went into a VW dealer and asked them to find me a nearly new Golf of a certain spec in the group, not a rare thing btw, and I’d have it. Never called me back, chased a few weeks later as I never had a callback, he said he didn’t think I was a serious buyer as I didn’t ask enough questions. I KNEW WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR MATE! I appreciate everyone’s an individual but Christ.
Was given a lift home by a very patronising salesman (lease car at the time with an issue) who spoke to me like I was so far below him despite me trying to make friendly conversation, pulled up at my house “is this your house” well 5% is still the banks “Oh, ok SIR” ha ha ha ha ha ya w*nker.
I guess I always deal with a local independent in all areas of my life, relationship, personal service, value.
Was given a lift home by a very patronising salesman (lease car at the time with an issue) who spoke to me like I was so far below him despite me trying to make friendly conversation, pulled up at my house “is this your house” well 5% is still the banks “Oh, ok SIR” ha ha ha ha ha ya w*nker.
I guess I always deal with a local independent in all areas of my life, relationship, personal service, value.
Throttle Body said:
Why don’t you visit your main dealer for servicing or repairs?
The parts prices is what gets me fuming at using my Volvo dealer. Naturally, they have to use OEM parts, and charge full list price for them. But Volvo charges SOOOO much for them. As a consequence, I avoid the main stealer, and have now avoided buying another Volvo.
I stick with my Volvo main dealer as they’re pretty good, near enough to my home and the train station that I can walk to and from with nae bother and a years full breakdown (inc euro cover) is included in the price. Car always comes back gleaming and they’re good with comms. No messing with warranty stuff, I only found out they replaced a few duff sensors when checking the invoice, all done with no fuss.The parts prices is what gets me fuming at using my Volvo dealer. Naturally, they have to use OEM parts, and charge full list price for them. But Volvo charges SOOOO much for them. As a consequence, I avoid the main stealer, and have now avoided buying another Volvo.
Of course they use OEM parts, but I want them to. I wonder how many independents charge for OEM and stick a cheaper pattern part in instead? Yes, they are expensive but I did my research beforehand and budgeted accordingly and they’re not really any worse than Merc, Audi, etc. and on older stuff they’ll try and get close to a genuine independent quote.
I guess it’s all a case of finding a decent main dealer. Good ones you tend to stick with.
fastbikes76 said:
monkfish1 said:
And why is that like it is? Simple. If you motivate people to do the wrong thing, mostly, they will. The motivations/incentives to staff in a lot of main dealers does exactly that.
Get paid more for working faster on cars to get more throughput for example? Standard of work goes down. Has to. The result can hardly be a surprise.
One dealer I was workshop manager at , we were targeted to turn round 80 cars per day with 12 ramps. Get paid more for working faster on cars to get more throughput for example? Standard of work goes down. Has to. The result can hardly be a surprise.
Because there is little point. Don't see the value and I don't trust them. Don't need a £180 oil and filter change, or £400 if they change the air filter too.
I stood in a main dealer workshop (their parts dept was in it) and watched them drive customers cars in and handbrake turn and wheel spin every one of them.
Current private car is 12.5 years old. Not seen a dealer, or any other garage except for MOT's since it was 2 years old. Maintained it myself with fully synthetic oil at a fraction of the cost. I also got tired of the service receptionists who know nothing. Once asked a Toyota service receptionist what grade oil they put in a D4D diesel engine. She didn't even know what a D4D engine was. I also don't need a shiny glass palace for my car to be serviced in, and I don't want to pay for it. I don't need ECU updates to a functioning car either, if it even ever gets one.
My company cars are put into dealers by the lease company. Takes all day for a oil change, and a wash I don't even want doing. Can't fix a damn thing, don't even bother reporting faults any more unless it's road-worthiness related. If you ask about an issue when you collect the car, or call up, they can never give an answer. I hear that dealers need the high charges to pay for the diagnostic equipment. It's wasted, the ones I've dealt with couldn't find a fault with a car if it had no engine in it.
I stood in a main dealer workshop (their parts dept was in it) and watched them drive customers cars in and handbrake turn and wheel spin every one of them.
Current private car is 12.5 years old. Not seen a dealer, or any other garage except for MOT's since it was 2 years old. Maintained it myself with fully synthetic oil at a fraction of the cost. I also got tired of the service receptionists who know nothing. Once asked a Toyota service receptionist what grade oil they put in a D4D diesel engine. She didn't even know what a D4D engine was. I also don't need a shiny glass palace for my car to be serviced in, and I don't want to pay for it. I don't need ECU updates to a functioning car either, if it even ever gets one.
My company cars are put into dealers by the lease company. Takes all day for a oil change, and a wash I don't even want doing. Can't fix a damn thing, don't even bother reporting faults any more unless it's road-worthiness related. If you ask about an issue when you collect the car, or call up, they can never give an answer. I hear that dealers need the high charges to pay for the diagnostic equipment. It's wasted, the ones I've dealt with couldn't find a fault with a car if it had no engine in it.
forzaminardi said:
Sump said:
The only dealer I’d trust is a Lexus one.
Seconded. Yes, it'd be cheaper to take it to an indie, but the premium is worth it at Lexus.My Dad was inclined to this’s way of thought, that Lexus are in some way above reproach.
When he bought a car from them, it had two Michelin PS and two brand new (stickers still on) cheaper Primacy.
We all know this often happens, when a car is being sold, as sellers resent fitting premium / matching more expensive rubber.
On a heavy 3.0l Rwd car, the rears often wear at double the rate of the fronts, so not unexpected than new rears required at 20,000 miles.
Sounds ok though, as perfectly safe, if not ideal?
Well yes, apart from Lexus had moved the wheels (square set up) so the matching tyres were on the same side. Nearside = 2 x Primacy, offside = 2 x Pilot Sport.
So the car would break traction on one side in damp conditions, plus suffer premature abs activation.
He switched the newer tyres to the rear, to make the car go / stop properly, which worked well.
But then it was a weaving, unstable mess to drive, with the rear floating about and not wanting to follow the front!
Lexus sales prep is as underhand as any other car dealers I fear!
Porsche 1st service recently.
Fixed price oil and micro filter service, plus vehicle check and brake fluid / wash.
Menu Cayman 1st service £625 + £15 courtesy car charge.
This was all confirmed / agreed by email, as I’ve been gouged by them before.
Pretty steep yes?
Collect car and the bill is a fair bit more than that. Because they spend the exact regulated ‘making friends’ they always expect it’ll just be paid, after all, they ‘had to discount the labour by 30% to get the price this low Sir’
So I should feel guilty that my new friend is all out to help me?
Last time I had an OPC 1st service, it was £600 for the same thing and again, price confirmed and
verified back to me in emails.
That bill was ‘£900 Sir’
I explained the situation, so was left sitting for ten mins, when a very flustered service lady returned with a new bill for £750, after she’d ‘Pulled out all the stops for you Sir and put it to her manager etc’
The service person who I had confirmed with was literally hiding behind their monitor!
I then explained again, that I just wanted what THEY had offered me as a standard fixed price for this service! That I wasn’t haggling the price, but that I wanted to pay the agreed correct number.
I again showed her the emails and their fixed published price.
She was getting increasingly red and disappeared for several minutes again.
She then returned with another new bill for £600, which was all correct.
She slapped it down and took £600 without a word and marched me out to the car, clearly very upset indeed.
The funny thing is, hating awkwardness and uncertainty of these things, I get them to confirm in writing to avoid EXACTLY this arising.
Yet they STILL do this at the supplying dealer.
Targeting P&L at the service desk, while having a fixed price service menu, are ideas rather at odds with one another!
The good points? I like the cars and enjoy looking around the showroom, but that’s it.
All the pleasantries are fake and laying the path and greasing you up for the gouging.
Using an OPC because the car will be dramatically down valued (in most buyers eyes) without at least the first few services at Porsche main dealers.
Thank Christ it’s long service intervals these days.
Fixed price oil and micro filter service, plus vehicle check and brake fluid / wash.
Menu Cayman 1st service £625 + £15 courtesy car charge.
This was all confirmed / agreed by email, as I’ve been gouged by them before.
Pretty steep yes?
Collect car and the bill is a fair bit more than that. Because they spend the exact regulated ‘making friends’ they always expect it’ll just be paid, after all, they ‘had to discount the labour by 30% to get the price this low Sir’
So I should feel guilty that my new friend is all out to help me?
Last time I had an OPC 1st service, it was £600 for the same thing and again, price confirmed and
verified back to me in emails.
That bill was ‘£900 Sir’
I explained the situation, so was left sitting for ten mins, when a very flustered service lady returned with a new bill for £750, after she’d ‘Pulled out all the stops for you Sir and put it to her manager etc’
The service person who I had confirmed with was literally hiding behind their monitor!
I then explained again, that I just wanted what THEY had offered me as a standard fixed price for this service! That I wasn’t haggling the price, but that I wanted to pay the agreed correct number.
I again showed her the emails and their fixed published price.
She was getting increasingly red and disappeared for several minutes again.
She then returned with another new bill for £600, which was all correct.
She slapped it down and took £600 without a word and marched me out to the car, clearly very upset indeed.
The funny thing is, hating awkwardness and uncertainty of these things, I get them to confirm in writing to avoid EXACTLY this arising.
Yet they STILL do this at the supplying dealer.
Targeting P&L at the service desk, while having a fixed price service menu, are ideas rather at odds with one another!
The good points? I like the cars and enjoy looking around the showroom, but that’s it.
All the pleasantries are fake and laying the path and greasing you up for the gouging.
Using an OPC because the car will be dramatically down valued (in most buyers eyes) without at least the first few services at Porsche main dealers.
Thank Christ it’s long service intervals these days.
monkfish1 said:
fastbikes76 said:
monkfish1 said:
And why is that like it is? Simple. If you motivate people to do the wrong thing, mostly, they will. The motivations/incentives to staff in a lot of main dealers does exactly that.
Get paid more for working faster on cars to get more throughput for example? Standard of work goes down. Has to. The result can hardly be a surprise.
One dealer I was workshop manager at , we were targeted to turn round 80 cars per day with 12 ramps. Get paid more for working faster on cars to get more throughput for example? Standard of work goes down. Has to. The result can hardly be a surprise.
Saves time on ramp and sump plug washer,
t main dealers I haven't had a vehicle serviced at one in living memory.
I only bother with mechanics I know and trust who are happy to offer the sensible option rather than the prescribed one.
In recent ish times I've needed rear beams replacing, the rheostat and heating system, steering rack and a few other fairly hefty things on a car that theoretically may benefit from dealer history still.
In each case main dealers probably would've refused the job or quoted more than a replacement car with no guarantee the work would've been any good.
If I had a hefty warranty to preserve and paid for servicing thrown in with a deal then I'd consider it. If my own money were involved then it ain't happening.
I only bother with mechanics I know and trust who are happy to offer the sensible option rather than the prescribed one.
In recent ish times I've needed rear beams replacing, the rheostat and heating system, steering rack and a few other fairly hefty things on a car that theoretically may benefit from dealer history still.
In each case main dealers probably would've refused the job or quoted more than a replacement car with no guarantee the work would've been any good.
If I had a hefty warranty to preserve and paid for servicing thrown in with a deal then I'd consider it. If my own money were involved then it ain't happening.
People who buy their tyres from main dealers? Those are the people I'd like to meet and ask why.
Any work that needs doing that I dont think I'll get goodwill on from a main dealer, goes straight to an independent specialist.
They care far more about their reputation and repeat business in my experience.
Most of the ones I've met are ex-dealer tech's who wanted to make their own way in life and more money for themselves.
Good knowledge of the cars, good knowledge of the problems, they'll go the extra mile if they can and they cost less than the dealers for what is a better overall service.
Why on earth you'd pay over the odds to fix things on a car thats more than 4/5 years old is beyond me.
Any work that needs doing that I dont think I'll get goodwill on from a main dealer, goes straight to an independent specialist.
They care far more about their reputation and repeat business in my experience.
Most of the ones I've met are ex-dealer tech's who wanted to make their own way in life and more money for themselves.
Good knowledge of the cars, good knowledge of the problems, they'll go the extra mile if they can and they cost less than the dealers for what is a better overall service.
Why on earth you'd pay over the odds to fix things on a car thats more than 4/5 years old is beyond me.
Edited by Alextodrive on Friday 7th February 00:35
p4cks said:
Was having a conversation with some colleagues today and whilst we all drove a wide range of marques of varying ages and condition, what we all had in common is that we ’d never consider visiting a main dealer for a service or repair!
So I wondered if you would humour me and answer these for me:
Why don’t you visit your main dealer for servicing or repairs?
How does it make you feel when you HAVE to go to the main dealer for something?
What do they do that you DON’T like?
What do they do that you DO like?
Last time I set foot in a main dealer was when my mother insisted her Vauxhall was serviced there. Run of the mill Vectra, nothing flash. Picked it up and the bill was £390 for a filter and oil change + a 12,000 mile “service’. When I questioned the “service” , as 390 for 2 filters and 4 litres of oil was a little steep, they said that they’d tested and checked the car very throughly and that had taken a long time. Ah, I said, does the £390 include the OSF wheel bearing, which is utterly shagged and loose. Er, no, they hadn’t spotted that. Bill was reduced to £120 and I’ve never set foot in one of those palaces of lies ever again. So I wondered if you would humour me and answer these for me:
Why don’t you visit your main dealer for servicing or repairs?
How does it make you feel when you HAVE to go to the main dealer for something?
What do they do that you DON’T like?
What do they do that you DO like?
So to answer the questions:
1) Because they are liars and thieves.
2) I don’t. If I did, it would make me angry
3) lie, cheat and steal.
4) Go bankrupt occasionally.
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