Reasons why you don’t go to a main dealer for a service

[lyonspride]

ch37 said:

My wife took her 2008 Focus 1.8 Zetec Sport to the nearest Ford main dealer for her usual service and MOT last week, battery was flat on the morning so they come and got it too..

£279 for:

New 17" tyre fitted
One tyre repaired (slow puncture)
MOT
Service
Kept overnight to check battery condition

Their standard service package includes 12 months AA recovery (full package including home start).

They've been family run for decades and run various old Fords in rallying etc, so I guess we've got it good.

No complaints there, not many indies who would do all that + the cost to my wife of a full AA package for under £300. I get my little Citigo serviced/MOT at a local indie and I don't think it's ever cost less than £300!

Edited by ch37 on Saturday 6th March 22:19

Did they actually do the work? Does the oil filter look new? have you opened up the air filter box?

People think they're getting a good deal at dealerships, but in reality are they just getting a piece of paper and a stamp in the service book?

I've had cars with dealership FSH, i've had air filters dirty (as in full) 2 months after it's last service, spark plugs which had never been changed, a fuel filter which was full of black gunk and carried a 10yr old date code from when the car was new, i've witnessed dealership technicians attempting to top up my oil with used engine oil (literally) because bringing in a new barrel would take too long. Literally every single used car i've owned, has had corners cut on the dealership servicing, identifiable with the minimum of fuss.
Don't even get me started on these "900 point checks", it's utter nonsense, marketing BS.

[anonymous-user]

lyonspride said:

ch37 said:

My wife took her 2008 Focus 1.8 Zetec Sport to the nearest Ford main dealer for her usual service and MOT last week, battery was flat on the morning so they come and got it too..

£279 for:

New 17" tyre fitted
One tyre repaired (slow puncture)
MOT
Service
Kept overnight to check battery condition

Their standard service package includes 12 months AA recovery (full package including home start).

They've been family run for decades and run various old Fords in rallying etc, so I guess we've got it good.

No complaints there, not many indies who would do all that + the cost to my wife of a full AA package for under £300. I get my little Citigo serviced/MOT at a local indie and I don't think it's ever cost less than £300!

Edited by ch37 on Saturday 6th March 22:19

Did they actually do the work? Does the oil filter look new? have you opened up the air filter box?

People think they're getting a good deal at dealerships, but in reality are they just getting a piece of paper and a stamp in the service book?

I've had cars with dealership FSH, i've had air filters dirty (as in full) 2 months after it's last service, spark plugs which had never been changed, a fuel filter which was full of black gunk and carried a 10yr old date code from when the car was new, i've witnessed dealership technicians attempting to top up my oil with used engine oil (literally) because bringing in a new barrel would take too long. Literally every single used car i've owned, has had corners cut on the dealership servicing, identifiable with the minimum of fuss.
Don't even get me started on these "900 point checks", it's utter nonsense, marketing BS.


Exactly this. I once bought a 12 year old, one owner from new car withh FMDSH. When I gave it a full service the spark plugs looked like they'd never been changed, the fuel filter certainly hadn't, the air filter was disgusting and the oil like tar. Now for a car that had a full set of stamps surely something was amiss. They lady that I bought the car from freely admitted that she knew nothing about cars so if they told her that they had done the work she would have believed them as she didnt know what to check.

A fully stamped service book is worthless to me, I'd rather do it myself

[The Road Crew]

One vote in favour of them here.

Both mine go to the local dealer and have done for 5 years. Can't fault them at all. I do sneakily check that filters etc have been changed IAW the schedule. Always been done correctly.

I do think it really helps (when dealing with any garage/business/trade) to know what you're talking about though. If they tell me anything needs doing then I want to see it before any go ahead is given.

I could do all the work myself but I'm getting older so I let them do the services (helps with warranty, goodwill claims +resale as, well) and I look after repairs.

I even get my tyres from kiwik fit! They're well priced, open on Sundays which really helps with our work schedules. Again, cos I know what I'm on about I've never had the hard sell on anything.

Would I let my Mrs take a car anywhere? Not a chance on this Earth!

[Sheepshanks]

The Road Crew said:

I do think it really helps (when dealing with any garage/business/trade) to know what you're talking about though. If they tell me anything needs doing then I want to see it before any go ahead is given.

......

Would I let my Mrs take a car anywhere? Not a chance on this Earth!

This drives me mad - my 'girls' are mid-30's and I still have to take their cars to garages.

Older daughters car got recovered last week by its manufacturers assistance after I noticed a clanging noise that she hadn't heard. Assist guy was alarmed enough to call for recovery. Turned out to be heat shield mountings had failed. Dealer called her and said it was damaged, so not warranty - £150 to replace. She OK'd it.

Dealer had sent her a video and it was obvious the mounting bushes had come loose. It's not in place where it could be damaged by external forces. I called the service manager and 10 seconds later he said they'd cover the cost.

[sanguinary]

I don't know where I'm going next. Stopped using dealers as I didn't feel like I was getting value for money and had to return various cars after servicing due to other issues caused by them, including damage on one occasion.

Just before Christmas my C63 was in need of an A service. I want the digital service history stamped, so it's either the dealer or a specialist with the correct kit. Luckily enough, there's a Merc specialist just a few miles from me that's held in high regard.

Spoke with them beforehand. Nice guy, certainly knew his stuff. Booked it in for the service, dropped it off one morning and got it back the same day. Paid £300 give or take.

Noticed a whirring sound the next day, so decided to head back to see if he knew what it was. On the way I suffered a failure of the serpentine belt. Pulled to the side of the road and called the garage.

Unfortunately, they were too busy to help. I was told they could look at it in two to three weeks... I reminded them they'd only just serviced the car but got nowhere. He did say he didn't change the belt, but I reminded him that he told me he'd tightened it.

Got the AA to recover the car and took it to a local guy I use for my other car. One of the idler pulleys was rusted solid, and the tightening of the belt was enough to create enough friction to snap it. New idler in, new belt and was back on the road in two days.

So, the belt would have failed soon enough. I understand that.

I also understand it may have been missed at a service. I also accept that it may have been tightened, for whatever reason and the stuck pulley could have been missed. I don't mind any of that. Mistakes happen.

What really annoyed me was the lack of interest after the event, at the point I needed help. How you deal with issues helps set you from the crowd and they simply couldn't care less. More akin to large faceless dealer than local specialist.

Also, when at the side of the road, I lifted the bonnet and the first thing I noticed was the engine cover had been cracked , presumably from the service as it was pristine when it went in.

So, as said at the top, I don't know where to take it next. :Laugh:

[sanguinary]

The Road Crew said:

I do think it really helps (when dealing with any garage/business/trade) to know what you're talking about though. If they tell me anything needs doing then I want to see it before any go ahead is given.

Would I let my Mrs take a car anywhere? Not a chance on this Earth!

This unfortunately.

My FIL replaces his car every three years just before mot as his local dealer advises him to do so to avoid unforeseen costs of mot failure....

His car has just been in for a service and they've told him he needs new pads and discs. I had a look this weekend and they're absolutely fine. Checked his mileage and the car's only done 6k! He's given them the go ahead to change the brakes anyway. There's no point in me arguing with him either!

[jamesson]

sanguinary said:

This unfortunately.

My FIL replaces his car every three years just before mot as his local dealer advises him to do so to avoid unforeseen costs of mot failure....

His car has just been in for a service and they've told him he needs new pads and discs. I had a look this weekend and they're absolutely fine. Checked his mileage and the car's only done 6k! He's given them the go ahead to change the brakes anyway. There's no point in me arguing with him either!

That is disgraceful behaviour. What's wrong with him that he accepts what he's being told?

[sanguinary]

jamesson said:

That is disgraceful behaviour. What's wrong with him that he accepts what he's being told?

Well... he didn't think they would need doing at the time, so asked me to take a look. Not even close - no visible wear on the discs and the pads look good too. Not even a wobble on the peddle when slowing down. Told him this. Also offered to change them myself should he still feel they needed doing - he knows that it's a straightforward enough job for me.

Nope, decided to give them the go ahead and then complain to me about the price of doing so. Now thinks the car will burn through discs and is considering going back to the dealer to change it for something else.

Is it a dealer taking the mick with a customer that won't argue back. Or is it just a gullible customer.

[nickfrog]

dunc01965 said:

Exactly this. I once bought a 12 year old, one owner from new car withh FMDSH. When I gave it a full service the spark plugs looked like they'd never been changed, the fuel filter certainly hadn't, the air filter was disgusting and the oil like tar. Now for a car that had a full set of stamps surely something was amiss.

Cheers Dunc. This is indisputable and conclusive evidence that main dealers never change the plugs, the fuel filter, the air filter or the oil.

[anonymous-user]

sanguinary said:

This unfortunately.

My FIL replaces his car every three years just before mot as his local dealer advises him to do so to avoid unforeseen costs of mot failure....

So hang on, he thinks it is cheaper to buy a new car rather than put a low mileage, barely used car in for an MOT incase it fails?

So it is cheaper to pay for three years depreciation than to potentially have to fit two new tyres?

Saying that, I used to work with a guy who bought a brand new Ford Focus Diesel every three years as putting it in for an MOT was "too much hassle"

[sanguinary]

Joey Deacon said:

So hang on, he thinks it is cheaper to buy a new car rather than put a low mileage, barely used car in for an MOT incase it fails?

So it is cheaper to pay for three years depreciation than to potentially have to fit two new tyres?

Saying that, I used to work with a guy who bought a brand new Ford Focus Diesel every three years as putting it in for an MOT was "too much hassle"

I feel he's about thirty, maybe forty years out of date with cars and expects them to fall apart after three years. He always goes to the same dealer, so I reckon now they must be rubbing their hands together when he pulls into the forecourt.

Goodness knows what he's spent on finance and depreciation losses in the 20 years I've known him. Every two to three years he's had a brand new car and each one has barely been run in before it went back. He doesn't even like cars really, and just sees them as a tool, so it's not even a case of trying something new. Always a mid size Hyundai something or other. It used to be a mid size Nissan before the dealer changed over.

This isn't the dealers fault of course. If I were in their position and a customer wanted to change a car before any costs came along, I'd expect to be sacked if I told them it wasn't really necessary!

[mickyh7]

sanguinary said:

I feel he's about thirty, maybe forty years out of date with cars and expects them to fall apart after three years. He always goes to the same dealer, so I reckon now they must be rubbing their hands together when he pulls into the forecourt.

Goodness knows what he's spent on finance and depreciation losses in the 20 years I've known him. Every two to three years he's had a brand new car and each one has barely been run in before it went back. He doesn't even like cars really, and just sees them as a tool, so it's not even a case of trying something new. Always a mid size Hyundai something or other. It used to be a mid size Nissan before the dealer changed over.

This isn't the dealers fault of course. If I were in their position and a customer wanted to change a car before any costs came along, I'd expect to be sacked if I told them it wasn't really necessary!

How is this not the Dealers fault?
He has been told that his Pads and Disks are worn out.
They are clearly not.
The Dealer has lied, and committed fraud as far as I can see.
Why can't Trading Standards look at these 'Worn' Saftey items and decide? Or even get the Police involved.
I really feel for Honest Garages/Dealerships when this goes on under our noses.
If it was a Roofer, a Pensioner and a chunk of money they would be all over it!
Edit, just noticed,and apologies, different Dealer/Situation. But I stand firm with my post on the original brake post.

Edited by mickyh7 on Monday 8th March 10:02

[swisstoni]

sanguinary said:

I feel he's about thirty, maybe forty years out of date with cars and expects them to fall apart after three years. He always goes to the same dealer, so I reckon now they must be rubbing their hands together when he pulls into the forecourt.

Goodness knows what he's spent on finance and depreciation losses in the 20 years I've known him. Every two to three years he's had a brand new car and each one has barely been run in before it went back. He doesn't even like cars really, and just sees them as a tool, so it's not even a case of trying something new. Always a mid size Hyundai something or other. It used to be a mid size Nissan before the dealer changed over.

This isn't the dealers fault of course. If I were in their position and a customer wanted to change a car before any costs came along, I'd expect to be sacked if I told them it wasn't really necessary!

I agree that this is a very expensive way to keep a car.
But it’s basically the same as leasing.
They pay for the depreciation of a car over the first 3 years of its life and then start again.

[Sheepshanks]

sanguinary said:

His car has just been in for a service and they've told him he needs new pads and discs. I had a look this weekend and they're absolutely fine. Checked his mileage and the car's only done 6k! He's given them the go ahead to change the brakes anyway. There's no point in me arguing with him either!

If he's not using it much, and even more so, if he's one of these people who washes the car a lot and then just leaves it, the discs could be pretty rusty on the inside faces - often they look OK on the outside, and rusty as anything on the inside.

OK, could be entirely that the dealership is a den of thieves, but it's a bit of a risk to not expect someone with just 6K miles on the car to kick off about having to replace pads and discs.

Edited by Sheepshanks on Monday 8th March 12:54

[Benmac]

sanguinary said:

This unfortunately.

My FIL replaces his car every three years just before mot as his local dealer advises him to do so to avoid unforeseen costs of mot failure....

His car has just been in for a service and they've told him he needs new pads and discs. I had a look this weekend and they're absolutely fine. Checked his mileage and the car's only done 6k! He's given them the go ahead to change the brakes anyway. There's no point in me arguing with him either!

Mine was exactly the same although his frequency of change was often a fair bit less than three years. Always for some utterly hum drum crap such as a Mitsubishi carisma or the like. In truth he just seemed to want to change his car frequently in which case fair enough (although the choices were odd). There was always some daft reason though that was aided and abetted very often by the current car having a service or a "safety check" by the dealer (if he ever got invited for one of those he'd be champing at the bit to get down there and it would usually result in a new car).

He always told me that he got great deals and often just straight swaps as the dealer was keen to have his trade in. If you believe him, in about 7 years he went from a 5 year old xantia to a new golf, through about 8 other cars and with a total cash outlay of only about £1000 for them all added together.

Particular gems were changing a 6 month old bog basic megane for an identically specced estate one as he bought a static caravan and the dealer said he really needed an estate to carry the loads he would be. That was changed after about 9 months for a qashqai as the road up to the caravan park was a bit steep so he "needed" a 4x4. I had a look underneath it when he got it and, yep, no propshaft going to the back

[anonymous-user]

nickfrog said:

dunc01965 said:

Exactly this. I once bought a 12 year old, one owner from new car withh FMDSH. When I gave it a full service the spark plugs looked like they'd never been changed, the fuel filter certainly hadn't, the air filter was disgusting and the oil like tar. Now for a car that had a full set of stamps surely something was amiss.

Cheers Dunc. This is indisputable and conclusive evidence that main dealers never change the plugs, the fuel filter, the air filter or the oil.

Just going on personal experience Nick no need for sarcasm, your main dealer may be really super duper and all that but it's not my experience nor is it a "sweeping generalisation "

[nickfrog]

dunc01965 said:

Just going on personal experience Nick no need for sarcasm, your main dealer may be really super duper and all that but it's not my experience nor is it a "sweeping generalisation "

I agree, no need for sweeping generalisations either way. I have had poor experiences with main dealers in the past. And poor experiences with indies. Probably in the same proportion.

[spreadsheet monkey]

Sheepshanks said:

Daveb257 said:

Sheepshanks said:

Daveb257 said:

Cheshire Oaks?

Yep.

Seems like they didn’t want stand alone dealers, pity as both of them as you say were very good

Whereas the new one, Holdcroft, are terrible. Gave up with them after multiple issues, where TwoMills had always looked after us.

As others have said earlier on thread, dealers do vary a lot.

The Honda dealers in my neck of the woods (Ewell Honda and Thames Ditton Honda) are both pretty decent. My CR-V has recently been for its eighth annual service, and the main dealers have never taken the piss with add-ons or suggesting unnecessary work.

They've stopped offering a free collection service, which was very handy, but otherwise I can't complain.