Reasons why you don’t go to a main dealer for a service
Discussion
Toyoda said:
I haven't for years however..... I'm not sure why you put more trust in places that only do tyre fitting. Whilst some guys are careful, take their time and do a proper job, there's plenty tyre fitters who do a less than proper job, and it's pot luck on who you get (a bit like guys who go to a converyor belt barbershop!). In my limited number of tyre changes over the years I've had rotational tyres fitted the wrong way, the wheel nut key left still on the nut when the car keys are handed back and the job done, stupid amounts of wheel weights added due to laziness of not just moving the tyre on the rim and re-balancing. Funnily enough though it was a main dealer who bashed my new alloys with the gun and also put about 65psi one tyre. It was an apprentice chimp who the service manager actually defended in front of me, then offered me a free service. I never went back. To conclude, it's pot luck!
I never said I only go to a tyre place, not sure where you got that from?I use a mobile company who come to me when I need it. Or I use costco when I can, who always do a great job for a great price. Or I use a good local indy if my cars in there for something else already.
Never had any issues with any of them. I dont find there's much in the way of pot luck when the company you use have a good reputation and care about keeping it that way. Dealers often dont in my experience.
Sorry to hear you havent had better luck!
Wife booked her car in at MB for a service, checked the invoice after the car was collected, charged for 6L of oil, even though it takes about, 4.8L (or even less can’t recall) mileage recored down wrong on service history, (unless it had a 3000 mile road test) cleaned outside but not vacuumed inside, was told they no longer do that, pointed to the website showing they do. Dash cam (normally would not have even looked at it) showed a near head on entering the workshop at about 25mph. Not interested what so ever when I pointed out the problems to the service manager.
After a call to MB UK who were very helpful and far from Impressed, the dealer suddenly came up with a £150, (that I could only spend on taking the family out for the day, yes I had account for what I’d spend it on)
Total Muppets.
Would not use a main dealer if even they had a complementary knocking shop in the waiting area.
After a call to MB UK who were very helpful and far from Impressed, the dealer suddenly came up with a £150, (that I could only spend on taking the family out for the day, yes I had account for what I’d spend it on)
Total Muppets.
Would not use a main dealer if even they had a complementary knocking shop in the waiting area.
Edited by 505diff on Sunday 9th February 09:39
gregpot2000 said:
When booking I made it clear I wanted the inspection service which should be the same as the major. And it's on 40k miles so should have all filters done.
VAG servicing does my head in, especially when it comes to variable/longlife servicing - even the dealers don't seem to understand it. On longlife, every service should be like a major one because the car might only be having them every 2 years.I also don't get the way that the cars need nothing more than an oil and filter change for 4 years, then suddently need alternating minor and major services. Except that they still only do the major items (plugs / fuel filter etc) every 4 years - but they charge the same regardless.
Ours go to an an indie - to be honest I'm not sure they're any better, but at least we only get charged for what they actually do.
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 agree about the Volvo dealer prices. £95 before they even look at your car as they have to put it on the diagnostic machine. My car key would not unlock the doors remotely and after reading online apparently only Volvo can supply a new working programmed one. New key cost just shy of £400. I also asked them to remove the old key registered to the car, they didn't so now I have 3 keys registered on the car even though 1 wont remotely unlock the car but still works in the ignition. 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.
Then I had my towing eye cover stolen, I spoke to a friend who works at BMW who told me the rough cost to supply the cover which came painted from BMW. Volvo charged me more and it was not painted. To be fair to Volvo they do turn the car around quick. Ford on the other hand want me to drop off at 0830 and pick up at 1700 for a service. (Company lease though so that may be why). I wouldn't except that on my own vehicle.
Thing is good local garages are also not great all the time, cheaper yes but not always great. Tracking issue on the front wheels so the car pulled slightly to the left scrubbing the front left tyre as a result. Took it to my local garage that I trusted at the time to fix the tracking and replace the tyre. They told me they did, it still pulled to the left and yup the tyre was scrubbed within 12 months again. Took it to another recommended garage from a friend and the garage called me saying there was no way they fixed the tracking as the bolt was rounded off. It now drives straight and I have not had any uneven wear.
I suppose main dealers can be held accountable more then the local garages but they cost more. I would use main dealers if the car was under warranty but after that id just use a local garage.
Always had my Focus serviced at the main dealer. It is about 20mins walking distance of my home.
With a Ford discount it works out a bit cheaper, and keeping the main dealer service history up to 12 years, it maintains the paint warranty (paint is checked each service).
It is more of a convenience thing than anything else.
With a Ford discount it works out a bit cheaper, and keeping the main dealer service history up to 12 years, it maintains the paint warranty (paint is checked each service).
It is more of a convenience thing than anything else.
Why don’t you visit your main dealer for servicing or repairs?
I tend to get the main dealers to service my cars up to 4 years old because the majority of buyers want to see full main dealer history.
However, main dealer servicing is, imho not great for the car. For a start, my 5 series was serviced, on time and before the mileage counted down to 0, once at 20k, 40k and 60k over the first 4 years. That is not enough imho. I would much rather see someone change the oil every 10k from an indy.
I have serviced it again at 74k, 80k, 88k and again at 95k, that cost me £36 for 4 filters (from BMW) and £49 for 20l of LL04 Low Ash oil from Elf.
How does it make you feel when you HAVE to go to the main dealer for something?
I don't have to.
What do they do that you DON’T like?
The problem is they no longer truly diagnose anything.
They read the errors and replace parts.
They don't data log anything and work out "why those errors are there?".
The amount of people I know who have had DPFs replaced by main dealers when they needed a thermostat, or new glow plugs.
Also, I don't need my car to be diagnosed everytime, if I ask them to do a job why can't they just do it?
Example here was leaking injector seals. I didn't want to risk snapping an injector trying to get it out, I asked Mercedes if they could replace the injector washer?
£140 to diagnose it and they would only replace with a new injector at the same time, and they wanted to replace all of them. £1600 for parts and labour on top.
£140 to diagnose it? Open the bonnet and you can see fuel pissing out of injector 2.
It needs a new washer fitting.
Drove up the road, went to my guy, he did it while I had a coffee and charged me £40.
How many people simply don't understand cars and would have paid Mercedes the best part of £2k and then moaned about how expensive Mercs are to run?
They don't do their brand any favours.
So many cars I have looked at for sale that are 5 or 6 years old with full main dealer history feel tired, I often wonder if they spend so much on main dealer servicing that they can't really afford to look after their car in other ways it really needs?
Often the cars that have been serviced at home feel so much better, suspension bits replaced, new discs and pads all round etc. etc.
What do they do that you DO like?
Keep the value on the car higher due to people's perception of just how wonderful main dealer servicing is.
I tend to get the main dealers to service my cars up to 4 years old because the majority of buyers want to see full main dealer history.
However, main dealer servicing is, imho not great for the car. For a start, my 5 series was serviced, on time and before the mileage counted down to 0, once at 20k, 40k and 60k over the first 4 years. That is not enough imho. I would much rather see someone change the oil every 10k from an indy.
I have serviced it again at 74k, 80k, 88k and again at 95k, that cost me £36 for 4 filters (from BMW) and £49 for 20l of LL04 Low Ash oil from Elf.
How does it make you feel when you HAVE to go to the main dealer for something?
I don't have to.
What do they do that you DON’T like?
The problem is they no longer truly diagnose anything.
They read the errors and replace parts.
They don't data log anything and work out "why those errors are there?".
The amount of people I know who have had DPFs replaced by main dealers when they needed a thermostat, or new glow plugs.
Also, I don't need my car to be diagnosed everytime, if I ask them to do a job why can't they just do it?
Example here was leaking injector seals. I didn't want to risk snapping an injector trying to get it out, I asked Mercedes if they could replace the injector washer?
£140 to diagnose it and they would only replace with a new injector at the same time, and they wanted to replace all of them. £1600 for parts and labour on top.
£140 to diagnose it? Open the bonnet and you can see fuel pissing out of injector 2.
It needs a new washer fitting.
Drove up the road, went to my guy, he did it while I had a coffee and charged me £40.
How many people simply don't understand cars and would have paid Mercedes the best part of £2k and then moaned about how expensive Mercs are to run?
They don't do their brand any favours.
So many cars I have looked at for sale that are 5 or 6 years old with full main dealer history feel tired, I often wonder if they spend so much on main dealer servicing that they can't really afford to look after their car in other ways it really needs?
Often the cars that have been serviced at home feel so much better, suspension bits replaced, new discs and pads all round etc. etc.
What do they do that you DO like?
Keep the value on the car higher due to people's perception of just how wonderful main dealer servicing is.
Hagus said:
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.
This makes you sound like a w
ker not him...I bought my 1st BMW in 2005 and it had a 5 year Service Pack, so it only went to my local main dealer as it was still in warranty too.
Replaced it with another BMW in 2008 and bought a 5 year Service Pack for it, so it only ever went to the same main dealer.
Then in 2014 I replaced it with a 2006 BMW and found a local Indy who used to work at the same main dealer, but he was only a couple of miles from home and charged half the labour rate of the main dealer - no brainer! And he would do jobs like replacing the gearbox oil which BMW claimed was a "sealed for life" component so their dealers wouldn't do it!
Since then I've only been back to main dealers for recalls - 4 so far.
Replaced it with another BMW in 2008 and bought a 5 year Service Pack for it, so it only ever went to the same main dealer.
Then in 2014 I replaced it with a 2006 BMW and found a local Indy who used to work at the same main dealer, but he was only a couple of miles from home and charged half the labour rate of the main dealer - no brainer! And he would do jobs like replacing the gearbox oil which BMW claimed was a "sealed for life" component so their dealers wouldn't do it!
Since then I've only been back to main dealers for recalls - 4 so far.
Hammer67 said:
I have had my 2012 NV200 serviced by the selling dealer from new, now on 117K miles.
Only the servicing though, anything else I do myself.
By having the servicing done by the dealer the original top level RAC breakdown cover, which would otherwise cost £140 odd a year, is renewed FOC.
Nice vans but you don’t see many around.Only the servicing though, anything else I do myself.
By having the servicing done by the dealer the original top level RAC breakdown cover, which would otherwise cost £140 odd a year, is renewed FOC.
I’ve had my D22 Navara from new in 2004 and on 167k miles it still goes to the main dealer for services, which oddly have only gone up by around £30-40 in 16 years, the customer experience at this dealership is second to none, service manager always greets me with a smile, handshake, knows my name without looking etc.
It’s broken down twice in 16 years, starter motor and a fuel filter imploding on itself, both times it was straight in, reasonable price for repair as well.
Like one manager there told me it takes them years to build up good reputation but only one or two unhappy customers to tell all online of a bad experience. Family run dealership too although they have half a dozen or more showrooms in the city with marques from Suzuki to Land Rover/ jaguar.
Main Dealerships rely on the ignorance and stupidity of Joe Public, invoicing is orders of magnitude more expensive then is reasonable, and the quality of work is approximately half of what is acceptable or expected.
They expect you to be ‘wowed’ by their showroom, and they expect you to assume that it’s so expensive because it’s of the highest quality.
It’s a game only played by those with more money than intellect.
They expect you to be ‘wowed’ by their showroom, and they expect you to assume that it’s so expensive because it’s of the highest quality.
It’s a game only played by those with more money than intellect.
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 completely agree with all of this. 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 own a Volvo, won't buy another and two guys I work with who have owned Volvo's say the same.
Luckily for me I have a really good independent specialist fairly local where two guys work who between them have about 50 years Volvo experience.
Take them over a main dealer everytime.
Depends on the car IMHO, if it's a main dealer of a sports car, yes, they deal with them everyday. If it's a specialist car made by common manufacturer (VX220, Renault Sport etc), no not a chance.
I used a main dealer on my Clio Trophy. I left a note in the car saying don't wash it, as expected I came back to it washed, with gritty sponge and bucket close by. A friend also seen it driven quite spritely off a roundabout near the garage. Needless to say it always went to a specialist after that!
I use an independent specialist for my Lotus, quality work, nice to chat and have a brew as my car has a service or minor tweaks. I would also use my closest main dealer, however the specialist is a bit closer and no doubt knows his way around older cars better.
I used a main dealer on my Clio Trophy. I left a note in the car saying don't wash it, as expected I came back to it washed, with gritty sponge and bucket close by. A friend also seen it driven quite spritely off a roundabout near the garage. Needless to say it always went to a specialist after that!
I use an independent specialist for my Lotus, quality work, nice to chat and have a brew as my car has a service or minor tweaks. I would also use my closest main dealer, however the specialist is a bit closer and no doubt knows his way around older cars better.
In quite happy with the dealers to be fair. Its usually around £150 for my annual service (I do other maintenance myself but it's been so reliable I hardy need to do anything, only brakes and aux belt in 90k miles so far). My car doesn't have a cambelt so that helps keep costs down.
I have another 10k miles left on the warranty so I'll use them for my last warranty service. I think I will keep using them afterwards as its cheap, it keeps my book stamped (for what's that really worth, I don't know?) and its an extra set of eyes looking at the car for peace of mind etc. I intend to run the car into the ground so I'll tackle everything else myself.
I've never had stuff snagged when not needed, nor any pressure for upselling. I do think it's helps to know what you're taking about though... If they told me xyz required replacement then I would want to see it and understand what I'm paying for rather (and how/why its failed where practicable) than just blankly agreeing to additional work.
I like that they are honest, have spare parts readily available, have a access to all required data/software updates/tech support etc.
I would use a specialist for an old classic/performance car like an evo/gtr etc as I guess dealers won't see much of these but for normal boring cars my dealer hasnt let me down once.
I have another 10k miles left on the warranty so I'll use them for my last warranty service. I think I will keep using them afterwards as its cheap, it keeps my book stamped (for what's that really worth, I don't know?) and its an extra set of eyes looking at the car for peace of mind etc. I intend to run the car into the ground so I'll tackle everything else myself.
I've never had stuff snagged when not needed, nor any pressure for upselling. I do think it's helps to know what you're taking about though... If they told me xyz required replacement then I would want to see it and understand what I'm paying for rather (and how/why its failed where practicable) than just blankly agreeing to additional work.
I like that they are honest, have spare parts readily available, have a access to all required data/software updates/tech support etc.
I would use a specialist for an old classic/performance car like an evo/gtr etc as I guess dealers won't see much of these but for normal boring cars my dealer hasnt let me down once.
I used two different Suzuki main dealers whilst my Swift was under manufacturer warranty.
One performed most, but not all, of the major service, which isn't a cheap service. Getting a replacement battery under warranty (car was a pre-reg so maybe battery had been allowed to go flat) took two visits.
The other dealer had one service guy who got two warranty claims approved for me. One for corroded alloys and the other for a rear damper. However the replacement damper was the wrong item (from a 1.2), and if I hadn't looked up the part numbers I might not have been the wiser. The monkey who fitted the tyres on the new wheels damaged the finish on all of them. Rather than go through the rigamarole of kicking off with the dealer I touched the damage in myself and then ceramic coated them.
There's a good independent that's much closer and cheaper than the main dealers, so I only use the main dealer for parts now.
One performed most, but not all, of the major service, which isn't a cheap service. Getting a replacement battery under warranty (car was a pre-reg so maybe battery had been allowed to go flat) took two visits.
The other dealer had one service guy who got two warranty claims approved for me. One for corroded alloys and the other for a rear damper. However the replacement damper was the wrong item (from a 1.2), and if I hadn't looked up the part numbers I might not have been the wiser. The monkey who fitted the tyres on the new wheels damaged the finish on all of them. Rather than go through the rigamarole of kicking off with the dealer I touched the damage in myself and then ceramic coated them.
There's a good independent that's much closer and cheaper than the main dealers, so I only use the main dealer for parts now.
Edited by gweaver on Saturday 8th February 08:59
Limpet said:
Took the Mini in for a major service at the main dealer recently. Added another £60 “inspection service” to the job card when I got there, as it was apparently due.
Car went in with the rear screen washer not working properly.
Car came out with the rear screen washer still not working properly.
No mention of anything in the technicians report,
However, they did go to great lengths to point out the rear pads were down to 4.5mm and there was a slight lip on the discs....
Laughable.
13 years ago with my Cooper when it was still in its warranty / free service deal I had a similar exp. I thought the whole dealer thing mattered back then in my naivety too.Car went in with the rear screen washer not working properly.
Car came out with the rear screen washer still not working properly.
No mention of anything in the technicians report,
However, they did go to great lengths to point out the rear pads were down to 4.5mm and there was a slight lip on the discs....
Laughable.
A few months later when was in for its last service before the warranty ran out and a service adviser with a chronic donut addiction tried to tell me the whole rear washer assembly pipes needed changed at a cost of £400 I realised that these f
knuts were not to be trusted with anything, bought some tools and never looked back.A few years later I got to know a few chaps from the service department, based on what they said about time, targets and how quickly they are meant to turn cars over I've never put a car into a main dealers since. I DIY my car as its a 1st gen mini and pretty easy to fix, its also why I had no interest in anything newer as it just seems a maintenance and service nightmare in the long run.
My wifes car goes to the local VW specialist who are not that cheap but the service is amazing, and theres no up sells and you know theres no pressure or judgement, they have also helped us out when we've had issues, they fitted our car in and around others, it imo pays to find a good indie and have a relationship with them.
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