Independent EV Specialists / Servicing

[chrispj]

I picked up an 18 month old Honda E recently, it's due the 2nd service next month. I just investigated the cost at the local Honda dealer - £240! Only slightly cheaper than the ICE cars for a work schedule that basically says "we'll look at your car", as there's no oil to change etc. from what i can find, a service plan for a 2nd hand car commits me to paying £200 a year for as long as I can bear it, so much for EVs cost less to service!

So I'm trying to look for independent garages that know something about EVs. I came across Hevra.org.uk, but in my neck of the woods (Exeter) they show three garages, all 30 miles or more away, only one of which actually mentions EVs! An independent BMW/Merc specialist in Exeter has on their website that they will service all makes of EV/hybrid, but the lady on the other end of the phone put paid to that (oh no sir, we can't touch Hondas)

So, if anyone knows of an independent garage that knows their way around an EV, please feel free to post them up here. Don't limit yourself to my part of the country in the SW, I'm sure this will be useful for everyone as we get past initial lease periods and maintenance contracts...

[gmaz]

Cleevley are South West-ish

https://www.cleevelyev.co.uk/mobile-services/

Seems expensive though, Hyundai service is about £56 and the service plan I signed up to which covers everything was an extra £3 per month.

[caziques]

"Servicing" an EV!?

It's called taking the piss.

Wiper blades and tyres are all you need to attend to.

[chrispj]

gmaz said:

Cleevley are South West-ish

https://www.cleevelyev.co.uk/mobile-services/

Seems expensive though, Hyundai service is about £56 and the service plan I signed up to which covers everything was an extra £3 per month.

Yes, you would hope travel cost is built into the prices on the website, otherwise they aren't much cheaper than the dealer (though there is the convenience that they come to you).

[chrispj]

caziques said:

"Servicing" an EV!?

It's called taking the piss.

Shall we say "maintaining the warranty" rather than "servicing" then?

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

caziques said:

"Servicing" an EV!?

It's called taking the piss.

Wiper blades and tyres are all you need to attend to.

we can forget about the brakes then?
or AC recharge
or ball joints and other suspension components
or infotainment issues or updates
or light bulbs.

it is a piss take, but they aren't fit and forget either

[MattyD803]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

we can forget about the brakes then?
or AC recharge
or ball joints and other suspension components
or infotainment issues or updates
or light bulbs.

it is a piss take, but they aren't fit and forget either

And tyres.....don't forget how heavy EVs are and people won't treat them any different than they do an ICE vehicle - i.e. hit every pothole, smash up kerbs etc. I'd want a proper look over every 2 years, minimum.

[McAndy]

Look for a local Bosch service centre. Mine has just trained staff on EVs, and their services maintain manufacturer warranties.

[HelldogBE]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

caziques said:

"Servicing" an EV!?

It's called taking the piss.

Wiper blades and tyres are all you need to attend to.

we can forget about the brakes then?
or AC recharge
or ball joints and other suspension components
or infotainment issues or updates
or light bulbs.

it is a piss take, but they aren't fit and forget either

None of these should apply in the first 4 years with an EV.

Tires - keep track of wear indicators yourself and go to a tyre shop if needed
Interior air filter - DIY every 2 years

Brake pad - keep track of wear yourself, possibly monitored with a wear sensor anyway.
Brake fluid - mostly a scam anyway, as most garages only replace the bit in the reservoir instead of actively flushing the ABS system and all of the calipers. But do this done properly by an Indy when you're having brake pads replaced at least.

Suspension components, seals, rubbers and A/C shouldn't be an issue for the first 4-6 years.

However for less than 200£ you probably won't find an Indy that knows the intricacies of the Honda-E, will do software updates, take up fixes under warranty with the manufacturer etc.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't!

[raspy]

caziques said:

"Servicing" an EV!?

It's called taking the piss.

Wiper blades and tyres are all you need to attend to.

What about software updates to the battery management system etc that for some brands, only a dealer can do?

[knitware]

raspy said:

caziques said:

"Servicing" an EV!?

It's called taking the piss.

Wiper blades and tyres are all you need to attend to.

What about software updates to the battery management system etc that for some brands, only a dealer can do?

There's a huge disparity between EV manufacturers, Tesla don't need, or don't have a schedule as such. It seems ICE manufacturers are trying to maintain their EV cars to the same servicing regime to keep revenue flow. I agree with caziques.

[ruggedscotty]

knitware said:

raspy said:

caziques said:

"Servicing" an EV!?

It's called taking the piss.

Wiper blades and tyres are all you need to attend to.

What about software updates to the battery management system etc that for some brands, only a dealer can do?

There's a huge disparity between EV manufacturers, Tesla don't need, or don't have a schedule as such. It seems ICE manufacturers are trying to maintain their EV cars to the same servicing regime to keep revenue flow. I agree with caziques.

of course they are.....

read up on the GM EV1 a first foray into EV and it scared GM.... minimal servicing from them. they are running scared. having to pay subscriptions for heated seats.... aye they can get tae Fenwick....

[Smiljan]

ruggedscotty said:

knitware said:

raspy said:

caziques said:

"Servicing" an EV!?

It's called taking the piss.

Wiper blades and tyres are all you need to attend to.

What about software updates to the battery management system etc that for some brands, only a dealer can do?

There's a huge disparity between EV manufacturers, Tesla don't need, or don't have a schedule as such. It seems ICE manufacturers are trying to maintain their EV cars to the same servicing regime to keep revenue flow. I agree with caziques.

of course they are.....

read up on the GM EV1 a first foray into EV and it scared GM.... minimal servicing from them. they are running scared. having to pay subscriptions for heated seats.... aye they can get tae Fenwick....

Erm https://electrek.co/2020/02/15/tesla-rear-heated-s...

[Turtle Shed]

Local indy does my Leaf, charges about £90.00 which I consider fair value for a stamp in the book (with receipt to match of course). When I come to shift the thing on (if ever) those stamps in the book will surely be worth £50 each.