Main dealer servicing- how long for?
Discussion
No doubt often discussed before but not something I've ever had to worry about given I only buy old cars. My girlfriend got a Peugeot 208 last year from a main dealer and it's due its 3rd service shortly- is it still generally a no brainer to go for main dealer servicing at 3 years old regardless of make?
Main issue is a main dealer is a trek. It was already knocking on an hour away but that main dealer appears to have rebranded as Toyota only leaving the other viable options closer to 1.5 hours away.
Main issue is a main dealer is a trek. It was already knocking on an hour away but that main dealer appears to have rebranded as Toyota only leaving the other viable options closer to 1.5 hours away.
Facing a similar issue with my MX5. I got three years servicing for free, but the 4th one is due and I can't decide if it's worth the £330 for an oil change to keep any hope at "good will" if I break it, or if it's time to go DIY.
Currently thinking of paying for this one and maybe the next because it's £220 but giving up past that, goodwill is a distant dream on a car over 5 years old and that's the only possibly reason to bother with a main dealer history.
On ordinary cars it adds nothing to their value, that's a total myth. I bought an NC MX5 for £800 that was one owner from new with full dealer service history since 2007, he must have spent thousands and thousands more than taking it outside the dealer and it was still an £800 car.
Currently thinking of paying for this one and maybe the next because it's £220 but giving up past that, goodwill is a distant dream on a car over 5 years old and that's the only possibly reason to bother with a main dealer history.
On ordinary cars it adds nothing to their value, that's a total myth. I bought an NC MX5 for £800 that was one owner from new with full dealer service history since 2007, he must have spent thousands and thousands more than taking it outside the dealer and it was still an £800 car.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Monday 31st July 23:12
Patrick Bateman said:
I did wonder if it's more likely to affect selling in the near-ish future as opposed to when the car's 8+ years old.
Having sold lots of cars everyone asks "does it have history" but almost nobody actually looks at it. Personally I doubt you'd get your money back at 8 years old, everyone likes to see FMDSH but nobody wants to pay any extra for it.They're also grand masters at upselling you stuff that doesn't really need doing of course.
GeniusOfLove said:
Having sold lots of cars everyone asks "does it have history" but almost nobody actually looks at it. Personally I doubt you'd get your money back at 8 years old, everyone likes to see FMDSH but nobody wants to pay any extra for it.
They're also grand masters at upselling you stuff that doesn't really need doing of course.
Pretty much spot on with that.They're also grand masters at upselling you stuff that doesn't really need doing of course.
It made very little, if any difference when my dad wanted to trade his Mazda 6 in a few years ago , and that was with Mazda themselves. It might be a stronger selling point from the dealers perspective when putting it on the forecourt , but the reaction he got was that it’s basically a 9 year old car with the value of a 9 year old car, regardless.
Only other thing worth maintaining; The corrosion warranty often has a small print specifying that yearly inspections are required for validity.
It's a 12 year warranty from Honda with yearly inspections, so I'll keep taking that in for cheaper services (Fortunately have a good relationship with the service managers
)
Also with modern cars, it's worth checking owners forums to see if PCM / Other updates have been issued that you can request at service; I know there's one that would be handy to have on the Jag to get the cooling fans in check....
It's a 12 year warranty from Honda with yearly inspections, so I'll keep taking that in for cheaper services (Fortunately have a good relationship with the service managers
)Also with modern cars, it's worth checking owners forums to see if PCM / Other updates have been issued that you can request at service; I know there's one that would be handy to have on the Jag to get the cooling fans in check....
brillomaster said:
I'd probably go main dealer servicing for as long as the warranty is, after that I'd go trusted independent.
Same - after the mechanical warranty is up, forget it. As for the anti-corrosion, meh, not often it's useful these days, and the extra service costs will offset it fairly quickly.Krikkit said:
brillomaster said:
I'd probably go main dealer servicing for as long as the warranty is, after that I'd go trusted independent.
Same - after the mechanical warranty is up, forget it. As for the anti-corrosion, meh, not often it's useful these days, and the extra service costs will offset it fairly quickly.Many one-make independents are run by dealer techs who've had enough of the bonus culture in the dealer networks that promote upselling and corner cutting, and set out on their own. They have all the knowledge and experience, but with a direct stake in the customer experience. Plus they usually give you a choice of genuine, or carefully selected aftermarket parts depending on budget.
A BMW specialist I used to use near my old house was typically booked up a month in advance, despite never advertising. All word of mouth and repeat business. I personally knew of two BMWs with faults that the dealer network wanted to throw various expensive parts at to repair that this indie correctly diagnosed and repaired for a couple of hundred.
Grumps. said:
Anyone that thinks having a full service history will add value is deluded.
It never had and never will, but will potentially help as pointed out above, should there be a need for good will from the manufacturer and will also make the car more attractive to future buyers.
It may also help with trade in to an independent, but cars reach a stage when any service history becomes a bonus. Texaxile above nailed it with the FMSH Mazda example. However , when it comes to the next seller, the advert will make much of the full dealership history ; one owner, even better! Of course, much of this cannot apply to exotics, but even then, a ‘ famous name’ indi will suffice later on in life.It never had and never will, but will potentially help as pointed out above, should there be a need for good will from the manufacturer and will also make the car more attractive to future buyers.
Edited by Lester H on Tuesday 1st August 15:00
Grumps. said:
Anyone that thinks having a full service history will add value is deluded.
It never had and never will, but will potentially help as pointed out above, should there be a need for good will from the manufacturer and will also make the car more attractive to future buyers.
For a car that is still worth some reasonable amount of money and known to have high running costs, FMSH doesn't add value per se, however it keeps the potential buyer pool as wide as possible. It never had and never will, but will potentially help as pointed out above, should there be a need for good will from the manufacturer and will also make the car more attractive to future buyers.
Same can be said with attributes such as 'low mileage', desirable colour (black, metallic blue etc).
Depends on the make and dealer in question.
If the maker can be trusted to honour its product and care for its customers then its a no brainer especially if main dealer servicing is both reasonably priced and they do the work charged for.
Only ever owned one brand new vehicle and put servicing money where mouth is because it was a good Toyota dealer.
After warranty expired it started faint injector rattles, well known issue, goodwill never in doubt, they had it in and performed diagnostics resulting in new injectors and associated pipework.
Only you can decide if your maker/dealer would behave in a similar manner, there's not many i would trust.
If the maker can be trusted to honour its product and care for its customers then its a no brainer especially if main dealer servicing is both reasonably priced and they do the work charged for.
Only ever owned one brand new vehicle and put servicing money where mouth is because it was a good Toyota dealer.
After warranty expired it started faint injector rattles, well known issue, goodwill never in doubt, they had it in and performed diagnostics resulting in new injectors and associated pipework.
Only you can decide if your maker/dealer would behave in a similar manner, there's not many i would trust.
Depends on the manufacturer IMO.
Toyota or Lexus in recent years - then you get 12 months warranty included with each service for upto 10 yrs or 100k now
Volvo - you get 12 months free roadside assistance with each service
Regarding goodwill, my MX5 had rust developing event coming up to 5 yrs it was covered in a majority by them. I then went independent specialist.
Regarding my current one, then I suspect I will be sticking currently with MD for a good while as goodwill has helped already! Even if just to nose at even more impressive automotive porn, although I do know they are pricey!
Toyota or Lexus in recent years - then you get 12 months warranty included with each service for upto 10 yrs or 100k now
Volvo - you get 12 months free roadside assistance with each service
Regarding goodwill, my MX5 had rust developing event coming up to 5 yrs it was covered in a majority by them. I then went independent specialist.
Regarding my current one, then I suspect I will be sticking currently with MD for a good while as goodwill has helped already! Even if just to nose at even more impressive automotive porn, although I do know they are pricey!
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