Discussion
I tried a well recommended independent for the first time this year... basically I got sick of shelling out between £800 and £1200 for a routine service and MOT. I only do a couple of thousand miles each year and I don't track the car etc so I recon a set of spark plugs etc should last longer than 1 service.
Now, I'm not saying that the TVR garage didn't do a lot of thorough checks, as per the schedule here (Albeit I didn't use Henley previously... I just use their link as an example)
http://www.henley-tvr.com/servlets/sfs;jsessionid=...
But the actual work done in most cases was small... and every single thing found was additional cost and very epensive!
This year the indi did my annual service (6000 mile) and MOT, used a checklist very similar to this one and they reported exactly the same things to keep an eye on as the TVR dealer the year before... however, the total cost including MOT and vat was only £266.
Right now I feel great, and only time will tell if this has been a good move... also with the sad demise of TVR, i'm happy replacing my FTVRSH, with FSH as IMHO there is no such a thing as a main dealer any more?
Now, I'm not saying that the TVR garage didn't do a lot of thorough checks, as per the schedule here (Albeit I didn't use Henley previously... I just use their link as an example)
http://www.henley-tvr.com/servlets/sfs;jsessionid=...
But the actual work done in most cases was small... and every single thing found was additional cost and very epensive!
This year the indi did my annual service (6000 mile) and MOT, used a checklist very similar to this one and they reported exactly the same things to keep an eye on as the TVR dealer the year before... however, the total cost including MOT and vat was only £266.
Right now I feel great, and only time will tell if this has been a good move... also with the sad demise of TVR, i'm happy replacing my FTVRSH, with FSH as IMHO there is no such a thing as a main dealer any more?
Edited by Red V8 on Saturday 26th April 17:53
£800 - £1200 service!!! - Where were you taking it??!I thought £400-600 was more usual?
I'm sure once a car reaches a certain age and value, it can't make a significant difference to the value if it has had a main dealer service history or not.
Even if it devalues it by a few hundred pounds, you'll be saving that on the servicing costs anyway so as long as it is being done properly by an independant or even by yourself then go for it i say
Don't want to name etc.... as I didn't have a problem with quality, I like to keep the car in tip top shape... but the cost was rather high.
Last year the main costs of the basic service were
£468 + VAT labour for service
£22 + VAT labour to replace VAC Advance Unit
£172 + VAT Parts
Plus an additional cost of
£50 MOT
They had the car for less than 8 hours... part of which they sent it out for the MOT... and the total bill came to £811 (mind you I did get a £57 discount off this for TVR Car Club Membership)
The year before in addition to the 'big' service, I had some work done on Dif Oil Seal, reconditioned radiator, and a waxoyl treatment (which turned out to be a complete waste of money... see my thread ...is waxoyl a silent assasin...), and this came to £1531
A high price to pay for the upkeep of what in reality is a very simple piece of engineering... as I said before I average about 2000 miles and one amusing fact is that I've paid £78 on spark plugs alone for 4000 miles of motoring!
So now you can see why I'm so pleased right now.
Last year the main costs of the basic service were
£468 + VAT labour for service
£22 + VAT labour to replace VAC Advance Unit
£172 + VAT Parts
Plus an additional cost of
£50 MOT
They had the car for less than 8 hours... part of which they sent it out for the MOT... and the total bill came to £811 (mind you I did get a £57 discount off this for TVR Car Club Membership)
The year before in addition to the 'big' service, I had some work done on Dif Oil Seal, reconditioned radiator, and a waxoyl treatment (which turned out to be a complete waste of money... see my thread ...is waxoyl a silent assasin...), and this came to £1531
A high price to pay for the upkeep of what in reality is a very simple piece of engineering... as I said before I average about 2000 miles and one amusing fact is that I've paid £78 on spark plugs alone for 4000 miles of motoring!
So now you can see why I'm so pleased right now.
Edited by Red V8 on Saturday 26th April 15:36
Red V8 said:
I tried a well recommended independent for the first time this year... basically I got sick of shelling out between £800 and £1200 for a routine service and MOT. I only do a couple of thousand miles each year and I don't track the car etc so I recon a set of spark plugs etc should last longer than 1 service.
Now, I'm not saying that the TVR garage didn't do a lot of thorough checks, as per the schedule here
http://www.henley-tvr.com/servlets/sfs;jsessionid=...
But the actual work done in most cases was small... and every single thing found was additional cost and very epensive!
This year the indi did my annual service (6000 mile) and MOT, used a checklist very similar to this one and they reported exactly the same things to keep an eye on as the TVR dealer the year before... however, the total cost including MOT and vat was only £266.
Right now I feel great, and only time will tell if this has been a good move... also with the sad demise of TVR, i'm happy replacing my FTVRSH, with FSH as IMHO there is no such a thing as a main dealer any more?
I agree and do about the same number of miles. I would be interested as to which indi you took it too, as I am looking for somewhere else to go later in the year.Now, I'm not saying that the TVR garage didn't do a lot of thorough checks, as per the schedule here
http://www.henley-tvr.com/servlets/sfs;jsessionid=...
But the actual work done in most cases was small... and every single thing found was additional cost and very epensive!
This year the indi did my annual service (6000 mile) and MOT, used a checklist very similar to this one and they reported exactly the same things to keep an eye on as the TVR dealer the year before... however, the total cost including MOT and vat was only £266.
Right now I feel great, and only time will tell if this has been a good move... also with the sad demise of TVR, i'm happy replacing my FTVRSH, with FSH as IMHO there is no such a thing as a main dealer any more?
Cheers,
Jon
Hi Stuart, you seem to have two extremes there. £266 for a 6000 mile service including parts and MOT. I just don't see how it can be done for this sort of price. The parts must retail at about £90 the cheapest I've seen an MOT is £30. So that leaves £150ish labour, IIRC it's a 6.5 hr service so that's about £20 +VAT /hr. That's a cracking deal you've had there. Are they in the Boro?
Jon, for info... I didn't use Henley... just used their website as a reference for what's involved in servicing. I'm way up in sunny Newcastle so it would be a fair distance for you to travel.
Ray, car was in top condition going in having spent a bit on it over the years and only done a few thousand miles since last year, and I keep all fluids topped up as a matter of course, so the biggest parts cost was oil (Mobil 1)... brakes, plugs, pads etc didn't need replacing and they didn't replace brake or clutch fluid this time... I've also just spent ages cleaning up the chassis and running gear myself, so they would have been able to see running gear was in good condition etc. They didn't use their rolling road to tune as again it was running fine, but maybe I'll get them to look at this next time.
I wouldn't have thought they needed to spend anything like 6.5 hours on it... even if this is the TVR recommended. I've had a good look round the car (as I also thought it an amazing deal) and I'm happy with the work the've done.
I suppose you pay your money (a lot less in this instance) and take a chance... I do some bits myself to keep the car in good shape, and they take care of the bits I prefer not to do... a partnership if you like and I feel for the first time that my servicing costs reflect this.
It's the first time I've gone indi for ages on any of my cars and whilst it's early days I'm happy so far.
Ray, car was in top condition going in having spent a bit on it over the years and only done a few thousand miles since last year, and I keep all fluids topped up as a matter of course, so the biggest parts cost was oil (Mobil 1)... brakes, plugs, pads etc didn't need replacing and they didn't replace brake or clutch fluid this time... I've also just spent ages cleaning up the chassis and running gear myself, so they would have been able to see running gear was in good condition etc. They didn't use their rolling road to tune as again it was running fine, but maybe I'll get them to look at this next time.
I wouldn't have thought they needed to spend anything like 6.5 hours on it... even if this is the TVR recommended. I've had a good look round the car (as I also thought it an amazing deal) and I'm happy with the work the've done.
I suppose you pay your money (a lot less in this instance) and take a chance... I do some bits myself to keep the car in good shape, and they take care of the bits I prefer not to do... a partnership if you like and I feel for the first time that my servicing costs reflect this.
It's the first time I've gone indi for ages on any of my cars and whilst it's early days I'm happy so far.
Edited by Red V8 on Sunday 27th April 11:58
This is very interesting.
I am in the automotive business but in the education sector. None the less my background and resources allows me to maintain my own cars.
When I bought the Chimaera I realised I would be servicing it and this would impact on the resale value. However I feel happier doing this.
Firstly these cars are quite simple. I have a full ex Merc dealership at my disposal so no job is too great and the tools are all there, but if honest most jobs can be completed with a trolley jack and axle stands and a few spanners and sockets. You do not need complicated diagnostic equipment or specialist backgrounds to work on one of these. A little patience helps.
I spent £178 inc VAT on parts and have done a major service on mine (do 12k a year in her and she lives outside).The parts are quite expensive for what they are IMHO but there was nothing I could do their and I only use top quality parts.
Having said that, follwing the 12k service schedule as supplied by TVR Power and doing a few extra jobs (retorque sump, clad starter, bit of outrigger work, diff/gearbox oil) it took me less than 4 hours and this included a brake roller test and moving half the workshop about!
Im also confident that every nut and bolt is correct and as it should be.
Mentioning no names but my car came from a well known TVR specialist where it was routinely serviced and maintained regardless of cost. Well despite it coming with fresh MOT the front brake hoses were split and leaking! Whilst servicing it too I found the fuel filter to be on the wrong way, the plugs loose and the air filter looked like it had been dredging the Thames!
In short,I can't see the value for money in the labour charges asked by some of these garages. I rather think that TVR owners do get a little stung for what is in all intense and purposes a cheap and simple car.
I am in the automotive business but in the education sector. None the less my background and resources allows me to maintain my own cars.
When I bought the Chimaera I realised I would be servicing it and this would impact on the resale value. However I feel happier doing this.
Firstly these cars are quite simple. I have a full ex Merc dealership at my disposal so no job is too great and the tools are all there, but if honest most jobs can be completed with a trolley jack and axle stands and a few spanners and sockets. You do not need complicated diagnostic equipment or specialist backgrounds to work on one of these. A little patience helps.
I spent £178 inc VAT on parts and have done a major service on mine (do 12k a year in her and she lives outside).The parts are quite expensive for what they are IMHO but there was nothing I could do their and I only use top quality parts.
Having said that, follwing the 12k service schedule as supplied by TVR Power and doing a few extra jobs (retorque sump, clad starter, bit of outrigger work, diff/gearbox oil) it took me less than 4 hours and this included a brake roller test and moving half the workshop about!
Im also confident that every nut and bolt is correct and as it should be.
Mentioning no names but my car came from a well known TVR specialist where it was routinely serviced and maintained regardless of cost. Well despite it coming with fresh MOT the front brake hoses were split and leaking! Whilst servicing it too I found the fuel filter to be on the wrong way, the plugs loose and the air filter looked like it had been dredging the Thames!
In short,I can't see the value for money in the labour charges asked by some of these garages. I rather think that TVR owners do get a little stung for what is in all intense and purposes a cheap and simple car.
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