Expensive indies

[jimmy156]

Common internet wisdom suggests that using an independent garage or mark specialist will save you £££ on your servicing. Living on the Hampshire / Surrey border this doesn't seem to be that case. I have used a number of different indy's near me, and they all end up being more expensive then the dealer's fixed priced servicing.

The indy round the corner from me charges £94 an hour labour, they are just a normal small garage on an industrial estate.

Anyone find the same? Or know any gems?

[jimmy156]

Mines a golf, but my wife has a qashqai too.

[jimmy156]

Sheepshanks said:

While it’s still not ‘cheap’ dealers’ fixed price servicing is a bit of a trap - it’s designed to get customers in there so they can be reamed on insanely priced “additional items” such as brake fluid changes that cost £100 and take 5 mins (assuming they do it at all) and pads and discs at £3-400 per axle.

Which is why I have moved to using an independent with the car at 120,000 miles, but I still find it surprising that an indie will charge more. I think its a "south east" thing.

I will take a look at The Phirm, although they are not hugely conveniently located.

The place wasn't in haslemere, but I used to live there and have used a few garages there in the past (Barkers, ST Engineering) who were all good but similarly pricey for servicing.

[jimmy156]

Caddyshack said:

jimmy156 said:

Sheepshanks said:

While it’s still not ‘cheap’ dealers’ fixed price servicing is a bit of a trap - it’s designed to get customers in there so they can be reamed on insanely priced “additional items” such as brake fluid changes that cost £100 and take 5 mins (assuming they do it at all) and pads and discs at £3-400 per axle.

Which is why I have moved to using an independent with the car at 120,000 miles, but I still find it surprising that an indie will charge more. I think its a "south east" thing.

I will take a look at The Phirm, although they are not hugely conveniently located.

The place wasn't in haslemere, but I used to live there and have used a few garages there in the past (Barkers, ST Engineering) who were all good but similarly pricey for servicing.

I went to school with Richard Barker and know Steve from ST although he sold up and RT too cover his business and premises.

Used to take my Mini to barkers, but I’d get all the routine servicing done at Barons and everything else at barkers.