Do local garages follow the manufacturers service schedule?

dazz25

dazz25

dazz25

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Joined
23 Jul 2007
Posts
1,422
Hi all,

Just a quick question.

Do local garages follow the service schedule that is set out for your make and model of car or do they just carry out the basic service requirements?

I'm thinking about taking my car to the local garage (highly recommended on the good garage scheme) instead of the main dealers. The service will be a lot cheaper but I'm unsure as to whether they will follow the same schedule as the dealer.

I just don't want things to be missed. I know exactly what's needed for my next service but I'm guessing 90% of people that take there car to local garages assume that it is being serviced as per the manufacturers schedule.
 
In theory if they use auto data they should be able to carry out exactly the same service. If it is a very new model then sometimes there is a delay in them getting data on that vehicle.
 
What's the good garage scheme like? Is it like some generic good pub guide that you just have to pay to get into and people can review you or is it more like the michelin guide and actually has some credibility?
 
silane said:
I wouldn't trust most garages to service my toaster.
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and of course you've been into most garages to know what they're like havent you ?

broad sweeping statement if ever i heard one. How do you know a local garage isnt fit to be trusted with your toaster just by looking at them ?
 
I get around said:
So you'd trust the 16 year old apprentice in the dealership to service your car or?
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Hell no.

Westyfield2 said:
I'd trust my local village garage with my life. Literally.
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MrLOL said:
and of course you've been into most garages to know what they're like havent you ?

broad sweeping statement if ever i heard one. How do you know a local garage isnt fit to be trusted with your toaster just by looking at them ?
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I said most not all. And it was my opinion, not a statement of fact!
 
silane said:
I said most not all. And it was my opinion, not a statement of fact!
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Either way it's a pretty dumb statement.

Op the only way to be sure is to ask, I know the garage I use at least say they follow the same list as a main dealer and the reciept always matches up. Still I've never actually sat and watched them so for all I know they could just leave it parked round the back all day and charge me a few hundred for the pleasure! It's all about trust and I've built that up with them and trust them to do what is needed and what is right.
 
I get around said:
So you'd trust the 16 year old apprentice in the dealership to service your car or?
Click to expand...

I went to college and many training courses with main dealer monkeys, not one of them i would credit with a IQ over 75.

Yet they always have trade as people trust the mas they are the main dealers and therefore well trained and proffesional. utter rollocks.
 
Can they do it according to schedule and specification? Yes, there's no reason why not. Resetting service lights and detailed diagnostic for specific problems or ECU routines and whatnot may require specialist equipment but they will tell you if they can do that or not.

There's software most garages use that carry al lthe relevant service information amongst other things. My advice would be ask your local dealer what the service you require needs then ask the local garage the same thing. As ever, unless you follow their every move around the car when they carry out the work, who knows if the dealer or indy will do it properly.. that's the risk we sadly must take. Local garages I've visited recently have been fantastic and very helpful, the business is far too important to lose and it shows.
 
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