At what point do you stop getting a car dealer serviced?

GT3 · 4 Jul 2010 at 17:53

I'm new to this because all my other cars have just been cheapish hatchbacks that I have serviced myself and kept all receipts but it's usually been a young lad who has bought the car off me and they weren't even bothered about the service history :rolleyes:

However I've bought a nearly mint late model '99 rev5 MR2. it has a toyota stamp in the book every year since then and all receipts for everything at toyota including cambelt, brakes, tyres, wipers etc!! :eek:

Now I'm obviously not going to go to toyota for everything. For example discs, pads, tyres etc I will get sorted myself and keep the receipts. But it seems a shame to not keep up the full toyota history. I'm not planning to keep the car forever, probably 15-20k miles or so then hope to sell it on for strong money as it will still have relatively low mileage and hopefully still be in very good condition.

So it's yearly service is due soon. Should I go to toyota? How much will they charge for a basic oil service? And will they put a stamp in the book for an oil service? And then anything else it needs I will sort myself.

Cheers

Scania · 4 Jul 2010 at 18:02

I'd ask around on a Toyota Forum for a Specialist of good repute in your area and take it there.

[TW]Fox · 4 Jul 2010 at 19:24

I'll stop when they stop being competively priced, convenient and offering me an endless supply of new cars for loaners.

DM · 4 Jul 2010 at 19:30

Once the manufacturers warranty runs out.

teulk · 4 Jul 2010 at 20:01

The minute you stop caring how much you will get for it if you sell it. Tbh does it matter if its dealer serviced as long as where you go does a good job and doesnt charge you a fortune.

Sukh · 4 Jul 2010 at 20:05

I think it depends on the manufacturer as well, i.e. I would be much more concerned if a Bentley wasn't but a Ford wouldn't bother me too much.

Fr0dders · 4 Jul 2010 at 20:08

i got the VXL serviced at the main dealer because the servicing wasnt that much more expensive than an independent

I got my 3rd minor service done for just under £160. Got a lovely stamp in the book to keep my warranty and only cost me maybe £30 or so more than a backstreet indy.

UltimateBadger · 4 Jul 2010 at 20:23

For a car like the Rev. 5 MR2 I would be tempted to keep getting it serviced at the main dealer. They hold their value well so this would be a bonus for the next savvy buyer. For older cars, I find main dealer prices to be competitive.

OpenToSuggestions · 4 Jul 2010 at 20:28

DiamondMark said:
Once the manufacturers warranty runs out.

This.

Paying some window licker £40-£100 an hour will never be reflected in the increased sale price due to full service history.

iaind · 4 Jul 2010 at 21:15

A specialist would be more appealing in the service to a buyer on a car like this IMO

Spuderoony · 4 Jul 2010 at 21:20

mglover070588 said:
This.

Paying some window licker £40-£100 an hour will never be reflected in the increased sale price due to full service history.

And the rest! Unless you're somehow getting your car serviced in 2002.

SHEDDER1uk · 4 Jul 2010 at 21:21

I would pay more for decent specialist serviced car than main dealer.

stoofa · 4 Jul 2010 at 21:22

Despite what many people tell me - I like a full set of dealer stamps.
Ever since I bought my first ever "Brand New" car I like dealer stamps when I come to pass it on.
How much difference in value it makes I don't know.

My Octy vRS has full dealer stamps.
It is now out of warranty, however still goes back to dealers for servicing.
It's due a cam belt & water pump change in around 10k miles and that'll probably be a dealer too.

NightShadow · 4 Jul 2010 at 21:30

[TW]Fox;16881587 said:
I'll stop when they stop being competively priced, convenient and offering me an endless supply of new cars for loaners.

This, plus the fact there are no local garages that I would trust with an oil change let alone a rotary engine!

LOAM · 4 Jul 2010 at 22:08

We have a cracking vw specialist garage In notts, so glad you no longer have to maintain auth dealer service to maintain warranty.

GT3 · 4 Jul 2010 at 23:41

It's not the fact of them doing a good job, I could service the car perfectly well myself it's about preserving the cars value. If I knew of a decent specialist in the local area then I would go to them. As a quick search it appears there is an MR2 specialist in Leeds and one in Coventry - both a bit far for a generic service. I think I will give Toyota a ring tomorrow and see what kinda cost it would be and go from there.

Tute · 5 Jul 2010 at 13:03

Warranty went on the Leon in January but i'm still in the "goodwill matrix" as long as I take it back there. Plus they're quite competitive with pricing anyway, and i'd like to keep the service book dealer stamped as long as I can.

ubersonic · 5 Jul 2010 at 13:56

Just after you realise that you don't need to take it to a dealer to get it serviced in order to keep the warranty and that dealers rip you off

mrk · 5 Jul 2010 at 14:53

When they stop the 6+ discount on parts, labour and fluids!

mjt · 5 Jul 2010 at 15:45

I've been using my local SEAT dealer because he charges €35 an hour labour, cash only

Not too sure on the quality of his work though, so I took it to the main VAG dealer for the last service. Labour was almost 3 times as much