Dealer service and MOT - worth it?

Spikey · 5 Mar 2012 at 19:15

Hi all,

Car is due a service soon and it's almost two years old. Ford want £200 for the service but I can get it done from an independent for £90. Is it worth getting it done at a dealer rather than independently? Just wondered because dealers claim it adds more value to the car if you trade it in with a full dealer service history. How true is this? I always got my older cars serviced independently and got them to stamp the service book.

Just wondering how many of you would get it done at the dealer or not and does it really add value when you trade in?

ThePengu1n · 5 Mar 2012 at 19:37

Do you trust this independent garage? If so, you may as well get them to do it (make sure they stamp the book though). I think a dealer history does add some value to the car when you sell it on, but not much.

[TW]Fox · 5 Mar 2012 at 19:41

Not worth the saving on a car thats only 2 years old unless you dont plan to sell for quite a few years.

It's only 110 quid. Tried haggling with Ford?

dessimpson · 5 Mar 2012 at 19:48

I never get my car serviced at a dealer.
If it 's just a basic service then I'd go for the local garage.

Spikey · 5 Mar 2012 at 19:49

I do trust them yes they are spot on! I didn't realise you could haggle with them?

andy_mk3 · 5 Mar 2012 at 19:52

I used to work at an independent garage and the majority of cars that had only had dealer servicing before had never had the drum brakes seen too, and many never had the wheels off and air filters and plugs etc not changed.

dessimpson · 5 Mar 2012 at 23:23

A Honda garage quoted me £700 for a service. I told them it wasn't due a major service as it had one 6,000 miles earlier. He said it wasn't on his records so he'd have to do the major service. Even though I said I had the receipt from another Honda garage.
I then asked what was included in the service. It was just oils and a bunch of checks. Oh, and a new cambelt!
When I pointed out that the S2000 had a timing chain he started back-pedalling. I left and took it to an independent garage and got the standard service (which it was due)

This is Honda in Salisbury if anyone's thinking of going there

pepsilol · 5 Mar 2012 at 23:27

Na, nothing beats me insisting my 330i didn't need the glowplugs doing.

James_N · 5 Mar 2012 at 23:38

dessimpson said:
I then asked what was included in the service. It was just oils and a bunch of checks. Oh, and a new cambelt!
When I pointed out that the S2000 had a timing chain he started back-pedalling. I left and took it to an independent garage and got the standard service (which it was due)

Holdcroft Honda in Cannock and Brindley Honda in Stoke also quoted me for a Cambelt change on my S2000 :rolleyes:

Took it to Rob at Garage R in Barnsley in the end!

Spikey · 6 Mar 2012 at 07:52

I think I will go to my local independent

[TW]Fox · 6 Mar 2012 at 08:17

Remember that 100 quid saving when the buyer knocks a pile off your price because you had a 2 year old car serviced at a local place...

Maz · 6 Mar 2012 at 09:46

[TW]Fox;21410062 said:
Remember that 100 quid saving when the buyer knocks a pile off your price because you had a 2 year old car serviced at a local place...

Quote.

Edit: If the owners skimped on servicing, what else has he skimped on?

Spikey · 6 Mar 2012 at 09:52

So service at dealer for first 3 then independent after?

Yaayuh! · 6 Mar 2012 at 10:00

A full dealer service may help selling the car later on in it's life as well.

Maz · 6 Mar 2012 at 11:04

Spikey said:
So service at dealer for first 3 then independent after?

Pretty much, even though you'll find even after 3 years the main dealer can be very competitive.

Imy · 6 Mar 2012 at 11:26

My last service was a "dealer spec" service from an indy. Basically they follow the manufacturer's service sheet for the right year/mileage rather than do their own generic service. It saved me about £200.

I think the important thing is just to get it stamped every year and keep a receipt for all work carried out to show you've looked after it.

dessimpson · 6 Mar 2012 at 18:29

A service is a service at the end of the day.
What makes a dealer any better than an independent garage?

Unless it's some sort of specialist car then you can pretty much service it anywhere in my opinion. As long as they use genuine parts then it doesn't affect your warranty either.

Maz · 6 Mar 2012 at 21:07

dessimpson said:
A service is a service at the end of the day.
What makes a dealer any better than an independent garage?

Unless it's some sort of specialist car then you can pretty much service it anywhere in my opinion. As long as they use genuine parts then it doesn't affect your warranty either.

Some vehicle have things on the schedule which are overlooked by any non specialist garages.

Ie: Tappet adjustments on certain Honda Engines.

[TW]Fox · 6 Mar 2012 at 21:12

dessimpson said:
A service is a service at the end of the day.
What makes a dealer any better than an independent garage?

Some people think this, some people don't, though in reality it doesn't matter as it isn't the point.

Fact is if you've got full dealer history on a nearly new car you dont put off the people who dont think it matters. But if you dont have it, you do put off the people who DO think it matters.

Less demand means lower price.