Wealthy people get their car serviced properly by the main dealer.
Car service - Do I HAVE to go back to the dealer?
- Thread starter Ripper
- Start date
Wealthy people get their car serviced properly by the main dealer.
Not entirely true.
I think the point being made was that wealthy people are just that usually because they worked hard to get it, hence dont just spank it all over the place for the sake of it. Ther service for £150 is the same as a £300 service then the sensible, and wealthy people would opt for the £150 option.
The above excludes morons, flash ****s and those who live on mummy & daddys wealth.
Soldato
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I'm not 100% sure on this but is there certain things the main dealer can do that some other service stations cant do on certain cars such as anything to do with on board electronic updates if needed?
an update of any kind wouldn't be part of a service anyway. Most independants have computer equipment capable of resetting pretty much any interval display.
Its possible that on such a new car then it would almost be expected that the car has had several if not all if its first few services done at the dealer. You see many adverts stating FDSH or similar meaning full dealer service history or stating its dealer serviced during the warranty then Indy or self serviced.
Soldato
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The whole "you have to go to a main dealer for servicing or the warranty is invalid" rubbish was knocked on the head in 2003 under the EU Block Exemption Regulation 1400/2002.
Provided the garage uses parts in line with the manufacturers recommendations, and it's done in line with manufacturers timings you can get it done anywhere without affecting your warranty.
Only warranty work (not scheduled maintenance) has to be done as a main dealer.
Provided the garage uses parts in line with the manufacturers recommendations, and it's done in line with manufacturers timings you can get it done anywhere without affecting your warranty.
Only warranty work (not scheduled maintenance) has to be done as a main dealer.
Its the cars first service ( I am assuming you mean the 1000 mile one)
It's not going to be a billion pounds.
If you're lucky, you'll get the oil changed.
Just take it to the dealer, get the stamp and be done with it.
Nothing looks more ***** on a service stamp book than everything done at different indy service centres.
It's not going to be a billion pounds.
If you're lucky, you'll get the oil changed.
Just take it to the dealer, get the stamp and be done with it.
Nothing looks more ***** on a service stamp book than everything done at different indy service centres.
You should consider how much such things may effect resale value though - I know i'd be slightly suspicious about a three year old car that hadn't seen a main dealer since it was bought. How would I know your 'trusted independent' isn't just your mate who's been doing you mates rates services but putting cheap crappy oil and low quality filters in the car for the first three years of it's life? At least with main dealers, you know the parts quality will be up to scratch and if it ever wasn't and it causes problems, you have a much stronger case with the manufacturer if they're the only ones who did work on the car.
You also have things such as recalls, technical updates etc. that paradigm pointed out, which unless you're going to take the car to a dealer specifically to ask about, might otherwise be missed.
Bundle it all up with a service pack from new and I don't really see the sense in not getting the car serviced by a dealer, i'd certainly be surprised if you saved a significant amount of money in the long term.
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This may not be the case in the OP's situation but in this day and age of PCP/finance deals 'buying' a new car is within the grasp of every tom, dick and harry who might be doing it on the very edge of their financial reach. Said person might never be able to borrow the £15k to buy a car in one hit as the repayments would be too large - It's not a quantum leap to see a situation where someone could get to service time and be shocked at the cost at a main dealer.
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Soldato
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You need to check the terms of the warranty. Block Exemption applies, but Ford warranty used be 2 yr manufacturers warranty and the 3rd year was a 'dealer warranty'. This is really jut an extended warranty and they can apply whatever terms they like to it - one of which was that the car had to have Ford dealer servicing. This may have changed now.
Other disadvantages are you won't get any field service actions carried out - this is work recomended by Ford but not a full recall. These can be software updates or replacement parts. Cars under warranty get these done free.
Shop around for servicing - Ford have more than 700 dealers in the UK and prices vary a lot. Servicing is easy money and most will price match, and Ford parts and service are usually cheaper than other makes anyway. A first service on a Focus should be no more than £150.
Once the warranty is up I'd take it to a decent independent.
Other disadvantages are you won't get any field service actions carried out - this is work recomended by Ford but not a full recall. These can be software updates or replacement parts. Cars under warranty get these done free.
Shop around for servicing - Ford have more than 700 dealers in the UK and prices vary a lot. Servicing is easy money and most will price match, and Ford parts and service are usually cheaper than other makes anyway. A first service on a Focus should be no more than £150.
Once the warranty is up I'd take it to a decent independent.
Fixed that for you
I saved about £50 on 1st service price for my fiesta in March by calling main dealers for quotes. Think Ford have a fixed price service plan across all dealers now though. Can't be that much for a 1st service anyway on a Focus, think I only paid about £120 for my Fiesta.
Ah right, fair enough. Mine was late 2009/early 2010. Basically a month after I bought the car the ECU went wrong. It was only just in warranty, but as when I bought it from Ford they serviced it, Seat refused to touch the ECU under warranty and wanted £1200.
In the end I had a big argument with Ford and they paid it. But I was explicitly told that their service was the reason for voiding the warranty.
Interesting to know it's changed since mind.
It's not changed since. You were just had for a fool by the dealer. It's been like this since 2004
http://www.oft.gov.uk/news-and-updates/press/2004/85-04
Fixed that for you
I saved about £50 on 1st service price for my fiesta in March by calling main dealers for quotes. Think Ford have a fixed price service plan across all dealers now though. Can't be that much for a 1st service anyway on a Focus, think I only paid about £120 for my Fiesta.
True, don't buy new at all I say. If I was looking to buy a 2/3 year old Ford, I would be hesitant to buy one from someone who didn't get it serviced at Ford at least during the warranty period. Doesn't say much for the care given by the owner.
If the owner had it serviced according to the service intervals, by a decent independent garage using ford parts, I fail to see how this shows a lack of care by the owner. Doing this doesn't void the warranty.
I agree, it would seem odd that it never visited a Ford dealer during this time, but there must be loads of Fords (some fleet cars or cars in rural areas for example) that aren't serviced by a Ford dealer but within schedule. It would make me ask the question, but I wouldn't be hesitant if it has been serviced according to schedule by a reputable garage.
