I have a Ford kuga 12 plate and have always serviced it at Ford. It's now hit 200k miles and don't want to spend too much on it. I'm really struggling getting a third party garage to do the service work, as I've been spoiled by main dealer service. Halfords service centre came to mind, but just not sure. Your thoughts please?
Where do you service your not so new car?
- Thread starter tsobo
- Start date
Caporegime
Local independent Specialist.
Soldato
Why not a local independent?
Soldato
It depends on how much Ford are charging you. Our Fiat 500 is marginally cheaper to service at the dealer for run of the mill stuff. Same with the Kia really. Anything with a big enthusiast following I’d not hesitate to head to an independent. Very lucky with the guys who look after my 911 (Zuffenhaus).
Caporegime
It's a Kuga, not a rare marque or something incredibly complex. Do it yourself or take it to a local garage.
Caporegime
I'd rather hit it with a hammer than take it to Halfrauds, but surely a decent local independent can't be that hard to find?
Soldato
On my driveway 
I've never heard a good word about Halfords Autocentre from family and friends who've used them.
I've generally stuck with the main dealers personally - I've been a bit lucky I think compared to other people's stories though my local ones for the brands I've driven seem both good and competitively priced (aside from the big name local VW commercial specialist who while friendly enough the work their service department have done has been subpar and ended up costing me more money down the line).
Other than that you have to look for a local independent with a good reputation - if you give a rough location you might get some recommendations here.
I've generally stuck with the main dealers personally - I've been a bit lucky I think compared to other people's stories though my local ones for the brands I've driven seem both good and competitively priced (aside from the big name local VW commercial specialist who while friendly enough the work their service department have done has been subpar and ended up costing me more money down the line).
Other than that you have to look for a local independent with a good reputation - if you give a rough location you might get some recommendations here.
Soldato
Would not touch halfords with a barge pole
Been taking my cars to the same local independent for 20 years
Been taking my cars to the same local independent for 20 years
Caporegime
https://www.goodgaragescheme.com/
Put your postcode into this site, it will bring up garages that are part of the Good Garage Scheme in your area.
Put your postcode into this site, it will bring up garages that are part of the Good Garage Scheme in your area.
Soldato
Just tried the link above and the garage that I always use isn't listed?
https://www.goodgaragescheme.com/
Put your postcode into this site, it will bring up garages that are part of the Good Garage Scheme in your area.
Is this not just another checkatrade type website whereby garages pay the company who run the website to be advertised on it and agree to do some stuff that a decent garage would do anyway?
There are few garages near me listed and IMO any garage worth would have a decent rep by word of mouth in the local area.
Soldato
Local Indy for my Alfa, i was getting some crazy prices for my wifes old B Class though from everywhere so i went to Mercedes on their service plan. Worked out at £360 a year for a 2yr plan, but one of the services it was due was around £500 even at my usual local garage, so spread over 2 years it pretty much broke even, especially given it includes breakdown cover.
Likely won't be sticking with the plan though now it's just regular services again.
Likely won't be sticking with the plan though now it's just regular services again.
Soldato
In contrast to some here i've used my local Halfords autocenter and they've been really good BUT i do think i'm in the minority there. I have a chat to the fitters when i go in and they're always more than happy to show me the old parts like spark plugs etc so i know its actually been done. I've been burned by my local dealer of several marques (Mazda, Kia, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, MG) who have done terrible (or not even done it all) work so i really struggle to trust anywhere to work on my cars.
Soldato
Local garage where I know the owner and trust that what he tells me is true.
my local garage is even ok with me supplying my own parts and them fitting them for me. They even suggested to me getting a new subframe for my corsa myself and getting them to fit it. Always a good feeling when you find a garage you can trust.