Dealer service and MOT - worth it?

Soldato
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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?
 
Associate
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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.
 
Man of Honour
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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?
 
Soldato
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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.
 
Associate
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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 ;)
 
Soldato
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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!
 
Man of Honour
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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

Maz

Soldato
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Newcastle.
[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?
 

Imy

Imy

Soldato
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Warwickshire, UK
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.
 
Associate
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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

Maz

Soldato
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18 Oct 2002
Posts
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Location
Newcastle.
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.
 
Man of Honour
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159,534
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.
 
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