Ford Service or Independent Service

smr · 13 Nov 2019 at 12:14

Hi,

I've got a Ford Focus mk3 with around 40k on the clock and it's due a service.

Would I be better off using Ford or just taking it to the garage in my village, would Ford do a better job or does it not really make a difference?

Diagro · 13 Nov 2019 at 12:19

smr said:
Hi,

I've got a Ford Focus mk3 with around 40k on the clock and it's due a service.

Would I be better off using Ford or just taking it to the garage in my village, would Ford do a better job or does it not really make a difference?

Oil and filter will Be the same at and independent.

Cheaper too.

weathmatth · 13 Nov 2019 at 12:23

If its out of warranty then i would go to an independent.

HoneyBadger · 13 Nov 2019 at 12:33

Independent.

Scania · 13 Nov 2019 at 12:48

Depends on the pricing, get some quotes and see who’s cheaper, also some buyers in future would prefer a full dealer history although on a Focus I doubt it’s that big a deal although I bought my own Focus because it had a full Ford history over one that didn’t....

I got a local Ford dealer to change the steering rack on my old Volvo V70 having asked for a quote whilst dropping off my then partner’s car for a service, they were the cheapest - surprisingly - by a long way!

MissChief · 13 Nov 2019 at 12:57

Don't be afraid to haggle down the Ford dealer either. Tell them your indy price and see if they can match it or get close. You might be surprised.

cuke2u · 13 Nov 2019 at 13:15

Included is a years breakdown assistance with all ford services so remember to take the cost of that into account.

smr · 13 Nov 2019 at 13:20

Ok thanks. I'll ring both. The independent is a customer of mine and I've been a customer of his and I know him so it would be easier, just didn't know if Ford would use better parts or something if they're needed.

I've got the oil already.

smr · 13 Nov 2019 at 13:30

£265 for a full service at Ford

, waiting for my independent garage to finish his lunch break.

snips86x · 13 Nov 2019 at 13:31

MissChief said:
Don't be afraid to haggle down the Ford dealer either. Tell them your indy price and see if they can match it or get close. You might be surprised.

This is what I used to do

pepp77 · 13 Nov 2019 at 13:41

When I had a focus I think I had some service plan thing that meant I paid £16 a month (if I remember rightly - it was 4 years ago) and that covered the required services each year.

Liquidfox · 13 Nov 2019 at 14:46

smr said:
just didn't know if Ford would use better parts or something if they're needed.

Ford will use Ford parts, an Indy likely won't unless you ask them to. A lot of the time you can get the OEM part, just without a Ford badge for a lot less, it's always worthwhile doing this.

Ford charged £60 for a boost control valve on my last car, the exact same part without a Ford box was £23...

Luckystrike123 · 13 Nov 2019 at 17:00

I take my focus to a Ford dealership, you get 12 month free breakdown cover with a service which adds up to quite a saving versus an independent garage.

cuke2u · 13 Nov 2019 at 18:18

pepp77 said:
When I had a focus I think I had some service plan thing that meant I paid £16 a month (if I remember rightly - it was 4 years ago) and that covered the required services each year.

Hehe, my partner is paying about the same amount for her fiesta, yet I paid £9.56 a month over 36 months for three services for my A4 2.0ltfsi. Plus I had the mot and brake fluid service for free...

chrislusty · 14 Nov 2019 at 08:08

Ford services include full European with home assist breakdown cover, which is always nice to have.

Demon · 14 Nov 2019 at 09:07

Servicing can be a nightmare.

The most immediate thing to weigh up
- Will the main dealer and / or indy be following the service schedule? i.e. at certain intervals you need more things inspecting/checking/changing and is that what you want
- Will the indy use genuine or at least high quality parts.

A lot of indy's around me just have 1 price servicing which only covers a basic service items (not the correct schedule) and they use poor quality parts and often aren't that much cheaper than the main dealer if you compare apples to apples.

The better indy's ask the mileage and give you a quote for a scheduled service and will use oem parts..

But if it's a much older car, then really I doubt anyone would be that bothered and basic service items are fine with the big things like cambelts/chains or other longer interval items done as/when needed as a separate exercise.

beachBOYken · 14 Nov 2019 at 11:52

Ford's also do a Ford motorcarft service, but I don't think that includes the AA cover, and it's only a minor service.

It's for cars over a certain age, so I'm unsure if OPs car would meet the criteria?

red eye · 16 Nov 2019 at 20:00

smr said:
Hi,

I've got a Ford Focus mk3 with around 40k on the clock and it's due a service.

Would I be better off using Ford or just taking it to the garage in my village, would Ford do a better job or does it not really make a difference?

You’d be surprised. Indi all the way but find a good one and state you want oe parts. Oe parts are from the same company that supply’s ford but these don’t have ford all over the box and are cheaper. If you don’t state this you’ll get the cheapest parts available.

You could always service yourself it’s not hard, just don’t pour used oil down the drain

Maundie · 17 Nov 2019 at 09:45

I take mine to Ford as it's not that expensive when you factor in the breakdown cover, can't be arsed to try and find a decent indy who doesn't 'advise' of lots that requires doing

adscan · 18 Nov 2019 at 18:18

The Ford motorcarft service is well priced.
I take my mk2 Focus to my local Ford garage every year for its service and MOT. It is about the same price as an independent plus you get a years breakdown cover and ford parts. No brainer really.