Car servicing....boring i know

[kimi1101]

so my car needs a service badly. i know i should keep the service histry up to date, so although i am majoro skinto, i need to get it done. The garage i bought it from (toyota) called to remind me it needs serviced, and said it would cost £165 (i know this is cheap for a service but i only have a toyota aygo) last time it was serviced there, i only found out from a friend what a half hearted service they did, and it wasnt cheap. they also told me i needed 3 new tyres (and since have heard that in 10,000 miles i shoudn't have needed new tyres) and tried to charge me £60 each, I knew somewhere i could get them for £35 so said i would just get them done there, so they said they could do them fro £35 (which put me off them cos what must their mark up be to be able to give me that sort of discount?)

Anyway my point is.. is it really important to get your car serviced at the dealership? or could i take it to any other garage? i know a guy in the local garage and they have a good reputation, would be more convienient and i reckon a bit cheaper. I just don't wanna come round to selling my car and i lose buyers because it wasn't serviced at a toyota garage.

Sorry for long and boring pot but hopefully someone can help......thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Karren]

* this may help you ...



Servicing ties removed from new car warranties

The Office of Fair Trading Report
Date: 14th May 2004
Report: 85/04
All major makes of new cars in the UK will in the future be sold without servicing ties as part of their warranties, following action by the Office of Fair Trading.
The remaining manufacturers whose new car warranties including servicing ties have now lifted their servicing restrictions. Consumers will now be able to choose freely where they have their new cars serviced.
The move comes after an Office of Fair Trading study into new car warranties found that the "dealer-based extended warranties" offered by manufacturers included terms requiring that the new cars are serviced at a garage belonging to the manufacturer's franchised dealer network. This was limiting consumers' ability to choose where to have their car serviced.
John Vickers, OFT Chairman, said:

"The car industry's response to the OFT's recommendations to remove servicing restrictions is good news. Consumers should now benefit from increased choice and competition between franchised and independent garages."

The lifting of the ties has avoided the possibility of formal action by the Office of Fair Trading under the EC competition law.
Franchised dealers have been carrying out around 90% of servicing cars up to three years old. However, servicing at franchised dealers is typically more expensive than servicing at independent garages. The average price of a service at a franchised dealer was found to be 72% more expensive than at an independent garage, without any apparent in the quality of the service offered.

 

[kimi1101]

Thank you very much for this. Shall be calling the local garage today!!! x

 

[Karren]

you're welcome babe - ive used a local recommended garage for last 3 years - they have a poster on their wall re this too !

kx

Thank you very much for this. Shall be calling the local garage today!!! x

 

[rouge]

I'd go with the garage with a good reputation. At least you know you're not getting ripped off then.

 

[kylieb]

My boyfriend buys and sells cars and also runs a car spares shop. I dont think it matters where you get it serviced. As long as you get it done.
I had mine serviced 2 weeks ago and it only cost me £90. My cars a bmw...god if i went to BMW they would have proper ripped me off! Cars cost too much money as it is. I wouldnt worry about spending more at the dealer just so it looks good when you sell it. Someone out there will buy it anyway xxx

 

[-sophisticutz-]

My dad is a car dealer for VW. He says as long as when you get you car serviced or repaired, any parts that are replaced are replaced with genuine parts ie yours would be Toyota, then it doesn't invalidate the warranty. So you don't have to go back to the dealer for a (expensive) service.

If the warranty has expired you can have it done anywhere, just get your service history stamped for if you ever sell.