I personally would not mind a self maintained car as long as receipts were there, I self maintain all my cars but my last car was a proper friday afternoon before a bank holiday car so all main repairs were done by dealer it cost me approx 2500 and added 150 0n trade in price!!! so its all down to personal opinion and a haynes manual lol

I worked for a main dealer (NOT Skoda) until 18 months ago, and TBH from what I saw around the workshop convinced me - not that I needed any convincing - that "dealer service stamps" aren't worth the ink on the pad.

Look at the book - except for changing the oil and filters, and specified interval changes such as cam belts and brake fluid, most of the work is either purely visual using the Mk I eyeball, and a quick VAG-Com (or equivalent) check.

The majority of service work was carried out by apprentices, with a technician spending 2 minutes checking he'd put the right amount of oil in and looking for additional possible work along the lines of "your rear brake disks are wearing and should be replaced asap"

Whilst the great unwashed may be fooled into thinking that a book full of stamps means something, once out of warranty the "trade" doesn't give a stuff (ever been asked by the salesman to look at the service book when arranging P/X? Our salesmen never did)

In theory all the main manufacturers have databases that can be checked to trail the service schedules carried out against the Reg. No. but all the salesmen are interested in is the age, mileage and condition of the bodywork and interior.

I've seen service books for P/X cars "retrospectively" completed and stamped for appearances.

I'd rather rely on my own expertise when doing the work / checks and when buying a car on the seller and my own checks.

Sorry, rant over - one of my personal beefs is the whole service con that has been foisted on the unknowing public.