My car has it's 1st annual service looming and is obviously still under mfr's warranty.

The local dealer is less than impressive but there is a very good one an hour away (it is a pleasant cross country drive ), alternatively nearby I have a marque specialist with a top tech and access to all the kit......

What would you do..?

I am a little concerned over the warranty issue if I use the indy and wonder just how awkward the Mfr could be if things went awry...

Any comments or similar experiences to share please...?

You're looking into a crystal ball on that one. By using an Indy you might save more than you would gain through good will should something go wrong.

You're also assuming that Skoda UK would give you any good will payment/service which is by no means certain.

I go to an indy because 1)I know he is good, honest and does a better job than any franchise I've used i.e. all the little corners franchises cut to save time, he does because he has some pride in his work and no corporate banner to hide behind and 2)He is cheaper so I save now, definitely. I could bank that saving towards any repairs but I don't. Car is 5yr old now and getting good will on anything is increasingly unlikely and in one year totally not going to happen.

Edited 6 August, 201213 yr by Aspman

Does the Top Tech have access to any information to Updates that may be required on your vehicle such as to the ECU?

(not recall items, but changes or parts that may be done at the service)

Is the first service just like an Oil Change & around £90, 1 year or 10,000 mile ?

with the 2 year, 20,000 type, Inspection Service & getting on for £200,

Then they will be looking/checking bodywork etc & making remarks and notes.

Again possibly up-dates could be required.

george

Good info so far guys thank you.....

I believe the indy does have the kit but this is a tricky one for me...

I would not want to "muddy the water" with the dealer by trying to save a few quid..

Make an Enquiry at your Dealership

& ask if your vehicle needs any updates & the cost of the Service, by Email.

& if no to anything other than the Oil change service,

then that should be that, you could do the Enquiry to the Manufacturers Customer Service.

Is this a Skoda you are asking about & if so, which Skoda?

george

Edited 6 August, 201213 yr by sk4gw

As far as I know, as long as the service is carried out by a qualified person, using genuine parts then the warranty remains intact. Goodwill is another thing but then warranty work will be signed off by Skoda UK, not the dealer. The dealer wants the warranty work as it is good money for them I believe.

My service is due in a few months and I am undecided on whether to use the local dealer, who has been taken over or go for a reputable indy.

Garage must be vat registered.

However skoda have often covered some or all of out of warranty failures which in the case of turbos could be up to a grand!

Private buyers and some dealers add more for dealer service history.

It's not the warranty that you need to be concerned about, it's what happens after the warranty expires. Manufacturers are more likely to give goodwill payments in cases where the customer has been loyal to the dealer network.

Dealer servicing, in my experience of seeing dealer serviced cars is that they won't remove the wheels to check the brakes, as it won't be in the schedule as the manufacturer likes to portray their cars to fleet customers as having to have less money spent on them.

Garage must be vat registered.

I have never actually seen that stated anywhere.

It is the advice given by almost every source, media, Warranty companies and manufacturers.

Making it easier to trace the supply and use of parts from what is assumed to be a legitimate business keeping records of their parts suppliers.

Obviously no guarantee of anything, but just one step towards some sort of control or checking.

http://whatcar.com/car-advice/running/servicing-and-repairs/3141786

a google will show sites and advice from Parkers, Trading Standards etc.

george

+1 To keep your warranty but have the car serviced at a non-franchised garage it must use genuine parts and be VAT registered.

I have just had an honest chat with a v.nice lady at my "preferred" main dealer.

The quote she gave me was cheaper than expected (£155.41 for the 1yr or 9k) and we talked through the implications of using my indy. The only negative was regarding "good will" issues and the fact that the car also has a visual paint/body inspection as part of the visit.

To answer a question...no this is not my Skoda it is a Mazda.

The fact she offered to run me into town for a spot of "browsing" instead of hanging around might swing it..!

Thanks again.