Servicing - Main Dealer Vs Specialist...

[sniperpenguin]

Just for reference, the service is a 40K ("Major" apparently) on a 2.5yr old car....

 

Main Dealer (Rainworth) - £269

 

- Health check

- Oil + Filter

- Other filters inspected and changed if deemed to be required.....

 

Independent (Shark Performance) - £233

- OEM parts used

- Oil + filter

- Other filters (fuel, pollen, air) changed regardless of condition

- checks.

 

Guess where my money is going........ OK, Shark cant update the super-secret Skoda servicing database, but I'll have the documentation to back me up....  :clap:

[skodafang]

To be honest I don't trust main dealers never have.

 

I would go independent .

 

Others may have a different view however.

[Zippeh]

If you're on PCH (like me!) then unfortunately there's no choice but to go Main Dealer.

[CFBScout]

For £40 more I'd go main dealer and preserve the history.

 

If the gap was a lot bigger then maybe switch but not for that personally.

[Juego]

I'd still not pay the main dealer, I had mine serviced by my mate at his garage using genuine parts, got a lot more done than skoda would've done. As long as I keep the receipts skoda have no issue with the warranty

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

I've worked for both main dealers and specialists a like and regardless of their company orientation it tends to be down to the team of staff they have running the show and how committed they are. The previous main dealer I worked for was just after your money. The previous specialists were exactly the same but swore blind that they were better than the dealer, cheaper and provided a better service, this was purely a matter of opinion.

I can honestly say though that RRG are a breath of fresh air. We might not always get it right first time because we're only human but we all give a damn and put in 100% for our customers. Our directors would rather see our customers being happy with our services than upset because they feel they've been ripped off.

Maybe that's why we're number 1 ŠKODA dealer in the country though.

[sniperpenguin]

I've worked for both main dealers and specialists a like and regardless of their company orientation it tends to be down to the team of staff they have running the show and how committed they are. The previous main dealer I worked for was just after your money. The previous specialists were exactly the same but swore blind that they were better than the dealer, cheaper and provided a better service, this was purely a matter of opinion.

I can honestly say though that RRG are a breath of fresh air. We might not always get it right first time because we're only human but we all give a damn and put in 100% for our customers. Our directors would rather see our customers being happy with our services than upset because they feel they've been ripped off.

Maybe that's why we're number 1 ŠKODA dealer in the country though.

 

Sell me a car then - I need to decide what Im doing with the octy in December (PCP is expiring )

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

Speak to our sales team on 01706 758 888 and see what they can sort out for you.

We do lose sales to other local dealers who cut off their nose to spite their face and fire stock out at a loss to achieve sales figures but then we end up with the customer at our centre when they have problems because the car was never handed over and demonstrated properly and or their aftersales service is crap.

[octavia5]

If you are keeping the car after the warranty expires and something major breaks soon after - like a turbo or DSG box, Skoda UK may well offer a Goodwill Contribution if you have a dealer service history, without one you will be on your own.  Worth considering when you decide where to get your servicing done

[lmorris2794]

Check your personal message mate.

[Gaz]

Maybe that's why we're number 1 ŠKODA dealer in the country though.

 

Please tell me you collect and deliver  :yes:

 

Service no.2 is due in May next year  :sun:

 

Gaz

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

Please tell me you collect and deliver :yes:

Service no.2 is due in May next year :sun:

Gaz

All part of the service Gaz

[JKW]

Main dealer versus Specialist ?  As James @ RRG said, it all depends on the team providing the service. My local dealership are utter cr*p  - my 1st service there (it was the supplying dealer) was so poor that I was invited to their "boardroom" to explain to the staff just how bad the experience had been - I did so, rather forcibly too,  but no amount of grovelling apologies from them could make up for how badly I had been treated - from what I've heard since from numerous Skoda owners complaints I just wonder how they've kept the franchise - I would never darken their doorstep again.

In contrast, I now go to a REAL Skoda dealership, one that is 55 miles distant from where I live, but for my car & self to be treated with courtesy & respect I feel it is well worth it.

I've also ordered my new Octy from them too, this time on a PCH, delivery due early September, so the poor dealership has lost out in more ways than one.

JKW

[SkodaVRS1963]

I'd still not pay the main dealer, I had mine serviced by my mate at his garage using genuine parts, got a lot more done than skoda would've done. As long as I keep the receipts skoda have no issue with the warranty

 

If I was a car manufacturer and you came to me and said "my engine's just seized up on the M25, gimme, gimme, gimme" and I discovered that "your mate" had serviced the vehicle in question then I'd be defending your claim very robustly.

 

Sometimes saving a few quid just isn't worth it.

[Gaz]

All part of the service Gaz

 

You haven't noticed where I am, have you 

 

G

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

If our driver can procrastinate for an entire day collecting and delivering a customers car - he will regardless of distance!?!

[Gaz]

If our driver can procrastinate for an entire day collecting and delivering a customers car - he will regardless of distance!?!

 

If there was a way to double-like this, I would 

 

Apologies to the OP.

 

Gaz

[Juego]

If I was a car manufacturer and you came to me and said "my engine's just seized up on the M25, gimme, gimme, gimme" and I discovered that "your mate" had serviced the vehicle in question then I'd be defending your claim very robustly.

Sometimes saving a few quid just isn't worth it.

Fully vat registered garage with receipts from tps for genuine parts and the correct oil being used, bugger all they can do they must honour the warranty!

[Tech1e]

Fully vat registered garage with receipts from tps for genuine parts and the correct oil being used, bugger all they can do they must honour the warranty!

That was 100% water tight until they added the clause that the service must be carried out to manufacturers guidelines. One of those guidelines is a full diagnostic check (and proof there of) has to be completed. I've seen it trip up a few warranty claims in the past.

[SkodaVRS1963]

That was 100% water tight until they added the clause that the service must be carried out to manufacturers guidelines. One of those guidelines is a full diagnostic check (and proof there of) has to be completed. I've seen it trip up a few warranty claims in the past.

 

Yep.  My wife got her "complimentary" health check when she had her Fiesta serviced in May.  All sorts of very interesting numbers straight out of what I assume was a USB plug-in connected to the Ford mainframe.......her stereo firmware even got upgraded.

 

The "fully VAT registered mate" hasn't got that access.  Ergo, your engine seizes on the M25 and you're up the proverbial creek without a paddle.

 

It just isn't worth it.

[ahenners]

I still take my 59 Octavia to main dealer for services, purely because independents rarely work out considerably cheaper for it to be worth it. Would rather have dealer stamp in the book and ensure all the software gets updated etc.

As others have mentioned too, I suspect you're less likely to run into warranty claim issues or struggle to claim goodwill for issues just outside of warranty, if you have full dealer history.

[Juego]

Software updates etc can be done when it goes in for claims, I've spoken to skoda about it and they've told me it's not an issue as long as they use the proper oil intended for the car. My cars first service was done at 18.4k which skoda told me is just an oil and filter change, I've had all filters and oil changed so I've done more than the dealers recommended service requirement. It's also been changed to fixed servicing as I'll be doing it every 10k from now on.

My cars also a taxi so will be out of warranty within the year anyway, company taxis which get serviced at their own garage all have no issues with warranty claims and never have, they've had engine replacements etc all done and as it's mostly the 1.6 tdi they've all had the egr problem and replaced under warranty.

[skodafang]

You pay your money and you take your choice. I run a large fleet and have never had any warranty issues including good will outside of warranty.

 

However that might be because of the money we spend.

 

If it was my car I still would use independent servicing rather than dealer but as I sad before that's just my opinion.

 

I wouldn't criticise anyone for using a main dealer.

[sniperpenguin]

Thanks for all the input guys... a few points to what has been mentioned.

1. Regarding software updates - These have never been performed at any of my services (Sat Nav, VCDS, ECU etc) - I have had to update these myself.

2. "Worth the extra to keep it with the manufacturer" - A valid point, but pretty much testament to blackmail in my eyes. Shark will be doing above and beyond a standard service, using Skoda parts and the accompanying health check. (the Skoda check at my local dealer consists of "visual inspections" apparently)...
3. The whole "change if it needs it" against the "change it because its due" debate.... How on earth do you visually check a fuel filter, for example?

[Tech1e]

Thanks for all the input guys... a few points to what has been mentioned.

1. Regarding software updates - These have never been performed at any of my services (Sat Nav, VCDS, ECU etc) - I have had to update these myself.

It's more service actions and campaigns that get flagged when booking in and/or connecting to ODIS. If there are any known issues that are software related these can be updated and installed.