Whilst we know a FSH is important.

How important is a Full Service History done at a dealer though? Do cars really command that much more of a premium and things than those serviced at say Kevins Garage on Coronation Street.

I used to have my Astra serviced at a Vauxhall garage. So you see the whole "nicey" front end but not behind the scenes.

Now I have my Skoda serviced at this Garage. No nice front end, you can see whats happening to your car and things.

So I can see the works being done and make a note of it myself.

My look... is dealer up until the end of the warranty, then as long as it has been serviced after that, all is good.

My look... is dealer up until the end of the warranty, then as long as it has been serviced after that, all is good.

What she said.

My look... is dealer up until the end of the warranty, then as long as it has been serviced after that, all is good.

Spot on and it's good to give the local independent garages business, soon as my three year warranty (and free servicng) is up my local guy will get the business.

Best of all he's only two minutes from home, can't get more convenient than that

What she said.

It's "he"

Ive had mine done at an independant specialist from day one, as long as the garage you use is repuitable and you have receipts to back it up then I say no probs.

I suppose that's OK if you don't expect any further untoward major surprises e.g piston rings, turbos, arbs, water leaks, where, on current form, authorised dealer stamps might hold you in good stead with SKODA GB in the ex gratia assistance front.

As to re-sale potential and residual value I think second hand Skoda buyers would be content with a FSH from whereever it came from and I think the supply side of second hand vehicles and the brands reputation has more influence on the residual value.

However, it would seem from the current rash of fault reports that we all bought cars engineered for a 30K miles life for 60K life money -so, in that context, Skoda GB would like the opportunity to put the skids under some potential claims.

There must be at least more than 50,000 Fabias more than 5 years old in the UK, otherwise Haynes would not have published the service manual. So, with claim curve likely to turn against them, big time, SKODA GB would probably be delighted with the opportunity of an escape route. Dealers won't be so chuffed about the loss of imcome.

That said, I did that with my 1980's Golf, after the 3 year manufacturers warranty expired and most of the major problems had occurred - in those days the mechanicals were simple enough that you could service them yourself and spares were easily available, both from the main dealer and the numerous pattern part suppliers.

Of course, if you're into an extended warranty, if its to be honoured, you might be tied to an authorised dealership.

In the current climate, with business taking a down turn, main dealers might not be so well disposed to you if "Your-boy-under-the-arches" is not omni-competent and you have to go back to them for a major job - I wouldn't like trusting Kwik-fit with anything.

Its not been unknown for authorised dealers to make life difficult for third parties and do-it-yourselfers trying to acquire spare parts - VAG adopted this sort of stance in the early '90's recession and I presume have maintained it. Also the proliferation of pattern part suppliers is no more. Recently, I've been getting the "Did you buy the car from us ?" when booking a service.

Also, at the point of "Regime change", it is also useful to know what they've done to the vehicle in the past e.g. oils used - if you're a non-twchie trying to get the correct info out of the dealer might be a challenge and of course, there is then the possibility of erroneous info being supplied, with dia effects

Cost savings are there to be had. I think i saw an advert by our local bloke for £100 for full service - main dealer is at least two and a half that. If you're a low mileage wallah, with a once a year service, such as myself, that not so much of a burden, but high mileage is an incentive for change - I wonder what the attitude would be if oil change services were done by the local bod and majors by the authorised dealership ?

I imagine these risks, such as they are, vary with the attitude of each and every local dealer. So you pays your money (Or not) and takes your chances.

Nick,

20/01/08

It really depends on the marque, for Skoda you should be ok getting servicing done elsewhere. However a full main dealer history looks better come resale time. If I were buying, I would look for a full main dealer history. If the car didnt have a main dealer history, I would be looking to get a discount to allow for any problems that may occur, especially if there were no reciepts to show what had been done. For an older car, main dealer history is irelevant, all I would look for there some form of documented history.

My old Boxster was a different ballgame, full main dealer history was essential because selling one without it is practically impossible. You could get away with servicing from known independants, but that subtracted several K from p/ex figures, basically what you saved in servicing you lost at resale.

A full main dealer service history is worth more in a px valuation, however, as a private buyer, I would prefer to see a reputable independent specialist's stamps than a main dealer's because it shows me that the owner actually cared more about the car.

Any "regular" independent garages or DIY servicing and I'd probably walk away....

Chris

A main dealer history will help alot if you have any problems out of warranty where a good will contribution is needed, also they should check for any outstanding service bulletins that need to be done.

The trouble with main dealers is that everything is done to a set time and schedule, probably so that they can go back to Skoda to prove how efficient their workshops are with regard to hours sold, booked snd efficiency.

We had a 4 year old Fabia (40000 miles) in the other day, 3 previous main dealer stamps in the book. The brakes were atrocious, the slides had seized on the front calipers and when unbolting one of the pad carriers the thread on one bolt stripped out of the hub. There was no grease on any of the wheel/hub mating surfaces and the rear wheels hadn't been off in a long time (if ever), it took a good 15 minutes to get the rear wheels off using a large hammer on a sturdy piece of wood against the inside wheel rim. It did need new rear discs and pads.

Block exemption says that the manufacturer cannot stipulate that the car is serviced by their network or that their branded parts are used.

Ive had mine done at an independant specialist from day one, as long as the garage you use is repuitable and you have receipts to back it up then I say no probs.

Me too - same one :thumbup:

When i bought my Disco it has a mixture of main dealer and independant, did some research on the independant by phone and web and was happy with there service. It came with 12mts Land rover warrenty aswell.

I have just booked it into a Land Rover specalist for a service who has been serviceing LR for 30 years, proberbly has more knowledge than the local dealer.