Discussion
Reading a thread about the service on a Suzuki and there's a few mentions of people wanting to maintain a dealer service history
I'm big on wanting a full service history, it personally I'm just as happy with an independent or a well rated local garage doing the service as I am with a main dealer
What's the general opinion here? 2 used cars for sale both with full history, would you pay more for the one with a main dealer history ?
Just interested really
I'm big on wanting a full service history, it personally I'm just as happy with an independent or a well rated local garage doing the service as I am with a main dealer
What's the general opinion here? 2 used cars for sale both with full history, would you pay more for the one with a main dealer history ?
Just interested really
There's "service history" and there's "service history".
If it's a neat row of main dealer stamps in a book you can contact the dealer network and get it all verified. Good stuff.
If it's random stamps in a book it's not worth very much at all, unless backed up by a nice sheaf of invoices. That's what you really want to see.
If it's a neat row of main dealer stamps in a book you can contact the dealer network and get it all verified. Good stuff.
If it's random stamps in a book it's not worth very much at all, unless backed up by a nice sheaf of invoices. That's what you really want to see.
loskie said:
If it's out of warranty a service history by a local long established garage or specialist is fine by me.
Dealers: I don't hold their work in high regard at all.
^ that. Dealers: I don't hold their work in high regard at all.
A variety of garages, or iffy handwritten receipts makes me suspicious.
But regular servicing by a known/findable independent garage = better than main dealer generally.
POIDH said:
loskie said:
If it's out of warranty a service history by a local long established garage or specialist is fine by me.
Dealers: I don't hold their work in high regard at all.
^ that. Dealers: I don't hold their work in high regard at all.
A variety of garages, or iffy handwritten receipts makes me suspicious.
But regular servicing by a known/findable independent garage = better than main dealer generally.
Back street garages much more likely to do the work than throw your air filter in the bin too, I've lost count of how many main dealer services cars I've had that turn out to have original fit 10 year old filters in them.
Would depend on the marque to some degree, Kia/Hyundai full dealer history on time and on mileage whilst still in supposed makers warranty period or forget it, Toyota one would be foolish not to dealer service to keep the warranty valid for 12 months repeatedly up to 10 years.
Other makes who warrant only 3 years or so i'd prefer a make specialist service history once warranty is finished.
Other makes who warrant only 3 years or so i'd prefer a make specialist service history once warranty is finished.
If a car has full dealer history, I'd rather avoid it.
Chances are it has had several £4 an hour apprentices working on it, and likely some parts not even changed when needed (thinking fuel and cabin filters). Most people who take cars to dealers for servicing are either not mechanically-minded, or it's a company car.
Chances are it has had several £4 an hour apprentices working on it, and likely some parts not even changed when needed (thinking fuel and cabin filters). Most people who take cars to dealers for servicing are either not mechanically-minded, or it's a company car.
Smint said:
Would depend on the marque to some degree, Kia/Hyundai full dealer history on time and on mileage whilst still in supposed makers warranty period or forget it, Toyota one would be foolish not to dealer service to keep the warranty valid for 12 months repeatedly up to 10 years.
Other makes who warrant only 3 years or so i'd prefer a make specialist service history once warranty is finished.
You don't need to take a car to a dealer to keep the warranty intact.Other makes who warrant only 3 years or so i'd prefer a make specialist service history once warranty is finished.
Legally they cannot stop this or void warranty under EU Block Exemption regulations.
Full history is key on motorbikes. Many people think changing oil and filters themselves or getting a. Indie to change oil and stamp it is 'history'.
Erm no. It's bi annual brake fluid, coolant, plugs etc etc.
THEN annual oil change.
I also don't buy that someone who did national service knows how to properly do the lot to a extremely competent level.
Erm no. It's bi annual brake fluid, coolant, plugs etc etc.
THEN annual oil change.
I also don't buy that someone who did national service knows how to properly do the lot to a extremely competent level.
aturnick54 said:
Smint said:
Would depend on the marque to some degree, Kia/Hyundai full dealer history on time and on mileage whilst still in supposed makers warranty period or forget it, Toyota one would be foolish not to dealer service to keep the warranty valid for 12 months repeatedly up to 10 years.
Other makes who warrant only 3 years or so i'd prefer a make specialist service history once warranty is finished.
You don't need to take a car to a dealer to keep the warranty intact.Other makes who warrant only 3 years or so i'd prefer a make specialist service history once warranty is finished.
Legally they cannot stop this or void warranty under EU Block Exemption regulations.
aturnick54 said:
You don't need to take a car to a dealer to keep the warranty intact.
Legally they cannot stop this or void warranty under EU Block Exemption regulations.
Thats not what numerous UK owners have reported on various forums over recent years, particularly with certain Korean makers offering long warranties.Legally they cannot stop this or void warranty under EU Block Exemption regulations.
Toyota's service costs are so reasonable you'd be saving so little going outside the dealer network as to not be worth risking the makers well known generous goodwill, let alone supposedly legal responsibilities, seems a better idea to me to keep things friendly as a good customer rather than rely on 'legalities' arguments at the service desk or via Toyota GB.
We're no longer a member of the EU, so we're told.
Smint said:
aturnick54 said:
You don't need to take a car to a dealer to keep the warranty intact.
Legally they cannot stop this or void warranty under EU Block Exemption regulations.
Thats not what numerous UK owners have reported on various forums over recent years, particularly with certain Korean makers offering long warranties.Legally they cannot stop this or void warranty under EU Block Exemption regulations.
Toyota's service costs are so reasonable you'd be saving so little going outside the dealer network as to not be worth risking the makers well known generous goodwill, let alone supposedly legal responsibilities, seems a better idea to me to keep things friendly as a good customer rather than rely on 'legalities' arguments at the service desk or via Toyota GB.
We're no longer a member of the EU, so we're told.
There is goodwill on both sides - I’ve had cosmetic stuff on the Kia replaced at five years of age, probably a couple of grands worth of work in total over two years - no quibble. The service from Lexus is the best I’ve experienced - squeaking brakes got me a full set of 8 pads immediately at no cost.
Standing in a service department for the first time trying to claim on a warranty while quoting block exemption rules isn’t for me. It’s a no brainer with Kia as they do service packs which make each service a couple of hundred quid max.
Tesla is an interesting one - there is no servicing needed, no book, no schedule, nothing. I owned a Model S from two to four years of age and had roughly 11k of warranty repairs without them flinching once.
Older cars I’ll diy or use a specialist if they’re not mainstream cars (Maserati and TVR), or use the local indie who are very good.
andy43 said:
I’ve got a Kia and a Lexus - 7 and 10 year warranties if they’re MD serviced.
There is goodwill on both sides - I’ve had cosmetic stuff on the Kia replaced at five years of age, probably a couple of grands worth of work in total over two years - no quibble. The service from Lexus is the best I’ve experienced - squeaking brakes got me a full set of 8 pads immediately at no cost.
Standing in a service department for the first time trying to claim on a warranty while quoting block exemption rules isn’t for me. It’s a no brainer with Kia as they do service packs which make each service a couple of hundred quid max.
Tesla is an interesting one - there is no servicing needed, no book, no schedule, nothing. I owned a Model S from two to four years of age and had roughly 11k of warranty repairs without them flinching once.
Older cars I’ll diy or use a specialist if they’re not mainstream cars (Maserati and TVR), or use the local indie who are very good.
Quite, good customer gets good service from makers who obviously have faith in their own products and some idea about customer care, other makers could learn a thing or two here.There is goodwill on both sides - I’ve had cosmetic stuff on the Kia replaced at five years of age, probably a couple of grands worth of work in total over two years - no quibble. The service from Lexus is the best I’ve experienced - squeaking brakes got me a full set of 8 pads immediately at no cost.
Standing in a service department for the first time trying to claim on a warranty while quoting block exemption rules isn’t for me. It’s a no brainer with Kia as they do service packs which make each service a couple of hundred quid max.
Tesla is an interesting one - there is no servicing needed, no book, no schedule, nothing. I owned a Model S from two to four years of age and had roughly 11k of warranty repairs without them flinching once.
Older cars I’ll diy or use a specialist if they’re not mainstream cars (Maserati and TVR), or use the local indie who are very good.
Handy to know about Kia servicing packs being decent value, thankyou.
Panamax said:
There's "service history" and there's "service history".
If it's a neat row of main dealer stamps in a book you can contact the dealer network and get it all verified. Good stuff.
If it's random stamps in a book it's not worth very much at all, unless backed up by a nice sheaf of invoices. That's what you really want to see.
Agree with this now that main dealer history is digital.If it's a neat row of main dealer stamps in a book you can contact the dealer network and get it all verified. Good stuff.
If it's random stamps in a book it's not worth very much at all, unless backed up by a nice sheaf of invoices. That's what you really want to see.
Even that ‘I’ know that a good Independent specialist is probably better than a main dealer, the next buyer may not and they WILL choose the identical car with main dealer history, even if it is more expensive and out of warranty.
Hugo Stiglitz v2 said:
Full history is key on motorbikes. Many people think changing oil and filters themselves or getting a. Indie to change oil and stamp it is 'history'.
Erm no. It's bi annual brake fluid, coolant, plugs etc etc.
THEN annual oil change.
I also don't buy that someone who did national service knows how to properly do the lot to a extremely competent level.
My bike gets an oil and filter change every year using genuine parts (which works out at 1500-2000 miles). I inspect everything thoroughly, lubricate where necessary etc. I also change the brake fluid and coolant every two years as per the Honda service schedule for my bike, even genuine washers used on the coolant drain bolts.Erm no. It's bi annual brake fluid, coolant, plugs etc etc.
THEN annual oil change.
I also don't buy that someone who did national service knows how to properly do the lot to a extremely competent level.
Plug and valve clearance is at 16k miles which my bike hasn't done yet, but of course will be done when due.
I've kept all invoices for parts I've bought, and keep a spreadsheet with date/mileage and work carried out. This spreadsheet also has a tab with the service schedule so I can keep track of when things are due. I have photos of every service being carried out as well to prove they have been done.
If a potential buyer came along and tried to tell me the bike had no service history, they are not the sort of person I'd want to sell it to tbh
Ultimately the main difference between an independent garage and a main dealer is that the main dealer has given the manufacturer some money. Some manufacturers actually vet their dealers to make sure they're providing decent service but I think the huge majority do not.
On a shopping car, I like to see a service history but don't really care who it's from as long. On a more enthusiast orientated car, I've generally found that the most lovingly cared for cars are often the ones which have been DIY serviced.
On a shopping car, I like to see a service history but don't really care who it's from as long. On a more enthusiast orientated car, I've generally found that the most lovingly cared for cars are often the ones which have been DIY serviced.
Tommo87 said:
Panamax said:
There's "service history" and there's "service history".
If it's a neat row of main dealer stamps in a book you can contact the dealer network and get it all verified. Good stuff.
If it's random stamps in a book it's not worth very much at all, unless backed up by a nice sheaf of invoices. That's what you really want to see.
Agree with this now that main dealer history is digital.If it's a neat row of main dealer stamps in a book you can contact the dealer network and get it all verified. Good stuff.
If it's random stamps in a book it's not worth very much at all, unless backed up by a nice sheaf of invoices. That's what you really want to see.
Even that ‘I’ know that a good Independent specialist is probably better than a main dealer, the next buyer may not and they WILL choose the identical car with main dealer history, even if it is more expensive and out of warranty.
It always amuses me to see a middle aged car, usually a Porsche SUV or a BMW, with £20k of options sell for £15k, or a 13 year old car with FMDSH sell for less than the difference in cost between that dealer servicing and a decent garage.
Some buyers ask about service history, almost none ever actually look at it. The sort of mithering knobber who won't view a car because he wants FMDSH vs FSH is a buyer you don't want anyway and once someone has viewed and driven the car it will sell on it's condition today rather than who changed the oil (or didn't) in 2016. You'll always find buyers who will cheerfully buy the one with no history, four bald ditchfinders, and a slight smell of piss if it's £50 less than another one that looks like it rolled out of the factory yesterday too.
It's one of those things that is nice to have because who doesn't want a car some moron has lavished money on, but nobody will actually pay any more for it but outside of PHers with their car autism nobody cares.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Tuesday 19th November 11:33
I’ve got a 2021 Kia Ceed, which started life as an Arnold Clark lease car, had its first 2 services at an Arnold Clark Vauxhall dealer (which is odd as they have Kia dealers), and I’ve had it serviced at the local Kia dealer for its third service.
I’ve had a new headlight, and front suspension bushes replaced under warranty with no quibble, however they said if there’s any engine issues it may not be covered, not because it was serviced outside the dealer network, but because Arnold Clark didn’t write down which oil they used.
I’ve had a new headlight, and front suspension bushes replaced under warranty with no quibble, however they said if there’s any engine issues it may not be covered, not because it was serviced outside the dealer network, but because Arnold Clark didn’t write down which oil they used.
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