Main Dealer or Independent?

[Dustydog]

Buckman uses a main dealer. IMO the charges are eye watering.
We used the main Kia dealer until the 7 year warranty ran out. Same with the much shorter VW warranty. After that back to our tried and tested Independent. He looks after most of the Local populace . Lives and dies by the sword! He has invested heavily in the latest vehicle IT tech stuff. His kit is as comprehensive as the VW one.
£45 per hour Labour. Parts not always genuine oem but all guaranteed. Sometimes it’s the same thing in a non VW box.
Independent for me👍👍

 

[otherclive]

I did the same when I had the Skoda Superb there were three long established specialists all with VAG diagnostic systems and all could upload the service records onto the Skoda it system, but not any repairs. They could not be uploaded. For the Subaru I stick with the main dealership, but my local one gave up the franchise so my nearest is north of Swindon at Highworth. A but if a trek to say the least. So my next car whenever the decision is made will be something more local.

 

[Dustydog]

I don’t believe most vehicles are beyond the ability of an Indie.
why is a Subaru so different? Ferrari maybe?

 

[otherclive]

I don’t believe most vehicles are beyond the ability of an Indie.
why is a Subaru so different? Ferrari maybe?

It can be quite difficult to obtain OEM parts as the dealership in Highworth are the focal point. My last dealer serviced the car in November 2021 after ending the franchise in October 2021. They were not able to source ( prevented) OEM parts so for example the oil filter is non Subaru. Now that’s not a big issue but the aftermarket availability of generic parts are quite low. given Subarus are a low selling brand cf to VAG, Ford etc where the market for after market parts is large. Also not being a large selling brand the dealerships do have a knowledge of any weak points or TBs before issues arise. I can live with the Highworth arrangement as they are the countries oldest Subaru dealership and I bought my previous one there. Where life becomes difficult is if you get an unexpected failure such as when the rear suspension spring broke. Even Subaru replacements were on long order, hence an non OEM alternative. My Sorento after it’s warranty expired was looked after by a good independent that we had used since 1976, as were my Disco, Pajero, Note and Saab etc.. They would sit alongside old runabouts, and Porsche/Ferrari too. But it’s as much hassle driving there as it is to Highworth. invariably if Subaru parts are required they will be at main dealer prices.

 

[Bluetonic]

I use my local indy , I've used them for at least the last 15 years so several cars. They like fitting OEM parts as it gives them peace of mind too.
I saved £500 on a cam belt/water pump/tensioner compared with the local vag main stealer , for identical parts.
Last time I used the vag garage there was thick greasy hand prints on the driver's door/window/headliner which they tried to deny was their doing.
Only exception to using my local indy is when the MG needs some work, then I use a mobile specialist . For example I had to have the head gasket replaced this year. They charged me £350 , most garages want £1000+

 

[Dustydog]

It can be quite difficult to obtain OEM parts as the dealership in Highworth are the focal point. My last dealer serviced the car in November 2021 after ending the franchise in October 2021. They were not able to source ( prevented) OEM parts so for example the oil filter is non Subaru. Now that’s not a big issue but the aftermarket availability of generic parts are quite low. given Subarus are a low selling brand cf to VAG, Ford etc where the market for after market parts is large. Also not being a large selling brand the dealerships do have a knowledge of any weak points or TBs before issues arise. I can live with the Highworth arrangement as they are the countries oldest Subaru dealership and I bought my previous one there. Where life becomes difficult is if you get an unexpected failure such as when the rear suspension spring broke. Even Subaru replacements were on long order, hence an non OEM alternative. My Sorento after it’s warranty expired was looked after by a good independent that we had used since 1976, as were my Disco, Pajero, Note and Saab etc.. They would sit alongside old runabouts, and Porsche/Ferrari too. But it’s as much hassle driving there as it is to Highworth. invariably if Subaru parts are required they will be at main dealer prices.

My very best friend of 43 years did his apprenticeship with Roger Simpson. Next time you are over for a while you wait service I’ll take you for a bun and cuppa, 6 miles from me😉😁

 

[otherclive]

My very best friend of 43 years did his apprenticeship with Roger Simpson. Next time you are over for a while you wait service I’ll take you for a bun and cuppa, 6 miles from me😉😁

There’s a nice cafe in the town up the hill from Simpsons and the all day breakfast is a good one. Well assuming they are still open as I sold the Subaru I bought from Simpsons in 2017. Good idea.

 

[Dustydog]

There’s a nice cafe in the town up the hill from Simpsons and the all day breakfast is a good one. Well assuming they are still open as I sold the Subaru I bought from Simpsons in 2017. Good idea.

You still have a Subaru🤔🤔

 

[otherclive]

In 2017 I sold the first Subaru bought from Simpsons in 2014. Then moved to Skoda that was looked after by a small Skoda dealership that I bought my first Skoda (Estelle) who then acquired a Subaru franchise but retained their status as a authorised Skoda service center. When the Skoda had two very expensive repairs totalling £2000 then developed a power train vibration I decided time to change and back to Subaru.

 

[Hutch]

In our village we have 3, very good independent service garages, two doing MOTs the one I prefer, and use, have been going for well over 50 years, They keep upto date with equipment and training for their techs. Knowing them personally helps, they are not the cheapest but they don't rip you off.
Saying that my local Hyundai dealer in Bletchly are very good, and being their very first customer, and having my Santa Fe serviced there until the warranty ran out were very good with customer relations. And fought my case when a factory fitted, ( at the dealers ) towbar, kept drooping. Witter, and was replaced by a Towtrust. More mounting bolts, and higher torque.

 

[RogerL]

There are no constant cheapest types of servicing - while my VW was under warranty I used a franchised dealer but on a VW service contract, as that was cheaper than the dealer's regular price - out of warranty I checked out VW independent specialists but they were no cheaper than the VW service contract - So I sourced parts from VW dealers and got my trusted local indy to do the work, but not much cheaper - when VW had 25% off their service contract, I grabbed it so two more years at the franchised dealer.

Regardless of who does the work, I always insist on OE quality parts and fluids - pattern parts/fluids are cheaper but cannot be relied upon to function identically - best way to save money on parts is to buy genuine parts from a franchised dealer for the first service and carefully not the actual manufacturer and part number which can then be sourced cheaper online for subsequent services.

 

[Buckman]

We use an Indie for our Corolla and he is brilliant however many Indie struggle with high end cars due to the complex nature of the software and associated hardware depending on fault. They do not have the diagnostic equipement for many cars due to cost and frequency of a particular brand coming though their workshop. No issue with basics like brakes, servicing etc.

 

[Sam Vimes]

I've found that costs at the main dealers for the same servicing and repairs as our local independent does are far more expensive. Given that the nearest dealerships are 150 miles away I avoid them unless warranty dictated that they have to do the service.

Our local garage did tell me that if he used the OEM parts on a service this would satisfy the warranty requirements but I'm not sure and anyway the warranty has long since expired.

The local guy is also honest enough to admit that there are some things he can't get to the bottom of which then means a trip to the dealership.

 

[Dustydog]

A couple of years ago I had water ingress into the foot wells. Main Dealer fixed it under warranty. But only because Roger on here had told me there was a VW tech bulletin on the problem with blocked drain pipes.
It is issues like this that the VW Dealer will have the edge.
I wonder if tech bulletins are available outside the VW network,? Owner Forums are also a fantastic mine of information

 

[Raywood]

We use the main dealer who offers us a pay monthly agreement at a discount to the published servicing cost and over 15 years have yet to say anything that was not needed was nor has there been any significant delay in them taking the car in. With that level of service I am happy and they probably the main reason I have stuck with them although I have also found the Mazdas reliable and economical. They have now taken on a Toyota franchise which might make me look at those as well.
I do know of some horror stories with some other main dealers who always find some fault or just do a rotten job. My daughter had her car returned with insufficient oil after a service and her partner got his with the car steering to one side.

 

[otherclive]

We use the main dealer who offers us a pay monthly agreement at a discount to the published servicing cost and over 15 years have yet to say anything that was not needed was nor has there been any significant delay in them taking the car in. With that level of service I am happy and they probably the main reason I have stuck with them although I have also found the Mazdas reliable and economical. They have now taken on a Toyota franchise which might make me look at those as well.
I do know of some horror stories with some other main dealers who always find some fault or just do a rotten job. My daughter had her car returned with insufficient oil after a service and her partner got his with the car steering to one side.

I have heard good reports of Mazda dealerships. Wonder if it is because they don't tend to be mega dealerships and sprung out of small family businesses for a niche marque. The one in Bath, Lansdowne Mazda, have been going for years and years. I must admit current Mazdas are nice , and I rather like the new Mazda 3 its interior compares very favourably with higher brand cars, and they always do well in reliability surveys.

 

[Buckman]

We use the main dealer who offers us a pay monthly agreement at a discount to the published servicing cost and over 15 years have yet to say anything that was not needed was nor has there been any significant delay in them taking the car in. With that level of service I am happy and they probably the main reason I have stuck with them although I have also found the Mazdas reliable and economical. They have now taken on a Toyota franchise which might make me look at those as well.
I do know of some horror stories with some other main dealers who always find some fault or just do a rotten job. My daughter had her car returned with insufficient oil after a service and her partner got his with the car steering to one side.

With our previous Jeep dealer we had a service plan over three years. Last year when I asked about a service with the dealer we used recently they were almost half the price.

Luckily I never took up their offer otherwise would be advised of huge faults costing lots of money with the vehicle at each service. Just the cynic in me after a very recent experience!

 

[Raywood]

I have heard good reports of Mazda dealerships. Wonder if it is because they don't tend to be mega dealerships and sprung out of small family businesses for a niche marque. The one in Bath, Lansdowne Mazda, have been going for years and years. I must admit current Mazdas are nice , and I rather like the new Mazda 3 its interior compares very favourably with higher brand cars, and they always do well in reliability surveys.

Ours is part of one of the big groups, so possibly it is down to the different managers as to how honest the dealership is. Whatever make you have I think it is down to pot luck as to how well the local dealer performs. I would also have to say they can be hard negotiators when buying but if you sit it out long enough you can usually get the deal you want. We normally allow two to three hours to buy a car and just wear them down.

 

[Buckman]

Ours is part of one of the big groups, so possibly it is down to the different managers as to how honest the dealership is. Whatever make you have I think it is down to pot luck as to how well the local dealer performs. I would also have to say they can be hard negotiators when buying but if you sit it out long enough you can usually get the deal you want. We normally allow two to three hours to buy a car and just wear them down.

The problem is that they have targets to meet every month and upper management does not give a toss how they achieve it even if it is to the detriment of the customer!

 

[Raywood]

I do appreciate that but they do take customer satisfaction seriously and check with you after every visit. One large organisation around here is famous for finding "faults" though.

 

[otherclive]

I do appreciate that but they do take customer satisfaction seriously and check with you after every visit. One large organisation around here is famous for finding "faults" though.

Mazda dealers do tend to have a good reputation, probably because they tend to be smaller businesses often with the same family ownership for a good while. Oh and the cars have a good record for reliability and the latest models internal finish is up there with some prestige makes.

 

[Buckman]

Mazda dealers do tend to have a good reputation, probably because they tend to be smaller businesses often with the same family ownership for a good while. Oh and the cars have a good record for reliability and the latest models internal finish is up there with some prestige makes.

Can't remember which way around it was, but in South Africa the Mazda 1.3 had the same engine as the Ford Bantam which was a pickup or the Ford had the Mazda engine. Mazda were and still are popular cars as they are quite rugged.

 

[otherclive]

Can't remember which way around it was, but in South Africa the Mazda 1.3 had the same engine as the Ford Bantam which was a pickup or the Ford had the Mazda engine. Mazda were and still are popular cars as they are quite rugged.

Mazda had a long association with Ford in Europe. Where it stands now not sure. But they still get good position in surveys.

 

[Buckman]

Mazda had a long association with Ford in Europe. Where it stands now not sure. But they still get good position in surveys.

i wonder how long I will need to wait for my survey from the the dealer we used recently?

 

[Raywood]

The link between Mazda and Ford ceased some time back and I do not think there is a lot common to them both now.