Service costs of our towing car - Mitsubishi Shogun Sport - h...

[DanPaula]

This month we had to book our Shogun in for it's 36000 annual service. Like many other unsuspecting people we believed it had to go to the main dealer to keep up the warranty. Gave them a call and nearly fell through the floor as they advised me their charge for this "major service" is £455.00 - I kindly replied that I thought this was extremly expensive and would go elsewhere! But where. I started investigating online and found that a directive was issued in 2002 that meant main dealers can't make you have the service through them. I found a company called Mitsiland in Manchester www.mitsiland.co.uk(60 mile from our home) however they specifically service Mitsubishi cars. They were willing to carry out exactly the same service at a cost of £287.50

This I have had carried out today and so far so good. It cost all in all with fuel £310.00

I thought I would spread this news as at this time of year every penny counts.

 

[DanPaula]

sorry forgot to ad - this does not affect my warranty

 

[Mikey1]

As long as the person doing the service uses genuine parts it doesnt affect your warranty.

I dont know with other makes ,but if you dont get your car serviced by a Mercedes dealer the mobillife doesnt continue,this gives you european breakdown and added warranty,its like a thank you for using them for servicing.

I know the service is more expensive ,but i have saved on european car cover for the last 6 years.

 

[Icemaker]

Dan, rob at mitsiland is a friend of my family and a very very good engineer with many years of experiance in mitsubishi vehicles.

But to all interested he does not just restrict his operation to mitsubishi, since mitsubishi use a VW engines in some cars he is able to service most vehicles from the vw stable as well.

our seat alhambra was serviced by him before we sold it at less than half the cost of the main dealer, and he has allso stated that he has all the equipment to carry out the service on our new ford smax again at round about half the cost.

the garage is based only 5 minuites from the m60 junction at denton island (m57).

 

[Meister]

When MIKEY states "As long as the person doing the service uses genuine parts it doesnt affect your warranty."

There is actually a bit more to it than that. The person doing the service can not be a neighbour in their garage at home for example.

It must be done by a recognised business using approved parts and I have been advised that they would probably need to be VAT registered too.

Having said that, I have also gone along the non-franchised garage option for services in the past with previous vehicles and saved some serious money.

Steve

 

[JTQ]

Where this route is at risk is that it is likely you will lose any "goodwill". Don't I know!

Much of the warranty work depends on this as the vehicle gets older, and the first thing the manufacturer asks is its dealer service record. The law forces them to pick it up when its clear cut but that only covers some issues; the wear and tear card is open to some pretty surprising interpretations.

 

[Mikey1]

Modern cars are so complex with a host of electronic aids and engine management they use up to date diagnostic equipment which the cheaper garages do not have.They could possibly spot a problem before it gets serious?I have found that the dealer i bought my last 2 cars from gives me a good discount for loyalty and a free mot a health/winter check every year.I get looked after very well and always get a loan car at short notice.

To me thats worth the extra.

 

[Clive-Cardiff]

I found another way round this problem earlier this year. I enquired the cost of a 2nd year service (biggy) for my Toyota Landcruiser at my local dealer. I cant remember the exact cost but it was up at about

 

[colin_374340395]

jap 4x4 spares birmingham all your service stuff also do manual for

 

[Litespeed]

I agree you may be able to save

 

[Surfer]

I have to comment on the above post as it seems the writer may not be aware that more than likely you are covered anyway. Invariably if you car packs up the day afte the warranry expires you have a fight on your hands to get the dealer to sort out something

Secondly, fact, the SOGA (Sale of Goods Act) will cover you anyway as long as the car has been serviced by a reputable dealer whether or not it s a dealer. Many dealers but not all are ignorant of SOGA and will tell you to take a hike little realising that the car is in fact covered for up to 6 years against poor manufacture. Some of you may recall the Landrover saga. The only difference is that after 3 years the onus is on you to prove that the failure was due to a design fault which could include poor quality parts.

It is about time that PC printed a SOGA fact sheet to assist people with decisions regarding faulty items that have passed the warranty expiration date. Every thing is based upon reasonable expectations in relation to cost factor.

 

[DanPaula]

Thanks litespeed for your comments - Please let us all know which main dealer you work for and we will avoid it like the plague!! If you are correct (which I strongly believe you are not) this means the cars that are sold on the mitsubishi dealer forecourt that are not mitsubishi made - for example part ex ford focus - you do the service on the ford focus when sold for the customer and you have just destroyed that ford focus main dealer service history!! mmmmmmmm let me think!! no i still think you are incorrect and need to read up more on your warranty. I'd love to hear what you tell the customers who have bought a part ex from yourselves.

 

[Paul_374340980]

I work for an independant garage and service many new vehicles still under warranty and have encounted no problems at all. Any one encountering grief from main dealers should inform them that the block exemption regulations meen basically that they can't force you to take the vehicle to them whilst under warranty. Many independant garages have invested thousands of pounds in equipment to enable them to service vehicles to the manufacturers spec.

 

[Morganic]

From my experience with Volkswagens you are better off finacially by using an idependent workshop and you get a better service. Okay you may not have the salubrious surroundings and the free coffee but that comes at a price.I have used for 20 years a local VW/Audi specilist in Bristol -PC Motors 01179 424746 and cannot do anthing but sing their praises. They are reasonably priced,honest, tidy and you never have any problems with their work. They dont do work which isnt required and when they do work you can have the old parts to take with you if you want!And you can speak to the guy who worked on your car. They are also doing Seats and Skodas now

So if you live in and around Bristol they are recommended for VVW/Audi/Skoda/Seat servicing

 

[Mikey1]

If your car is on a lease scheme from one of the manufactures,do you still have to take it to main dealers for servicing?

 

[Brum1]

Mikey

A leased vehicle has the services included in the lease price.......I believe

 

[Mikey1]

Hi Brum

No you have the choice to take out maintenance or not,this varies on the milage term ,you also have the option of paying a monthly amount for tyres for the course of the lease.

You need to do you sums before you take out these options.

 

[Litespeed]

When within the warranty period (usually 3 years) you are entitled to get your vehicle serviced by any competent person, you dont even have to use genuine parts - and your 3 year manufacturers warranty is still valid - no argument. Its Goodwill we are talking about. If your car packs up AFTER the manufacturers warranty expires and you do not have a main dealer service history, why the hell should the manufacturer or main dealer help you.....you really are up s... creak without a paddle and rightly so!

The sale of goods act will not help you in any way, especially after 3 years of use!!! How wrong you are.

I am an Aftersales Director of a Motor group who cover 5 Franchises, so without getting in to personal arguments or squabbles, I know my stuff....its something I deal with every day. Try it for yourself....just make the call to the manufacturer or dealer....tell them your engine has failed...tell them you dont have a manufacturer / main dealer service history....and wait for the reaction!! Ouch Big Bills all round for you....but hey you saved a hundred quid on your service!!! I see it every day!!....and smile!

 

[Surfer]

As I said, not many dealers are familar with the Sale of Goods Act. I have just taken on a main dealer for a repair on a vehicle that was over a year out of warranty but under 6 years old and won! Others have done similar and won, i.e. Landrover saga. I rest my case.

 

[Mikey1]

I wish my Mercedes and Audi services were in the

 

[DanPaula]

litespeed - We are not talking about saving

 

[Mikey1]

Hi Ian

I take it you had to take the dealer/garage to court?

 

[Surfer]

I started off with a nice polite letter requesting a refund on a the repair that was out of warranty but a "design" or poor quality issue and got no response which is to be expected with most dealers these days. So much for goodwill.

I then sent a preliminary letter stating my requirements by registered post and also based on what I had been told by Trading Standards. I got an unsatisfactoy answer and then sent them a "Letter before Action" (LBA) by registered post to show that I mean business, advising if no satisfactory reply within 7 days its off to court. On the 7th day a letter arrrived advising of a full refund.

I have used this tactic successfully with other dealers including caravan and otehr goods etc. Obviously it has to be a genuine complaint and based solidly on evidence. A useful site for info is to Google "Consumer Action Group". You do not want to go to court and get it tossed out because you were chancing your arm

Dealers are now begiining to realise that a lot of customers now know their rights and will not hesistate in pursuing it through the smalll claims court if the value is under

 

[Mikey1]

So this wasnt a repair from fair wear and tear ,you said to the garage it was a deign fault?

 

[DanPaula]

litespeed - We are not talking about saving