First service for a new car! Dealer or not?

Grudle

I was just wondering what peoples thoughts were on this issue. My car is due its first sevice and if necessary I will pay the extra bucks to get it done by the dealer but my regular mechanic is much cheaper and I would rather have him do the service. Does it void the warranty to get the car serviced by someone other than a dealer and does the dealer stamp in the service book mean all that much? ( Surely my mechanic can update the service book with their own stamp??)

Your thoughts are much appreciated.

TomMc

I'd stick with the dealer for the time been at least. The first service is usually not that expensive. Later on, you would probably get a better service at a specialist / independent, just avoid the ones that use spurious or non OEM parts.

Not sure on the warranty front, but at the very least it would most certainly have to be an approved garage if not the main dealer.

OldmanMondeo

On the Warrenty issue, I would go to a main dealer. This will ensure the warrenty. Even if your mechanic does used manafacture recommended parts, should a problem arise, and hopefully not, you could have a problem getting the warrenty covered.

With regard to stamping the book, I was talking to a dealer who mentioned that they preferee a main dealer stamped service history. Good idea is to keep all your receipts as well. I am currently trading a car in, I have a service book stamped and receipts for every service carried out on the car, added a few hundred quid to the trade price.

ninty9er

I hate to say it but it's most likely you'll need the warranty some time in the next 4 years if only to replace a wiper motor. So stick with the dealer for that length at least

Biro

Yep, main dealer until the warranty expires would be the best advice

ninty9er

Sorry I reaad FIAT instead of First, what kind of car is it???? That will make a difference....A dealer history will add value though

Fey!

I'd go with dealer, especially in a higher end car (don't know what you're driving).

Grudle

It's an Astra GTC 1.4 (Love it by the way, highly recommend it). I'm planning on keeping it till at least the warranty is out, but again don't want to cripple the resale/trade-in value by not getting the dealer to service it.

Thanks for the replies

ninty9er

I'd say your own mechanic could do most of the work needed so as long as you have receipts and stamps on the service booklet. It shouldn't go majorly wrong and shouldn't be too hard to shift, but for any major problems like airbags or ABS go to the dealer

unkel

Grudle wrote:

I'm planning on keeping it till at least the warranty is out, but again don't want to cripple the resale/trade-in value by not getting the dealer to service it.

If that's the case, let the dealer service it

Out of interest, did you ring the dealer to check what their warranty policy is if you don't have it serviced by a main dealer?

MercMad

Legally once you can prove that the car has been serviced in accordance with the manufacturers service schedule, then non dealer servicing will not invalidate the warranty.

Could they prove it wasn't serviced correctly, if all parts used were original equipment ?

The thing is that main dealers do not have to provide you with servicing facilities anymore. Now with a high end car the dealers may not entertain you when trade in time comes, they have so much sales they can turn one or two down. Will that situation last and how much does it add to your cars value, to have their stamp in the book. I'd suggest on a BMW or Merc etc.. it may be about 5%, but on a volume selling car, possibly €500 max !

Biro

MercMad wrote:

Legally once you can prove that the car has been serviced in accordance with the manufacturers service schedule, then non dealer servicing will not invalidate the warranty.

Could they prove it wasn't serviced correctly, if all parts used were original equipment ?

The thing is that main dealers do not have to provide you with servicing facilities anymore. Now with a high end car the dealers may not entertain you when trade in time comes, they have so much sales they can turn one or two down. Will that situation last and how much does it add to your cars value, to have their stamp in the book. I'd suggest on a BMW or Merc etc.. it may be about 5%, but on a volume selling car, possibly €500 max !

True, but two things to bear in mind... one is that I'd say you'll have to prove it WAS serviced correctly, as opposed to them proving it wasn't, and the other is that seeing as every company in this country is out to make a quick buck, they'll pull out on any excuse they can to not pay up if you need something done under warranty. And who's going to have the funds to follow up legally for something (hypothetically) costs say around €800 to fix?
Be worth while ringing Opel Ireland and asking their policy. But at worst maybe get your mechanic to keep the receipts on all the Genuine Opel parts used (oil and air filters, etc) when servicing if you do go with him.
(I also agree that he probably does a better job than a main dealer garage anyway, but thats not the point here!)