Main dealer service or Independent garage (in warranty period)

[Mule]

Hi all,

I have a 71 plate converted T6.1 which has only done 3k miles but will soon be coming up for its first anniversary and therfore its first service.

The van is still in warranty so I'm wondering if I 'need' to go down the main dealer route for the service history & warranty or would a specialist independent garage be fine?

My previous vehicle was a top spec Audi which I kept for 8 years from new. But when I came to sell, the mainline dealer service which I had had throughout didn't appear to affect the resale value (although it did sell quickly)

Assuming I keep the van past the 3 year manufacturers warranty period, I'm wondering if the premium for a mainline dealer service history is actually worth it?

What are your thoughts and experiences?

 

[Salty Spuds]

Technically you don’t need to use a dealer in order to maintain your warranty, as long as the servicing is in accordance with the manufacturer’s schedule, and OEM parts are used. BUT! Given VW’s propensity for wriggling out of warranty claims, I personally wouldn’t give them any excuse. If you’re on extended servicing intervals (20k miles ish) you’ll only be looking at a couple of services before your warranty expires.

 

[Chippie1]

Independent specialists for me every time! As long as genuine parts used all good for warranty

 

[TrevorK]

Technically you don’t need to use a dealer in order to maintain your warranty, as long as the servicing is in accordance with the manufacturer’s schedule, and OEM parts are used. BUT! Given VW’s propensity for wriggling out of warranty claims, I personally wouldn’t give them any excuse. If you’re on extended servicing intervals (20k miles ish) you’ll only be looking at a couple of services before your warranty expires.

Agreed.
Don't pay the dealers price though.

Pay Monthly Service Plans | VW Vans

Explore our service plan coverage options. Buy your next services plus MOT including lights, horn, gearbox, etc. and pay for the service upfront.

www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk

Due to low mileage (made up of long journeys), I decided to service at 18 months and 2 years 11months, so the major service tied in with end of warranty and first MOT.

 

[Lubrown]

Hi all,

I have a 71 plate converted T6.1 which has only done 3k miles but will soon be coming up for its first anniversary and therfore its first service.

The van is still in warranty so I'm wondering if I 'need' to go down the main dealer route for the service history & warranty or would a specialist independent garage be fine?

My previous vehicle was a top spec Audi which I kept for 8 years from new. But when I came to sell, the mainline dealer service which I had had throughout didn't appear to affect the resale value (although it did sell quickly)

Assuming I keep the van past the 3 year manufacturers warranty period, I'm wondering if the premium for a mainline dealer service history is actually worth it?

What are your thoughts and experiences?

It’s a bit of a balancing act I find. On one hand I might haggle less for a second hand car with main dealer service - as it shows the previous owners have had a ‘money no object’ approach to the car.
But on the other hand I’ve doggedly stuck to main dealer services on our golf and the number of times I say ‘never again’ because they’ve broken bits or scratched it (I always check on collection and always ensure it’s put right) is crazy.
On my third hand I’m still trying to find an independent for the van that I fully trust and that treats me as a paying customer! Despite reviews and recommendations it seems a good honest mechanic, whether main dealer or Indy is as rare as rocking horse poop.
Maybe go with whoever serves the best coffee?

 

[Crazymind]

I think it depends what your plan is!
I used to change car every 12/18 months due to high mileage. Didn’t care much about the car though…however roughly serviced every 6 month always by main dealer. Main dealer history helps to resell the car quickly when you are done with it…not sure you’ll get more money but sure private sales I have entertained nobody asked me to reduce the price and always 3/4 people interested in the car the next 24/48 hours after the advertising was online.
I have got 2 years plan with VW (included in the sale) however for unplanned repairs I will use my indie. They know better than Vw and walking distance from my house.
Taking the van to Vw main dealer it’s a big annoyance even if it’s 20 mi utes far. No public transport there and they never have a spare car…

 

[dubber36]

I had a service plan as part of the deal when I bought mine. Once that was up, I bought another when they had an offer on. I've still got one more to go on that one, but only use them for the very basic stuff.

All the other work, I get done independently. It's coming up for a cambelt and DSG service, which the dealers will try to pull my pants down for. Luckily I'm doing some work for a really good independent garage, so I'm getting to pay trade prices for the parts and we'll exchange labour for the work. They are able to register the jobs on the VW system, so it all gets added to my digital service history.

 

[Chippie1]

Full service history is good enough for me! I bought mine main dealer took it back 1 week later for minor cosmetic issues (which they had to send to paint shop)which they were unable to complete before me picking up van first time around only left it with them 4 hours when came to collect had a nasty chip with crack in top left corner of windscreen when questioned wtf has happened here there reply was we didn’t do it you must of done it and now trying to pull a fast one on us! A lot of arguing ended in me telling them to stick there garage and future services up there ass!!

 

[Mule]

Due to low mileage (made up of long journeys), I decided to service at 18 months and 2 years 11months, so the major service tied in with end of warranty and first MOT.

Thanks for the link, the 2 year plan works out at £450 over 2 years which seems a fair price although I did laugh at what's included/excluded.

I'd love to copy you and time time the last service with the end of the warranty but my mileage is low but includes a mix of short and long journeys so I would probably need 3 services in the warranty period.

 

[Mule]

Full service history is good enough for me! I bought mine main dealer took it back 1 week later for minor cosmetic issues (which they had to send to paint shop)which they were unable to complete before me picking up van first time around only left it with them 4 hours when came to collect had a nasty chip with crack in top left corner of windscreen when questioned wtf has happened here there reply was we didn’t do it you must of done it and now trying to pull a fast one on us! A lot of arguing ended in me telling them to stick there garage and future services up there ass!!

Coming from an Audi dealer who's service department was excellent, I am worried about the number of issues I see here from VW van centres.