Car servicing: dealer vs independent for a 4 year old car out of warranty

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#2251608 4-Jun-2019 21:57

It'll vary. A standard service is change the oil, oil filter and if required the air filter. The checks are incidentals that are normally part of a service but will vary from garage to garage . None of them take long so should be largely included but you should ask the independent.

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#2251660 4-Jun-2019 23:37

Make sure that the independent garage uses the correct oil. And that they service the other things that also will need doing. Fuel filter, gearbox oil, coolant, being the main items.

Consider continuing to go to the dealer, until the car is old enough that any CGA cover would have expired. Often around 100,000K is a good end point. Avoids a possible blame game between the dealer and an independent garage if a major failure happens. And the dealer refuses to pay out, claiming incorrect servicing. Newer cars a far less tolerant of incorrect servicing than old cars.

Consider if having a full dealer service history would improve the resale value as well.

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#2251733 5-Jun-2019 08:32

If you are going to go to an independent then just tell them to follow the manufacturer's servicing schedule, which you will find in your vehicle's handbook if they don't already have one.

That way you know they're doing exactly the same thing as the dealer would do.

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#2251953 5-Jun-2019 11:38

I checked with Autostop about their plans. Details are here, with prices below. The gold service is equivalent to a dealer service. Once you add on the cost of good oil, a filter, and other bits and pieces, for a similar service to the dealer the price is pretty much the same. If you just want an oil change and basic service you might save about $150.

Autostop Johnsonville current service prices.

Bronze $180 + parts
Silver $220 + part
Gold $320 + parts

They include $20 worth of oil, but anything extra / better / filters are charged.

Based on this, my conclusion is the dealer service is best if you want a comprehensive service and safety inspection, but the independent is fine if you just want a basic service.

WyleECoyoteNZ

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#2252001 5-Jun-2019 11:57

timmmay:

I checked with Autostop about their plans. Details are here, with prices below. The gold service is equivalent to a dealer service. Once you add on the cost of good oil, a filter, and other bits and pieces, for a similar service to the dealer the price is pretty much the same. If you just want an oil change and basic service you might save about $150.

Autostop Johnsonville current service prices.

Bronze $180 + parts
Silver $220 + part
Gold $320 + parts
They include $20 worth of oil, but anything extra / better / filters are charged.

Based on this, my conclusion is the dealer service is best if you want a comprehensive service and safety inspection, but the independent is fine if you just want a basic service.

I used AutoStop Johnsonville for my last service. Was in for a Bronze Service. Main dealer would have wanted to do spark plugs and air filter due to age of car (2012), but with AutoStop, they checked both and deemed them as not needing replacement.

Bill at the end was for $240, and that included the Oil, Filter, and sundries.

If you are an AA Member, I saw this morning a deal for their Platinum service from $219.

I've used the AA service center before as well, and that was just over $300, including the oil\filter etc.

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#2252014 5-Jun-2019 12:18

WyleECoyoteNZ:

I used AutoStop Johnsonville for my last service. Was in for a Bronze Service. Main dealer would have wanted to do spark plugs and air filter due to age of car (2012), but with AutoStop, they checked both and deemed them as not needing replacement.

Bill at the end was for $240, and that included the Oil, Filter, and sundries.

If you are an AA Member, I saw this morning a deal for their Platinum service from $219.

I've used the AA service center before as well, and that was just over $300, including the oil\filter etc.

Where did you see the AA ad? My internet has no advertising.

Dealer service is $350 to $400, similar autostop service so the savings on a car that's not so old over autostop $380, about the same. The local place is a bit more convenient, but not so much it makes a huge difference. They have access to diagnostic equipment, but not the same as the dealer, and aren't aware of recalls or similar.

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#2252020 5-Jun-2019 12:27

I have European car so I use the dealer as my limited exposure to generalists showed that they didn't have a lot of European experience. If I had a Japanese car I think I'd just go to a generalist.

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#2252023 5-Jun-2019 12:29

timmmay:

Dealer service is $350 to $400, similar autostop service so the savings on a car that's not so old over autostop $380, about the same. The local place is a bit more convenient, but not so much it makes a huge difference. They have access to diagnostic equipment, but not the same as the dealer, and aren't aware of recalls or similar.

As a comparison, my latest service at the dealers - noting this is a diesel, the servicing of which is inevitably more costly than petrol - cost me $267.41.

I'm glad I don't have to pay closer to the $400 mark, as otherwise I'd certainly be asking the same questions that you are.

WyleECoyoteNZ

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#2252035 5-Jun-2019 12:43

timmmay:

WyleECoyoteNZ:

I used AutoStop Johnsonville for my last service. Was in for a Bronze Service. Main dealer would have wanted to do spark plugs and air filter due to age of car (2012), but with AutoStop, they checked both and deemed them as not needing replacement.

Bill at the end was for $240, and that included the Oil, Filter, and sundries.

If you are an AA Member, I saw this morning a deal for their Platinum service from $219.

I've used the AA service center before as well, and that was just over $300, including the oil\filter etc.

Where did you see the AA ad? My internet has no advertising.

Dealer service is $350 to $400, similar autostop service so the savings on a car that's not so old over autostop $380, about the same. The local place is a bit more convenient, but not so much it makes a huge difference. They have access to diagnostic equipment, but not the same as the dealer, and aren't aware of recalls or similar.

AA deal was an email, I assume it went out to those subscribed to the deals etc they send out.

WyleECoyoteNZ

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#2252036 5-Jun-2019 12:47

jonathan18:

timmmay:

Dealer service is $350 to $400, similar autostop service so the savings on a car that's not so old over autostop $380, about the same. The local place is a bit more convenient, but not so much it makes a huge difference. They have access to diagnostic equipment, but not the same as the dealer, and aren't aware of recalls or similar.

As a comparison, my latest service at the dealers - noting this is a diesel, the servicing of which is inevitably more costly than petrol - cost me $267.41.

I'm glad I don't have to pay closer to the $400 mark, as otherwise I'd certainly be asking the same questions that you are.

The difference between a main dealer service and a independent servicing agent will come down to the labour rate being charged. I'd expect a main dealer's labour rate to be higher than that of a independent operator

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#2252135 5-Jun-2019 15:13

Authorised repairer should be using genuine parts , and recommended oils etc.

Local garage could be using any ol' cheap crap.
So, get the brakes serviced, the cheapy pads can mean brakes work worse than before servicing . Happened to me, new pads & rotors etc, brakes worse than before.
If any specialised tools required for a repair on your car, local garage may not have them .

Local garage may not even have qualified guys doing the repairs .
Self employed garage owner is motivated to rack up as many things needing replacing as possible (not all, some are honest)

If dealer gets it horribly wrong, eg forgets to put oil in the gearbox (yes , I know of hat happening ), they are more likely to foot the expense to make it 100% right than local garage .

Having said all that, my cars have allways been old, so I just use local garages

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#2252236 5-Jun-2019 17:37

As I've said, I have not had good experience with independents, and have had good experience with dealers who actually do things right.

Having said that I know of a local dealer that breaks cars. I've had so many different people tell me their cars got worse and worse with each repair from that dealer - they each ended up trading in the cars (same brand, different model)for a different brand!

I think it really depends on each individual mechanic, whether they're any good or not

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#2272058 8-Jul-2019 20:34

Took my suzuki to the kapiti agent for a service and very surprised to see a $10, environmental disposal fee tacked on. Also later found a bad scratch put on the car, but no proof it was done there.

But hey as soon as the car is out of warranty, changing the oil and filter is a piece of cake. and you know its done well.

Changing the brake fluid after another 4 years or when they get spongy isnt hard.

Ensuring the the tyres are rotated very 10k is doable in a couple of hours - I've found a nail in one a couple of times, Tonys repair for free.

Getting the track checked when the job is on special is a necessity.

I changed an air filter after 65,000kms and it was still very serviceable and could have been blown out, but hey it was Christmas

Periodically cleaning/checking the wiper blades will save the wof garage putting in expensive replacements. Replace wen needed.

Buy another battery when on special and it starts to fade and fit whenever after checking you have the radio code.

Save the local garage work for something serious as modern cars are pretty good and keeping a detailed list of the work done will help when selling.

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#2272064 8-Jul-2019 20:58

Got our 07 Accord Euro from Honda Cars, 18,000km, 6 months old. Servicing is reasonable, they seem to do a lot. Handbrake is adjusted each and every time, little things like that. We get a loaner. We will get a new car soon, brand new. Will keep the Accord as its been such a reliable car, much of that is probably due to servicing.

Fred99

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#2274172 10-Jul-2019 16:48

breese:

Took my suzuki to the kapiti agent for a service and very surprised to see a $10, environmental disposal fee tacked on.

It's free to dispose of used oil at recycling centres, Supercheap Auto stores etc, and with the volume of oil being disposed of by an auto service centre I'm sure they'd get it picked up for free - so what's the $10 actually for?

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