MB Dealer or Indepenent Servicing?

[peter49]

Dealerships, be it MB, Jaguar, BMW etc, have always told me that using an Inde will adversly affect my future trade in value. Well they would wouldn't they, but what I think happens is that they will not re-sell a car that has not been serviced by a dealer because of any future warranty issues. This means that they sell on to other traders or auctions.
If I use a dealer for all service work, am I really more likely to re-coupe the higher servicing costs that I have incurred over what I would have saved by using an Inde?
Would my loyalty to a dealer be of assistance in negotiating a lower repair price should a serious fault develop outside the normal warranty period?

 

[John]

I wasn't aware they didn't sell cars without FMBSH but I guess if this is the case then it depends which part of the car age spectrum you buy. If it is older, like mine, I don't care and would rather save the money which is significant - over using MB overall.

If a lot newer, then you have to take that into consideration. I don't personally see an inde service de-values it - however, your increased service costs and the fact dealers will probably take the pi** when it comes to a trade in - I suspect it isn't worth it on balance.

Certainly in the case of SBC issues on the 02 > 06 W211, it seems this has helped yield a cheaper replacement cost (50% less of £1600) when a FSH is in existence.