What's the point of dealer service?

[Merco]

Did anybody see a story recently about proposed legislative changes with regard to dealer-only servicing in order to maintain dealer warranty?

Apparently it is contrary to fair competition laws (or summink!) that the dealers have stipulated cars must be serviced by them in order for the new car warranty to be valid. This was apparently going to open up the option of allowing your car to be serviced by a good independent provided it was up to standard without impacting your warranty.

Anyone know anything about this or had any further details? Although yet to pick up my new MB, having a good look at this forum makes me think I should avoid MB dealer-servicing like the plague if I can and go to a good indy. Obviously wouldn't want to do that if it impacts the new car warranty.

Anyway - just thought I'd put it out there and see your thoughts.

 

[markjay]

My suggestion is that if you have a new car, stick to MB dealer service for the warranty period. Sure, you may be able to get them to honour warranty claims through the courts or your local Trading Standards office, but it is much easier to just sort it with the dealer there and then.

 

[flango]

Did anybody see a story recently about proposed legislative changes with regard to dealer-only servicing in order to maintain dealer warranty?

Apparently it is contrary to fair competition laws (or summink!) that the dealers have stipulated cars must be serviced by them in order for the new car warranty to be valid. This was apparently going to open up the option of allowing your car to be serviced by a good independent provided it was up to standard without impacting your warranty.

Anyone know anything about this or had any further details? Although yet to pick up my new MB, having a good look at this forum makes me think I should avoid MB dealer-servicing like the plague if I can and go to a good indy. Obviously wouldn't want to do that if it impacts the new car warranty.

Anyway - just thought I'd put it out there and see your thoughts.

I presume you are taking about Block Exemption which allows you to get your car serviced outside of the dealer network whilst maintaining warranty?

see HERE

 

[Merco]

My suggestion is that if you have a new car, stick to MB dealer service for the warranty period. Sure, you may be able to get them to honour warranty claims through the courts or your local Trading Standards office, but it is much easier to just sort it with the dealer there and then.

Yep - that's probably best. But it would be an interesting development if the changes did come in. I wonder how the dealers would wrangle their way out of it!! They'd have to find a trick or two to keep folk coming back...

 

[Merco]

I presume you are taking about Block Exemption which allows you to get your car serviced outside of the dealer network whilst maintaining warranty?

see HERE

Yep - that's the thing. I wonder how it's all going to work itself out...

Thanks for putting the article up there..

 

[flango]

Block exemption has been in for a while you are already totally free to get your car serviced outside the dealer network. We look after a couple of brand new Porsches, several BMW's and a few Vauxhalls that we look after outside of dealer network, come any warranty work we just take it back to the dealer and they fix it, unless it's cheaper for us to do it and then they just authorise the work.

 

[moonloops]

Hasn't block exemption been around for years now ??

 

[Merco]

So when I get my new car, I can just take it to be serviced at any independent garage and carry on without any worries about the warranty? Seems too good to be true!

The article link specifies it as coming into force from 1st June 2010??

 

[flango]

So when I get my new car, I can just take it to be serviced at any independent garage and carry on without any worries about the warranty? Seems too good to be true!

The article link specifies it as coming into force from 1st June 2010??

People will tell you when you need warranty work MB will refuse to do it, thats not true but they will try and feed you all sorts of crap why you can't do it and several dealerships have been investigated in the past for telling customers the MUST get it serviced by the dealer.

Trick is choose an Independent that already has a good relationship with the local MB dealer and make sure they use all approved oils and parts, if you want to be double sure get them to order parts from the local dealer (easier to prove correct servicing should you need to)

The new exemption coming in on 1 st June replaced the previous legislation which was up for review earlier this year.

Its dead easy to do should you want to but I accept it is not for everyone

 

[moonloops]

So when I get my new car, I can just take it to be serviced at any independent garage and carry on without any worries about the warranty? Seems too good to be true!

The article link specifies it as coming into force from 1st June 2010??

Why do you think Mercedes mobilo states car has to have merc servicing after 3rd year... ?

'cos they can't mandate it in first 3 years as it is against block exemption..

 

[Merco]

People will tell you when you need warranty work MB will refuse to do it, thats not true but they will try and feed you all sorts of crap why you can't do it and several dealerships have been investigated in the past for telling customers the MUST get it serviced by the dealer.

Trick is choose an Independent that already has a good relationship with the local MB dealer and make sure they use all approved oils and parts, if you want to be double sure get them to order parts from the local dealer (easier to prove correct servicing should you need to)

The new exemption coming in on 1 st June replaced the previous legislation which was up for review earlier this year.

Its dead easy to do should you want to but I accept it is not for everyone

Ah, I see - that sounds great. So what are the down-sides to this and why doesn't everyone do it?

Apologies if this is old hat to the petrolheads but to a newbie like me this is all very interesting!

 

[Dryce]

So when I get my new car, I can just take it to be serviced at any independent garage and carry on without any worries about the warranty? Seems too good to be true!

The indy needs to follow the service instructions and use specified parts and materials.

I would suggest you use a MB specialist and not just 'any independent' garage. Chances are they will have some sort of relationship with the local MB franchise dealer anyway - as they'll probably source MB parts from them.

The article link specifies it as coming into force from 1st June 2010??

The article is confusing. It's basically saying Block Exemption was due to expire and thend basically says it goes on to 2023.

Sometimes the EU actually works for its citizens.

 

[flango]

Ah, I see - that sounds great. So what are the down-sides to this and why doesn't everyone do it?

Apologies if this is old hat to the petrolheads but to a newbie like me this is all very interesting!

The downsides are when a garage outside the dealer network has serviced the car incorrectly, then when you come to a warranty claim it gets refused because service was not carried out to the manufacturers recommendations.

If its dealer serviced then there is no argument,If it's serviced outside the dealer network then some dealers will try and get stroppy and refuse warranty work until you get really heavy with them threatening legal action.

The plus side with and independent with a good dealer relationship is you will probably end up paying less service costs and your car will be better looked after whilst being serviced (generally but not always I accept)

 

[Merco]

I think I'll seriously consider this. As flanaia1 says - I'm much more likely to get an honest version of what work can and can't be done under warranty from a MB specialist indy than any delaership. At least then, all the 'niggles' can be caught early, honestly and repaired to spec without the fear of dealership bias to the service with the 'production line' mentality of some service depts. Not sure if that's how it is with MB but definitely how it is with Alfas and even VW in my experience. The indy's just seem to care a bit more and take a bit more time. If you're getting a better deal on the service and an honest appraisal of the warranty work to be done, I can't really see a downside!

 

[Merco]

Having said the above - knowing me, I'll just pike out at the last minute and go with the dealership anyway. I'm all talk really...

 

[davidjpowell]

The only downside I have seen, in a previous Volvo was on trade-on. Non franchise history hurt the value somewhat.

If you are keeping the car longer term this is obviously a much smaller issue.

 

[flango]

The only downside I have seen, in a previous Volvo was on trade-on. Non franchise history hurt the value somewhat.

If you are keeping the car longer term this is obviously a much smaller issue.

That's actually a very good point David, it can indeed affect resale values

 

[Merco]

I agree - after 5 years this is less of an issue - but they still ask it at p/ex for use as a 'bargaining tool'. Very annoying!

 

[peek a boo]

Most franchise dealers will try to match an independent service price - give the franchise dealer the option you may be pleasantly surprised and you keep your Molilolife (you will lose this by going independent) not forgetting ESKULAB for goodwill.

 

[crockers]

Not all MB dealers are bad. Some are very good. Also if you keep the car for more than 3 years and haven't been using main dealer for servicing any chances of goodwill will be very difficult if not non existent. Also as mentioned before you lose on resale and lose your mobilio cover.
What I do is use my main dealer for basic servicing and indie for brakes etc.