2nd annual service at an independant?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

My 2 pence worth, I had a mk3 Gti and it had serviced at the main dealer as they were cheaper than the local specialists and smaller garages.

And I think that just highlights the issue that not all main dealers are rip offs.  Some main dealers charge more, others will undercut prices - so there is no 'hard and fast' rule of either scenario.

And yes full main dealer history will help with the resale value.

Yup.  And not only when you trade into a garage.  Even private purchasers still prefer a main dealer stamp rather than an independent stamp (weather that is right or wrong is another issue altogether) - probably because all main dealer services will be recorded on the central database - in dubs instances, with Volkswagen UK, which will also be linked up with Volkswagen Germany.  But with independent services, even 'specialist' independents - no matter how good or proficient they are, there is never any centralised record of any service history.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

The same for me. Specialists take more care and never have I ever been asked for the service book when trading a car in. Ref private sales, people In the know prefer a specialist to a dealer stamp,others don't really care. My specialist stamps with a Vw stamp so most wouldn't notice anyway. My dealers are pretty good but I won't pay an extra £35 an hour for labour for a less skilled mechanic

I'm not disputing that.  But a VW 'specialist' is NOT the same as a general 'independent' - which was the subect of this particular thread.

My bad. You paid a lot of money for the car, stick to a dealer or vw/vag specialist. They understand the Ins and outs of your car.  I wouldn't fancy an independent working on mine, chances are for example, if you need a repair, it will be the first time they have done that job on a golf

Exactly.  I would never, EVER let any kind of 'independent' (apart from myself  ) work on my RS4.  Main dealer only during the warranty for routine services (even if I have to go over their work and double-check it  ).  When it is out of warranty, then IF I could find a VAG specialist, who has direct an proven experience on the V8 RS4, then I may consider them.  It was the same with my last B6 S4. 

With the Golf, even the GTI, it is slightly less critical, because there are many, many Mk5 Golfs long out of warranty now, and will have been through both the general independent network, and the VAG specialists.  Even with the GTI, its' engine and running gear (with the exception of the DSG) are available in many other cars in the VAG range, and again are likely to have built up a good knowledge in the VAG specialist garages.

[RedRobin]

....

I agree with what T_T is saying on this one.

VW dealerships vary in their attitudes and shouldn't vary in their standards but they are human! I enjoy a particularly good relationship with my VW dealer and their affiliated body workshop and repair centre. They give me a 'loyalty discount' and appreciate my business and do their utmost to look after my car and myself to the best of their ability. Several of the staff there have become trusted friends.

Coincidentally, my VW dealer has just phoned me, while I was writing this post, to give me some detail about where we can fit some aftermarket air horns. But my point is that relationship as well as resources are worth a lot.

There are two independents I would trust to work on my car but neither have the full range of VW back-up in terms of resource and equipment. It's horses for courses.

I'm at 62,500 miles in 3.5 years and unless my VW dealer starts cocking things up, I wouldn't think of going elsewhere for main servicing and a few other things.

My dealership also makes it their business to keep themselves up-to-date on ECU and DSG updates etc but I think that VW keeps its dealers updated anyway - They even keep some of the tuners updated (so I'm told).

For me it's a no-brainer.

[Saint Steve]

Dealers will find any excuse to knock the price off your car come trade in.

When it comes to software updates etc question and T_T's reply is, yes you would think they would and Should, but quite often in this world today, the dont.
Some dealers are far better then others as ive found out to my peril!!

My own personal experiance is, that my cars have been dealer stamped and some have been given to Non dealerships, and it makes Bog All difference in resale, perhaps if youve had lots of work done by a dealership, you are more likely to get a better deal as a "valued" customer.

Swings in roundabouts tbh, unless you know the people that are dealing with your car, then go by your own oppinion/Recommendations from others.

If your still in your 3 years warranty then i personally would stick with VW dealers etc incase something goes wrong just on or after your warranty expires as normaly they would take into consideration previous works carried out on your car.

After your 3 years then do as you feel , as long as you have receipts with your car come selling time, thats all that helps tbh.

[andytran]

My own personal experiance is, that my cars have been dealer stamped and some have been given to Non dealerships, and it makes Bog All difference in resale, perhaps if youve had lots of work done by a dealership, you are more likely to get a better deal as a "valued" customer.

This was my only point.....Dealers will not give you any more for a main dealer FSH, as long as the car has a FSH, thats all they care about.

Im not arguing the case for independents - I will use the main dealer whilst my cars under warranty - for peace of mind, NOT because I have some false idea that my car will be worth more come trade in time....

Andy

[RedRobin]

^^^^
I agree, Andy - It's silly doing or not doing things regarding your car just for reasons of how you think it will effect resale.

Owning a GTI is a driver's dream! Live that dream! The next owner can live their own personal dream.

[barlimow]

Thanks for the comments folks, all very useful. As suspected, a difference of opinions!

I'm not disputing that.  But a VW 'specialist' is NOT the same as a general 'independent' - which was the subect of this particular thread.

I did say it was a VAG specialist in my opening post, one that I have used for a number of years for my other car (Audi, long time out of warranty).

[Cass]

Interesting thread again

Just to add my 2penneth

I have owned many VAG cars over the years and a Porsche and I have ALWAYS used main dealers for servicing and warranty. The only time I have gone to non-franchised garages is when using independent and recognised marque specialists to reduce costs when replacing consumables such as brake disks/pads. I use a local tyre specialist for tyres but always get manufacturer spec tyres to match the originals (eg. N rated for Porsche).

The main dealer stamp in the service book is paramount for me and I would not buy a car which didn't have the full set. Equally, by ensuring that all my vehicles have a full main dealer service history, I have had no problem in selling privately and getting a premium price for my cars If you part-ex through a dealer, I agree that the price you get may not be much affrected, as long as the car has a full service history, but this only applies to mainstream models and not premium marques. I've had such general valuations given for my cars without the car actually being looked at by the salesman. Needless to say, I've never, ever taken up these offers. If you always go part-ex, you're losing out significantly when trading your vehicle value come resale.

On the issue of recalls, in my own experience, the main dealers have done them without asking whenever I've had my cars in for servicing or warranty work. I have been given full receipts for the work and the service book has been updated and stamped. Main dealers often (rightly) get stick for poor work, but I can only comment positively in this regard.

Going to go out now and have a blast in the GTI

Cass

[Egbutt Wash]

I always used a main dealer for my civic.
Six months out of warranty the air con condenser failed.
They fixed it during the service free of charge.

I've yet to see if my local VW dealer is any good (Lindale).

BMW charge so much per hour I do use a mobile chap for that car (trained by BMW and much cheaper).
My Fiat Ducato m/h is in for a service and MOT today.  Local commercial vehicle garage as I detest Fiat garages.

[pazz]

Consider this, you are looking at a 2nd hand Golf

The first one has full main dealer stamps but is in generally poor condition. Its been owned by Shiela from down the road who couldnt give a monkeys about where or even how (kerbing wheels int he process) she parks, whether or not she eats a burger king in the car, whether or not to fling the door open onto a lampost etc etc. BUT yet she has always taken it back to where she bought it for a service (VW main dealer). And the car is sat forsale on the forcourt of such garage.

The second has no main dealer stamps but yet FSH. This car has been owned by a general car lover. He/she has cleaned the car inside and out before your visit (private sale), kept all receipts, was careful never to open the door onto lamposts and watched where they parked to not kerb alloys etc etc.

I know I'd chose the 2nd option everytime. Lets be realistic, a service, when you get down to the nitty gritty, is just an oil change and oil filter. I have my Golf serviced by a JCT600 VW garage, it went in just last week. The mechanic who serviced the car is a pal of mine, cost me £80, used long-life VW oil, stamps the book with a JCT600 VW stamp and even puts a bottle of screen wash on the front seat when I collect it (which may or may not of been taken from the service desk )

I will ask him about this "updating" that people are talking about. But in all honesty the service you get, even from expensive marque's dealers is often apauling. You are usually talking to the service desk woman/man who has NO IDEA WHATSOEVER about what has just been done to your car. All they have is it written down on a post-it note in amongst a big fat bill with your name on it.