2nd annual service at an independant?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Taken from Bosch Car Service website
http://www.boschcarservice.co.uk/wcMain.asp:

With changes in European legislation it is possible to have your car serviced at an independent garage without invalidating your manufacturers warranty.

I thought that was fairly common knowledge.

But it isn't just the 'warranty' we are talking about - it is whole range of other scenarios too.

A quick read of my service manual also doesnt specifically detail that a service by an independent would invalidate the VW warranty. But, havent exactly read all the fine print.

Because that would be illegal.  But by the same train of thought, I bet it doesn't state anything regarding residuals, or goodwill either?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

In this instance, although Bosch is a reputable company, they are not motor factors of reputation and in my opinion, are no better (or worse) than Halfords, QuickFit or the like. Again, you makes your choice and pays your money

Ohhhhh, I would have to disagree.  Bosch garages are far, far better than Halfrauds, Thik-Fit, AA, RAC types of garages.  Bosch registered garages are thouroughly vetted, both in terms of the individual technicians, but also with their tools, equipment, and technical literature too.  I bet most Bosch garages could explain the wave-from generated by a wheel speed sensor, or similar - yet you ask the same question in Halfrauds, and their reply would be sommat like "we don't sell surf boards"!

Nope, if they are proper Bosch garages, then they will be just as competent as any main stealer "tech".  Relevent marque-specific experience, well that is slightly different though. 

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Which brings us back to the point - would you rather buy a dealer serviced car versus an independent ? 

I thought the point was also that it would invalidate the VW warranty? I am just discussing the pro's + con's to both options.

Nope, and that hasn't been the case for about 10 years now.  But the independent is 'supposed' to be VAT registered (though that could never be enforced), and they must be able to prove that only 'OE spec parts' are used.  So if you choose to buy your oil filter from GSF, it is up to you to prove that it is the same as genuine.

[Cass]

In this instance, although Bosch is a reputable company, they are not motor factors of reputation and in my opinion, are no better (or worse) than Halfords, QuickFit or the like. Again, you makes your choice and pays your money

Ohhhhh, I would have to disagree.  Bosch garages are far, far better than Halfrauds, Thik-Fit, AA, RAC types of garages.  Bosch registered garages are thouroughly vetted, both in terms of the individual technicians, but also with their tools, equipment, and technical literature too.  I bet most Bosch garages could explain the wave-from generated by a wheel speed sensor, or similar - yet you ask the same question in Halfrauds, and their reply would be sommat like "we don't sell surf boards"!

Nope, if they are proper Bosch garages, then they will be just as competent as any main stealer "tech".  Relevent marque-specific experience, well that is slightly different though. 

Then I stand corrected TT - never used them myself, but then again never used the others either

Cass

[pazz]

Lets be realistic, a service, when you get down to the nitty gritty, is just an oil change and oil filter.

No it isn't.  There are vital safety checks too.  Remind me not to buy a car from you!

Err, depends what safety checks you are suggesting here? As said already, the mechanics have deadlines. Unless you choose the service inspection option (and thats why its so expensive) the only checks they will usually cary out are tyres + discs/pads. And thats only because theres a potential aftersale involved. Other than that, unless you state that something needs attention they simply won't bother.

The glossy front of the showroom service desk is million miles away from what really goes on behind the glass windows of the workshop.

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 thought JCT600 was a franchised main dealer?   

I think you will find nearly all UK VW garages are franchises. Or atleast I am not aware of any VW owned ones.

[RedRobin]

Err, depends what safety checks you are suggesting here? As said already, the mechanics have deadlines. Unless you choose the service inspection option (and thats why its so expensive) the only checks they will usually cary out are tyres + discs/pads. And thats only because theres a potential aftersale involved. Other than that, unless you state that something needs attention they simply won't bother.

The glossy front of the showroom service desk is million miles away from what really goes on behind the glass windows of the workshop.

....This may be true in some cases, perhaps many cases, but one of the three guys on my dealer's service desk in a white collar shirt and tie is also a mechanic/technician who occasionally dons overalls and gets his hands oily. There is excellent liaison between the showroom service desk and the workshop on the other side of the glass wall and a customer such as myself is not denied access to any member of staff. If I ask for something to be checked, whether it's aftermarket or not, it's done and specifically reported to me, in writing.

My dealer always tries to allocate the same mechanic to my car and because I am flexible with my time, it usually happens. I'm given a loyalty discount and it couldn't be much better.

I'm at my VW dealer's on Friday - It's something I'm looking forward to!

[TheReflex]

I'm with Cass here. I wouldn't touch a second hand car without a main dealer service history ( unless I was buying a banger or a classic ) . Just my way of thinking, but I think the extra £50/100 or so is worth it come servicing time.