Dealer servicing, does it have to be SUCH a rip-off?

[Mr Pig]

So we all know the score, but don't you think they're really pushing it these days? Even for dealers?

Bought a 2016 Ibiza from a Seat dealer a couple of weeks ago. Was due a service so got that done. Looks like all they've done is changed the oil. Filters are filthy, even the screen-wash bottle was empty. What happened to the days the car was washed and cleaned?

If you look at the service schedule, if you can find it, everything except the oil gets left for longer than it used to. They charge you over £100 for an 'oil service' and they are literally only changing the oil, which costs them about £10 !! The only other thing they want to do is call you up while he car is in and tell you it needs brake pads when it does not.

Dealers have always been a rip-off but man, it's getting ridiculous.

 

[Seriously?]

At least you were saved the argument about the £2.50 charge for screen wash when you know it went into them with the reservoir filled up to the brim

 

[Pew.]

Unfortunately the majority of people that buy cars from dealers believe it's where they have to go and what they have to pay to get their car serviced which means the stealers absolutely rip the bum out of the cost. They think Seat needs to service their Seat, or Toyota their Toyota etc

I never take my car to a mainstream dealer for works unless it's warrenty work, fortunately though i have a brother who is a mechanic.

 

[Legojon]

I'm having flash backs to the last ever time "good news, we had time to clean your car. Wow, your paintwork was smooth, not like the sandpaper of the ones we did before it" as he nodded to a long line of cars covered in swirls.

 

[Mr Pig]

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At least you were saved the argument about the charge for screen wash when you know it went into them with the reservoir filled up to the brim.

Reminds me of sitting in the reception of the local Vauxhall dealer years ago waiting for my car. Woman called over another buy who was waiting and gave him the bill for his service. He looked at it and said:

'Hang on. You're charging me for six-hours work? You've only had the car for three-hours!'

The woman was squirming, he was not happy and I didn't get to hear the end of the story as my car turned up. She could've gotten out it easily by saying tat more than one guy was working on the car but she didn't. She just spun on the hook. Was funny.

 

[Seriously?]

I'm having flash backs to the last ever time "good news, we had time to clean your car. Wow, your paintwork was smooth, not like the sandpaper of the ones we did before it" as he nodded to a long line of cars covered in swirls.

When I had my E91, it never went near the main dealers until there was a recall, sorry Technical Enhancement in BMW-speak. When I collected it, the receptionist apologised for them not having time to wash it. A lucky escape, given the bloke washing the cars on the forecourt had one bucket and one manky leather to go round about a hundred vehicles....

 

[Maypack]

I actively ask them NOT to wash it in any way. I’ll happily take it back as it was sent in and do my own cleaning.

 

[Mr Pig]

I actively ask them NOT to wash it in any way. I’ll happily take it back as it was sent in and do my own cleaning.

I agree, but I'm really beginning to wonder what the heck they still do for the money. Seems to me like it's not very much.

 

[Maypack]

I agree, but I'm really beginning to wonder what the heck they still do for the money. Seems to me like it's not very much.

Genuine Parts is their answer and trained Technicians who know what fuses are what on your car lol.

 

[chrisjgill]

I personally prefer to go to a main dealer (that I have used for the past 7 or so years) because they have been honest with the work required and have advised which parts will need replacing in the future (car is approaching 8.5 years old).

However a work colleague has used one of the larger dealer networks and had nothing but trouble so I can see why this (along with cost) can put people off using them

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

 

[Maypack]

I personally prefer to go to a main dealer (that I have used for the past 7 or so years)

I’ve used my local dealer for the last 18 years , since I bought my first SEAT and have had no problems with them.

I actually got a new steering rack fitted under warranty on a car one year out of its warranty, a new Turbo which was under warranty and new Front Discs on a car under warranty. All with no hassle whatsoever.

I do normally deal with the owner though.

 

[Mr Pig]

Genuine Parts is their answer..

Yeah, well this morning I bought 5L of oil, an air filter, cabin filter and oil filter. Genuine parts from the VW trade center. £40 And they'll buy the oil in bigger drums so it will be cheaper.

An 'oil service' they don't even change the cabin and air filter. They may not change the oil filter! so even genuine parts you're looking at £10 to £15 of parts, and they charge about £100 for the service, which probably takes less than an hour.

 

[Deleted member 103408]

I would agree with @Mr Pig in that dealers seem to charge a lot and based on this site a lot do not deliver.

We also see a lot of so called dealers do not know about the car (DSG Oil Service and Dif Oil change being the big issues on the Cupra).

I have personally always found a good local dealer and use them to look after my car (along with @paddy6789 service schedule).

But saying that @Maypack is correct there are some good guys out there who know what customer service and looking after a car means.

I am afraid its all about your local dealer which is why we have the the SEAT Dealers: Your Say section to let other know.

 

[Copra68]

I never ever allow them to wash my car. Gritty sponge or brush is what's used.

 

[matt_s]

The last time I took my car to a dealer I gave them a couple of faults to be looked at under warranty and said not to wash it. When I picked it up they were pleased as punch to have found the faults and had even washed it with looked like the contents of a festival toilet. When I pointed out the faults were on the sheet they filled in that morning the response was it doesn't go anywhere, just stays on the desk.

 

[martin j.]

You guys must have a lot of **** dealers around, OK the dealer I work in is not perfect but miles better than any that are being quoted here, if you're not happy with the service- complain to the dealer and to customer services, if nobody gets their arse kicked for faults nothing will improve.

 

[Mtailor]

My local dealer is over 40 miles away, so I cannot be bothered. I use a trusted mechanic who is honest, he is actually a Honda ‘R’ specialist/tuner. I spoke to him today and his knowledge came through. I asked about Diff and DSG oil. He said on year 4 or 40000 miles. So I don’t need to do mine, but I will anyway and he will do it.

If you find a trustworthy mechanic, use them. I am just coming out of warranty in a few months.

 

[Mr Pig]

If you're not happy with the service- complain to the dealer and to customer services..

Have you ever tried that? I'm guessing, not. Otherwise, you wouldn't have suggested it.

If you find a trustworthy mechanic, use them.

Very true. In the past I've had local mechanics I trusted totally but those guys are like gold dust.

 

[Seriously?]

We're very lucky that our SEAT dealership is fantastic; a great bunch of people who will always go the extra mile.
SWMBO's cars have always gone to them. Mine go to our local indi, who are as much car enthusiasts as they are technicians.

 

[Yellow fr]

I have worked on cars that have had full dealer service history warranty time over so they take it to a independent garage.
There was one the over day cake in for full service I removed all wheel nuts and the wheels was still stuck on that was all four so I had to put one wheel nuts back in to each wheel and get a rubber hammer out and hit the wheels to get them off like in all they life they had never been off grr some service this has had. Even the had brake you think it’s good it’s on a few clicks or does not come up high when using it well it’s the easy way done again just adjust the cable only problem is when it’s serviced correctly you adjust the brake shoes in the drums when you come to putting the hand brake on it’s now only one or two clicks dam dealers.
Well all I can say is I would nate to have a car serviced at a main dealers for years then have a puncture and try to change it at side off road only to find that the wheel won’t come off as it’s rushed on to the hub
Where I know if any off our customers had too do a wheel change at side off the road the wheel would just drop off after the latest wheel nut was removed