50k Service: Main dealership or independant?

[jammylammy]

Hi all,

My 2000 plate GTi is due it's 50k service now, and I'm pondering whether to keep taking it to my local VW dealer or to try and find an independant.

My local dealership have been good with me, only slightly annoying me by charging £3 each time it goes in there to replace the washer fluid (whether it needs it or not).

Pros:
VW Service history (adds to sell on price?)
Courtesy car (want to try a new Golf )

Cons:
More pricey (negating any extra I might get for having a full VW service history?)
??

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I've read horror stories of garages damaging cars etc. but I don't think this is restricted to main dealerships. If anything, having a big company behind the garage would be a good comeback if anything did go wrong.....as opposed to some independant....

I am loathe to keep lining VW's pockets though!

Anyone care to comment?

[Si_GTi]

Me, I take my Polo to my local VW dealer for servicing every time. Or at least, I have so far. Only had one service so far, but I intend to take it back to Inchcape next May for her next checkup, as I've got no complaints whatsoever from their service. One of the lucky few... if I didn't go to VW, there aren't any local specialists that I know of, unless I go to either Gwent VW, or JBS, both of which are a fair distance away.

My last service was the 60,000k/12 months service, at which everything in the book was seen to, a stamp was put in my VW handbook, and I handed over £156. Chuffed

On a final note, they've not filled my washer fluid for me and charged £3 when they've had the car lol. Besides, I bought my own concentrate off them for about that much, should last for ages!

EDIT: Posted ans then realised I forgot to mention that all parts replaced and work done is under a 12 month warranty if you have a service done by an authorised VW dealer, add that to the "Pros" list

[Josh_PoloGTi]

If it's out of warranty, find an independent vw specialist.

Make sure they stamp your book with a vw logo.

You'll save yourself a fortune

[jammylammy]

Thanks guys, it's out of warranty (just my luck, this morning the passenger window decides to stop working) so I'll seek out an independant.

Anyone know of any reputable ones in the Berkshire/Surrey area?

Cheers.

[DMWRIGHT]

Just had my 50 k done at VW dealer, cost £160 ish but had an oil seal sorted.

Only did it for full VW service history.

Note on the door window, its quite common for the plug to fall out or clip to break. Try taking the door card off and having a little inspection, could be something very simple that a garage will sting you for !

[PoloGTi]

I had my 50k service done at SmithKnightFay main VW dealership in Bolton for £98.95

Shockingly cheap really as they wanted £85 just for replacing brake pads!

[Tom]

i took mine to the vw garage in twickenham, not only did they charge me for the washer fluid, but £5 to dispose of my old oil too.

it cost me a total of £256 for a 20,000 mile service, they charged £85 an hour for labour.

Its a rip off

tom

[david burton]

I agree - more often than not it's a rip off. besides, you can still put "full service history" when you sell it, and as long as you keep receipts noone will give a damn it wasn't with vw - i certainly wouldn't.

[jammylammy]

Thanks for all the replies.

I took it to a local VW and Audi specialist on the recommendation of a friend, they did the service while I waited (and I could also watch what they did) and charged me £46 - half the price VW wanted.

The guy working on my car was really enthusiastic and knowledgable, he answered all my questions, and he was very open and honest with me about what else would need changing in the coming months and miles.

He also spotted that my exhaust bracket was broken, causing the car to sound like a diesel as it started, the exhaust rattling for a few seconds each time. This had been occuring for ages, I just assumed it was a startup rattle. The car had been to my local VW dealer for services and MOTs many times and this was never picked up by them. The guy welded it back for me free of charge.

I won't ever be taking my Polo back to a main dealership to be ripped off over £100 for an oil change.

[Si_GTi]

He also spotted that my exhaust bracket was broken, causing the car to sound like a diesel as it started, the exhaust rattling for a few seconds each time. This had been occuring for ages, I just assumed it was a startup rattle. The car had been to my local VW dealer for services and MOTs many times and this was never picked up by them. The guy welded it back for me free of charge.

mine makes that noise intermittently... I'll get that looked at then eh? Good excuse for a Powerflow

[Rob]

It's great to know you've found a VW Specialist that you can trust, and that cares about your car It's just what I have been looking for, what are they called and where are they based