Servicing & MOT at ‘Normal’ Garage

[DaddyDarren]

Hello,

My daily driver, Vauxhall Vivaro Van, had wheel bearing replaced today. I’ve used the same independent garage for a few years for my van & wife takes her RR Evoque there too.

One of the mechanics took my van for a spin to confirm fault & we got talking. He said a bloke brings his McClaren in for work , so got me thinking.

Would you, or do you, use an independent garage to MOT/service your F-Type?

I’m not particularly bothered about service history, as my car is all brought & paid for & is a keeper. However, I do want it in tip-top condition & everything maintain to the letter.

What could be the pontential pitfalls? I would’ve been happy keep giving it to my main dealer but thought I’d put it out there

TIA,

Darren

[Senninha]

Hi Darren,

I’ll consent to using a franchised main dealer when near new under warranty ... but thereafter I’m use good independents. With later cars like the F-type, I would want one with the appropriate tech for diagnostics but after that, its more about the people.

Main dealers need to cover the dealership costs from the workshop revenue so it should be no surprise to anyone that they overbook, push the mechanics to complete in less time than the manual suggests as this ‘efficency’ brings in more revenue. The downside for you and I and our P&Js is that they don’t have time for the little tweaks an Indy will have.

My daily is a C350CDI and I use a German specialist. They call shortly after starting work to advise any findings from a health check, we confirm the work and a few hours later I return in the courtesy car to collect mine. They have links to the main Mercedes online service records and only use OEM parts. So no issues from a records PoV.

For MoT I use a small local garage for all the family cars including the NSX. I’m on first name terms and they give the car an honest MoT.

From your post I suspect they have invested in good equipment. I’d check they have or can get the software for the F-Type and let them look after it with care

Regards, Paul

[philmayfield]

I’ve always found specialist independents far superior to main dealerships. In my case that has been Mercedes, Lotus and Porsche. They are generally enthusiasts of the marque and you can get to speak with the guy doing the job. No expensive overheads either so usually half the price. Mine’s still under warranty but I’m researching the options.

[01286p]

I too was wondering about this.I have one more Jaguar Service on my Service Plan,at which time my V6s will need to be mot'd.
Up and until now have only used the jaguar garage as was concerned that if anyone else touched it any warranty work that might be needed subsequently would be refused.
However Hatfields in Shrewsbury did point out at its 2nd service 14,000 miles that the leather on the bolster of the driver's seat was showing signs of cracking,they made a claim on Jaguar for a replacement under warranty,this was refused on the basis that it was quite normal....so the moral of the tale "it does not matter who services it".....just go to someone who cares and has the kit.

[scm]

I've used a local independent for my previous 3 Jags over 11 years and never had any problems. He's always willing to do what's necessary rather than just follow the Jaguar "book", and equally important, unwilling to do things that are unnecessary. Although not a Jaguar specialist, he's always been able to respond knowledgeably to any questions I've asked, and works on the principle that it takes 10 years to build a reputation and 10 minutes to lose one, something some dealers would do well to heed. My only dilemma now is whether to use him for the F-Type or rely on dealers until the warranty expires. First world problems, eh?

[daytona650]

I use an good Jaguar Indy now. Cheaper, easier to talk to and more flexible.

[Myer]

I think you will find that Jaguar have a programme to encourage customers to use franchised dealers for older cars, 3 years plus. The servicing rates work out at around 40% less than newer cars, not that different to independents.
It obviously depends upon how satisfied you are with the quality of service that you receive, personally I am delighted with the professional and high quality service that I enjoy from my Jaguar service dealer.
My main concern with independents is the potential lack of the latest knowledge of software and other updates.

[scm]

My main concern with independents is the potential lack of the latest knowledge of software and other updates.

Well, independents can buy access to Topix, and as has been commented on here, there are some dealers who have to be told about updates by customers, so there's a potential lack even in dealerships.

[Tall dad]

Your local showroom is a showroom, its business is selling new cars, the people that work there, in the main, sell polished cars. My local garage is a garage and its business is to know cars mechanically. When I ask them for an opinion they combine it with the other 1,000 cars they have seen in the last 24 months and tell me facts.

I had a service plan with Jag XF and on the last they quoted me £1,400 to replace the brakes front and back, my garage did the fronts for £240 as the back were ok. Job was golden.

To me the question isn't 'Would you use a non-dealer garage?' it is 'why on earth would you ask salesmen to fix your car at extortionate prices?'

[Myer]

Your local showroom is a showroom, its business is selling new cars, the people that work there, in the main, sell polished cars. My local garage is a garage and its business is to know cars mechanically. When I ask them for an opinion they combine it with the other 1,000 cars they have seen in the last 24 months and tell me facts.

I had a service plan with Jag XF and on the last they quoted me £1,400 to replace the brakes front and back, my garage did the fronts for £240 as the back were ok. Job was golden.

To me the question isn't 'Would you use a non-dealer garage?' it is 'why on earth would you ask salesmen to fix your car at extortionate prices?'

The brakes??
Callipers, discs or simply pads? There is one hell of a difference! The pads yes £240, sounds OK. No way would any main dealer charge £1,400 for pads alone. I think you need to get a full estimate and then make the comparison.