Servicing

Re: 1st Service Costs

alan yates — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:41:20 GMT

My car went in for 25k service today agreed cost of £168 inc vat get the car back washed with white stains from the wash but it rained on the way home so they have gone and my final invoice bill came to £161.92 inc vat

Alan

Re: 1st Service Costs

alan yates — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 21:20:42 GMT

I use the main dealer becuase I am fortunate, if I have a problem just out the warranty period and I need to aproach Mazda it bears well on my part that I have backed a Mazda dealer network for my service work and possibly get a % contribution towards any warranty recification work I may need who know's. And using the Mazda dealer network if you have a problem outside your own area and you have had your vehicle serviced (12 months) within this network it will be delt with more easily and you won't be asked to prove your service history.(you may need to carry proof of purchase for your parts used). that may have failed. just my opinion so don't start firing bullets

Alan

Re: 1st Service Costs

kevenh — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 09:50:39 GMT

The final price was £180.83 with VAT, car collection and drop off + three 'issues' checked out.

I'm happy with that. It's cheaper than my MY07 WRX service charges

My three issues were: 1. Steering wheel rubbing when turned, 2. knocking noise that seems to get worse the longer the roof is up (come on, it's been a poor summer :) ) 3. after been on for 30min the AC decides to try harder to cool me :o

1 & 2 were resolved, but 3 was a 'no fault found' but noted.

Re: 1st Service Costs

Gary Beale — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 07:09:10 GMT

Geoff Walton:
That sounds like a tea break job

I can change the oil and filter in 15 mins, I timed myself last Sunday! 15 mins for the other checks and Robert is your fathers brother.

AsI understand the current rules, it doesn't have to be the main dealer that does the work. Any competent (VAT registered and able to carry out MOT's) garage can do this for you, however YOU MUST USE GENUINE MAZDA PARTS. Get and keep the receipts, you may need them for any warranty work caried out. I went down this route with my Seciento and Juke.

Re: 1st Service Costs

stephenraw — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 22:15:51 GMT

Hi geoff,dont think dealers try and frighten anyone,but also how does a non franchise repairer do any system updates which the dealers should do as part of a service and check for any reworks ? they dont have to pay for those systems as the dealers do,plus from my experience dealers charge the manufactures time but other garages charge the time taken,so you are not always loosing !

Regards

stephen

Re: 1st Service Costs

Rich M — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 21:53:24 GMT

Just to join in, we have had cars in warranty period serviced by our local garage. Block exemption laws were re-inforced 2010 and they now allow parts meeting OE spec to be used (not just Mazda branded parts) by a VAT registered garage. We specify manufacturer parts as it's easier to be sure the parts are OE though. Mazda are digital service record but that can be entered online by an independant too.

All this said though many will feel happier just "playing the game" and accepting the overpriced warranty services to ensure no hassle if there is a vehicle problem. Sort of like paying for the warranty I guess, but if you paid £20K for that new car maybe £250 per year for the first 2 services is peace of mind.

Re: 1st Service Costs

victormeldrew — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 19:07:28 GMT

Indeed, it makes no difference to your warranty, and the general consensus that a dealer service history is worth money when you sell is frankly tosh. If you see the perfect car in perfect condition with no evident faults...would you be knocking them down because the stamp is from an independent or a specialist instead of a main stealer? No, of course not...as long as the right bits were changed when they needed to be, that's all that matters. Even if you'd get that little bit more for the car, it would never outweigh the premium the dealers charge.

(In fact, if I saw stamps from a good specialist...I'd be happier than if it had dealer stamps. Dealer mechanics often leave a whole lot to be desired)

Re: 1st Service Costs

Geoff Peace — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 18:39:30 GMT

Who is Fred in the shed? Now I wish to make clear I am not trying to be facetious, but a great number of modern cliches leave me perplexed. I know the profit dealers make from servicing., They have nothing to fear, They trade on fear, 'if your car is not serviced by us woe betide you' Everyone is terrified of not keeping the service warranty. If they ever took the trouble to read it they may well be amazed to realise how little it means. Read the Sale of Goods Act, much more informative.

Regards Geoff Peace.

Re: 1st Service Costs

stephenraw — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 18:10:26 GMT

Sorry Geoff but even main dealers dont get a lot out of servicing these days,having make up with numbers as people think `Fred in the Shed` can do the same job exactly !

Re: 1st Service Costs

Geoff Peace — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 17:51:42 GMT

In recent conversations with friends who are still in the trade there seems to be a consensus of opinion that some years ago the UK was the most expensive country in Europe in which to buy a new car. So the dealer had a large profit margin. This is no longer the case, the UK seems to be around the same price as any other European country. Less profit on new cars, so where to make up the shortfall? Well it does not exactly tax the imagination does it? Servicing, repairs and spares. The equation balances again! This appears to be all dealers, not just Mazda.

Regards Geoff Peace.

Re: 1st Service Costs

victormeldrew — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 10:02:42 GMT

kevenh:
Can people quote ex. VAT to the public? :D

In theory, no. The law states that, unless your prices will be viewed exclusively by business (non-VAT) customers, you must quote VAT-inclusive prices.

That's the theory.

Re: 1st Service Costs

kevenh — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 09:14:24 GMT

My car is booked in at Newbury Motorlux for £185

I didn't check, but that will be inc. VAT, right?
Can people quote ex. VAT to the public? :D

Re: 1st Service Costs

barneybear — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 20:52:39 GMT

Hi Alan,

of course they can't, just having a laugh, good to hear you saved some folding and spent it on goodies!

Regards,

Brian. www.mx5revive.com

Re: 1st Service Costs

alan yates — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 20:39:18 GMT

Ouch, Bloody harsh that but what dealer can change oil filter and brake fluid in 0.5 still save 42 squid

Alan

Re: 1st Service Costs

barneybear — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 19:14:28 GMT

You all seem to be forgetting something very important, a 1.5 hour service at a Main stealer is made up of 0.5 of labour and of course 1hour lunch!

Regards,

Brian, www.mx5revive.com