Expensive lesson.

At what point would you consider not taking your
car to the main dealer to be serviced just to get
your handbook stamped. I think my wifes car has
seen the inside of a Vauxhall dealers for the last time.

R reg Astra 1.7 Diesel.

Full service 88,000miles
+Cam Belt + tensioner

MOT work
1 rear suspension bush
1 light bulb
Discpads on front.

Total £600

 

ermm.... i'd would of expected about £350-£400 for that lot.

mike

 

Sometimes I wonder why people take their cars to main dealers. They're
overheads are so vast and anyway, the're only as good as the 'mechanics' who
work there. With a good independant, it's they're livelihood and their
overheads are much lower. Last year I had a lot of work done on my 2.5 omega
which involved alot of labour. They made a first class job with no problems
since.A main dealer would have charged double what I paid. Don't get me
wrong, I don't use this garage because they're cheap, they're not, it's the
level of workmanship. I know there's alot of cowboys about, but this applies
to main dealers aswell.
The only thing is that certain cars such as Mercs, BMW's resale value is
affected if they're not services and stamped off by a main dealer. I think
though that if the car is any more than say 4-5 years old it probably won't
make that much difference.

 

Fully agree. I think the presence of a stamp is more important than whether
it's from a Vaux dealer.

But more useful (IMHO) - I keep all invoices - and the "local" garage man is
as thorough in writing down precisely what he's done (and recommended for
later...) as he is with the work itself. (and he always shows me any bits
he's replaced, which is reassuring)

My last experience of a main dealer was some years ago, when I needed them
to plug in their computer thingy (code-pulling or something?) All they
could tell me from the read-out was that it was a 3 litre Senator. They
still charged me, so I never took my 2 litre cavalier there again....!
(yes - you read that right...)

 

Exactly, but it was an expensive way for my wife to find out.
Next service/MOT will be at a differnent garage.

 

It's funny you should mention keeping all the invoices, because
when I bought my Astra in 2003, like a daft git I took advantage
of my local Vauxhall dealers service 2yr service package.

Upon servicing the car, imagine my supprise when I was told I
didn't get any invoices, paperwork or diddley squat. When I asked
what had been done, the answer came back 'Everything'. But for all
I know, the only thing I got was a stamp in the handbook, because
even the service book wasn't filled in, just stamped.

-
Fatsod

 

Create your own logo (e.g. Vin Tage Quality Motor Services) and get a stamp
made up at any good stationers for a couple of quid.

Vin.

 

And to add insult to injury, we are STILL waiting three days later
for them to finish the last job, cambelt & tensioner but have come
up with the classic excuse of waiting for parts. Yes I must have
found the only Vauxhall dealer in Britain that doesnt stock cambelts
on the shelf. Why the hell didn't they order the parts when I
booked it in. They had known for a MONTH I had requested the
cam belt and tensioner to be changed.

The funny thing is, when my wife and I went to drop the car off
I picked up a brochure for the new Astra because having got my
first ever Vauxhall Astra 1.7Dti Estate 18months ago, I've really
enjoyed driving it. So I fancied getting one with the new models
fitted with the common rail diesel engine.

Well they have lost that sale, I'll go to a different dealer.

Yes I'm really miffed over this. But as the saying goes.....

'My Money Spends Anywhere'

 

This reminds me of an experience with (non-Vaux) main dealer decades ago.
Car off road for a fortnight - waiting last part, which was at
manufacturer's central depot about 70 miles away. In desperation, I signed
up to hire a car from the dealer at my expense to fetch the part. Just
about to set off, when foreman hands me a list of all the parts they needed
for other customers!!

To be fair, he quickly realised what he had just said so it took about a
millisecond for him to waive the car-hire & fuel charge!

 

I think I am being very fair, had the delay been caused by
having to replace part that was found to be faulty during
the service, then I could accept the delay. But the fact
that these people knew for a month that they would need
a specific part done to gross incompetitance and bad
management. There is NO excuse for not ordering it
so that it was in the garage ready to be fitted.

-
Fatsod

 

Absolutely, you're being fair. My ancient anecdote (from the days when
"customer service" was unheard of) wasn't meant to suggest otherwise. I
just found it so funny at the time (or at least, looking back at it yonks
later).

Is your car off the road while you're waiting, or have you got the use of it
until the bits come in?

There's a big problem with franchise dealers (which IMHO the Competition
Commission should investigate) - namely that they each have a monopoly in
their local area, which you're stuck with unless prepared to go to the
"little" independent garage. So the Franch dealers don't have to compete on
price or service levels.

However, AIUI the manufacturers' warranties are not invalidated if you
choose to have all work (even from new) done be independents, providing the
ind's do it all per the book. Whether that includes non-OEM parts I don't
know. The ind's generally get two deliveries a day from those little red
"auto-parts" vans you see rushing everywhere - often driven by very
competent blondes! But the parts factors source bits from everywhere - esp.
common parts like brake pads - and that could be a problem.

I believe all this to be the case - but IANAL, nor in the motor trade.
Others here should know for certain.

 

No, we have'nt got the use of the car, and we are now entering
the fourth day.

Aparantly, the part did arrive, but it was found to be faulty, a SECOND cam
belt tensioner was ordered and arrived shortly before the dealers service
dept closed.
So they will ring tomorow

Yeah, I'll believe that when I hear the phone.

My wife is annoyed that they have not had the decency
to appologise for the delay or even offer a courtesy car.

What has really pissed me off is that after 30 years of
driving Fords, I've parted with £14000+ 18months ago
for a my ever brand new car. I've now have simply no
confidence that they are a compitent company to do
the servicing.

As a Quality Engineer in diesel engine manufacture
I know crap service when I see it. I would dearly
love to know the name & address of the Quality
Director for Vauxhall Motors Ltd (UK) as I would
dearly love to write and complain.

Dont tell me to complain to customer services,
they are just there to fob you off. Always
complain to bloke who inflicts pain when he
speaks.

/angry mode off

-
Fatsod