Why, oh why did I get sucked into letting the main dealer do my MOT. They fitted me a new headlight unit last week and did a red-amber-green health check at the same time which only flagged up one red. I thought because of this health check they couldn't possibly fail it on anything else, so booked the MOT with them. How wrong could I be. One of last week's ambers has already become a red and they haven't started the MOT yet!
Never use main dealers their labour charges are a joke, I'd still take it to a reputable local garage and let them test it probably much cheaper anyway and any work required will cost you less
Try Central Garage, Brocklehurst Avenue, Kendray - £25, they even have a plastic chair to sit on while you wait!
Think it depends on the dealer and age of the car. I never had a single MOT fail on my BMW but I dont think servicing the car there was that smart as I could have saved quite a bit at an independent. Though to be fair I only spent on servicing what I would have expected and you could get pricing up front. Not sure when a car gets a bit older - say 7 years or more it makes any sense though as the resale values are much less affected if it doesnt have a main dealer history
This The only work worth having done at a dealership is Warranty work and Servicing/Maintenance work on vehicles worth it
Most new cars no longer have a service book, so a service is recorded on the manufacturers website. I don't think independent garages have access. Bit naughty really. If you don't use a main dealer, keep all the receipts for a service record.
I got away with £180 for the MOT and a new rear shocker. On closer inspection of last week's health check, it was the front shocker which was given an amber. There was no mention of the rear shocker which they've replaced today. They've also put advisories on for three ball joint dust covers and two shocker dust covers. I didn't even know there were that many dust covers.
Yes and pay again for every other manufacturer. Had that conversation with my local independent - too costly for him to do it as he services all car makes. I guess if you are an independent specialist it works though if you only work on one or 2 makes of car
Nope, incorrect. Most manufacturers who have online service records allow the service to be uploaded online to be checked by their admin. Land Rover for example - you email your service invoice and itemised bill (inc vat details) to them. They then check and upload to the service record of the vehicle online. What your garage mate meant, is that to become registered direct with each manufacturer to do it directly is expensive. Which it is. But the online systems do allow independent services to be shown.
Have done for years. It’s recommended not compulsory though. Brake Fluid is Hygroscopic so makes sense in a way.
My first car I had for around ten years... it was about 10 years old when I bought it... I’m pretty sure that the break fluid wasn’t touched from rolling out of the production line. The dealers are very adamant that it needs changing, and often the brakes feel worse after changing. I know what you’re saying about the Hygroscopic, but it does seem like a nice little earner....
