Seems a lot for a car service

[Pale Rider]

My two-year-old Vauxhall Meriva is due its second service - the first one I will have done since buying the car at just over a year old.

The dealer quote is about £320.

Seems a lot to me.

I grasp the second service is a 'big' one, but I wonder what will be done to justify the price.

We all have to earn a living, but a big service on my previous Fords was £200 or less.

Should be comparable in my view, Fords and Vauxhalls are both nothing special, just popular European family motoring.

Both cars are diesels and both serviced/will be serviced at a franchise dealer in the same area.

 

[Markymark]

Is it change of oil time as that's expensive as oil ain't cheap plus you have to pay for the draining and the environmental charge of disposing of it?

 

[ianrauk]

Is that where you bought the car?
Take it to an independent garage, usually much cheaper.

 

[KneesUp]

It will be mostly labour I guess? Main dealers seem to charge about £80 an hour. My local independent is very helpful and doesn't try and sell extras - and will happily recommend getting bits from a scrap yard if it's economical - and he cahrges £40 / hour.

 

[Pale Rider]

Is that where you bought the car?
Take it to an independent garage, usually much cheaper.

I'm inclined to keep it in the dealer network while it's still under warranty, although I bought it from an independent which specialises in nearly new Vauxhalls.

They don't do servicing on the premises and are near my static caravan in North Yorkshire, so not so convenient.

 

[ianrauk]

I'm inclined to keep it in the dealer network while it's still under warranty, although I bought it from an independent which specialises in nearly new Vauxhalls.

They don't do servicing on the premises and are near my static caravan in North Yorkshire, so not so convenient.

IIRC they changed the laws a while back, going to an indie doesnt invalidate the warranty.
We have a Hyundai and take it to an indie now. We had to get something done on warranty, took it to the Hyundai garage, they were fine that the book had indie stamps in it,

 

[SteCenturion]

@Pale Rider

Just had my Astra GTC 2.0 litre diesel serviced (2nd service as yours) last week at Perrys Vauxhall main dealer franchise in Bury where I bought the car.

I was quoted £199 special offer over the phone, I took the car in & was advised a full brake fluid change is done every 2 years, cost £25.

All in, job done at £224.

Bell them back & quote me, see what they do. Worth a try.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Has it got a DPF? If so then the quote might include DPF fluid which is mega ££££'s

FYI re: independants, @ianrauk is correct. As long as you use a VAT registered garage and they fit genuine parts and the correct grade of oil is used and quoted on the invoice then your warranty is intact

 

[Pale Rider]

@Pale Rider

Just had my Astra GTC 2.0 litre diesel serviced (2nd service as yours) last week at Perrys Vauxhall main dealer franchise in Bury where I bought the car.

I was quoted £199 special offer over the phone, I took the car in & was advised a full brake fluid change is done every 2 years, cost £25.

All in, job done at £224.

Bell them back & quote me, see what they do. Worth a try.

There are about eight Vauxhall dealers in striking distance of me.

All are either Bristol Street Motors or Evans Halshaw.

Both groups quote about the same for the service.

I'm not going to bellow 'price fixing', but it seems to me local market conditions are playing a part here.

 

[ianrauk]

There are about eight Vauxhall dealers in striking distance of me.

All are either Bristol Street Motors or Evans Halshaw.

Both groups quote about the same for the service.

I'm not going to bellow 'price fixing', but it seems to me local market conditions are playing a part here.

Hence try an indie..

 

[Pale Rider]

Has it got a DPF? If so then the quote might include DPF fluid which is mega ££££'s

FYI re: independants, @ianrauk is correct. As long as you use a VAT registered garage and they fit genuine parts and the correct grade of oil is used and quoted on the invoice then your warranty is intact

It's a diesel auto, so will almost certainly have a particulate filter.

So did my Fords, and I don't recall them needing a fluid change.

There may be technical differences with the Vauxhall of which I'm unaware.

Good point about the independents.

 

[smokeysmoo]

It's a diesel auto, so will almost certainly have a particulate filter.

TBH though even if it has then 2 years is early for a DPF service.

When I worked at a Peugeot dealer their DPF interval was 3 years or 60k, and even then it was an optional thing and not a necessity.

I was just having a guess really as that quote does sound high to me.

Ring them back and tell them you've been quoted £250* elsewhere, their reaction might surprise you.

*or whatever you think you might get away with.

 

[mr_cellophane]

There are about eight Vauxhall dealers in striking distance of me.

All are either Bristol Street Motors or Evans Halshaw.

Both groups quote about the same for the service.

I'm not going to bellow 'price fixing', but it seems to me local market conditions are playing a part here.

Don't the manufacturers set the price the dealers charge for servicing ?

 

[SteCenturion]

There are about eight Vauxhall dealers in striking distance of me.

All are either Bristol Street Motors or Evans Halshaw.

Both groups quote about the same for the service.

I'm not going to bellow 'price fixing', but it seems to me local market conditions are playing a part here.

Like given for post but not your situation.

It does strike me as a tad unfair & I was reasonably pleased with my price having never owned a new car prior to this one or ever servicing at a main dealer.

Ask & you may receive.

Fortune favours the Pale Rider & all that gubbins.

 

[sight-pin]

You could always ask them for a breakdown of the service schedule.
Being a diesel and as just a service, i can't see them doing much more than>
Changing engine oil, check and top up Power steering fluid, / brake fluid, / engine coolant, / window washer fluid./ Change air filter,/ check and adjust brakes. check tyres etc.

Edit: i forgot the fuel filter