Are you still taking your car to the main dealer or franchise you bought it from? If so I would like to ask why? If the answer is, I get exceptional service every time, I trust them with my car implicitly and it’s worth the extra cost, please read no further. However if the answer is; I feel obliged to go there, they told me I had to, or I didn’t realise I had a choice, then read on…. This blog could save you thousands of pounds and get you the service you deserve!
Many motorists return their cars to the main dealer every year without realising they have a viable alternative. Quality independent garages can offer a viable and trustworthy alternative, especially if like Motor Marque they have invested in cutting edge technology and highly skilled staff, trained to work on all makes, models and ages of vehicles. Customers of independent garages often comment that they feel the standard of service and level of trust is way in excess of the main dealers! Why not ask friends or colleagues about their experiences with the main dealers.
You don’t need to worry about your vehicles’ warranty, although you’re often told you should return to the main dealers, Government legislation has been passed (EC Block Exemption Regulation 1400/2002 Oct2003) to say you are entitled to choose where you have your servicing and repairs done without affecting the warranty.
Why should you consider a change? I hate to sound like a politician telling you how bad the opposition is but I don’t need to, others have done this already. A recent article in the Sunday Times (5th Feb 2012) highlighted a major brand’s policy of ‘turning a blind eye to faults that are under warranty’ then hitting the customer with a huge bill as soon as the warranty period ends.
My advice is to do some research before you commit to servicing or repairs, check websites such as the Good Garage Scheme where customers post reviews of their experiences, ask friends and family for recommendations and most importantly call into a few garages for a coffee or a free safety check, there is no reason you shouldn’t ‘try before you buy’. Check out testimonials. I can guarantee you that independent garages, all of whom survive on reputation will want you as a customer and will work harder to keep you. The biggest benefit of this is that they will be honest with you and give you lots of added value such as customer shuttle services and courtesy cars – so you get the service you actually deserve.