Halfords Service?
 

My 2016 XC60 (39k miles) is coming up for its next service.

My dealer has quoted £420.

I see Halfords do a:

Full Service
77 point, 12-month annual inspection
Engine Oil Change
Oil Filter Change
Air Filter Change

For £215.

Anyone had any experiences using non dealer service stations please?

Thank you.

you get what you pay for , Halfords wont have a clue , they wont update the software or use the correct pollen filter and certainly won't use the correct oil . They are highly likely to over fill the oil which will bring the Oil level high message up next day , I assume its the 36000 mile service ... try a couple more dealers for quotes . I've seen it all go wrong many times before ...

£205 difference..... You'll lose that in depreciation when comparing a car with full dealer service history versus one with a Halfords stamp. :)
The free Volvo Assistance breakdown cover with a main dealer service is also worth something so I'd say that using Halfords would be a false economy.

People like to see those Volvo stamps so even doing oil and filters DIY for about £100 is debatable on such a new car given the depreciation argument.

You'd be daft to take it to Halfords. You live halfway between two excellent Volvo dealers, Poole and Havant. I'd get it done properly for all the previously mentioned points.
I know a goood mechanic who was sacked by Halfords for trying to do a good job on cars. "He too long to be profitable".

Wouldn't touch Halfrauds with a bargepole for servicing. If the car is out of warranty i would consider using an indy Volvo specialist - can often/usually be better than main dealers.

I intend to keep my car for as long as possible. The cost of the main dealer servicing is expensive and it may be tempting to take the cheaper option, especially if times are hard and money is tight.
Personally, I believe it gives peace of mind on such a technically advanced car where even the correct type and amount of oil is critical to stick with a main dealer. I chose to take advantage of a service plan, fix the price and spread the cost. I recently changed the service plan and dealership, in doing so I saved money and have the plan running for longer. I've even had the cam belt change factored into it. God forbid something happens to the car outside of the plan, it just may give me some good will from the dealership/Volvo to be able to show it has always been looked after by their trained tech's.

Thanks for all your replies people. Based on the feedback I'll take it to the dealer.
Many thanks

With everyone knocking Halfords, I'd also like to add you're paying £420 at the dealer, for the apprentices to work on your car...

As already said, I'd take the car to a specialist. You'd have to check with Volvo's, but I know with some other manufactures sending your car to a specialist doesn't affect your warranty.

It is out of warranty now so may shop around a bit...

I would check what the dealer is doing - a basic service is around £250. What are they doing extra and is that required?

Also you have quite a low mileage car, less than 10k p/a, Volvo do an "essentials" service for low mileage cars which is just and oil & filter change and check over of all the safety items etc. it's cheaper and you still keep Volvo assist/service history/warranty etc.

But to echo what everyone else has said - that £205 difference isn't bad when you consider you get a year's recovery, your car will be washed and valeted to a very high standard and you will get much better diagnostics and software that Halfords cannot offer.

As a general point I would never entrust service work to the likes of Halfords, Kwik Fit etc. they are mostly semi skilled fitters following documented processes, they often have little to no experience to lean into when things don't go to plan or more detailed maintenance is required - i.e. if you get them to do your brakes and the caliper pistons or sliders are siezed or stiff they will likely put it back together anyway. When it goes wrong it goes badly wrong and it's never their fault.............