Service - Better at dealer or indy?

[DC850]

Originally Posted by Paul240480

I used an Indy when back in UK . I bought three from him & had them serviced by him.
I'd decided on a Volvo, went to the main dealer. Told them my max budget & was told, 'anything that price goe's off to trade. All ours go to the indy down the road, go and see him youll not go far wrong'. This was in Hants.
The one I chose was from Bells Volvo. The indy travelled the uk far & wide to find good mainly 1 owner FVSH cars.
Servicing well, I stuck with him. Fixed price service & the car would be in all day getting a real 'old fashioned' service.
The owner, in my case was an ex-RN engineer.
Many Indys are Volvo 'bred' mecs who decide to go alone, good luck to them too.
As Clan says, many keep up to date by going on Volvo courses.
Mine did eventually but before that, I once had an issue on my old Tors & he sent me to the maindealer as he couldnt find the fault with his equipment.
Find the right Indy & youll get good service and good value

Is this indy down Newgate Lane by any chance???

[Paul240480]

^^^^ Yes Peel Common Showroom, Phil Lawden ..... or it was, not sure if hes retired and sold it on by now.....

[volvo for ever]

me personally would use volvo garage ,,the indy chaps ok at oil and filters but at problems they usaually send to volvo deallership

[12345]

I used a so called Volvo specialist to do a a couple of jobs. One being a engine mount , easy enough job.

Then I wanted the gearbox oil counter reset and it turned out they dont use Vida !
Surely the first thing you buy these days is the system to read the electronics of your brand so specialise in ? And it's not like it costs £1000's.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by 12345

I used a so called Volvo specialist to do a a couple of jobs. One being a engine mount , easy enough job.

Then I wanted the gearbox oil counter reset and it turned out they dont use Vida !
Surely the first thing you buy these days is the system to read the electronics of your brand so specialise in ? And it's not like it costs £1000's.

It does actually, about £3500 a year .
you cant use counterfeited systems in a business ...

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Clan

It does actually, about £3500 a year .
you cant use counterfeited systems in a business ...

I think most people would be shocked if they knew all of the costs involved in setting up and operating a franchised dealership. There is a huge investment in workshop facilities, diagnostics and special tools, training courses and certifications for mechanics and staff, working capital tied up in parts and vehicle stock, and many franchises will dictate a whole raft of other things to support their image - even down to showroom furniture and staff uniforms. And then there is almost endless monitoring and interference from the manufacturer.

Yes some of them do make good profits, but as a percentage of turnover it's probably not that great, and it's a fine line between turning a profit and posting a loss.

The other issue with Main Dealers is they are - to some extent - bound to manufacturer prescribed service and repair process. Something that we DIY mechanics would try to clean, free up or lubricate (sticking door lock or turbo wastegate for example) the dealer would just replace and that is the prescribed process to eradicate the fault without the risk of it re-occurring. The quality of the work is a higher priority than mitigating costs of repair.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

I think most people would be shocked if they knew all of the costs involved in setting up and operating a franchised dealership. There is a huge investment in workshop facilities, diagnostics and special tools, training courses and certifications for mechanics and staff, working capital tied up in parts and vehicle stock, and many franchises will dictate a whole raft of other things to support their image - even down to showroom furniture and staff uniforms. And then there is almost endless monitoring and interference from the manufacturer.

Yes some of them do make good profits, but as a percentage of turnover it's probably not that great, and it's a fine line between turning a profit and posting a loss.

The other issue with Main Dealers is they are - to some extent - bound to manufacturer prescribed service and repair process. Something that we DIY mechanics would try to clean, free up or lubricate (sticking door lock or turbo wastegate for example) the dealer would just replace and that is the prescribed process to eradicate the fault without the risk of it re-occurring. The quality of the work is a higher priority than mitigating costs of repair.

indeed thats true ... I would say you would need at least £5 million to set up a volvo dealer from scratch .. The costs are astronomical , not just for a volvo site but any premium manufacturer .

one small example the new xc90 , dealers have to fit about £10,000 of accessories to their demonstrator cars . Not to mention the £1000's for new tools and AC machines .
With the new VIDA and networking changes and other IT demands that is going to cost many £1000's to set up with extra broadband lines etc .

It is a brave man who takes on a new dealership from scratch !

[12345]

Originally Posted by Clan

It does actually, about £3500 a year .
you cant use counterfeited systems in a business ...

Fair enough, but I would still expect a specialist to have the right equipment.
I wouldn't want to send my car there now for a electrical issue that they could spend hours investigating and charging me for when if they had Vida it would take minutes.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by 12345

Fair enough, but I would still expect a specialist to have the right equipment.
I wouldn't want to send my car there now for a electrical issue that they could spend hours investigating and charging me for when if they had Vida it would take minutes.

To be a Volvo Specialist a properly licensed VIDA set-up is a prerequisite.

[A lex]

Lots of Volvo indies 'rent' VIDA keys from dealers if they need to do s/w updates. Paying for their own £3.5k licence fee per year is not viable.

I know my specialist in Hull pays for a day pass from a dealer up in York. It actually makes the indie more expensive for s/w than the dealer, as a days access to VIDA is something like £40 upfront. That is of course unless you are lucky and someone else visiting the specialist on that day had already paid for the days access key