Service Issues: Dealer's service

[Neoinwales]

Hi,
My XC90 is 7 years old, doing just under 80k miles. I bought it a couple of years ago. Since I had it, I have it serviced at my local dealer twice. I am now thinking whether I just have it serviced at my local garage. Frankly, I don't think the dealer's service is much better than my local garage. Can you give me some advice? many thanks!

[griston64]

Originally Posted by Neoinwales

Hi,
My XC90 is 7 years old, doing just under 80k miles. I bought it a couple of years ago. Since I had it, I have it serviced at my local dealer twice. I am now thinking whether I just have it serviced at my local garage. Frankly, I don't think the dealer's service is much better than my local garage. Can you give me some advice? many thanks!

It'll be about half the price as well. The downside is you don't get a nice smiling receptionist Scandi furniture and free coffee while you wait

Most main dealers will be about double the labour cost which is what makes it more expensive.

I now do my own with all the genuine filters online from Mill Volvo Ebay shop

The only downside with Independents is some use really cheapo filters which I'm not a fan of !

[Neoinwales]

Originally Posted by griston64

It'll be about half the price as well. The downside is you don't get a nice smiling receptionist Scandi furniture and free coffee while you wait

Most main dealers will be about double the labour cost which is what makes it more expensive.

I now do my own with all the genuine filters online from Mill Volvo Ebay shop

The only downside with Independents is some use really cheapo filters which I'm not a fan of !

Thanks for so much information.

The main reason which my local dealer makes me to feel uncomfortable was their technician didn't spot a bolt was missing underneath the engine bay but my local garage spotted it. It is called gearbox stablizer mounting bolt. It is difficult to have a trust on the local dealer after that.

[Bob Meadows]

If you have confidence in your independent garage then I would not hesitate:~

Most has been said by forum members- I'm not a believer in allowing these people to dip into my wallet!
Fortunately we have a good local garage for repairs but the servicing is still done at home.

My company cars (Volvo S80) had to use main dealers and I signed the bill etc- I still had no intentions of going private to these people.
Bob.

[Neoinwales]

Originally Posted by Bob Meadows

If you have confidence in your independent garage then I would not hesitate:~

Most has been said by forum members- I'm not a believer in allowing these people to dip into my wallet!
Fortunately we have a good local garage for repairs but the servicing is still done at home.

My company cars (Volvo S80) had to use main dealers and I signed the bill etc- I still had no intentions of going private to these people.
Bob.

Thanks for reply!

Mon Motor Cardiff is the nearest dealer to me. Their cs team has always been very good. But, I have my second thoughts about their technicians. Mon Motor took over the business from Cardiff Volvo I guess. My first service was done by Cardiff Volvo. They fixed a gasket leak for me. After it, I found the tailgate panel has a couple of dins and one letter of the logo was chipped. So, that was my first bad experience.

I then had services and repairs done at Mon Motor. I believe the technicians are still same. The first one was air-con re-gas. The technician suspected the radiator was damaged as he couldn't charge the gas. But, he did eventually and no leak was found afterward. I also did MOT, door lock repair and a service after that. After the last service, there was extensive oil leak over engine bay. I took it back and have it fixed. The technician said it was something not having been tightened properly underneath. Then everything seems fine apart from the bang or clunk noise sometimes (still hasn't found the cause).

My last surprise was found by my local garage before I did a pre-holiday safety check. They told me a bolt was missing underneath the gearbox. I think Volvo's technicians should have spotted it in numerous occasions but they didn't.

I was thinking Volvo dealer should have the expertise and better skills than a small garage. It seems not the case based on my experience. But, I still couldn't make a decision.