Some dealerships ripping off on services

Z

z101

Guest
Asked for a quote from a Volvo dealership in Dublin the price of a service on 2 year old car. After he asked 3 questions quoted €460. (Car was imported which he was told). The called a Volvo dealership from just outside of Dublin giving same information and was quoted €320 ommiting the fact car was imported. Car is under manufacturer warranty and thus must have dealer service.

Conclusion: If you try get an imported car serviced here by dealership they take exception to you and will wring you dry.
 
Our Volvo was bought in Dublin and serviced at that dealer the first year...in Dublin. Last year we phoned dealerships in Kildare and Drogheda and saved over €100 for about half an hour extra drive each way. So it could be a Dublin v elsewhere price difference rather than related to the import?
 
Tell me about it. I bought my car in South Dublin. I live Northside but I got a better deal. An accessory I got with it did not seem to work correctly, and it was broken. I thought it was my mistake, so I ordered the same from a northside dealership.
I asked a mechanic to watch me assemble it, and I couldnt. He couldnt either, and it took an hour. They then wanted to charge me 180 euro for their time ( the part was one the consumer should be easily able to assemble themselves in minutes). The part was specifically designed and marketed for my car.
I refused to pay, and after much wrangling and quoting consumer legislation, I got a full refund.

Then my car got damaged, and I needed a repair. I saw the guy who first met me call the supervisor over before he came to me, and I had an extortionate fee to pay for the repair.

The car industry is doing itself no favours with its rip off mentality.

I once overheard a service engineer complaining after putting down the phone on a customer complaining about the cost of a service, " if he can afford the car, he can afford our fees!"
 
Well if people aren't buying cars the dealers have to make their money somewhere.....I've noticed the rates going up recently. I don't think it's anything to do with the import TBH.

The warranty is not dependent on dealer servicing. It's dependent on the car being serviced according to the manufacturer's guidelines with OEM parts. Many people aren't aware of this.

I've just got some work done at a UK independent VW/Audi specialist. Their labour rate is £55/hour and parts are invoiced at cost. The local Audi dealer is £140/hour. I'm surprised there aren't the equivalents in Ireland.

SSE
 
In the 10 times or so I've used a main dealer over the years I've always been disappointed at the quality of service, and shocked at the prices. At least 5 of those time I've had to fight overcharging and unnecessary work being done. I can't remember a 100% good experience to be honest. Many times they've been unable to fix something. A strange thing I've noticed, is that theres a lot of people who work in dealers, salesmen, mechanics who have no interest in cars, beyond the min required to do their job.

Incidentally if you drive an hour or so away to get a service. What do you do while they service your car?

Personally I find the best places are the recommended local guy, or independent specialists.
 
If we dont have it here then it's hardly an option for motorists. It unlikely someone will travel to the UK for service. I am not sure there are any other options allowed here under warranty other than dealerships.

I will try over the next few days to call the garage explaining I bought the car from them and ask for quote.
 
Ceatharlach said:
... I am not sure there are any other options allowed here under warranty other than dealerships. ...
Click to expand...
sse said:
...
The warranty is not dependent on dealer servicing. It's dependent on the car being serviced according to the manufacturer's guidelines with OEM parts. Many people aren't aware of this...
Click to expand...
SSE is correct. In the UK the requirement is that it be serviced by a competent VAT-registered service provider using OEM parts. Its EU law and even if the dealers or SIMI aren't aware of it, they can be reminded.
 
There are a few specialists around, just thought there might be more. I'd expect the diagnostic equipment is expensive however.

The dealer rate isn't £140/hr, I had a brainstorm, it's £110 incl. VAT as opposed to £55+VAT (£63.25).

I agree you wouldn't go over specifically for a service, but perhaps combine it with a shopping trip or short break. Our neighbours used to go to Calais from the UK (where main dealer labour costs were 1/3 of the UK level), stay in a B&B and fill up with wine on the way back, thus the trip more than paid for itself. French dealers in that area invested in English lessons etc. to support the trade.

SSE
 
Yes the lads are right Ceatharlach,its called block exemption.If your car is under warranty any independent can service your car as long as genuine parts are used and the manufacturers schedule is followed.Most main dealers are well over €100 labour per hour labour now but some are still reasonable so shop around.
 
AlbacoreA said:
Incidentally if you drive an hour or so away to get a service. What do you do while they service your car?
Click to expand...

Service doesn't take THAT long, especially if you have a timed appointment so - go for a coffee, read the paper, make some calls, work on laptop, go shopping.....plenty of options to occupy the time. Last service took under 3 hours...can't remember exact time, may have been shorter but I know appointment was 9am and hubby was home by lunchtime.
 
I got one for 10.00 a.m.

I turned up at 9.55 a.m. to be told that it was done on a ticketing system and that I should call back after lunch!
 
My husband has a Volvo S80 bought in England. (All this is on another post!!!) Anyway, we are going to England over the St Patricks weekend and having the timing belt and full service done for 720 Sterling. The boat is costing us 200 Euro club class return incl 2 adults (Irish Ferries 50% reduction) Have to check out B & B yet. The garage in England are giving us a car for the weekend of equal or better style than our own. I priced dealers in Ireland and was unimpressed with their charges to say the least. If you need any more info, please pm me.
 
Got a few quotes this week for an S40.

South Dublin Dealer:
Service - €600
Timing Belt - €800
Total = €1400 +VAT (WTF!)

Naas Road Dealer:
Service & Timing Belt - €850 +VAT

Belfast Dealer:
Service & Timing Belt - £650 incl VAT (approx €745)

Dublin Independant Specialist:
Service - €220
Timing Belt - €370
Total =€590
+VAT
 
Is there an independent specialist in Dublin I can go to that keeps warranty in tact then ??
 
Dublin Independant Specialist:
Service - €220
Timing Belt - €370
Total =€590
+VAT[/quote]


Any chance of getting the details of that specialist?
 
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