Main dealer service history or good independent?

Hi

I currently own a NC3 Sport Venture and have never had it serviced at the local Mazda dealer. Instead, I have always used a very good Bosch service centre that was recommended to me and their customer service has always been exceptional.

After hearing various horror stories for main dealers regarding overcharging, expensive rates, poor quality work etc for all manufacturers, I don’t think I would ever return to a dealer for routine work.

So, when the time comes to sell your beloved MX-5, (I am not by the way), does it really matter whether the vehicle comes with full dealer service history or just full service history?

Does anybody have any stories of their own regarding main dealers or independents?

Would be nice to get any feedback

Thanks

Russ

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There are good and bad examples of both (this based on personal experience and that of friends). I think main dealers tend to get overly criticised for poor performance because of their higher cost and higher customer expectations. In reality, if you find a good main dealer or a good independent, you’ll stick with them.

On a newer car (say three to five years old), rarer vehicle, or sometimes a prestige car, I’d rather see some main dealer stamps earlier in its life. I used to take my E86 Z4 Coupe to a combination of a main dealer that I was happy with (to keep a full set of stamps in the book) and an independent that I liked when I wanted non-routine or preventative work done. I wanted to keep a full set of main dealer stamps in the book on the Coupe because it was a relatively rare and low mileage car. IMHO it doesn’t matter with an MX-5 as long as the history is good.

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All I can offer is when I had a BMW 520D. It was serviced by the main dealer until it was sold 5 years later. Three warranty, but a rear light cluster failed three months after expiry - cost £495 + labour to fit. When I queried this, suggesting a “prestige” car should not have such an issue, BMW asked one question. Had the car been dealer serviced? When confirmed as ‘yes’, the full repair cost was covered outside of warranty.

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Totally agree with MikeyC
I have experience of main dealers, having company cars for the last 26 years., so only up to 3 years old, not MX5 but had 3 Mazda’s, ford, Hyundai & Skoda, good & bad experience with all makes. Dealers follow the manufacturers service schedule, with longer intervals to lower service costs, but a minority can be more interested in upselling brakes or Tyres by advising replacement at barely 50% worn. I think as cars get older a recommended specialist will know more specific maintenance to prevent issues & future proof the car.
I have owned my 1992 mk1 mx5 for 11 years & do most maintenance myself, as part of the hobby, so have learnt loads from the owners club, to hopefully keep the old girl running for many years to come.

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I have the service history from new on my 2016 ND and it does have a full dealer history up until my ownership last year. Some of the recommended replacement advisories and works are just a crime . The front discs were an advisory last year and they are still the original ( 20 k miles) and have no wear to them. Pads advisory , but I just changed them myself as the previous owner turned it down at the dealers. I dont think there was any invoice less that £500 for an annual visit , not including the items he turned down. Tyres needing replacing at 4mm etc.
I will do the servicing now plus use a local garage to do oil changes etc as rather use a lift that axle stands. I did the diff oil but since its going to the local place for an MOT , they can do the gearbox and engine oils while there.
The local Police training centre use this place and their labour rates are sensible. Volvo wanted £120 plus VAT to do a brake fluid change on our car, which was £50 all in with them. So, sensible prices compared to the main dealers and find a decent place and keep in with them. They have always done our families fleet of MOT’s for years now and anything I dont have time or want to do.

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I went independent when the ND was 4, I.e. 3 years at dealer and then independent from next annual. Independent even registered with Mazda so that he could record the services and they show up on My Mazda app.

They service my Eunos as well. Last visit there were Bentley, Rolls Royce, Mazerati on the ramps and my Mazda :rofl::joy:. Nothing like them mixing with the hoi polloi once a year.

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Interesting Topic.
I bought a 2 year old Volvo V60 back in 2020 which had the two Main Dealer services.
I continued to research independent garages but always go back to the Volvo Main Dealer in Chippenham.
They always come out around about the same and give me a 10% loyalty discount too.
Likewise, it comes with software upgrades and a years breakdown too.
Having said that I know I wouldn’t get anywhere near the price from the larger franchises.
Like others have said good and bad.
It doesn’t worry me either whether it’s Main dealer or a good independent.
My Mx5 (3.75 Sport Tech) I do myself anyway and keep all receipts etc etc
I can vouch also for Lansdown Mazda who recently fixed my non starting MX5 for a very reasonable sum of money that “I know” would have cost a fortune elsewhere. They had it for a week doing all sorts of tests/ diagnostics.

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I did one service at main dealer when I bought the car as they were able to transfer the online records to my name. The service was just ok. Minor jobs recommended but they never called to ask if they could be done while it was in.

I ended up bringing it to an independent and will continue to do so. The car is 2018 so out of warranty. I would be nice to keep the online service records up to dates but I keep printed invoices of items I buy and the receipts for the same parts being fitted. A nice little folder is starting to get fleshed out.

Gearbox and diff oils along with brake fluid getting done before MOT in May and a two week trip to France and Switzerland in June.

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Interesting topic,

Question for three-greens and the rest of the readers, how much do you appreciate a service book with only stamps from a dealer ?
Should you buy a new(er) car, is that something you would find important ?

My MX5 from 2011, when I bought it, had all the dealer stamps in it, I thought this would be important, so I continued going to the Mazda dealer. I also thought, should I sell it again, the new owner would also find this important, or would be a good selling point.
Another reason why I do the service at a Mazda dealer is that they give mobility service. Should the car break down I can call them ( not sure if and how good this works but nevertheless ).

For me, as long as I trust and have a good feeling about the company which does the service to the car I will keep going to them, and for me that is still the Mazda Dealer.

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As said, it all depends so much on who gets their mitts on the car, main dealer or or not. Our two year old Swift Sport is due it’s free third " Annual" service in July? Last service it had only covered 2400 miles and I did mention to the Service manager that it seem such a waste dropping fresh oil out, was it really required? He knew what I was on about, but it is and was essential to fill with new stuff, filters, etc so as not to invalidate the 7 year warranty. I could tell the wheels had been off as well, to inspect…brake & pad wear!! And the old filters were in a bag in the boot. So, I think this car is destined to had fresh sump stuff for life in our hands…which are many years with Mrs Fiver any how. Equally, my son took his now10 years old 1.25 Fiesta to a local we’d used for 20 years, and he found their attention to detail and billing impeccable. If there was an extra £50.00 needed for something, they called an explained for his permission. And they always gave his car a quick power wash before pick up. That’s very good. So…it all just depends. From what we hear, that garage has gone downhill since being bought over. Big loss to the locals. We all have new cars now…so would not have needed them.

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When I traded the NC in two years ago, it had 10 dealer stamps, with the last two years services done by mean. The car had 108,000+ miles recorded. The service book made little difference, and added only around £200 to the p/x price. I accepted the car was 15 years old, naturally, and had a six figure reading on the clock, so I did not expect a great deal extra, if at all…

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In addition.
Very good points as above.
We sold our daughters VW Polo via Motorway and they only asked for service stamps and didn’t differentiate between Main Dealer or an Independent.
Likewise, the Ford she bought was all independent services from new.
As long as it’s done properly in my opinion.

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In my personal experience I would rather see a good routine of maintenance from one garage.
I don’t have much faith in main dealers I would only use one if I had a car on finance and it was stated in the agreement that I need to use a main dealer for servicing and any work needed.