 |
| Lifestyle | Business | Careers | Finance | Travel | Motoring | Property | Health | WE Top Websites | Parenting | Regulars | Contact Us | Shopping |
|
ServicingIt’s that time again when your car is due for its service and you get that awful feeling that it is going to be expensive. What can you do about it? How do you know which garage will do a good job and offer you value for money? Just follow our advice to ensure that you get the best of both.Up until the last few years car manufacturers insisted that new cars must be serviced by a main dealer to validate the warranty. This changed in 2003 when the EC outlawed this practice and allowed independent garages to compete on level playing field. To keep within the conditions of the warranty on new cars they must be serviced to a standard that the manufacturers set. So you can now go to any suitably qualified garage.
Get the best from your garage The best time to start is before your car needs a service so you have time to do some research and are able to compare garages on a like for like basis and draw up a shortlist. Check with friends or family first - ask if they know a good garage Get a list of garages that are members of MVRA (Motor vehicle Repairers Association) this is a trade body that has nationwide coverage of members and they work to a strict code of practice. Check the owner’s handbook for which service is required and list the main items and ask what the service will cover under each heading, you can the use this to compare each garage. Alternatively list the following headings and ask each garage what the service will cover: Brakes, Bodywork, Electrics, Engine, Steering and Suspension, and the cost of the service. Ask are they fitting genuine manufacturer’s parts and request that you want to see any of the old parts that they remove. Also ask about guarantees on parts and labour Get the work specified in writing this way you will know exactly what you will be getting and how much they will charge. Insist on an itemized bill and always agreed on how you will pay for the service before the work begins. Keep all receipts, invoices and guarantees and if applicable ensure that they stamp your service book and if your car has a service warning light/reminder that this will be reset after the service. |
|
| Copyright © WOMENS EVERYTHING 2008 | Advertise | | Privacy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Web design by 7Soft.co.uk |