When to leave a dealer?

[driver rider]

My car has well over 90k and is six years old.  Is it really worth serving with VW main dealers anymore.  Has the time come for me to go to a specialist?

Im thinking of doing the oil service with VW and then do everything else with an indie.

Was going to use this indie based on feedback on here.  Is there anything I'm overlooking?

 http://vgsuk.com/index.htm

[ArildStavrum]

My car has well over 90k and is six years old.  Is it really worth serving with VW main dealers anymore.  Has the time come for me to go to a specialist?

Im thinking of doing the oil service with VW and then do everything else with an indie.

Was going to use this indie based on feedback on here.  Is there anything I'm overlooking?

 http://vgsuk.com/index.htm

My experience of VGS has been nothing short of superb, Peter and Lee are great guys.  Peter is a genuine mk5 gti enthusiast and runs a stage 3 dgs mk5 himself.  All the work they have done for me has been A1.  I wouldnt take my mk5 anywhere else.

[ConeKiller]

VGS over VW anyday!!

They go out of their way to help! Week before last they did my service and DSG box service!

[driver rider]

Thanks Guys.  I'll leave it with them I've got a few minor things to sort on the car.

 

[jedi]

Never used them before but looking at their website they look pretty good and seem very knowledgable.  Like some of the guys have said on here, they wouldn't take their car anywhere else.  Speaks volumes!

On the downside if you have a full VW main dealer service history it would be a shame to go ind now.  When it comes to selling your car (when you decide to), you can charge more of a premium for having a full VW dealer history.  I know it was crucial for me when I bought my edy - anything short of a full VW service history I didn't even bother looking at.

Everyone's different though - If you decide to go ind then it seems you will be in good hands with VGS.   

[driver rider]

Thats a fair point Jedi.  I'll get the oil service done at VW and no more.

[tigerj360]

VGS over VW anyday!!

They go out of their way to help! Week before last they did my service and DSG box service!

Sorry to thread Hijack!

But just a quick one, if you dont mind me asking, how much did they charge for a service and DSG box service?

Cheers 

[camfollower]

My Local VW dealer charges £85+VAT per hour, I'm sure it's more in the city... definitely find a decent Indy or DIY yourself... I find cars that are looked after by enthusiasts are generally in FAR better nick than ones that just have some VW stamps in a book.

[homesqueeze]

I'd go to a reputable independent. Once a car gets to a certain age and mileage, dealer stamps become largely irrelevant. As long as you have a thorough service history then that's all that matters. Most knowledgeable people looking to buy a used car will not be too concerned.

[ArildStavrum]

My Local VW dealer charges £85+VAT per hour, I'm sure it's more in the city... definitely find a decent Indy or DIY yourself... I find cars that are looked after by enthusiasts are generally in FAR better nick than ones that just have some VW stamps in a book.

Battersea VW are 125 an hour. 

[camfollower]

My Local VW dealer charges £85+VAT per hour, I'm sure it's more in the city... definitely find a decent Indy or DIY yourself... I find cars that are looked after by enthusiasts are generally in FAR better nick than ones that just have some VW stamps in a book.

Battersea VW are 125 an hour. 

[driver rider]

I'd go to a reputable independent. Once a car gets to a certain age and mileage, dealer stamps become largely irrelevant. As long as you have a thorough service history then that's all that matters. Most knowledgeable people looking to buy a used car will not be too concerned.

Im of the same opinion as you.  Who would you classify as reputable?

[Raffe]

Well our 3yo MK6 had its 3rd service and MOT carried out by Alex at AKS, no way I am leaving my pride and joy at the dealers for every muppet to take the car out for a spin and worrying about kerbed alloys and damaged bodywork.

[mad_pete]

I was thinking about which way to go but you look at the service list and it's change the oil and filters, scan for good measure and that's it. I don't see an advantage that VW dealer brings. At 3 years the re-calls should be covered and I decided it was more important to give my car to someone I trust that knows that I care about my car than to a main dealer that may or may not be too concerned.

[andrewparker]

I'm facing the same question. My car is now 7-years-old with a touch over 50k miles on it. I've owned it for 6 years and it has full VW service history. The only thing stopping me taking to an Independent is the convenience of VW offering me a courtesy car and also the fact that they are also pretty competitively priced.