My car announced recently it needed a service shortly, as it is now out of warrenty I phoned a local indie to see how much he would charge for a service 2, I then phoned the supplying dealer and they were way more, a bit of haggling ensued and it came down by 30% and was only a tad more than the indie.
Not sure if they are taking the or just capitalising on stupidity.
Would take it to Craig if only he would move to Somerset. letters not necessarily in the right order

I had the same dilemma - decided the premium for the Main Dealer Service history was worth it this time, may decide differently next year.

The main dealer closest to me at work is literally opposite the road, but I know their labour rates were over £100/hour two years ago, so have assumed it's that or a trifle more these days.

So I've made a booking with a recommended specialist, Rovertune, in Reading and will see how that goes next week. Their website suggests an hourly rate of £62/hour and they appeared amenable to the additional items I want done and checked.

I'm not suggesting that a specialist with a lower hourly rate will necessarily be cheaper for the entire job, so we'll see.

As an aside, I'm still due one more free service by Stratstone, but my nearest dealership would require me to effectively take half a day off work once I've dropped the car off with them at 8am and left at 4pm or even slightly earlier to collect. The loss of income outweighs the freebie, plus they'd charge me extra for the additional items I want attended to. AND they're at least an hour's drive away from where I live with decent traffic; considerably more in rush-hour. Si. <This is my name.

I eat rat poison.

A man ain't truly been insulted until he stands buck naked in front of a woman and she didn't even notice. Or care.

I've used Rovertune before - very pleased with what they did for me, I'm sure Rob and his team will look after you.

I think these days people want to see the car was serviced and are less fussed about that Main dealer stamp - on premium cars such as RR's then often there is an acknowledgement that a well informed indie will take better care of the car than the MD. Current Fleet:-
2018 Discovery 5 3.0 HSE
2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrack
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8
1993 Defender 90 200TDI Pickup

Gone - not forgotten
2016 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue SE
2012 L322 4.4 Westminster
2004 L322 4.4 V8 Autobiography LE
2000 P38 RR 4.0 HSE (ex Clarkson test car)

When the last one dropped out of warrenty I used the indie and it had no adverse effect on value. Last time the dealer would not negotiate on price, now they seem to have realised 2/3rds of a cake is better than no cake at all, still quite shocked at how much they would come down just for asking. letters not necessarily in the right order

Never sold a LR with full MD history - always been part MD and part Indie (the indie part is during my ownership) Always been happy with the money I've got for the cars. I don't believe anyone who knows what they are looking at insists on a MD history - just a good full traceable history.

I always find indies to be far more personable and feel more like a customer than a job number although I'm sure its not always the case. 405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

Based on my conversations with Gary, I think you'll find he feels cars with MD service history are easier to sell - not saying I don't agree with what's been said, and the Indy who looks after my Defender is excellent and only £45 per hour

Dixy wrote:

Would take it to Craig if only he would move to Somerset.

No plans I'm afraid sir

Do have family in Wellington & North Petherton though

I was quoted £520 for what was described as a major, all filters service but all the filters etc were done last year.

When I queried what service is it actually due they said they'd sort it when I get there

Dixy,

i am also Somerset

who were you comparing? try Matfords against Taunton too! Cheers

James