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I'm sure you'll remember Dashcamgate with my usual Volvo main dealer? Well the time has come for it's 3 year service and also its first MOT. I actually think I'd quite like to keep up the dealer service history (software updates and the like) and I really do like the main dealer I've been using. But those of you who know me will know that I have major trust issues with any kind of tradesmen, and I've now got serious concerns after the dashcam incident about taking my beloved car back there.

Half of me says they were in the wrong and they should be grateful to still have my custom so will go out of their way to give good service, the other half says they have me black marked and could be vindictive and I might regret going there. Or of course it could be a total non issue either way.

So what do you guys reckon?

Dealer History is important for most of the 'Sheep' everyday car buyers, especially in the first 4 or 5 years as they think it means something. The reality is it means f*ck all and moreover that your car has not really been cared for as well as a decent independent experienced garage in my view.

MOST importantly for you if you intend to keep the car for 10 years then a dealer history means nothing, I'd much rather come and see you in 10 years and flip through an enormous folder of receipts, records, MOT's etc than look at a pretty book full of smudged stamps.

When I used to use the Volvo Dealer for the first couple of years it actually annoyed me that they'd wasted time filling out a 'condition survey' and taking tyre-depth readings all-round, I know what my tyres are like thank you

I ticked "find another main dealer" but thinking now I should've ticked "go independent" I wouldn't go back to DashCam Towers because, with the greatest respect, they'll have your card marked so to speak.

You can pay for the software updates for £30.00 at anytime, I've had one before.

Whist I do agree with Welly, I'd be tempted to try them again and this time let them know about the dash cam in advance and the previous incident and I'd like to think they'll make sure who ever services the car is on their best behaviour.

What about using Bridgend Volvo Specialists?

I will be using main dealers to service the Focus until it's out of Warrenty. I will probably use GotBoost after that.

I wouldn't be taking it back.

I would either use a different main dealer, or an independent specialist, depending on how much you want to keep the main dealer history up.

Personally I'd go independent.

Edit: I see the poll results are unanimous and not at all unhelpful

Wot Welly sayed. I wouldn't trust the same dealer's mechanics not to bear a grudge and maybe not be as careful and scrupulous and I wouldn't take it to any other main agent as they probably talk. Better off with the independent because it'll probably get better looked after there.

Urgh, head full of cotton wool, bloody summer cold

Hmmm, this sucks! I dunno, I'll toss a coin or something...

While we're on the subject of the MOT, Do you think this will be a problem?



They'd be pretty pedantic eh? Been meaning to get new plates for ages but I just haven't got 'round to it yet.

No problem with that plate, you can still read the letters so its fine.

Biggest question though, and I hope you're ready for this, are your indicators Orangey enough ?????

I use Bristol street motors in Derby for my aging S60, They always seem to do a good job. But getting very pricey!


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They're probably trying to discourage you from bringing your old heap into their shiny workshop

So I phoned up the dealer last week and had a good chat with the service manager. I told him my concerns and he said all the right things, so I booked it in for yesterday.

Left it there all day and had a new V40 as a courtesy car, which was very nice!

My first impression when I got the car back was that it's spotlessly clean and running nice and smooth, but why had they done so many miles (about 12 I think)? Last night, I watched the dashcam footage for the whole day and have no complaints at all. It strikes me that that garage is very tight for space and very full of cars, how they don't have more minor bumps amazes me, but I suppose they're used to it.

The first thing that happened was that they put it on a 4 wheel alignment machine for a check. Then it went for it's service. The mechanic who did the service was a young lad who was very careful and methodical, didn't seem rushed and didn't force anything, really good. After he changed the fuel filter he primed it with a hand pump but he still couldn't start the car, then the boss came over and suddenly there were several people all over it and some kind of mechanical primer pump thingy, I wonder how much of my fuel they sucked out with that! Still, job done and she fired up fine . Then he took it for a test drive and was very careful and obeyed speed limits at all times.

Next it was handed over to the valeting bloke who also took it for the MOT, at their other garage, a Peugeot dealer funnily enough, about 5 miles away, hence the mileage. Again he drove very carefully and to the limits. Cracking job on the wash and valet when he got back too!

So £363 for the service and £38 for the MOT, £401, caching!!! They called about 2 o clock to say it was all ready, at that point she said it had "just failed" the quick alignment check and that they could sort it there and then for £82, I said "I'll leave it for now thanks", thinking that I'd be able to get it done on a Hunters machine at a specialist for less than that. When I watched the vids though, I noticed that the machine they use is a hunter machine, so I may well take it back there in a few weeks to get it done. Also a quick google reveals very few of them in the area with other garages charging £89.99 for the full alignment. Sounds a bit steep to me!

The Hunters machine reported that front camber and toe are both outside spec (I believe it, been able to feel that it's not quite right for a while but I don't think its enough to worry about at the moment). Here's the report:


It's just on the edge, I'll get it done but I'll need to save up first

So one of two things has occurred at that dealer, either the previous incident was a one off and they've all been reminded to behave in customers cars, or the service manager tipped the boys off to behave in my car 'cos he knew I'd be checking. I'd like to believe the former but suspect the latter

Still, excellent customer service, nice courtesy car, software updated, wash and valet, everyone polite and well behaved... generally a happy bunny! Just a shame about the mahoosive bill!

Four

Foar

4

£400.00 pound!

Reminds me of my days with the Main Dealer, a nice little report, lots of ticked boxes, and a massive bill

Dai the Volvo's are very sensitive to wheel alignment, I have had mine on a Hunter machine at least 4 times and it always needs adjusting. The way I look at it is that it saves on tyre wear but also the car will drive so much more planted when aligned, mine feels horrible when it's out of true.

82 quid seems a bit steep for alignment though Welters, is that the going rate?

I paid about that to have the Coupe 4-wheel aligned on a Hunter after all the drop links and track arms were changed.