Servicing at non franchise dealers

[tallmat]

Anyone hear 'Today' on R4 this morning?

About 8.40 they ran a story about new law (evidently already in force) outlawing practise of manufacturers trying to invalidate a warranty if the vehicle is taken for service outside the official dealer network.

You can hear the item again at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/listenagain/

or read it at

http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/nationalnews/tm_objectid=15203439&method=full&siteid=50102&headline=drivers-misled-over-servicing-name_page.html

Just wondering if any of our intrepid members have risked the wrath of Reading by going to a non OPC before warranty has expired?

With my local OPC charging labour at a bargain £99 per hour, it's tempting...

 

[38F3E1]

Car manufactuers have been excluded from many EU anti monopoly laws until recently through a mechanism called block exemption. This protected monopolies in sales, servicing and access to technical information amongst other things.

A new version has been coming into force over tha last few years slowly opening up the market to genuine competion which is where the change in servicing rights has come from.

There is some more information at http://www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topics1/facts/blockcars.htm

Ian.

 

[tallmat]

Ian,

Thanks - that's an informative website.

As the guy said on the radio this morning, there's nothing like a service book full of official dealer stamps to help the resale value....

 

[Guest]

Whilst they have to honour the warranty, I doubt there would be any good will payments once this expires, if you dabble outside the OPC network. The other issue, is that it may not be possible to get the extended warranty of the OPC does not service the car.

 

[phil993]

This may not be widely known but it is possible to get your Porsche serviced at an independent but still obtain the Porsche service stamp. The independent has to pay for this and, I understand, make the vehicles available to the OPC for inspection to verify the standard of work. I don't wish to disclose the servicing agent I use as I am not sure if he is supposed to advertise this generally.........

Has anyone else come across this???