[TEST DRIVER]

I had my first MOT in October at a littler MOT centre locally and it passed with flying colours. No need to go to a specialist or vw garage for the MOT, just go where ever is cheapest.
The best place to go is your local authority MOT centre as they have zero incentive to find faults, the only issue is mine is a bit of a faff to get booked in with and they can't carry out any required work if there is an issue (but there really shouldn't be with a 3 year old car).

As for servicing, I took advantage of a Black Friday deal in 2021 from my local VW dealership which included 3 additional years servicing (2 major and 1 minor) for a flat monthly fee of, I think, £16? This exludes certain ancillary parts (air con and cambelt isnt included for example) but after checking the cost at local specialists it did turn out to be a good deal so went for it and will be keeping an eye out for black Friday deals to reapply when it comes to an end 😀

T

There is a council run MOT place the other side of town that test Black Cab Taxis as well. I used to use a garage years ago that only did MOTs, so as with the council run places had no benefit in failing cars. They always gave a discount as well.

The only reason for me using the main dealer this time for the MOT is for convenience sake, getting the service and MOT done at the same time at the same place. However if i use the Indie for servicing the next two years, i will use the MOT garage that only does MOTs as the Indie does not do MOTs.

That was a good price. £16 a month so £192 for the year. I got an even better deal from the main dealer. £295 for two years. At the moment they are advertising two years servicing for £33-30 a month to include breakdown cover and MOTs. That is far too expensive. I will ask them for a price without breakdown and MOT and if they can do it for the same £295 i will take it, but i cant see that happening. I would even go to £400 for the two years, but any more than that i will use the Indie for years 2023 and 2024.

With regards to the VW servicing just check for basic mistakes like over filling oil level , leaving air box breather pipes off ect ect as soon as you’re home or even better before driving away from the service centre

I had my car serviced last year at the VW main dealer. (See Above) They did an excellent job.

They did say that only the Mastertech works on the High End GTI cars (Their words not mine) so i guess that makes a difference, instead of the just left school apprentice working on the car.

Yep, mine was done a couple of weeks ago at the local Skoda dealer - no issues. They did a decent end-of-warranty free check (with video), fixed the creaky steering, washed the car, gave me a loaner for 2 days, and charged £45. I'm happy enough, although £45 is 2 months of petrol! I'll get it serviced nearer the end of the year....

£45 was a good price. Did they charge for the courtesy car? Smart always gave me a free car if i needed one, but these days i dont bother. I just use the bus with my free pass.

My VW dealer will also give an end of warranty video check. They gave a video last year of the service, so does that mean this year i will get two videos, one for the service and one for the check?

£45 for petrol that lasts you for two months? Wow, you are a spendthrift. £45 would last me six months. There are some benefits in being old, not many its true, but the bus pass is certainly one of them. As for the creaking joints, tooth decay and disappearing hair........ we wont talk about those.
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[freemansteve]

Yes, TD, the loaner car was free and I had it 2 days. A nasty Scala though (like an estate Polo) - glad to get my car back afterwards.

 

[TEST DRIVER]

The MINI 2 forum has a Dealer Feedback section where guys can leave comments on Mini Main Dealers. Everything about the car purchase, servicing, customer service etc. It would be good if our forum had this.

That is why i did this post as the next best thing so comments could be left on Dealers. It would be good if the post was made a permanent fixture at the top of the list, or perhaps a Dealer Feedback section could be added to the forum.

 

[Sean66]

Good idea about a dealer feed back section .

 

[AT999]

With regards to the VW servicing just check for basic mistakes like over filling oil level , leaving air box breather pipes off ect ect as soon as you’re home or even better before driving away from the service centre

My dad had a VW main dealer service (due to warranty) and they didn't tighten the oil drain plug up. Lucky he noticed oil on the drive.The dealer didn't have much to say other than these things can happen.
Basics

 

[Sean66]

My dad had a VW main dealer service (due to warranty) and they didn't tighten the oil drain plug up. Lucky he noticed oil on the drive.The dealer didn't have much to say other than these things can happen.
Basics

That’s not what you expect after paying VW service prices !
It seems its a bit like Russian roulette when you take it in. Sometimes your lucky and you’ll receive a good service depending which tech you end up with .

 

[Mark.cup]

Best avoided in my opinion....

 

[freemansteve]

Take it to a Skoda dealer

 

[TEST DRIVER]

Had another two emails from my VW Main Dealer One inviting me to a closed event by invitation only to view any new or used car to purchase with a special discount. I bet they have sent hundreds of these invitations out. Anyway i do not want to change my car at the moment.

The other email was to tell me my car needed an MOT now. This was wrong as my car does not need an MOT until Sept. They were also advertising the latest service plan. It costs £33-45 a month. 24 payments. It includes 2 services, 2 MOTs, 2 years breakdown cover and 2 years extended warranty. I did not know it included the extra two year warranty, but i still think it it is too expensive.

 

[TEST DRIVER]

I had a drive yesterday to my local VW dealer to book my car in for a service and MOT in September. I arrived early as they were about to open, so i had a nice cup of their coffee while waiting for the service guy. There are new staff including the service guy on reception as some of the old staff have left. I was also able to see the closed event they were running on new cars

The service will be the final one under my service plan so no charge. Their price for the MOT was £45-00 but they priced matched my £35-00.

The price for another two years on the service plan was £20-60 a month. 24 payments. This was just for the two services, nothing else, so nearly £500 which i think is still far too expensive. I would be better off just paying for each service which costs £184 for the small service. Even if the cost goes up to £200 so £400. The small service is all i need with the low mileage that i do. I only ever had the small service each year on my Smart and it ran like a dream. Then again i could use the VW Indie. They charge at the moment £125 for the small service, so even if it goes up to £150 that would still work out cheaper.

The VW dealer will carry out the Big service this time and give a Video on it. Also an end of Warranty check with another Video and the MOT. I would like to continue using the VW dealer as they have been excellent. I will decide what to do in 2023 when the next service is due. Either the VW dealer or the VW Indie.