DIY service vs independent specialist

[WhoKnows]

I don't think I'm going to go down the route of my own services but it is a topic I've wondered about.

On the US forum there is clearly a lot of people that do their own oil changes and other service items, going to garages for bigger things.

When buying my car I was very conscious of the service history and so feel that what you save on doing oil change etc yourself would be cancelled out by what you lose when you sell the car so I haven't considered it.

What do others think for this side of the pond?

Maybe I should ask on the US forum on why they aren't considering their resale value.

 

[CSGMART]

My personal opinion is the UK market is over sensitive to main dealer servicing, particularly when it comes to the F Type. Many owners would not consider buying a car without full main dealer servicing history.

My own view is that as long as the car has been regularly serviced by a trusted garage (e.g. main dealer or a competent independent (preferably Jaguar specialist)) then there is no reason not to buy.

The bonus is that an F Type without FMDSH are often a bit cheaper to buy, although it may work against you when it comes to selling.

As for servicing a car yourself, personally I am too old to be crawling around under a car these days so more than happy to let a trained mechanic do it for me.

 

[scm]

As for servicing a car yourself, personally I am too old to be crawling around under a car these days so more than happy to let a trained mechanic do it for me.

This ^

I'm also willing to pay my trusted independent to do the stuff I could do myself just to make sure he's still in business for the things I can't do!

Regarding FJSH, based on some of the things owners have reported going on at dealerships, I'm not convinced that having it only done by dealers is necessarily the benefit some people think it is. Bear in mind that what you might save in labour rates over the years might offset any perceived loss of "value" on resale. And who in their right mind would want to sell their F-Type anyway - I'm hanging on to mine while there's still breath in my body!

 

[Anonymous]

If folks are keeping the car & have the time, knowledge & facilities to maintain, then why not? I could probably carry out most service tasks but possess neither the time nor equipment. I’d rather go out to work & pay a specialist do it for me.

For me the important points are firstly, if you sell the vehicle. Most buyers want complete service history. Secondly, I want a solid, consistent, relationship, with my Jaguar independent for the times when something goes wrong. I’ve paid them for scheduled work, they are more likely to positively respond if/when something out the ordinary occurs.

 

[daytona650]

I do a mix of both, but wont be selling it. Plus i keep receipts and pictures of the work I do on it.

 

[scm]

I want a solid, consistent, relationship, with my Jaguar independent for the times when something goes wrong. I’ve paid them for scheduled work, they are more likely to positively respond if/when something out the ordinary occurs.

This is so true - my independent works on the principle that it take years to build a reputation and minutes to lose it. The only (slight) downside with a good independent is that he's likely to be very busy!

 

[honeybadger]

Personally, I'll be looking for a good indy to work on mine once the extended warranty is up. Their woke rebrand has put me off giving them a single penny that I don't have to. I doubt they'll even remember how an engine works in a couple of years anyway.

I had my BMW M340i serviced by an indy prior to the warranty expiring. He did top notch work and provided photos of every job he did on the car, even to the point of showing the spark plugs being torqued. It was helpful when I sold it on. IMO a good trusted specialist will take better care of your car than the stealers ever will.

 

[Andyp123]

I’d never go main steeler yes stealers! I had the Sos limited functionality error took in to JLR £250 just to look at it then quoted £2500 to fix it say the pc board needed replacing. Took it to my indi boards fine it’s an Ariel issue all sorted under my warranty not Jaguar warranty. I emailed Jaguar and had no reply from them disgusting behaviour! Never again will I go main dealers

 

[laz]

I do most of my own routine servicing, usually on my driveway and why not?

This way I know exactly what oil has gone in the car and I know that the oil filter has been changed. As the F type uses a cartridge oil filter you can't easily see if the filter has been changed or what filter has been used. It's also quite straight forward (I'm not a mechanic) and rewarding. I haven't got the skills or tools to change a timing belt, but oils, filters, brakes are all relatively easy.

Apparently you can email the receipt for the oils / filters to Jaguar and they will update the online service record. I've only recently found this out and will try it when I do an oil service in Jan / Feb next year and report back.

 

[Derivative]

Apparently you can email the receipt for the oils / filters to Jaguar and they will update the online service record. I've only recently found this out and will try it when I do an oil service in Jan / Feb next year and report back.

WIll be looking forward to your report.

I bought my F-type brand new and took the £1000 3 service option mainly to comply with the warranty without having any rows if it was serviced by non-main dealer and a claim was needed.
My personal view of main dealer servicing is the stamp in the book guarantees one thing only, they stamped the book. I had a row with Jaguar over one of the main dealer services and they gave me a further 2 complementary services (which I used at a different dealer!).

Mine now has 5 main dealer stamps in the book and since then I've done it myself. I'm not worried about potential resale value since I intend keeping it for a long time. I also know that I've done the servicing correctly.
When buying second hand privately I'd be far more confident if I bought from a DIYer who knew what they were talking about and doing. They're going to take a greater interest and care in their vehicle than anyone else.

 

[scz4]

There's a big difference between a DIYer doing an engine oil change and a full service. Anyone can change oil and I've done many over the years, albeit not on the F-Type.

The concern for me isn't just an accountant doing spark plug changes, diff oil changes by watching Youtube clips, but having the competency to detect issues with the suspension, worn bushes, leaking shock, wheel bearings, leaking exhausts, coolant system etc etc. You really need ramps etc.

Specialist independent servicing is where it's at once the car is 3 or 4 years old. Sadly up here in the NE of Scotland there are no Jaguar specialist, so I'm stuck with my dealer

 

[scm]

My personal view of main dealer servicing is the stamp in the book guarantees one thing only, they stamped the book.

You'll be lucky to find a book to stamp nowadays! :?

 

[JKFTYPE]

My F is of an age that it's moved out of the main dealer phase and into Jag specialist territory.
My thinking is if you can find a good specialist then it's worth investing money into having them look after it. That way I hope that this can help them maintain their business, their skills, their knowledge, their supply chain. There's a lot of value in that. I also like a specialist that can print out a nice tidy invoice and bill of works, not some scratty scribbled mess!

 

[DOC IW]

I’m going to keep mine until I can no longer drive and then I’ll lovingly hand it over to my son to enjoy and care for it until he can no longer drive! I have a really good relationship with my local independent (VW Audi specialist) garage who say they are more than happy to look after the F-Type for me too. I have previously owned an Audi S3 and my wife has an S4 Avant and
they have been far far better than the Audi dealership for service & maintenance. Apparently there is a good deal of similarity between VW Audi and JLR.