Servicing - going to an independent

[Rivendell]

I have a 340 F type, which is due a five year service although it has only done 21,000 miles. Looking online, a dealership service would cost around £600 plus extras I presume. Jaguar independents appear to start at around one third of this. The attraction of a decent independent (Jaguar trained etc) is therefore obvious, but I wonder whether anyone has experience of true differences in resale. I’ve always considered my car a keeper, although one never knows if that might change. Would the difference of, say, £400 saved in servicing each year suddenly look a ‘save to spend’ measure on resale? Thanks.

 

[kookaburra1457]

Hello from a Newbie. In Dec 2020 and after much deliberation (996/997/etc.) I bought my first F-Type, a fully-loaded 2014 V6S, from Jaguar in Sussex. All prior servicing had been undertaken per schedule at JLR except for the last one, which was done at J-Cat Norwich in August. This didn't affect their pricing at all, in fact the dealership made a point of the car's solid service history, carried out a pre-delivery service and check for me and included the Jaguar 12-month approved used warranty as part of the deal I struck, even though the car is > 5 yrs old. I don't think it really made any difference to their asking price or my willingness to purchase. Oh, and am I pleased with my F-Type? You betcha...! JPS

 

[ajac]

Personally I have no issue with a good quality Indy. I have used these guys for many years on my Range Rovers and the good lady's BMW before she swapped for an F Type. Will be using independents for that too.

I have always found a good relationship and trust builds up - something you would not get at a MD I suspect. Then of course there is the cost which speaks for itself. When the law changed regarding warranty and MD only etc I think that was the wake up call MD's needed which they failed to grasp - still they charge ridiculous prices to cover their overheads of posh floor tiles and free coffee, treat you like a number and struggle to gain that trust which is vital.

Indy all the way.

 

[Anonymous]

My first three services were main dealer simply because they threw in 3yrs servicing.

With the 4th service coming soon I am going to ask for their price and also an independent and then decide.

I have no issue with Independent doing the service as long as the online service history is updated which can only be done by authorised places with correct expensive Topix subscription.

If the online service history is complete then I'm happy with that as I think most people would be.

However I took out the 4th year warranty which comes with MOT cover for the first £750 of repairs so I think I will be dealer again this year.

 

[Lunar]

Indy for the service and MD for the MOT under extended warranty

 

[scm]

I have no issue with Independent doing the service as long as the online service history is updated which can only be done by authorised places with correct expensive Topix subscription.

Or by Jaguar Customer Services if you submit the relevant information to them.
That's how I got my second and third years services updated.

 

[badger]

I have a 340 F type, which is due a five year service although it has only done 21,000 miles. Looking online, a dealership service would cost around £600 plus extras I presume. Jaguar independents appear to start at around one third of this. The attraction of a decent independent (Jaguar trained etc) is therefore obvious, but I wonder whether anyone has experience of true differences in resale. I’ve always considered my car a keeper, although one never knows if that might change. Would the difference of, say, £400 saved in servicing each year suddenly look a ‘save to spend’ measure on resale? Thanks.

have a look at jaguar fixed price servicing, minor is £325 and major £385 https://www.sturgessgroup.co.uk/jaguar/servicing/3-years-servicing-older-cars/

 

[Lunar]

But, as can be found searching previous threads so we don’t need to post again on here, don’t expect anything but the basic bits to be done for that sort of MD price.

 

[StevenS]

I use independent servicing for each of my and my wife’s car. As per comments above much cheaper but you do also build trust and usually get to talk to the guy who is doing the work and I think that really helps

As to resale - I would prefer a good independent versus main dealer - they tend to understand why they are changing things rather than just following a diagnostic saying to replace something to see if it fixes the problem.

 

[Elementad]

I would imagine that having independent services would limit your future sales audience slightly.
Regardless of whether an independent is better or not, it will always be the case that the majority would see ‘stamped at main dealers’ year after year as being more reputable (whether it is or not).
People who know more about cars will be more open to independent services on record and understand that these may have been carried out with more care, attention and knowledge.
For right or wrong, most of Joe public would view the Jag service record as more reputable/complete history (if looking at exactly the same car, one serviced at independents for 5 years vs 5 years at Jag) in my humble opinion.

 

[Anonymous]

Have used both Jaguar MD & a Jaguar independent.

My understanding is the main dealers, generally, do the bare minimum unless specifically requested & then at additional cost. Your £300.00 FPS gets you oil & filter plus a video. As Lunar mentioned, this has been discussed prior & some owners were surprised when their FPS didn’t include anything else. I’m sure this is fuelled by the constant drive, by owners, to get the cheapest price.

Independent Jaguar garages aren't necessarily cheaper. I don’t actually want them to be. It’s about knowing my pride & joy had a thorough service & all additional jobs, I’d ask to be done, were.

Showing a full service history, main dealer &/or independent, backed by paperwork, wouldn’t be seen as a negative by a knowledgeable potential owner.

 

[PhilB]

There's a running thread over on the XE forums on Independent servicing.
As has been said, some can update the online service history and even customer services have been known to do it.
A paper copy of the service has also been accepted for future service history.

https://www.xeforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8021

 

[Rivendell]

Thanks for the views and advice. I’ve bought dozens of cars over the years and haven’t worried too much about dealer history. Age, mileage, owners etc all matter, as well as the ‘feel’ you get for a car and whoever is selling it. Service history counts too of course, but on the types of cars I’ve historically bought, a dealer has typically not been near it for years. I’ve never bought a howler.

However, I’ve never owned a prestige car and just wondered whether anything different applied. Seems not. I have certainly learned from the responses to check that the history can be updated on line - great point. I will also check the reviews of the indies near me carefully. I live in Devon, so any top tips on this would also be a big help (there are a couple in Newton Abbot). Thanks again - really helpful, as always.