Stick with dealer or switch to Independent?

C

CSGMART

New member
I would be interested in the opinion of this forum as to whether to continue to get my F Type serviced at a main dealer or start to use an independent garage (with expertise in Jaguars)?

My car is 6 years old and the next service is due in Feb 2026 (84 months) at a cost of £326 for what is effectively an oil and filter change. The following service (96 months) is £719 and includes a differential oil change. The following one is the "big one" which includes supercharger belts and gearbox fluid changes for a cost of £1,554.

I was planning of going independent after the 10 year service anyway but thinking it might be worth looking at now anyway.

My only slight issue is where to take my car. I am based north of Bristol and Google informs me there is a specialist called Sovereign Motors in Yate (about 30 minutes from me) but their website isn't working so not sure if they are still trading.

Otherwise there are Swallows, AJ Tech and a few others - but all some distance from my home.

Comments welcomed.
 
search around bridgewater, can't remember there name but chatting to them thay new there job, plus a nice trip out from bristol
 
If you can find a good Indy I’d definitely go that route.
Ask them if they handle the JLR warranty claims too - even if you no longer have an extended warranty it’s a good indicator of their commitment.
I’ve used Tom Lenthall frequently and highly recommended them - not close to you, but see it as another excuse to go for a drive! 😉
 
I've just used AJ Tech for the first time for a 10 year service and was very pleased with the service. I live in East Devon so they were 1 hour away but obviously a lot further from Bristol.
I did have a look at Swallows but came away not very impressed but I think others have been happy with them.
 
tankman, as you are in east devon try windmill garage near honiton, looked after all my cars for years, always book ivan or barry to do my work
 
tankman said:
I've just used AJ Tech for the first time for a 10 year service and was very pleased with the service. I live in East Devon so they were 1 hour away but obviously a lot further from Bristol.
I did have a look at Swallows but came away not very impressed but I think others have been happy with them.
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I've just had a quote from Swallows - for the 84 month service they quoted just over £400 which is about £75 more than the price quoted for the Jaguar dealer I use in Newport.
 
I have a JLR service plan that takes me to year seven, currently using Dick Lovett Melksham they are not the nearest to me but they have been excellent to date. A Jaguar Specialist that has a good reputation is Mike Allen Swindon some friends use them and support this view.
https://mikeallenservices.com/
 
MikeM said:
I have a JLR service plan that takes me to year seven, currently using Dick Lovett Melksham they are not the nearest to me but they have been excellent to date. A company that has a good reputation and some friends use support this view.
https://mikeallenservices.com/
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Melksham would work well for me as our daughter lives not far from there. Unfortunately the Jaguar dealer there charges quite a bit more than Bristol and Newport which are nearer to me.
 
If you can find a good Jaguar Indy close to you its a no brainer

Most people buying an out of production F-Type now will be fans of the car and drivers who will understand a detailed service history from a Jaguar specialist is going to be probably a better looked after car of than one going to a Land Rover/Jaguar dealer
 
As MikeM said, MikeAllen in Swindon gets good reviews, I've only used once but went smoothly with him getting parts before i turned up based on my error code. And they are right next to train station if you need to drop off car and get home
 
I always use the main dealer, cost saving isn't massive using an independant and even less so compared to the loss in value when you come to sell it or trade it in.
 
MikeM said:
I have a JLR service plan that takes me to year seven, currently using Dick Lovett Melksham they are not the nearest to me but they have been excellent to date. A Jaguar Specialist that has a good reputation is Mike Allen Swindon some friends use them and support this view.
https://mikeallenservices.com/
Click to expand...

This.
I do the same, costs £25 a month and takes the worry out of it all. Of course the monthly cost will change depending on what model of car you own but it seems good value to me.
Regards
Rob
 
Crezzer said:
I always use the main dealer, cost saving isn't massive using an independant and even less so compared to the loss in value when you come to sell it or trade it in.
Click to expand...

I use a trusted independent to keep mine in tip top condition and I really don't care about resale value since I'm never getting rid of it. 8-)
 
I’ve not had the same experience regarding Indy not being much cheaper,
Last service with dealer quoted £890 then jumped to £989, then back to £890
Independent was £490,
I stayed with dealer till out of warranty, then switched to jag specialist Indy
 
The fellow who was Sovereign Motors in Yate retired a few years back I believe.
I have a service booked for May with Mike Allen in Swindon, as recommended in this parish. Not used before.
 
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