Servicing at local garage

[dconner1]

Hi,

have people got their RS3 serviced at a local non-audi garage? and if so does it make any difference to the service record for the car?

I have been told that it is all electronic so a service from a local garage using OEM parts will be the same on the record.

Thanks

 

[teslaboy]

What's the comparison in price?

Must be cheaper.....

 

[dconner1]

What's the comparison in price?

Must be cheaper.....

Cheaper by £280 i have just found out at my local garage

 

[Leo-RS]

Hi,

have people got their RS3 serviced at a local non-audi garage? and if so does it make any difference to the service record for the car?

I have been told that it is all electronic so a service from a local garage using OEM parts will be the same on the record.

Thanks

Does the local garage have Audi dealership approval to access their online service record system? If not, then the cars don't have a service book so how would you 'stamp' the online version? I guess receipts would probably do but there's always that IF, should you run into serious mechanical problems and need expensive repairs under warranty that they may reject on the basis of not being done properly, not using correct parts, oil filter etc? In addition, even after warranty has expired, if you have a good relationship with your dealer through means of having had it serviced there throughout its life, there's a much better chance of getting a goodwill gesture that could potentially save you thousands out of warranty. If they see the car has been serviced at a backstreet garage and you blow the engine or gearbox at 37 months, a month after warranty has run out, they're likely to say on your bike.

Personally, I have used both Audi and Audi specialist garages for servicing but there's nothing really stopping you from using any garage that can do the service for you to Audi standards using Audi replacement parts and specs.

 

[Terminator x]

AFAIK only Audi can update their electronic system so by going elsewhere you'd need to rely on paper invoices. Imho cars without Audi servicing within warranty period would seem "odd".

TX.

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[JamesBaby]

The Audi system service records can be updated by other non dealers as long as they are authorised etc. Some independents charge an extra fee to update the system.

 

[Jemster]

AFAIK only Audi can update their electronic system so by going elsewhere you'd need to rely on paper invoices. Imho cars without Audi servicing within warranty period would seem "odd".

TX.

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Not necessarily 'odd' if the car has changed hands during the warranty period. Mine's 2.5 years old and the second service was done by the garage that supplied it to me (they're a large Vauxhall dealership).

Garage's love to supply a car as "fully serviced" - just watch what's actually been done though, as some places seem to think "fully" means they change the oil... AND the filter...

 

[D0C]

Independents would probably do a better job of servicing your car than an Audi dealer, especially if it's a specialist. That said, whenever I see a new(ish) car that has been serviced at an independent, I immediately think the person is tight/has done it to save money and wonder what other corners they may have cut...cheap tyres, oil, crappy fuel etc.

 

[Hal Adams]

EU law says that you cannot be penalised for using an independant servicer. There are lots of caveats though - servicer must be recognised, capable and use parts suitable for the car etc etc.

Trouble is that dealers are funny creatures, pretty useless I agree, but it is the dealer who can make a warranty claim easy or difficult. My policy has been to suffer the dealer whilst the car is in warranty, and then run!