To dealer or not...

[MrJohn91]

I've had a 14 plate Cupra 280 now for 6 months and it's coming up to its 40k service.

The question is, is it worth taking it to a Seat Garage these days or is a local garage I know and trust enough? How much is it REALLY worth? It currently has a full Seat service so far.

Thoughts and opinions please for someone who has never had a young enough car to worry about this.

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[Bestseany]

As long as they use genuine parts and the right oil, I’d go with the cheaper option personally.

A good halfway option is a specialist instead.


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[SRGTD]

There’s a lot to be said for getting your car serviced by a small independent garage you trust. However, bear in mind that the Seat dealer will (or should), as part of the service, check for any software updates that are applicable to your car and if there are any, perform the updates. The independent garage won’t be able to do this as they won’t have access to Seat’s systems that hold this information.

There’s also more chance of getting a goodwill contribution from Seat for any repairs out of warranty if your car’s been serviced within the dealer network. If it’s been serviced by an independent, then Seat are highly unlikely to consider making any form of goodwill payment.

 

[p.eco]

My Seat dealers have not changed cabin & air filter once in 3 years saying that there is no need to do that. (they hardly checking the software). That is enough for me to not paying them to do the next (4th) service. I bought all the filters & oil myself and giving the car to local garage. Software updates can be sourced elsewhere, Seat are not the only ones that can do that in these days....

 

[MrJohn91]

My Seat dealers have not changed cabin & air filter once in 3 years saying that there is no need to do that. (they hardly checking the software). That is enough for me to not paying them to do the next (4th) service. I bought all the filters & oil myself and giving the car to local garage. Software updates can be sourced elsewhere, Seat are not the only ones that can do that in these days....

That's what concerns me, the amount of stuff like that you read especially on this forum scares me into thinking "seat isn't always best" plus, not heard any rave reviews about the dealer nearest to me. Hmm yeah, I think I will just get it done locally instead.

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[Snarks]

Dealer servicing comes with 12 months free Roadside Assistance. Depends how much you save going elsewhere.

 

[MrJohn91]

Dealer servicing comes with 12 months free Roadside Assistance. Depends how much you save going elsewhere.

True, although I get it through the bank so not too much of a concern. Plus, if I recall, they will only take you to a Seat Garage should you need recovery. (don't quote me on that)

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[Leon Gone]

Software updates can be sourced elsewhere,

Never been able to get updates done at any garage other than at a brands dealer. Independants just do not have the capability to do this, in truth very few btand specialists have the necessary kit either. You need more than a laptop and a cable.

 

[Big Col]

If I was in your shoes I'd probably get one more service at SEAT to maintain the full SEAT service history just incase something major goes wrong.

My last 2 cars I've went this way. Bought at 3 year old and maintained the SEAT service history for the period of the extended warranty (1 year). Just incase I bought a lemon.

After that a mix of independent garages and DIY.

 

[p.eco]

Never been able to get updates done at any garage other than at a brands dealer. Independants just do not have the capability to do this, in truth very few btand specialists have the necessary kit either. You need more than a laptop and a cable.

I even saw tread here about infotainment updates and how to perform them....

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[MrJohn91]

If I was in your shoes I'd probably get one more service at SEAT to maintain the full SEAT service history just incase something major goes wrong.

My last 2 cars I've went this way. Bought at 3 year old and maintained the SEAT service history for the period of the extended warranty (1 year). Just incase I bought a lemon.

After that a mix of independent garages and DIY.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but how do I know if it's got a 1 year extended warranty on it? Makes sense what you are saying though.

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[Big Col]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but how do I know if it's got a 1 year extended warranty on it?

Both my cars were bought through the SEAT approved used scheme from a SEAT dealer. You get a one year warranty with that.

 

[MrJohn91]

Both my cars were bought through the SEAT approved used scheme from a SEAT dealer. You get a one year warranty with that.

Bought mine privately. So guessing I won't have that. This is all one big learning curve for me!

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[LouG]

Mine's going to the dealer for the 4 year service. There's too many horror stories down here about poor servicing and dying DSG's.

 

[DaFoot]

....
There’s also more chance of getting a goodwill contribution from Seat for any repairs out of warranty if your car’s been serviced within the dealer network....

Given my recent exchange with SEAT I wouldn't worry about that as a reason to use SEAT for servicing.

They refused to look at an issue on mine that I asked a dealer about within warranty, but as it's now out of warranty (4 months) they refused completely to entertain the idea of doing anything,

 

[p.eco]

Just did 4th service in independent garage. Seat have never changed air and cabin filters, look at the state of them . I honestly think they did nothing apart of pouring new oil in....

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[DEAN0]

Just did 4th service in independent garage. Seat have never changed air and cabin filters, look at the state of them . I honestly think they did nothing apart of pouring new oil in....

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Pretty sure the air and cabin filters are officially 4 years or 60k change out.

Personally I do them myself each year after they have done the service.
No way am I leaving the air and cabin filters in a car for 4 years.

 

[AndrewJB]

Pretty sure the air and cabin filters are officially 4 years or 60k change out.

Personally I do them myself each year after they have done the service.
No way am I leaving the air and cabin filters in a car for 4 years.

They are these days, I've been using an independent since mine was new, did my own oil change last time and noticed the filter hadn't been changed so did it myself at 3 years.

SOME independents have spent £££ and now have ODIS access etc.

 

[martin j.]

I work in a main dealer(not Seat) and one of the things we do that an indie cannot is the bodywork/paint inspection for warranty, we charge £40to do this as standalone job, things like this are worth factoring in when costing.