Very true but dealers have always quoted longer hours than it actually takes.

I already have a good Indy guy who set up on his own after working at a main dealer, I just assumed that the body had to come off to do certain parts. Well that's knocked a negative off the sport v's ffrr.

I would disagree - a good independent is BETTER than in house LR (dealer) people diagnosing problems. Mainly because they know what they are doing and they have decent diagnostic equipment. Mike

2014 Facelift Discovery

Last edited by mse on Sat May 11 2013 11:43am. Edited 1 time in total

Indies have the added pressure on them that it's their business - it's in their interest to be good mechanics and good value. Dealer techs often don't care because it's just a job and not hugely well paid in some cases too. At a dealer you're also helping to pay for the shiny showroom etc. which is why it's annoying that the service and parts desks are so often tucked away. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Wasn't referring to the dealer facilities, was saying that the dealer techs have better record at diagnostics due to more experience with particular product. I know of an independent round Bath who diagnosed straight off the computer, carried out 1700 quid repair which didn't solve the problem, dealer did with a £26 component. Needless to say the indi got paid for diagnosing time but not the repair. Was offered the chance to remove fitted part and a contribution to labour, but declined in favour of small claims case for outstanding bill. Got his backside washed by county court judge who wasn't impressed and told said independent to wise up or close his business as he would be regular visitor to county court system.
In the main, the majority of indis are excellent and would far rather give them my business than dealer.  2x TDV6. SE and HSE. Both returned to sender with issues👀
TDV8 Sport HSE...... Gone. Loved it but it didn't love me!!
Now rolling in MY10 Fullfat TDV8 Vogue. Slammed it to go round corners🙈
Cruising daily #56 mph in a Volvo V8. 😱
Lots of other toys in the cupboard...😜

Now that really bugs me! When I had the coolant fault in the ffrr it went in to an Indy who fixed it by throwing parts at it and charged me for it, so ended up with big bill when all it needs was a simple fix.

Where as would a dealer do that or would they diagnose and fix the part at fault? (I've always avoided the dealers no matter what car I've had)

simple1 wrote:

Wasn't referring to the dealer facilities, was saying that the dealer techs have better record at diagnostics due to more experience with particular product. I know of an independent round Bath who diagnosed straight off the computer, carried out 1700 quid repair which didn't solve the problem, dealer did with a £26 component. Needless to say the indi got paid for diagnosing time but not the repair. Was offered the chance to remove fitted part and a contribution to labour, but declined in favour of small claims case for outstanding bill. Got his backside washed by county court judge who wasn't impressed and told said independent to wise up or close his business as he would be regular visitor to county court system.
In the main, the majority of indis are excellent and would far rather give them my business than dealer.

 2x TDV6. SE and HSE. Both returned to sender with issues👀
TDV8 Sport HSE...... Gone. Loved it but it didn't love me!!
Now rolling in MY10 Fullfat TDV8 Vogue. Slammed it to go round corners🙈
Cruising daily #56 mph in a Volvo V8. 😱
Lots of other toys in the cupboard...😜