Unstamped Car Service - Is It Worth It?

vavs on 28/04/2016 - 01:36
Last edited 28/04/2016 - 15:54

Hi guys, need learned/experienced input.

Just bought a used car - not terribly well kept, not bad either. 2007 Rav4, 105000kms, AUD 11000.

Wanted to get it fully serviced. Also wanted to get a single point of contact for car servicing. Spoke with local mechanics in my area(new to the neighbourhood), but not satisfied with their responses and hence went to the dealership service centre.

Met this service advisor/mechanic there with whom I got into a chat and conveyed my preference of having the same person to look after the vehicle over a period of time. He said that could not be ensured but offered an alternative - apparently the mechanics are allowed to work on their personal and friends' vehicles after hours- he could work on mine if I wanted. I would not get a bill in the company letterhead, but I'd get a hand written list of work done and, I assume, bills for spares.

So I get a mechanic who sees same make as my car all his hours, I get his personalised attention/repair for my car, access to the dealership resources, and it is slightly cheaper.

But my logbook will not be stamped.

Questions:
1. Is this practice common?
2. Assuming I'll sell the vehicle in 2-4 years time, will the resale value be affected a lot?
3. Any other thoughts?

TL,DR: car service by a mechanic at dealership service centre after hours, but log book can't be stamped, is it common? Is it worth it?

Automotive

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 28/04/2016 - 02:08
    +5

    It's as legit as kidnapping your children from Lebanon.

    In other words, as tempting as these discounts may be, don't fall for it.

  • ozhunter on 28/04/2016 - 02:31
    +1

    Not worth it

  • Peace Maker on 28/04/2016 - 07:49
    -1

    It would want to be a good deal cheaper if no stamp and no guarantee of work. Also consider some dealer mechanics are not very experienced. A lot of their work is just changing oils and tyres and doing basic checks. Try your local sub reddit (Adelaide I assume) and ask for recommendations on your side of town.

    • vavs on 28/04/2016 - 08:26

      This chap didn't seem inexperienced, seemed to know his stuff, and seemed genuine. That's what started the whole discussion.

  • oscargamer on 28/04/2016 - 07:51
    +2

    no….walk away from the dealership

    find a local mech - look harder, ask around

    where did you get the idea that one mech looking after your car is better than a number of different mechs?

    • vavs on 28/04/2016 - 08:23

      Isn't it like going to one GP? I felt if it is one decent mechanic, he'll know the history of the vehicle during subsequent visits, I'll get to go through with him regarding issues and get his feed back personally rather than having somebody behind the desk read out the report.

      • Brick50 on 28/04/2016 - 08:36

        It could also go the other way where different mechanics might check different things. He may not be aware of the problematic areas of the car and other mechanics might be able to point something out he cannot.

        • vavs on 28/04/2016 - 08:45

          True. More like specialist's knowing more about certain areas, I suppose. An ideal mechanic should know when to involve a specialist. Don't know if one exists.

  • Euphemistic on 28/04/2016 - 08:27
    +1

    Dealerships aren't known as stealerships for nothing, particularly when it comes to the newest apprentice doing a 'service' which amounts to changing the oil and getting you back out the door ASAP. The dealer sounds really dodgy offering you a backroom deal with no guarantees.

    Just find a small business. What was wrong with the local mechanics in your opinion? The best ones can be found by word of mouth. Ask around locally. Avoid Kmart service centres.

    At the end of the day a stamped logbook wont be worth much on a 10yo vehicle when you go to resell, its more important that you are comfortable with the way it's running and serviced. If you keep it for another 5 years it'll be worth maybe 5k and an extra 100 or so for a log book.

    • vavs on 28/04/2016 - 08:41

      Thank you, Euphemistic, for the input, that is precisely the reason that i looked around for a mechanic rather than going to a dealership.

      Local mechanics - One was manned by three chaps, two of whom were in the work floor in their late teens, very early twenties, poking and prodding the vehicle with their spanner with loud music in the back ground. Poor reviews about two others, poor experience by a mate with another.

      It was not the dealership which offered this avenue. The chap working there offered it when I asked him if he could service my vehicle when I brought it in. Apparently it's a perk they get. I assume the dealership gains by the spare part sales and employee satisfaction.

      I am not as concerned about the money as about being able to speak with the person doing the repair work rather than being given second hand information.

  • inherentchoice on 28/04/2016 - 12:37

    I thought the main purpose of having the logbook stamped was in case you need to make a warranty claim. Your car is approaching 10 years old and the logbook may not have any more spaces for it to be stamped after 150,000km. The warranty probably ended after 1-3 years.

    I think just find an honest reliable mechanic that won't overcharge you and keep the invoices to show all of the work that has been done…

    If you're feeling handy you could even learn to do some DIY service. There's heaps of videos and guides all over the net. Even if you only do simple stuff like changing an air filter, a replacement costs less than $20 and you can change it in 2 minutes, usually without any tools.

    • vavs on 28/04/2016 - 12:54

      Thank you, inherentchoice. I would love to DIY, but I wanted a back up if I run into trouble, which is why the need for a mechanic who I can know personally.

  • Mumbles on 28/04/2016 - 12:52

    There is an exception where it is preferred to choose the warranty servicing of a dealership. Its if you own a Series 1 of a high tech vehicle like a feature packed luxury vehicle or performance sports vehicle. The first edition of most vehicles comes with the most gremlins. Today's situation is pretty bad in that most manufactures are telling their dealerships to keep the design faults a secret.

    For example my sports car came with Subaru's first 2.5L EJ255 engine. 1 year after buying the car Subaru issued a revised ECU map. This car ECU update would of affected my sports car's resale value cause it extends engine life a bit (eg. less pinging under high load + altitude).

    If you don't own a risky performance or complex luxury vehicle then I'd recommend sticking with your favourite independent mechanic. The best of both worlds is maybe slip in a dealership service after you've accrued a list of niggling issues your regular mechanic can't fix. Then the manufacturer can sort out any secretive defects at the same time.

    • vavs on 28/04/2016 - 13:03

      This vehicle make has been around for quite some years, so hopefully issues have been addressed. This is all in an effort to get a favorite mechanic. :-)

      • Euphemistic on 28/04/2016 - 14:54

        So what is it? No point in hiding it (unless you bought a Captiva!) and it might enable the posters here to recommend a specific mechanic to go to or avoid.

        • vavs on 28/04/2016 - 15:53

          Rav4

        • vavs on 28/04/2016 - 17:59

          Yeah Charlie, seemed a good deal. Problem is oil changed once in 20,000 kms twice and 80000km major service not done. But pre purchase inspection was ok except needing the service and tyres. And a bit of TLC. Would love to do things myself, but would rather start with minor stuff after the major one.

    • Mumbles on 29/04/2016 - 02:11

      Interesting, you do understand exactly what the term sports car represents. By chance is your "Sports Car"also a World Rally Car.

      The WRX has previously been described as a sports car in Australia. You can read some of the Australian awards for Subaru WRX as a sports car here.

      As well as international recognition here.

      My car is NOT a World Rally Car. I've never been rallying but my stock factory car has shared a race circuit with other sports cars.

      Very True, In the event you sold the vehicle your add would start out announcing the fact your vehicle features revised ECU mapping, thus a higher asking price.

      Asking prices are individual to each car and correlate with the condition of the vehicle. Engine condition is definitely a relevant factor in resale value.

      Detonation can lead to engine failure, manufactures tend release vehicle with very safe levels of tune and features to reduce timing in the event detonation/pinging/knock is detected.

      Perhaps this is the case for the cars you have owned but these generalisations do not extend to all cars.

      Heres a link to ECM recall details for 2015 WRX and 14'-15' 2.0XT Forester models.

      A link to ECM recall details for "STI ECM reprogramming".

      What a load of crap:

      We may have to agree to disagree. I've invested much time and research to teach myself engine tuning before modifying my car's ECU maps. I'm not very good at communicating the complex ECU modes/feature sets. Perhaps there are OzBargainers with experience in engine tuning/building/design that can better explain the challenges of knock detection, engine learning, timing retardation and variables that have to be contended with. My previous comments describe for my own car's ECU update so I'm happy to stand by the information I shared.

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