Morning everyone,

In order to get something more civilised than my Defender, I’ve currently got a 5.0 AB on order.

Local dealer has always been awful when it comes to selling me me cars (my current Defender ended up coming from the other end of the country, and the FFRR is also on order with another dealer, both due to basic customer service issues) but has been fine with servicing, until last week...

Defender was in for annual service, initially quoted under 3+ pricing but then turns out that they won’t honour this as it “doesn’t apply to 2.2 tdci’s”. Not happy as that upped the price by a couple of hundred.

The bit that really got my goat was an attempt to push additional work (over £500) that they assured was absolutely needed to get through MOT. It’s always been main dealer serviced but, out of curiosity, called a specialist for a quote. “About 100 quid, if it even needs doing”. Looked underneath it myself and to say I was sceptical the work was needed would be putting it mildly. Definitely didn’t look like a “red” item that needed to be addressed immediately!

Figured I’d see what the MOT chap says and go from there. Not even an advisory. But he did need to change a tail bulb (what’s the chances of that blowing in the 50 miles it travelled between service and MOT?).

It would be fair to say that I don’t much appreciate the attempted rinsing and I’ve lost confidence in the local dealer as a result. Problem is the next closest would be too far/inconvenient to use for servicing.

This seems to leave me with the following options:
1) Cancel the order and buy something else. There’s not much else out there that I want though. Maybe a Cayenne Turbo?
2) Use MD only whilst in warranty. With there being fewer s/cs around, can the typical indie handle them? Would non-franchised service harm residuals/ability to trade in?
3) Use MD for annual service, no extras, and have the rest done at an indie.
4) Accept that the dealer is going to take the mickey from time to time and just factor it into the cost of ownership.

What would you all do? Meant to be taking delivery in a few weeks time but right now I’m not feeling great about spending north of £100k...

I have bought a number of new cars (not JLR) and never have taken them to the main dealer for servicing only for warranty
problems? my understanding is that as long as the Indie use the main dealer parts your still covered with a warranty?
You tend to get better service away from the main dealerships and lower hourly rates? I think there is a legal president on this point with regard to warranty?

Personally I would go with Option 3 on a new vehicle, as far as I can tell most main dealers are not all that...

+1 for option 3, it avoids arguments over warranty issues and won't harm residuals as most buyers (inc dealers) still want to see a fully stamped main dealer service book, especially in the first 3-5 years.

Forget option 1, you shouldn't deprive yourself of having a new FFRR just because the local dealer is useless.

Good luck

 2021 D350 Fifty Edition - Carpathian Grey
2017 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography (2021-2024) - Santorini Black
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster (2016-2021) - Santorini Black

Servicing shouldn't be that regular that travelling a bit further to someone you trust is too painful.
A friend who bought a brand new Defender, but wasn't happy with his local main dealer, travels upto the Lake District for servicing with a dealer he has very positive experience with & takes a mini 2 day holiday at the same time.
The service costs are so much cheaper, that it pays for 2 nights at a reasonable hotel.

Buy the car you want, but travel further for support. May be it's an opportunity for the odd weekend away (as long as the new car is reliable - lol) Paul,
2001 Discovery 2 TD5, 211,000 miles & climbing
2006 FFRR TDV8 Vogue 145,000 miles & climbing
Member of Midland (Land) Rover Owners Club, www.mroc.co.uk

Definitely option 3. Don't know where you're based but my Independent used to be a main dealer and now is a main service centre for LR. They are brilliant and I pay a monthly amount for servicing which covers everything. All LR cars from 1984
2021.5 Vogue SE D300 Carpathian Grey
2018 Vogue SE British Racing Green GONE

I think you’re all probably right... sadly the option of travelling to find good service isn’t really viable with the RR as I already burn way too much domestic goodwill on my cars, and weekends away tend to involve something sportier (not sure I really want her to be able to pack more ). Will try the hybrid main dealer/independent approach instead.

I know main dealers are never the cheapest, but still annoyed that this one seemingly has no subtlety when it comes to trying to extract cash.

Perhaps if you were more precise with your location someone may have some additional suggestion? John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold