Struggling to book in for repairs or maintenance? Why it pays to revert to an independent garage

You have purchased or leased a vehicle through a major dealership and signed up for a service or extended care package but are struggling to book your car in for maintenance or repairs? If this is you, then you are not in the minority! With over 28 years of experience in the automotive aftersales market, Director of CVS Lee Mayne explains why reverting to an independent garage is preferable in the current climate.

What are the benefits of Service plans and care packages?

You have made a considerable investment and are looking for the best way to protect and safeguard your purchase. You have leased a vehicle and want to ensure that it keeps running smoothly for the duration of your contract. With these best intentions and costs in mind, many of us opt to sign up for a service or care plan.

The benefits, or so we are made to believe, are:?

• Financial. A service plan can help you to spread your costs monthly, or dependent on the package or the brand, you may also be able to make one upfront payment
• You get a Brand guaranteed level of service and parts. Your vehicle will be looked at by manufacturer trained Technicians and will be repaired/ serviced using OEM parts, and recommended materials at price-controlled costs
• Your warranty remains intact??

In an ideal world this all sounds like a very smart choice but what happens when you are unable to book your vehicle in for weeks at a time? Delays of four weeks and more have been cited by customers of major brands who are unable to get into their local dealerships for warranty work, or even routine maintenance and replacement of parts to ensure their vehicle is legally roadworthy.?

Why the big hold-up?

The global supply issue of parts is not a new story however it shows very little signs of abating. According to “Car Manufacturers” the blame is attributed to “Covid and the invasion of Ukraine for disrupting global supply chains. Two-thirds of vehicle components are produced in China and the Middle East, where lockdowns hit supply and demand, while Ukraine is critical in the manufacture of semiconductors. Added to this, there’s a Europe-wide shortage of mechanics and HGV drivers to install and transport the parts.”?

There has however been scepticism about manufacturers' priorities, suggesting the favouring of “new vehicle production" "and choosing to ringfence parts supply or production capacity for that purpose’ to the subsequent detriment of customers seeking or awaiting repairs.?

Industry impacts

This delay in parts is not just affecting retail customers but businesses reliant on fleets.

“A lack of parts and increasing SMR (service maintenance and repair) costs and delays have been highlighted by the BVRLA’s half-year Industry Outlook Survey.Declining parts availability – cited by 90% of respondents - is leading to prices and off-road times increasing. 92% of respondents reported an increase in vehicle downtime, compounded by an upsurge in labour costs (reported by 94% of respondents) and an aging fleet requiring more maintenance.”?

How to beat the delays?

Revert to a reputable independent for your manufacturer-recommended servicing. Since 2003 the introduction of European Block Exemption Regulations 1400/2002’ (BER) means that even if your vehicle is under warranty, it is your legal right to have your vehicle serviced at your garage of choice, without invalidating the manufacturer’s warranty. This regulation only covers cars in their original new car warranty. Any additional warranty cover products you purchase will not be subject to this regulation and you should always check the terms of your contract.

At CVS, we can protect your investment by following the manufacturer’s service schedule and using original/manufacturer OEM-approved parts. We will also provide you with records so that should you need to you can demonstrate that work was carried out to brand specifications.

For older vehicles, it is always better off reverting to reliable independent like Castle Vehicle Servicing . We boast excellent connections with the parts network, have access to both OEM, non-branded, and “green” parts. They can be up to 70% cheaper than new components and reduce the environmental impact of the repair industry.

Why should I choose an independent garage?

At CVS, we provide ourselves on providing excellent customer service and repairs at honest prices. We understand that life is frenetic and it can be a real struggle to fit your repairs or maintenance work in your busy working week. For this reason, we go that extra mile to take the pressure off with our free collection and delivery service and return your vehicle clean inside and out. And, IF work is taking longer than expected, subject to insurance and availability, we also have a courtesy vehicle.