New Car Servicing. Capped Price Vs Independent Mechanic. Advice!

Ok so my partner and I had to buy a new car. Her old car was on its last legs and there was no point fixing it. We traded it for a new, basic small car.

It has a five year warranty and capped price servicing.

I hate dealerships. I think they’re thieves and half the time don’t actually do the service work they tell you they’ve done. As such, I have gone to specialist independent mechanics for my vehicles for over twelve years. As I’m very much brand loyal, one particular mechanic specialises in my make of vehicles and as such I have an excellent relationship with them.

Further, though not a mechanic, I know my way around a vehicle so I typically can tell when I’m being fed bullshit. I have never experienced that with my mechanic. They’re honest and up front and do the work they say they’ve done- I’ve checked.

As an aside, EVERY SINGLE DEALERSHIP I’ve ever taken ANY vehicle to (motorbike, car) has cocked up a job one way or another and tried hiding it, or flat out lied to me. Except I call them out on their BS then they play dumb. Why am I paying a premium to have some apprentice work on my car?

Anyway, my partner is worried that me insisting we go to my independent mechanic will void the new car warranty. She wants to service it at the dealership. She wants to call the dealership and ask about it. I tell her that’s unnecessary and Australian consumer law states the warranty is valid whether you take it to a dealership or licenced mechanic.

Thing is, I bought the car. She couldn’t get finance. I literally paid for it with money I saved over the years before we were together, and as such I want it to be cared for because eventually it will be my car and she’ll get an EV vehicle down the track.

AITA for expecting and saying to her to get it serviced at my mechanic, who specialises in these vehicles, as opposed to the dodgy dealership who I simply don’t trust?

Capped price servicing is a scam anyway. I’d rather pay an independent a little more (potentially- it might be cheaper!) to actually do the work than a dealership to stamp a service book and not do a thing.

Grrr. Am I the asshole?

TLDR- partner wants to service her new car (that I paid for) at the dealership (whom I do not trust at all) whilst I (who knows quite a bit about cars and servicing) wants to use my specialist mechanic. So we’re butting heads. Am I the asshole?

closed Comments

  • +1

    NTA

    Does dealership servicing have other perks like free roadside assistance if you service with them?

    Did you gift the car to your partner?

    • Not a gift, we both use the car, but it’s ‘hers’ as she primarily drives it. I have two other vehicles- one I don’t drive and I’m emotionally attached to, and a daily driver. They’re all the same manufacturer. Like I said, brand loyal.

      I was going to buy a newish car for myself but have instead decided to run my old vehicle for a few extra years so she can have a new, safer vehicle. Her old car was simply falling apart because it wasn’t looked after. Everything I said was wrong with it (after inspecting it myself) is exactly what the mechanic said as well and it wasn’t worth fixing.

      So I’m very much adamant that I’m the one dealing with vehicle maintenance and repairs.

      There is no benefit to sticking with the dealership for servicing other than ‘serviced at the dealership’ stamp on the service book which doesn’t mean shit.

  • +3

    Given that wall of text I doubt you're going to change your mind anytime soon

    Oh…

    • -1

      You’ll be pleased to know we’re doing great, but thanks for being a lurker :)

      PS TLDR: Too Long Didn’t Read

      • +2

        Not lurking, took 2 clicks 🙂

        If you were doing great you wouldn't have posted a forum post about an argument and instead handled it like an adult…

        • I know your background mate, I’ll leave it at that :)

          • +4

            @imnotarobot: Ah huh…

            Some brands have warranty advantages from dealership servicing. Some brands have cheaper CPS than you'd find from anyone else. All depends on what brand the car is as to what the best course of action is

            Or, she could get out from under your thumb and make the decision herself…

    • +2

      Oh man.

      This guy displays so many red flags.

      Edit: Just went through that post. Read the OP's last comment on it. Got to say she is playing the long game and he deserves everything that's coming.

      • People grow and change :) it’s the beauty of existence.
        I believe people can change. If you want to continue to tar me with that brush that’s fine, I don’t have to agree with it now though :)

        • I believe people can change.

          Sounds like you are still in the “honeymoon” period.

          On their way to be CFO.

  • You should tell the dealer that you dont want those capped price services to get more discounts

    • Except you can't, they're priced from the manufacturer, doesn't cost the dealer a cent

  • +3

    Makes his partner pay rent. Makes all the decisions on the joint vehicle.

    Sounds like a well balanced and respectful relationship of equals.

    • People grow and change :) it’s the beauty of existence.
      I believe people can change. If you want to continue to tar me with that brush that’s fine, I don’t have to agree with it now though :)

  • +2

    I have a Hyundai I30 that I purchased from a dealer, as a Novated Lease fleet vehicle. My Employer recommends that we use their 3rd party Mechanics like Bridgestone, Jax etc.
    However, none are near my workplace, so they let me go through Hyundai. Not long before CV19 hit, a Bridgestone opened nearby, so I started using them (dealership no longer has courtesy shuttle). I've generally found their prices are similar, however a small/honest mechanic would probably be cheaper. Just ask around, if any of your friends know one in the area. Word of mouth with car mechanics is the best advertisement.

    Then check with the mechanic if they do log book servicing.

    And if they do, then it does not void your warranty. I've had my car serviced by Bridgestone, and I had a warranty issue (Ball Bearing), which Hyundai did under warranty (and I had it serviced at the same time).
    Here is the 1st thing that Google found.

    • Actually someone needs to get this links to her.

      https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/financial-abuse-and-what-to-…

      • Thanks for the link :)

        Though pretty sure I’m simply saying I want the car I paid for serviced at a mechanic I know, lol.

      • Also read that story proper just now (was busy before). Are you insinuating I steal from my partner, rack up debts in her name, beat her, and am generally abusive?

        You figured that out from a post about car servicing? Really? Lol. Sorry, but no. Take a step back, you obviously have an agenda.

        Also, yelling that at any ‘potential’ financial abuse case lessens how severe it is for people (both men and women) actually suffering from that type of abuse.

        Check yourself.

  • +2

    Am I the (profanity)?

    You sound like one.

    Is the car registered in your name? If it is, it's technically your car, so do what you want.

    • Imma give you a smiley! :)

  • I am curious what brand the car is. My car is a Toyota and has always been serviced by Toyota. I’ve never had any issues with them. I am guessing your car is something more European or exotic?

    • It’s not a matter of manufacturer servicing vehicles, it’s specific dealerships (in my experience) the level of service varies greatly.

  • +1

    There's just something about your attitude 🤔

    • Honestly though, can you let me know what your opinion of my attitude is? Honest query

  • You’ll all be pleased to know we’ve discussed this further, as adults, (thanks @spackbase) and she agrees to having my mechanic look at and service the vehicle moving forward, as it doesn’t affect the car warranty even though they have ‘capped price servicing.’

  • Am I the (profanity)?

    Yes

    partner wants to service her new car (that I paid for) at the dealership

    For a new car, trusting the dealership vs independent mechanic isn't a huge issue. Everything in a new car service is either a maintenance item or a warranty claim.

    It'll come down to cost. Is the independent mechanic going to save you money? How much? Is $500 saving over 5 years worth the argument with your partner? Is $1000?

    Heck, just service it at dealership for a year or two, until you're both less precious about the car. First few services are just oil changes anyway.

    Also note that warranty claims go much smoother when you have a service history with a dealership. Just simple things like complementary loan vehicles. Of course, you might never use that particular service.

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