How can I avoid be ripped off with service charges?

Question

I have run a Smart car for about five years because I do take economic and environmental issues seriously. I have no complaint with the vehicle and will ultimately hope to replace it with another. The one area that maddens me is that I seem to have no alternative but to take it to a Smart garage for servicing and the cost are outrageous. Whatever happened to choice?

Answer 1

Buy a fixed-price service contract.
These are available from smart in the UK (see http://www.smart.com/-snm-0164329964-1153205850-0000016005-0000006781-1155043535-enm-is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/mpc-uk-content-Site/en_UK/-/GBP/SVCPresentationPipeline-Start?Page=issite%3a%2f%2fmpc-uk-Site%2fmpc-uk%2ecom%2fRootFolder%2fsmart%2fAfter%20Sales%2fService%20Contracts%2fServiceContract_intro%2epage ) but I don't know how much it costs.
For some cars these are very good value - especially the "tlc" packages available with new MINIs in the UK.

Alternatively lease your car, rather than buying it, and you can have the service costs included in the lease.

Note that it is illegal under EU legislation for the manufacturer to insist that you use their franchise dealers for servicing - however if you have an additional "dealer" insurance-backed warranty (which the second and third years of many new-car warranties are) then using a non-franchised dealer for servicing may invalidate this warranty.

Answer 2

The Smart Car Mercedes Benz and Swatch makes is comming to these shores soon. The placement of the motor and special tools necessary to diagnosis and repair. The BMW mini cooper is also cramped and hard to work on so until a Smart mechanic quits and starts a shop, your stuck with the servicing dealer. Try another dealer next closest to you.

Answer 3

Anytime you have a relatively new technology, you have the problem of requiring a specialist to maintain it. As the technology becomes more common, you will find more ability to find service outside of dealerships; unfortunately, this may take a few more years. If you personally know any mechanics, you might suggest that they take some classes on fixing and maintaining these vehicles; this would be a step in the direction you desire.

Answer 4

Are there any business Estates close to you? if so, take a force around it, hazard is there will be a pair of small one or 2 guy band motor vehicle restore shops on it. Their overheads are low and lots of their company comes from concepts. My youngest son began his own company up a pair of months back after working interior the commerce for sixteen years. so far very virtually each and every interest he has achieved has delivered greater company, the telephone jewelry and a few stranger he has in no way heard of says "you taken care of my friends Mondeo final week, might desire to you observe my suspension concern?" or comparable. His first actual client had won a quote of £650 from between the biggest and longest generic garages interior the area for the artwork mandatory on his motor vehicle. The storage giving that quote substitute into the storage my son worked in till he began up on his own. His value for the artwork ~ £310. properly happy first client yet much greater happy son while interior a fortnight 4 of that purchasers friends had booked artwork with him. My son's view is that do a outstanding interest and you will have a consumer for all times, and his kinfolk, and his friends. Rip somebody off and the sufferer will rubbish you at each and every hazard to everybody he meets. maximum mechanics comprehend this. you are able to grasp that for the time of a 10 twelve months previous motor vehicle there are various products nearing or previous their designed provider life and there is different severe rust which you won't be able to see till the motor vehicle is up on the hoist.

Answer 5

Choice is narrow with niche products...it's just one of the downsides to being an early adopter of new technologies. Unless a product becomes mainstream, your service fees will remain even more outrageous than the already outrageous fees charged for service on mainstream vehicles.

Answer 6

When enough people switch from gas guzzlers to hybrids, there will be enough need for other mechanics to fill the niche. Currently, they can keep busy repairing normal cars so they don't need to learn how to repair hybrids - there is no financial incentive.

Answer 7

You mean doing it yourself, or having multiple servicers to chose from? Perhaps you should have chosen something like a '65 Chevy Nova or something people can work on. You chose to go with something so complex, that nobody else can work on it. There's your choice.

'nuff said?

Answer 8

the 2 best choices you have ,is do the work yourself or find a shadetree mech.(,they seem to know more then the so called mechs.in the garages.)

Answer 9

That is a problem and an ever growing problem. One of the best ways is a word-of-mouth and from someone who is savy... It is a very serious problem