The off-roader was developed...
The off-roader was developed with the help of UK sports car maker Lotus to ensure the ride and handling are a match for rivals. The Tiggo will go on sale in its home country in July, but could lead the brand"s arrival in Britain.
If you’re not...
If you’re not mechanically minded, getting your car serviced can be worrying. Not only is it costly and time-consuming to arrange, but there’s the added fear of being ripped off. Most motorists will have a servicing horror story. So what can you do to avoid a nasty experience of your own? Well, there are a number of steps you can take – although firstly you will need to decide where you’re going to get the work carried out.
Find out whether staff use pattern or original equipment parts, and request a check list of all the work they have done đ€“ that will help to keep the technicians on their toes
If the car is still under warranty, the majority of owners head to their main dealer. For peace of mind you can’t beat it – mechanics are trained to the maker’s standards, plus they’ll have all the specialist tools for the job, as well as detailed information on your car. However, you pay for the privilege – labour rates can be twice as high as at an independent.
Nowadays, block exemption rules have thrown open servicing to non-franchised outlets. These Europe-wide guidelines mean drivers aren’t obliged to have their car worked on by main agents to keep their warranty intact. As long as the vehicle is serviced in accordance with the manufactÂurer’s guidelines, and using approved parts, then the cover will be valid – but it’s essential that you keep the receipts.
If you use an independent to carry out servicing during the warranty perÂiod, make sure you tell garage staff that you want the work to meet the maker’s guidelines. Independent outfits often perform set services, and it’s unlikely that these would cover everything included in the equivalent check-up at a main dealer.
But choosing an independent garÂage can be tricky. You can pick from high street chains, specialists and the ‘under the arches’ type of establishments – although a recommendation from a friend is obviously preferable. When you arrive at a site for the first time, there are still things to look for: piles of old tyres and parts are not a good sign. Ask to see the workshop – a good site will happily show off its facilities. Also, several ‘good garage’ schemes can point you towards a decent outfit.
When booking the car in, find out if staff use pattern or original equipment parts (the latter is preferable), say you want to see any replaced components and request a check list of the work – all this will help keep the technicians on their toes.
If your vehicle is older, try doing the work yourself or buy the parts and ask a garage to fit them. This way, you will only pay for labour – although major jobs such as cambelt replacements are often best left to the professionals.
When you buy a car new, some manufacturers offer a servicing deal for a one-off payment. The most popÂular is MINI’s tlc package. This gives customers five years or 50,000 miles worth of servicing for a one-off ÂŁ150. That’s amazing value – just remember it’s a clever marketing ploy that keeps you coming back to the showroom in the hope you’ll buy another model!
Contacts
AA 0800 085 2721 www.theaa.com
British Standards Institute 01442 278607 www.kitemarkautomotive.com
Green Flag 0845 246 1557 www.greenflag.co.uk
Institute of the Motor Industry 01992 511521 www.automotivetechnician.org.uk
RAC 0800 029 029 www.rac.co.uk
Retail Motor Industry Federation 08457 585350 www.rmif.co.uk
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders 0870 751 8270 www.smmt.co.uk
Warranty Direct 0800 731 7001 www.warrantydirect.co.uk