Car Dealership Servicing

[El Presidente]

I have a great car mechanic (Aaron) that I use for my cars that are not under warranty. Unfortunately for my Alfa Quad, it goes in today for its first 12 month service with people/dealership I do not know. The extended warrranty unfortunately means a dealership service experience. Ouch 

Anyway, my experience with dealership servicing has been appalling over the years. One maybe two mechanics, 8 -10 apprentices, overworked, production line mentality. I marked my tyres last night and will put a dot on the oil filter this morning. Lets see if the former are rotated and the latter changed. 

It is sad to be this suspicious of dealerships. Am I the only one? 

Your worst experience? (or best!) 

 

[BrightonCorgi]

Worst is being ripped off on parts. The old owners of the dealership would normally discount any part they hard to order like 10-15% off. They have no carrying cost in that instance. Dealership was sold and new ownership are crooks.

I needed a part for my car. They said, it was $1200 and they'd have to order it. There's a popular parts discounter https://www.scuderiacarparts.com/ if you are DIY or using an indy shop for OEM parts. They had the part listed in for $550. I figured if Scuderia is selling it for $550, they'll probably charge $800 at the max. Nope, got that one wrong. They flat out ripped me off. 

Plenty of good stories about dealerships too, but that was under the former ownership. Once they were bought, all the talent fled as well.

[JohnS]

My 5-year warranty period will expire next month and I'm looking forward to taking my car to our family mechanic thereafter (as he is awesome)!

[AshesToExcellence]

The tire mark test is elite-level dealership paranoia…and honestly, completely justified.

I think half the modern dealership experience feels like handing your car to a pit crew made up of one exhausted master tech and seven teenagers named Tyler learning “on the job.”

Years ago I brought my beloved Defender in for an oil change and tire rotation. Picked it up, drove home, and realized they’d somehow managed to return it with *less* oil than when it arrived. To this day I still don’t know if that required negligence or actual creativity.

And somehow every service advisor still says: “We completed a full multi-point inspection.” Sure you did, champ. 🙃
 

[Nevrknow]

Seeing as it is their biggest money maker you're not wrong nor paranoid. Sad but true. Amazing the stories I have heard from guys I've built engines with that work for dealerships that HAVE to do what they're told to do.

[TheDonTX]

Been in the industry my whole career. 20+ years. How much time you got? 😂

Buy a torque wrench and do not leave the lot without checking your own lug nuts. Life saving. Also take good photos inside and out. Do it in their service drive at drop off. Take a picture of your miles/km. 

I have seen the worst service departments but I build some of the best. 

[Li Bai]

3 hours ago, TheDonTX said:

Buy a torque wrench and do not leave the lot without checking your own lug nuts. Life saving.

My older brother has been in the field for 25 years and I can confirm this is not a joke...

[BrightonCorgi]

14 hours ago, Li Bai said:

My older brother has been in the field for 25 years and I can confirm this is not a joke...

I concur on this one as well. Wife's Volvo estate had brake job front and back a month ago. We still had the winter wheels on. When I went to swap for the summer wheels, most lug nuts were on wicked tight. I really had to muscle the wrench to get them off. Factory is 140 Nm which isn't all that much. They did not do any torquing at all. They were all over the place, but mostly way too much.

[gormag38]

I certainly have a heard some horror stories. Personally, I've only ever had two bad instances. Both of which involved inadequate oil filter replacement at two separate dealerships. In each case the tech did not adequately turn the oil filter on straight...causing a slow leaking of oil. Probably they throw the new guys on those jobs would be my guess. Hell one of the times I didn't find out until I was a hundred plus miles into a road trip and the oil pressure alarm kicked on...I was livid to say the least. 

[jackhammer]

I do my best to make friends with my service advisor. They can be your best advocate when bringing your vehicle in for service. Find out what they like, cigars, whisky, wine, etc. and bring them a gift next time your vehicle goes in for service. Some dealerships will do everything they can to avoid submitting warranty claims, especially for small jobs, if they think they can get you to pay out of pocket for the repair. I had this happen to me a couple of months ago. The shop foreman didn't want to deal with a warranty claim for a small repair on a part that was known to fail. My service advisor went to bat for me and was able to convince him to cover the job. 

As far as quality of service/repair work, it's been hit or miss over the years, though my current dealership is the largest in my region for the brand, and their service department does excellent work. Every dealership is going to try to upsell you on things. Most of the time, it's stuff you should probably get done, but sometimes it's fine to wait a little longer before doing it. The best thing you can do in that situation is familiarize yourself with your vehicle's maintenance schedule and know what and when things need attention.

Not sure about other countries, but in the US, there are plenty of fantastic dealer alternative shops around. They are a terrific option if your vehicle is out of warranty, and are usually staffed by former dealership techs that have the same level of expertise, but at a much lower price. 

[Li Bai]

8 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

I concur on this one as well.  Wife's Volvo estate had brake job front and back a month ago.  We still had the winter wheels on.  When I went to swap for the summer wheels, most lug nuts were on wicked tight.  I really had to muscle the wrench to get them off.  Factory is 140 Nm which isn't all that much.  They did not do any torquing at all.  They were all over the place, but mostly way too much.

I had never thought about it before (I think I didn't even own a car at the time) when my brother received a call from a very angry client (he's a salesman) while we were hanging together, 20-something years ago.

While on the highway doing 150km/h, one of his wheels came off, he managed to stop on the side of the road just in time to see it hit another car on the other side of the highway. Nobody was seriously injured but it was a miracle...Guess who had just picked his car up from the garage one hour before...I never forgot that phone call and I know for sure it happened at least 2 more times since then with the same garage...

[Namisgr11]

I think my wife and I have been lucky. While we experienced 'issues' in our younger years, I've owned Honda/Acura and Toyota for decades, and she's been driving VWs for just as long, and their service departments have been top notch. It's one main reason we've stuck with the same dealerships, that and the fact that we really like their cars.

[BrightonCorgi]

3 Volvos ago we bought it from the oldest Volvo dealership in North America. We went if for a loose cowl and they told us to drive around into the service bay. We drive in there and 4 service techs go around the car and start working on while were in the car like a NASCAR pit stop! In and out in like 3 minutes!

[JohnnyO]

The dot on the filter may not help you if the filter being replaced is inside the filter housing. I have a buddy that runs an oil/brake/repair shop in Miami. His father-in-law had a Tundra with a 5 year maintenance plan and it expired. My buddy said, "Hey Pops, come on down to the shop and I'll change your oil." Turns out the oil filter was the original. I had a program update on a Highlander at a Toyota dealer in Miami, when they gave me the car it was idling at 2500 rpm. I told the rep the car is dangerous to drive and difficult to keep under control. With a very nervous face he told me, "That's the way it is". I took it to my buddy and he said they probably ran the wrong program. He got it to idle at 800rpm in no time. 

[Fuzz AI]

On 5/13/2026 at 5:57 AM, El Presidente said:

I marked my tyres last night and will put a dot on the oil filter this morning. Lets see if the former are rotated and the latter changed. 

It is sad to be this suspicious of dealerships. Am I the only one? 

Did you also put sugar in the petrol tank to see if they caught that as well? 

[cnov]

I used to live near a friend who works for BMW, I miss that guy, 40% off parts and you know it's getting done properly! 

During COVID I had to take our car to another BMW dealer. They offered a wash, but the car was absolutely filthy with winter dirt, it wasn't a quick job and needed proper attention, I even asked if they give it a proper rinse and the lady said "no", I politely declined the wash and she made a note. Fast forward a few hours and I've used half a tank of fuel in the John Cooper Works Mini they lent me, great fun, "Hi CNOV, just to let you know we've serviced and cleaned your car, it's ready to pick up". FFS. Before going in I went to see it, lo and behold huge swathes of scratches all over it. I was pretty pissed, but I put my diplomatic hat on and went in. 

Discussions were had with the nice service lady and manager, I wanted a full polish to buff out the surface scratches. They disagreed, it's all fairly amicable but the phrase, "It's not my fault that some numpty didn't know how to wash a dirty car" instantly sends the lady to tears. 

Turns out said numpty is her husband who is helping out after losing his job elsewhere. I feel bad, but he is a numpty. They finally agree to book it in for a polish. 

I trundle off to the car, not exactly happy that there were tears but I expect this could have been a 'straw that break the camels back' situation. Get in the car and 'the numpty' has only gone and found my wedding ring that went missing 9 months earlier. I searched that car and everywhere multiple times. I did go into the dealership to tell the upset woman and apologise (again) for calling her numpty fella a numpty. 

They put it right but the time spent driving back and forth was a joke. 

Top tip - try and get friendly with the most senior looking mechanic and see if they do private jobs, some dealers let them and you can still get stamps. I don't mind paying the same price, I just want someone decent working on my car. 

[joeypots]

Had a Honda Ridgeline 2019 that got totaled in a storm last February. About the third or fourth time the service light went on took it to the local Honda dealer for an oil change. I was waiting and after about a half an hour a service manager comes to the lounge and says the mechanic has the vehicle on the lift and that I might as well do the differential oil service now because it will be more convenient for me than waiting until the service light goes on again. I asked how much this convenience would cost me and the reply was something like $300. 

I waited until the service light came on again and went to a local shop I've come to respect and trust.

[Khimerah]

I have a 2019 Honda civic with 86K miles on it, my only nightmare experience has been with those quick change oil places. They forgot to bolt my skid plate back on and didn’t notice until I was on it highway with it. It was hanging pretty badly and every bump made me think it was ready to fall off. Ended up getting a tow to a shop close by who fixed it for free, if you’re in the US AAA is a seriously awesome benefit to have. 

[LLC]

I’d say I’ve probably been pretty lucky and for the most part have had good experiences with Porsche, BMW and Mazda. The BMW has been out of warranty for a long time now and I pay more to go their but I’ve known the main service advisor since I purchased it and they always take good care me and do “deals” where possible. Regarding the torque wrench comments, even if they do it right it isn’t a bad idea to check them again a few days later after you’ve driven a bit. 

[Fuzz AI]

I just spent $4.5k servicing and repairing my Merc C250 Coupe. Intercooler hose replaced (how the hell is this hose $900!!), water pump and drive belt replaced, and 4 new tyres. 

[Chitmo]

On 5/15/2026 at 12:13 PM, Fuzz AI said:

I just spent $4.5k servicing and repairing my Merc C250 Coupe. Intercooler hose replaced (how the hell is this hose $900!!), water pump and drive belt replaced, and 4 new tyres. 

Cosmetic damage to a Q7 this past winter, $35k in repairs = an insurance write off. Luxury cars are nice to drive for sure and the dealer was fantastic at kissing my rear end when it was a lease. But I’d never suggest buying one. As soon as they start needing repairs it’s a money pit. Which I suspect is the point, they want you to keep coming back for something new every 3-4 years. I miss the days when I could do my own repairs, they won’t even sell you the parts in a lot of cases these days. 

[El Presidente]

On 5/16/2026 at 8:28 AM, Chitmo said:

Cosmetic damage to a Q7 this past winter, $35k in repairs = an insurance write off.

So they write it off, sell it as a write-off, second hand dealer repairs it and sells it again? 

[Chitmo]

On 5/16/2026 at 8:46 AM, El Presidente said:

So they write it off, sell it as a write-off, second hand dealer repairs it and sells it again? 

Not sure, insurance probably sent it to auction. For a little more context it was a 5 year old car, we bought it out after the lease ended. I’ll never do that again though. We got a Volvo as a replacement and it will be going back to the dealer when the lease ends. 

[BrightonCorgi]

On 5/15/2026 at 6:46 PM, El Presidente said:

So they write it off, sell it as a write-off, second hand dealer repairs it and sells it again? 

If it is a write off, it goes to an agent that auctions wrecks.