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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To get a service with someone other than Audi? (Calling Audi owners..)

47 replies

ncob · 14/09/2023 09:38

Hi all. I promise this is not a stealth boast and I apologise if it comes across that way during a cost of living crisis. I am a new-ish Audi owner and so far have had everything done any kind of maintenance work/services/tyres etc at Audi. I get a little pop-up in the car then book in. However. I really don't want to fork out these premium rates, I was perfectly happy with my Corsa the 12 years prior to owning an Audi which I had seen to in independent garages or Halfords etc.

My question is, what do you all do? The main fear I suppose is losing its resale value if I stop going to Audi. My other (perhaps irrational) thought is, I rely entirely on these pop-up notes that tell me, eg at the moment it says I am due a oil & filter change. If get I get this done independently, will it continue to tell me when I need things doing...?

Thanks!

OP posts:

Shade17 · 14/09/2023 10:28

Service records are mainly electronic now, Audi have an app that you can see the car’s history so no service book as such. A stack of invoices is a much better than a book of stamps, the book of stamps is worthless without the invoices to back them up. I tend to keep a ring binder for each car with all invoices in poly pockets in chronological order, makes a nice presentation when you come to sell.

Notadramallama · 14/09/2023 10:29

I had an Audi for 6 years (just sold it) and never took it to a dealership. It went to a local VAG specialist.

It won't have a service book - it's online now and if you find a VAG specialist they'll be able to upload the service details to Audi. When I sold mine I just emailed the dealership I bought it from for a link to its service record and then forwarded to the garage I sold it to.

Original poster

ncob · 14/09/2023 11:04

Very helpful, thanks everyone. Just the reassurance I needed. So its fine that I have a collection of invoices and emails. I guess my next step is to find a "VAG specialist" and ask if they can upload everything online so Audi can see a record and I still get reminders...

OP posts:

19lottie82 · 14/09/2023 11:11

While under warranty take it to Audi. After that take it to a trusted independent garage (not Halfords) who can update your service record online (make sure you check that they have this facility).

FirstYouGetTheMoney · 14/09/2023 11:12

ncob · 14/09/2023 11:04

I don’t think that that last but is possible.

goingtotown · 14/09/2023 11:18

I'd use Halfords for replacing a bulb but never for a service.

aspirationalflamingo · 14/09/2023 11:41

But how do you find a trustworthy garage if you don't have a local network of people to recommend one?

FirstYouGetTheMoney · 14/09/2023 11:44

aspirationalflamingo · 14/09/2023 11:41

But how do you find a trustworthy garage if you don't have a local network of people to recommend one?

We’ve a system at home that links our computer and even our phones to a network of others, which you can access to get information about things like this.

If that’s not available in your area yet you could do what used to be normal and call round a place in person and use your judgement about it.

aspirationalflamingo · 14/09/2023 11:50

@FirstYouGetTheMoney Does it make you feel good to be nasty to people asking for help because they've just said they don't have people in their own life to help them?

KnittedCardi · 14/09/2023 12:21

With BMW/Mini all the service history is on the key!

Trevorton · 14/09/2023 12:46

You can use any garage you like to service your car. There will be a service schedule for the make/model/year of car that the garage have access to which shows them what that car needs for a particular service. To stay in warranty you need to have this service record and also have the garage use genuine parts (not aftermarket parts which are cheaper). That is all. You do not need to use the dealership for servicing on any new car.

Trevorton · 14/09/2023 12:50

TedWilson · 14/09/2023 09:41

Is it brand new? If so to maintain your warranty you are likely to have to use Audi. If it is older than 3 years though then use who you want as long as they have the diagnostics you will be fine. Go to someone you trust or a German specialist.

This is not the case at all. You can get any new car serviced by any garage and still keep the warranty. What you do need to do though to ensure the warranty is valid is make sure the garage use genuine parts rather than aftermarket parts and follow the designated service schedule for the vehicle - which they would do anyhow, but always worth a double check when booking vehicle in.

Daffidale · 14/09/2023 12:55

I’d def look at Audi All In plan. We’re about to get it for our 3yr old Audi. You get servicing, MOT, AA breakdown cover and extended warranty. I reckon the cost will be the same for the servicing, MOT and breakdown as if I took it too local independent, so you’re basically getting a free warranty on top (potentially worth £££). It may help with resale value later to have main dealer service history. You can pay monthly for no extra too.

but stop getting wipers and tyres from them! For wipers just go to Halfords and fit yourself (or pay them). Ditto tyres shop around online. There are mobile tyre fitters who come to you which is great if you’re busy with work.

Lulubo1 · 14/09/2023 12:56

Chocolatelabradorsarethebest · 14/09/2023 10:20

I take mine to a local VAG (Volkswagon Audi Group) specialist and they are great and about half the price of a main dealer. They tend to be mechanics that previously worked for the VW/Audi garages so know their stuff. It's a good middle ground between the very expensive main dealer garages and somewhere like Halfords/Kwik-Fit.

This. Yep, exactly what I do. Much cheaper than taking it to an Audi dealership that has a service centre attached.

Tessasanderson · 14/09/2023 15:09

ncob · 14/09/2023 10:01

Sorry I'm not clued up as to what a VAG specialist is. Yes I know I have been thoroughly ripped off so far. One of those awkward situations when you get the work done, get told the cost, just smile politely and pay.. walk out and realise how crazy that amount was. I can afford it (just would much rather not spend it on this). I did it for ease, had a major work related event in the days after which required driving 600 miles round trip. I'm under similar stressful conditions and a part of me just wants to go to Audi again for ease (hopefully this time next year my life will be more stable and I can take the time to make better financial decisions).

Glad to hear I will still continue to get reminders, phew. Didn't realise people look down on Halfords, why? I wonder if people would be able to suggest an alternative if I gave my vague location?

You would be better off going on your local facebook page for your area and asking for suggestions. A few good local garages will be recommended i would expect.

Reugny · 14/09/2023 15:17

Tessasanderson · 14/09/2023 15:09

You would be better off going on your local facebook page for your area and asking for suggestions. A few good local garages will be recommended i would expect.

Show quote history

Be careful doing this as some garage owners who aren't popular will get their family and friends to recommend them.

hattie43 · 14/09/2023 15:22

I take mine to a local garage who can do most things , having said that I'm not going to sell it / trade in until this electric car situation is decided ( I don't think 2030 is feasible ) and I'm not worried about having a full 'Audi ' servicing record .

Heyhoherewegoagain · 14/09/2023 15:55

Frabbits · 14/09/2023 10:14

Yes, you should be able to use any garage for servicing but within the warranty period if you have non-dealer stamps in your logbook it's likely that warranty claims will become harder, so it's a risk you take.

Beyond the warranty period I would certainly use a trusted local garage, which usually means avoiding the likes of Halfords etc unless you know your local one has trustworthy people working there - not all of them are bad.

I had to make a warranty claim on one of mine which another garage serviced they didn’t bat an eyelid

zingally · 14/09/2023 17:01

I've NEVER taken any of my cars to the original garage for servicing! They go to the local independent garage that I can walk to and from.

KayTU · 16/07/2024 19:25

Have only been using a local independent one specialised in Audi but they have an online presence(www.cloverautos.co.uk). It was recommended to me so I would ask around see if there is one you can trust in your area. No problems ever!!

Toooldtoworry · 16/07/2024 19:31

We always source a non main dealer specialist in our area and use them with genuine parts so the warranty is not invalidated. I'd NEVER use a main dealer again after being ripped off previously.

EffinMagicFairy · 16/07/2024 19:36

You can buy a blank Audi service book on eBay, our Audi is now 5 years old, has an online service schedule apparently, we just keep the invoices and get our service schedule stamped and dated from our local garage, old school suits me.

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