Main Dealer question

[Dorm]

I have no idea how, but it's time for my MY17 to have it's first service, with 3,500 miles on the clock.
I got the 5 year warranty and service plan for residuals and resale at some point so need to have a main dealer service, and I have had a look at a load of threads where dealers are discussed but can't get a clear opinion.

The options for me (Fordstores) are:
Trust Ford, Staines
Hartwell, Kidlington / Oxford
Think Ford, Guildford

But have seen that Farnborough is good though not a Ford Store. Similarly my local dealer, Platts, is not a Ford Store.
Hendy in Eastleigh is a fair distance from me so have excluded it as 2hrs each way is too much.

Any recommendations, or should I just shut up and take it to the nearest Ford Store at Staines?

Ta

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[slowhand99]

I have no idea how, but it's time for my MY17 to have it's first service, with 3,500 miles on the clock.
I got the 5 year warranty for residuals and resale at some point so need to have a main dealer service, and I have had a look at a load of threads where dealers are discussed but can't get a clear opinion.

The options for me (Fordstores) are:
Trust Ford, Staines
Hartwell, Kidlington / Oxford
Think Ford, Guildford

But have seen that Farnborough is good though not a Ford Store. Similarly my local dealer, Platts, is not a Ford Store.
Hendy in Eastleigh is a fair distance from me so have excluded it as 2hrs each way is too much.

Any recommendations, or should I just shut up and take it to the nearest Ford Store at Staines?

Ta

I've had no problem with Think Ford Guildford but you need to deal with them face to face or they will cock things up.

My inclination would be Trust Ford as they are directly owned by Ford which should help if there are any issues.

 

[hinch]

you do know that you don't have to have it serviced at a main dealer as long as the garage you have it serviced by is VAT registered ford have to honour any warranty claims. You can request (or download from ford website) the service check lists for our cars and just ask local cheap garage to stick to that. maintains warranty and saves you a fortune

 

[GR11M]

When I got my oil cooler replaced under warranty all they asked for were the receipts from where I got it serviced and as said above, they had to be VAT registered.

 

[Dorm]

Thanks folks - just realised I was rushing my initial post and forgot the rather important fact that I got the service plan Will edit

 

[AstroKeith]

I've posted previously about poor service from Guildford, but that was for doing some investigative work. I found them arrogant and refused to take any opinions from me the owner and driver. Wasted 3 visits there.

For a straight service they should be OK i'd hope.

I now use Farnborough, which is in the same group and seems to be their main workshop.

 

[Dorm]

Thanks folks. I'll be looking to book it in with Farnborough or Staines depending on what I can swing with work

 

[stiggy]

Just to add, you don't need to use a Ford Store for servicing, just purchase. I just used Think Ford in Reading having previously used Guildford (who were very poor).

Good experience with Reading and much more local than the alternatives (I'm the other side of Henley btw ;)

I also have the service plan/extended warranty which was fine with them. They send a 'health check' video which was nice to see (albeit rather pointless on my car which has done a mere 1750 miles!) But at least I had proof it had been on the ramps Due to the limited mileage/2nd service I took the precaution of marking the oil filter to make sure it got changed. Slightly paranoid of me, but my best mate runs a workshop and I've seen first hand how much work that's suppoded to be done by main dealers to cars in for servicing doesn't actually get done at all (not aimed at Ford by the way - allsorts).

Anyway, needn't have worried - all good

Booked a courtesy car (Ford Ecoboost was given for use) so no worries getting to/from them. Asked them not to clean it either - which they complied with.

 

[TimG]

My nearest Ford dealer not a Ford Store would not touch mine. I wanted the headlamp aim checking & was told we cannot work on Mustangs. I suggested to them if it was a Vectra or Golf the would do the job. They relented & I drove it to the MOT bay where they checked beam aim was OK no adjustment needed or possible. I went to pay & they said no charge. Result except the headlamps are still crap. On another occasion I needed a 10A fuse that I blew fitting my interior LEDs again it was free.
If I was buying another Ford I would certainly check them first. I do have previous experience of them. When my vintage car used to need an MOT I always went there & drive it on the ramp & sit in to turn the steering & try the lights etc.

 

[Snap On Pete]

Do yourself a favour and take your car for servicing to GT101 @Colchester.. See Dave...worth the trip ;)

Ford are Muppets...

 

[AstroKeith]

Just had a "while you wait oil change" at Think Ford Farnborough. I have a three year service plan.
They were very busy, but while waiting I had a chance to see their team in action. They really were trying hard and doing a good job I would say - despite most of their customers being difficult.

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