 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Puma Servicing main dealer v independent |
 
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| Rashers Member Since: 21 Jun 2015 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3344   
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If you know of an Independent local to you with a good reputation, you should save yourself a considerable amount of money not going to the Main Dealer.
The independent I use is more than half the price of the Main Dealer for servicing, uses LR parts and has a log-in so the service can be registered on the JLR servicing website. I was recommended to them by a fellow forum member, and have never looked back or regretted dropping the Main Dealer. If you don't know of a local indie, or at least one you trust, that's a hard call. |
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1st Aug 2021 9:59pm |
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| Race.it Member Since: 27 Aug 2019 Location: Algeciras Posts: 741  
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There used to be two in guilford guava or something used to take my discovery there after got told to never go back to a stratstones (they don’t like it when you quote the Land Rover workshop manual at them when they do the job wrong.)
Guava were very good, think they were a pre export service place from memory Searching for my first Defender...and started just as Covid hit, so talk about timing. 5 months after starting the search I found it, and here is the details |
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1st Aug 2021 10:00pm |
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| kenzle8a Member Since: 12 Feb 2020 Location: None Posts: 1074 
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A decent independent every time for me, I’m lucky in Edinburgh with engine 710 on my doorstep, my wife’s car goes to the local vag group indie as well, there’s no way in hell I’d take any of ours to a main dealer.
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1st Aug 2021 10:08pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11240 
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Guava aren't there anymore, unfortunately. They were taken over by Inchcape who run the dealership in the town and are now just their service centre. Prices went up and service levels down at that point, I'm afraid.
My 2013 USW is looked after by Challenger 4x4 in Tongham near Aldershot. I wouldn't dream of using a main dealer for servicing. Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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1st Aug 2021 10:26pm |
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| Leamreject Member Since: 19 Dec 2020 Location: Middle Earth - Leamington Spa Posts: 956  
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I use an independent Land Rover specialist, half the cost Land Rover Heritage trained and knows what trends to look for and address before they become a problem
Wouldn’t dream of taking my pride and joy to a franchised dealer  Ride like you stole it!!
If I’m not on a bike it’s because only a 4x4 will do… 2011 2.4 Puma 90 HT |
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2nd Aug 2021 7:01am |
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| AMBxx Member Since: 24 Jul 2016 Location: York Posts: 985 
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Do JLR and their dealers still train their mechanics on the old Defender?
My local independent had their apprentices rebuild a Defender from scratch just to learn. I like to think they'll do a better job even on something as simple as a regular service. |
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2nd Aug 2021 7:20am |
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| Landymatt Member Since: 31 Dec 2018 Location: York Posts: 191
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Just having a poke around and came across this AMBxx… what was / is the indie around York you mention, that rebuilt the Defender for training?
Cheers, Matt |
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12th Jul 2022 9:14pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 16884 
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No, and they no longer have "mechanics", they now have "technicians". Times are changing, not necessarily for the better. |
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12th Jul 2022 9:46pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 19579
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Can’t say I was happy with main dealers. Difficult to contact, often won’t reply.
Have to stand on-top your head to get a specific is part which nearly always ends up in phone calls which is a pain when you can get the items online anyway. Often unknown as to if items are in stock when ordered. One specific dealer I went to for a job to be done I ended coming out with it with more problems as the job wasn’t finished properly in the end I had to then go and repair it myself it was just not worth the time and effort to mess about with “arrangements”. 
So Independent for me, happy to fit my own parts or supply their own whichever suits. Genuine parts used for servicing. Always reply, never had a problem at all and actual mechanics that own their own Defenders and who have a real genuine interest in them. People who have a genuine interest does the trick for me, that means the skills are there and would want to do things right and not just to bung things out the other end of the workshop. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧 |
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12th Jul 2022 10:06pm |
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| kenzle8a Member Since: 12 Feb 2020 Location: None Posts: 1074
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Main dealerships by and large are strangled by the ridiculous setups of service management and book times, seldom if ever are the technicians given the right amount of time, or even allowed to ‘fix’ rather than just remove, bin, replace.
BMW were among the worst I’ve experienced, when my warranty was up i bought tools. There are some nice exceptions to the rule, Subaru have always been very good for my mothers car. |
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12th Jul 2022 10:12pm |
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| AMBxx Member Since: 24 Jul 2016 Location: York Posts: 985
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It was Wold's View in Pocklington. I only use them for servicing & MOT though. They don't do paint. I've only heard one negative comment about them. They normally collect mine too which is a bonus. |
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13th Jul 2022 7:10am |
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| balmybaldwin Member Since: 17 Apr 2021 Location: Surrey Posts: 186 
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Another vote for Challenger in Tongham. very pleased with them
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13th Jul 2022 9:32pm |
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| Bazarre13 Member Since: 31 Aug 2022 Location: London Posts: 21 
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Hi there
I’ve just managed to purchase my first Defender (2016 110 SW) with a load of extras and a big story to it having had 2yrs around Australia by first UK owner, to Germany then to Iceland before making it back to these shores and into my hands, full JLR service history until landed back in UK then independents. Now have it in SW London am wondering if anyone could recommend a good independent? Having it parked in the street is not ideal for me doing more than the basics and actually don’t know what works I am allowed to on public roads here. Appreciate any advice. Bazarre13 Bazarre13 Learning to live with a Defender in London MY2016 110 XS SW Black Pack in Indus Grey |
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31st Aug 2022 11:53am |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2288 
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Hello Mitch16
Guildford to Eversley is 20ish Miles... and this leads you to Dave Miles at Safari Engineering https://safari-engineering.co.uk/ Every time I run out of knowhow or time I trust these guys, a no nonsense set up, in repurposed chicken sheds, not a sofa or 'free' coffee in sight, but I have full confidence in both the advice given and workmanship, been going here for 30 years. A Main Dealer would be my last choice with Labour at £2-3 / Minute + the Land Rover Parts Pricing Policy Good Luck...  SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html |
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31st Aug 2022 1:54pm |
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