Why don't drivers have their cars serviced at independent workshops instead of franchised dealers?

I read with interest your replies to AB and JD about the advisability of franchised dealer servicing in order to keep a new car warranty valid. Over the years I have experienced the efforts of both franchised...

Why won't my dealer help with a pre-existing fault on my Ford Focus?

At the end of March I purchased a 2005 Ford Focus 2.0TDCI with 89,000 miles from a small independent dealer in South Croydon, with a oil change thrown in for good measure. Four days later I noticed that...

Extended warranties and dealer servicing - what's the law?

Volkswagen Approved Warranty (via Mondial Assistance(UK)) have informed me both during recent telecons and via email that the extended warranty they are offering to renew for my vehicle (first taken out...

Latest DPFs - fewer problems?

I was helping my father look at a new Fiat Doblo with a 1.6 Diesel engine. I mentioned to the dealer that the car would be used mainly for shorter journeys, say a few miles at a time. I said I had read...

Should I continue to have my Mercedes-Benz C180 serviced at the main dealer or go independent?

I have now nearly reached the three-year point on a Mercedes-Benz C180 that I bought from a main dealer at six months old with a three-year warranty and two free services. These have now been had and I...

Bought an Aston Martin Vantage with leaking shock absorbers - should the dealer repair these?

I have just bought a 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster from a dealer who trades from his house. I wasn't able to have the car professionally inspected, which was probably a mistake, but have now had...

Why don't car dealers give a full year's warranty?

I looked at a Ford Kuga, 4x4, manual box, diesel engine, 2009 model and quite a nice car. The dealer, a main Ford agent, was asking £16,999 with only a three months warranty. The car had done 33,000 miles...

Can you recommend a specialist left-hand drive dealer?

Three years ago you advised of a reliable dealer who would buy my LHD Citroen and he was great. Now I want to go the other way. Please advise me, as I would wish to use him again.

Should the cam belt have been changed before we bought our used Audi TT?

My son purchased a 2007 Audi TT from an Audi dealer four weeks ago. It has 20,000 miles and is an ex-demo with one previous owner. He has today received a card from the service department telling him the...

Why don't people support their local car dealers?

IB asks you how Drive the Deal can offer better terms than his local dealer. At the same time I read in a local paper that a well-established and respected local dealer, Nidd Vale in North Yorkshire is...