Have had the S2 for nearly 12 months so due a service (6k miles).I know it’s an ‘A’ service- can anyone tell me what that entails and what gets changed? I had some work done at Lotus dealer and due to a pricing error on a part, was told if I took the car in for this service they would do the oil and filter change for free and give me an Exige-S for the day.
It’s tempting just for that! Will I save much with these free bits (not sure whether labour or parts). I believe independent Horizon Motorsport charge �100 for an A service. Thanks.
Hi Jez,
My Exige is also a year old. Went back to B & C for Gear lever Mod recently. They asked if I wanted a first service at the same time. I told then I had only done 1,500 miles since first service. They said “well if you don’t get it serviced on time it may invalidate the warranty” I said what is an A service ? they said it was just an oil & Filter change and a general inspection �300 please !
I am getting some major work done on the car soon so I will get the “A” service done at the same time for about �150.
Ex77
Crikey- I hope there is a lot of inspection going on for �300!!
Thanks
That is just shocking. I can’t see how they can justify �300 for an A service-Hold on a minute i can, beacuse we have to pay it!
Crikey- I hope there is a lot of inspection going on for �300!!
Thanks
fluff and belly button spring to mind…
Quote:
They said “well if you don’t get it serviced on time it may invalidate the warranty”
Unquote
What they don’t say is that “well if you don’t get it serviced AT BELL & COLVILL on time it may invalidate the warranty”
It is illegal for a manufacturer to insist that the warranty is only valid if the servicing is carried out by their franchised dealers. As long as your service is done on time, by a reputable technician, using Lotus genuine parts, anyone can do it.
So the choice is your’s…
Agreed. Manufactureer can’t invalidate a warranty if you have had a service carried out by a compitent mechanic. If you’re worried about resale values then there are a number of reputable independant that hold greater value than the dealers (and cost a hell of a lot less too).
Save yourself the �200 and go to Horizon or another such independant.
On Toyota powered cars there is no A, B or C service, just an annual (9000 mile) service.
As far as the warranty goes, any VAT registered garage using genuine parts is fine.
Rob
Out of curiosity (cos it doesn’t effect me & my old banger), why must “the garage” be VAT registered? There are various extremely competent professional mechanics, specialising in Lotus (mainly Elises), whose turnover is below the registration limit. Does the EU “block exemption” legislation actually state that that only VAT registered businesses qualify?
Sorry, mate, it’s been a typical Monday!!!
As Graham says - as long as genuine parts are used and the service carried out at the correct intervals then Lotus cannot invalidate your warranty.
A suitably dated recipet for genuine parts showing approximately when they were fitted would suffice (provided of course they had been fitted correctly).
In terms of re-sale then some people will want full main dealer others will accept a specialist. Suppose it depends on how long you intend to keep it.
Odd then I never intend to sell mine yet I have the dealer service it
Note to self - service at Specialist - money saved spend on track days.
Rob
Out of curiosity (cos it doesn’t effect me & my old banger), why must “the garage” be VAT registered? There are various extremely competent professional mechanics, specialising in Lotus (mainly Elises), whose turnover is below the registration limit. Does the EU “block exemption” legislation actually state that that only VAT registered businesses qualify?
Sorry, mate, it’s been a typical Monday!!!
I never actually understood how anyone could make enough money servicing cars and not reach the VAT threshold… It must be ‘hand-to-mouth’ otherwise …
Hi Rob
I guess that the VAT registered bit is to ensure that the work has been done by ‘competant skilled technicians’ at a place of business as opposed to a private individual with bits from Halfords and no special knowledge. Warranty companys assume that technicians are more likely to identify impending failures and have the diagnostic equipment to locate any probs. Never bothered with warrantys myself, there’s usually a cop out clause in them anyway, they only cover the things that don’t go wrong !!
I never actually understood how anyone could make enough money servicing cars and not reach the VAT threshold… It must be ‘hand-to-mouth’ otherwise …
How much bloody porridge can you eat in a year then? I would have thought �60K’s worth was enough for anyone!
LOL…
that’s turnover tho’ so how much profit is left after you paid all your bills and bought all the service parts ?