Leasing Companies Start To Use Non Franchised Dealers For With Maint Servicing

Tuesday, 25. May 2010

I’ve often pointed out to customers that they can now have their new cars serviced at non franchised dealers and still retain their warranty cover. This resulted from the changes that were made to the EU Block Exemption rules removing the stranglehold that manufacturers had over the servicing of new vehicles during the warranty period, that was cunningly extended by most manufacturers to 3 years. In an effort to save money and centralise agreements even leasing companies themselves are now starting to use independents when having their cars serviced under maintenance agreements. The main reasons are cost cutting as servicing costs can be around 15% – 20% lower and the ability to set up national agreements as can be done for the supply of tyres. The main suppliers (and ones that you might like to note for future refersence) are Kwik-Fit Fleet, ATS and the Fleet News voted supplier of the year, National Autocentres. Kwik Fit have now launched a free collection and delivery service so it won’t be long before you receive the same, if not better, level of service from independents than you receive from the main dealers at less cost to you. By Graham Hill