What is the situation regarding having a new LR vehicle serviced by a non-main dealer?

I have an always had older cars and so I normally use my local service garage (great reputation). Now I am getting a new LR2 in March they have reminded me that I can still get the new car serviced by them providing they use LR parts and follow the servicing schedule.

I know that the law now says that a manufacturer must allow for servicing by non-main dealers but I wondered whether is reality there would still be wriggle room for them to refuse a warranty claim even though the schedule was followed and LR parts used?

Any thought please?

Personally I would not risk it.... for as long as it is not a Land Rover stamp in the book then if you do have a problem it will be the first thing that they pick on and they will pick on it...

For example, how do they know that your indi has followed the schedule as per LR ? Clearly they can check the parts etc, but not necessarily all the other stuff, for example, checked tensioner here – loaded new software there etc etc...

I could be wrong and I am willing to hear from other good news stories of using a indi to do the work and then going to LR and having the warranty honoured, but I’m not hopeful!!!

Good luck if you do go to your indi and let us know how you get on
 Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

I prefer to have manufactuers servicing done whilst a car is in warranty

basically helps with the warranty backup, updates that come along that don't need recalls

but more importantly as LR Garage will look more favourabley at a LR serviced car, especially if its been serviced all at the same garage, its easier for them to sell a car with fully LR history.

If i was to look at other garages then It would be one that speciallises in Land Rovers

But as long as they go along with LR Services Schedule then it up to you  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I've had a couple of instances now of having my Freelander serviced by an independent (a Land ROver specialist but not a dealer), and during the service they've spotted other faults.

I've then gone into the LR dealer explained that I've had it serviced somewhere else, where they've spotted issues, and had the problems fixed under warranty with no quibbles.


I did have problems with the LR dealer actually fixing the problems - but that's due to the dealer being a bit rubbish and nothing at all to do with having used the independent for the servicing.

Having recently changed my first, problematic, Freelander for a newer one the only time the new one is going near a dealer is if it needs any warranty work. Other than that I'm getting anything else done by the independent. Much cheaper and better service than the LR main dealer.

Thanks. I ought to say that I am actually of a similar opinion as you. Not only that, but there will certainly be a financial penalty on resale if it is not LR main dealer serviced.

I thought I would get others opinions though as the price difference is very significant and I didn't want to just assume.

I am still interested in peoples views especially if anyone has used an indie and had a warranty claim either refused or upheld.

When I traded my Disco they knocked down £500 for using the 4x4 specialist down the road. But what the service department said, you can choose to believe it or not that LR look more favourably on owners who use the dealer for servicing, they look at it as brand loyalty, if you have used a dealer throughout its life or have an history of LR ownership, if a problem comes up out of warranty they are more likely to get it done F.O.C. or at least get a sizeable contribution from LR to cover the repairs. I had a new gearbox fitted two months out of warranty on my Disco, so may be some truth in it or may just be bovine excrement. p****d off with a Digital Keyboard Warrior

European Block Exemption laws allow you to have vehicle serviced by any recognised (vat registered) garage. This does not affect your warranty.
You must be able to prove vehicle was serviced to manufacturers schedule using manufacturers parts, in addition to your own invoice for service you can be asked for Land Rover check list properly filled in and the copy invoice of LR dealer who supplied service parts to your garage.
In addition to this you have no recourse to a "Goodwill Claim" when vehicle out of warranty.
As others have said dealers like a dealer history. All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

I found that LR servicing was not that much more than an indy garage.

But as for LR, they can't turn down a warranty claim if you can prove it has been serviced using LR parts and schedule. Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

Mav71 wrote:

I found that LR servicing was not that much more than an indy garage.

But as for LR, they can't turn down a warranty claim if you can prove it has been serviced using LR parts and schedule.

To prove the schedule was followed ask your LR dealer for a copy. I also think it is on a thread in forum.
Most independants now have Autodata on line and can access schedules. All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

Hi Paul, there are several posts covering this subject and I know that LPR have stated that it will affect the subsequent PX price however if they they do state that they will knock off £500 for indie service I'm sure they won't want to lose a £30 k + sale.
Having been in similar situations with other cars Audi / BMW etc, they don't seem to be bothered.

Mr Pinks does make a good point that main dealer will incorp updates that may inc recalls etc, this may be pertinent if you live some distance away from your dealer.

I have rang round recently as mine is due 1st service and the prices quoted are comparable between the two camps. 2010 FL2 XS Auto in Santorini Black with HSE alloys

Thanks for all your wise words.

I am not bothered about the legal side because that is purely theoretical and I am more interested in what actually happens.

I have taken on board all your comments and I have concluded that although it is possible to use an indie and it not affect the warranty (providing it uses the approved schedule and LR approved parts) it would still, in all likelihood, affect the resale value. It also seems to me that many people are finding the LR service prices whilst more than an idie, might still be competetive when taking in to account the extra value held as a result and also the extra things that an LR dealer are able to do that an indie might find difficult (software updates etc), plus the goodwill created as a result of a good relationship with the dealer.

So, I have decided to use my LR dealer for servicing... especially as the LR dealer is just 800m from my house!

Thanks again everyone.

I'm also taking delivery of a FL2 some time in March. I'm planning on sticking with Land Rover for servicing for the warranty period unless there is a substantial amount of money in it.

P/X does play a part in it but that's where you have to do your sums - I have a Porsche Boxster which I've had from new and I suspect there's not much in it between what I've saved by not using main dealers and what I've lost in the p/x by having indy stamps.

Not to mention you're losing a small fortune in depreciation - the difference in servicing costs shouldn't be too much compared to that, plus I suspect most main dealers are more prepared to get close to specialist prices these days - an empty workshop is no use to anyone whatever the marque.

Brand loyalty also plays a part, though being cynical I'm not sure it's worth that much, I don't know - I see it very simple which is that if over 3 years there's £300 in it between going main dealer and indy, £300 seems a reasonably small amount to pay for potential good will should something happen out of warranty.

Unfortunately Porsche managed to alienate a huge amount of their customers by changing their extended warranty terms so much that a lot of people simply didn't renew - good will is a two way street and with that move they lost any that I had towards them, which is a shame given how good the cars are.

This is my second Freelander, both bought from new. I have never had a LR dealer service any of them and I'm sad to say that both vehicles have required numerous warranty repairs, all done without a problem. When I sold my first Freelander, the lack of dealer stamps in the service log never seemed to make any difference in the deal I wanted.