SEAT Service - Can I use any garage while still in warranty?

[Nathan]

Hi, not sure if I posted this in the right section but here goes

My Ibiza Cupra TDI is only 10 months old therefore has a decent amount of warranty left, and it is very important to me that I keep that.

It has come to service time and I have been advised that due to new competition regulations SEAT customers can now take their car to the garage of their choice, (doesn't have the be an authorised dealer) to get a service done as long as they ensure the garage used genuine SEAT parts.

I would just like to know if there is any truth in this before I go and get my service done.

Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[SpareMan]

Genuine SEAT or SEAT approved parts, and they follow the full SEAT service schedule. But yes you can take it to any garage as long as the garage is VAT registered

 

[Nathan]

Just for reference if anyone is wondering the same thing, I asked the question to SEAT UK and they replied with this email:

Dear Mr Holmes

Thank you for your e-mail of today 4th July 2006.

Further to your enquiry, I can confirm that you are not required to have your SEAT vehicle serviced within the SEAT approved dealership network in order to maintain your warranty. However, if any faults arise because of poor or insufficient servicing or material quality, the repairs may not be covered under warranty. Should any warranty work be necessary to your vehicle, this will still need to be carried out at a SEAT approved dealership. I hope this information is of help to you.

If we can be of any further assistance please feel free to contact us on our Freephone Customer Service line 0500 222222 during our office hours of 8.00am - 6.00pm Monday to Friday.

Kind regards

Sandy Stevens
Correspondence Executive
SEAT UK Customer Service Centre

absolutely loving that!! Cheaper Servicing here I come!!!

 

[ChrisUK]

I'd still get it done by a dealership - doesnt have to be SEAT though.

I got my 1st service done at a local Skoda garage & saved £80 on the SEAT price

 

[Ruddmeister]

absolutely loving that!! Cheaper Servicing here I come!!!

My local SEAT dealers were so inept I took mine and my wife's SEAT to the local VAG specialist, far better service and slightly cheaper.

Plus when I asked a question or suggested an answer the VAG specialist listened (Big change from my local SEAT dealer)

The only downside is that sometimes VAG specialists aren't 100% aware of warranty recall items etc and obviously can't undertake warranty repairs.....this can mean 2 trips to the dealers rather than one.