Service interval confusion

[Scylla]

Hi folks

I'm looking at getting a 2014(64) Boxster from an official Porsche dealer on a 4 year PCP. I have a couple of questions that I can't get an answer for today from the dealer, and I wondered if you could help.

First, the car has done 16,500 miles. I understand the service intervals are 20k miles or two years, whichever is sooner? That suggests it will have had its first service in the not too distant past. When will the next service be due? At 20k? If so, am I right in thinking it will be a major service? That seems very odd.

Second question - I know I have to get it serviced at an official dealer for the duration of the two-year warranty, but after that, do you know if a PCP allows the driver to get work done elsewhere, ie a specialist independent?

Much obliged for any help you can give.

[Greenman]

1st (minor) service would have been done in 2016. Next (Major) will be due in 2018 or 20k after the last service. The major service (4years) should also include spark plugs and brake fluid.  This all comes to around £1000 at an OPC.

As for the conditions of the PCP I don’t know, does it include a warranty?

Edit: if it’s from an OPC then it should,include 2 years warranty but to maintain that it would need service at OPC.  But also the OPC should do any servicing due in next 3 months, so you should be looking at getting them to do the major before you take delivery if you can. 

[Oldboy 63]

It should have had it’s first service around 2yrs ago and be due it’s 4 year major service back end of this year.

[Topbox]

I agree with @Greenman

[Scylla]

2 minutes ago, Greenman said:

1st (minor) service would have been done in 2016. Next (Major) will be due in 2018 or 20k after the last service. The major service (4years) should also include spark plugs and brake fluid.  This all comes to around £1000 at an OPC.

As for the conditions of the PCP I don’t know, does it include a warranty?

Thanks for the reply. The car comes with a 2-year Porsche Approved Used warranty, but I am not sure if the warranty is tied to the PCP. I found this rather vague statement from the Porsche PCP website:

Regular servicing will get you the best possible resale price, so to keep your vehicle in top condition we do recommend that the vehicle is only serviced and maintained by an authorised Porsche Centre or authorised Porsche Centre Approved Body Repairer, and tyres are replaced in line with the manufacturers recommendations. Find an approved Porsche Centre

 

[Nobbie]

6 minutes ago, Scylla said:

Thanks for the reply. The car comes with a 2-year Porsche Approved Used warranty, but I am not sure if the warranty is tied to the PCP. I found this rather vague statement from the Porsche PCP website:

Regular servicing will get you the best possible resale price, so to keep your vehicle in top condition we do recommend that the vehicle is only serviced and maintained by an authorised Porsche Centre or authorised Porsche Centre Approved Body Repairer, and tyres are replaced in line with the manufacturers recommendations. Find an approved Porsche Centre

 

You'd actually have to read the PCP contract to see whether it specifies the use of an OPC for servicing. If it does and you get it done at a local garage, they would be entitled to make a charge for the decrepancy at the end of the PCP, just as they would if you handed it back with a dent.

On the manufacturers 3 year warranty, they cannot insist on the OPC doing the servicing as long as parts of equivalent quality are used and it follows the recommended servicing schedule. However, you would be purchasing with an approved used warranty where they can (and I think do) require that servicing is done by an OPC.

In short, you will need to have it serviced by the OPC to keep the warranty valid irrespective of any conditions in the PCP.

[Scylla]

Just now, Nobbie said:

You'd actually have to read the PCP contract to see whether it specifies the use of an OPC for servicing. If it does and you get it done at a local garage, they would be entitled to make a charge for the decrepancy at the end of the PCP, just as they would if you handed it back with a dent.

On the manufacturers 3 year warranty, they cannot insist on the OPC doing the servicing as long as parts of equivalent quality are used and it follows the recommended servicing schedule. However, you would be purchasing with an approved used warranty where they can (and I think do) require that servicing is done by an OPC.

In short, you will need to have it serviced by the OPC to keep the warranty valid irrespective of any conditions in the PCP.

Thanks - I understand that I have to use an OPC for the duration of the warranty, but would you agree that the language in the quote I copied in from Porsche's PCP terms webpage only recommends that an OPC is used for the duration of the PCP: there is nothing there to say you have to?

[Nobbie]

2 minutes ago, Scylla said:

Thanks - I understand that I have to use an OPC for the duration of the warranty, but would you agree that the language in the quote I copied in from Porsche's PCP terms webpage only recommends that an OPC is used for the duration of the PCP: there is nothing there to say you have to?

Sorry, of course you will have the car for two years after the warranty expires. You would have to look through the PCP contract before you sign it, what it says on the webpage is just a recommendation, not part of the PCP agreement you sign.

[Greenman]

17 hours ago, Nobbie said:

However, you would be purchasing with an approved used warranty where they can (and I think do) require that servicing is done by an OPC.

Still some dispute on this point. It’s true that these type of warranties are not explicitly covered by the eu block exemption that covers manufacturers warranties, however the circumstances are near identical I’m just not sure that it’s been tested in court yet, many believe that these type of warranties are in fact subject to the same rules. Of course whether or not you want to take on the warranty company if the worse happens it up to you.

[Nobbie]

2 hours ago, Greenman said:

Still some dispute on this point. It’s true that these type of warranties are not explicitly covered by the eu block exemption that covers manufacturers warranties, however the circumstances are near identical I’m just not sure that it’s been tested in court yet, many believe that these type of warranties are in fact subject to the same rules. Of course whether or not you want to take on the warranty company if the worse happens it up to you.

Yes, little point in buying a warranty for peace of mind if you have to go to court against a big company to enforce it and possibly lose. Best just to assume their terms are legally binding and buy on those terms.

[MIkeyv60]

Some Info:

 

Under EU Block Exemption legislation, which has been around for many years now, a manufacturer cannot force a buyer to have their car serviced by their official dealership network, and cannot refuse to honour a new car warranty simply because a car has been serviced elsewhere.  However, a manufacturer does have the right to set a servicing schedule which must be adhered to.

 

As a car owner, you have the right to take your car to any licenced garage or mechanic for servicing, but you must ensure that the servicing is carried out exactly as per the manufacturer’s servicing schedule.  This means servicing must be undertaken on time and must use any genuine parts or lubricants specified by the manufacturer.
 

If you choose to have your car serviced by an independent garage or mechanic, make sure they are reputable.   Keep detailed invoices and receipts for all work done so you have proof that the car has been serviced according to schedule.

If your car requires repair work under its new car warranty, the manufacturer has the right to insist that this work is undertaken by its official dealerships.  This is entirely fair, since the manufacturer – rather than you – is paying for this work.

Basically, a good rule to remember is that if you’re paying for the work, you have the right to choose who does the work.

Many PCP agreements will insist that the car has to be serviced by an approved franchised workshop to maintain the GMFV if you want to give the car back at the end of the agreement, and if you have a lease then you will also be expected to service the car with a dealership

[Happy Days]

What would worry me more is why the dealer isn't able to disclose the service history.

[Patt]

I'm in a similar scenario although I've only recently bought the car. and it's service isn't until mid year.

OPC Bournemouth advised me: " I can use any VAT registered garage for servicing, as long as they can prove they used genuine Porsche parts."

When the time is nearer I will check out pricing from a couple of Indi's V's a couple of OPC's, however I will not be letting Bournemouth anywhere near her !

[Happy Days]

Why would the garage have to be VAT registered?

[Patt]

I guess to stop DIY servicing ??

[daz05]

Think your questions are already answered but as mentioned the car will have the big £1000 service due this year so try and push for them to include that as part of the sale. If that's included and your mileage isn't close or above 20k pa you will only need to have one minor service done in the 4 year period before you hand back. The cost difference between an Indy using oem parts and the opc will be negligible for that scope.

 

As above ensure it had its first service within 2yrs of original registration. If not walk.

[Scylla]

Thanks for all the replies.

I asked the sales exec I've been dealing with whether or not I had to have it serviced by an OPC once the warranty is over, and he said yes, because it is a PCP and they insist on it. That is, until I referred him to the passage from Porsche's website which I copied and pasted earlier in this thread. He then conceded that actually, I could go where I wanted, but I agree with daz05 and will not bother trying to save a small amount of money for the sake of going to an indie.

The salesman is a nice guy and I have no wish to confer any grief upon anyone, but the fact that he lied to me, or perhaps more charitably was naïve and misinformed, annoyed me. My experience thus far in dealing with two Porsche centres  (one directly, one indirectly) in different parts of the country is not that good. I'm trying to spend a substantial amount of money here, and they do not make it easy. I have to do all of the chasing. Perhaps they're just really busy. 

[Patt]

I had similar feelings dealing with OPC and a respected indi sales forecourt.

It's worth doing yourself a list of questions you want, and then noting their answers. 

Neither seem to want to give you access to standard information, eg service history, recalls etc. 

Also simple questions like "are the navigation maps up to date" got brushed over.  I then used this to remind them that they never gave me the answer, and thus made them update them as part of my deal.

I still have a bitter taste from the OPC I purchased from, and my battles are still not finished ( 3 months on )  It's the first time I have purchased from Porsche directly, and many years since I purchased a new car.  Customer service, honesty, and even professional accountability are in very short supply these days.  This was highlighted at OPC and Porsche head office.

If it's the car you want, don't be pushed into a quick decision by their tactics.  They can instantly bring up all the history (every part supplied) of said car on their computer screens.  Be sure to double check their answers.  Be brave to challenge them and be confident to take your own time checking the car.  Despite their attitude, they need you  (the buyer) more than you need them. 

 

good luck