Foreign car service in uk?

[Anzel]

My A2 1.4 petrol (Irish plate) is time to be serviced (35k miles), would be happy if anyone can recommend a garage in London (or nearby) to do this as Audi refuses to do foreign car service.
My last resort is to travel back to Ireland for service...

Thank you!

[Smick]

I get my car work done in Isaac Agnew Audi, which is an Audi UK Franchised dealer. I don't see why they would refuse you. Especially if it is worth a few quid for them.

[ksimpson]

I'm amazed to hear that Audi in the UK have refused to service your car. I understood that warranty on Audis is Europe wide. I had problems with my Allroad when travelling in London and a London based dealer sorted them for me under warranty.

You should contact Audi UK directly to clarify the position.
Like Smick, I get our Irish registered A2 serviced in Belfast at an Audi dealer with no issues whatsoever.

[Sarge786]

My A2 1.4 petrol (Irish plate) is time to be serviced (35k miles), would be happy if anyone can recommend a garage in London (or nearby) to do this as Audi refuses to do foreign car service.
My last resort is to travel back to Ireland for service...

Thank you!

That's rediculous, You should name & shame the Dealer, and service manager that told you this!

Sarge

[Skipton01]

I agree with the comments so far, it is ridiculous.

However, there is an important word that has been mentioned, which is very pertinant: warranty.

If your A2 is out of warranty (and it is likely that it is), then there is no obligation for a dealer to service you. Agreed, it is almost unthinkable that a dealer doesn't want to empty your wallet, but there you go.

Perhaps it might snow tomorrow!

Cheers,

Mike

[ULP]

I don't believe this is an UK-wide problem, simply a simpleton who hasn't understood the difference between grey import and import; Subaru UK, for example, ask their dealers not to service Jap-imports (although not all stick to this).

Try a different dealer if you want an Audi FSH.

A few smart owners combine a trip to the continent with an annual service; the cost of ferry and service is less than Mercedes Benz bend you over for.

[Alan_uk]

My A2 1.4 petrol (Irish plate) is time to be serviced (35k miles), would be happy if anyone can recommend a garage in London (or nearby) to do this as Audi refuses to do foreign car service.


I would speak to Trading Standards or, if you have legal advice option on your house or car insurance speak to them. As both Ireland and UK are within the EU I have feeling they cannot refuse to service the car under the provision of the free movement of goods and services.

[Smick]

I agree with the comments so far, it is ridiculous.

However, there is an important word that has been mentioned, which is very pertinant: warranty.

If your A2 is out of warranty (and it is likely that it is), then there is no obligation for a dealer to service you. Agreed, it is almost unthinkable that a dealer doesn't want to empty your wallet, but there you go.

Perhaps it might snow tomorrow!

Cheers,

Mike

Mike, the warranty on A2s sold by Audi Ireland was two years instead of three on Audi UK ones. Ridiculous given that they were more expensive.

I was lucky in that my car was bought in England then imported to Ireland so I was able to make a claim against the warranty in the third year using the chassis number instead of the numberplate to identify the car.

[Anzel]

Thank you for the replies and the genuine comments...
To be exact, my friend asked Audi and told me they refused to do so, well you're right it really doesn't make sense they refuse my request.
I think I should go straight to my local Audi to see what happen next.

Let me google the location ... Will keep it posted afterwards.:)

[vkx245l]

I would speak to Trading Standards or, if you have legal advice option on your house or car insurance speak to them. As both Ireland and UK are within the EU I have feeling they cannot refuse to service the car under the provision of the free movement of goods and services.

From memory the free movement of goods and services was tested once before by VW when it refused to supply cars to UK buyers purchasing them overseas. The ruling found in their favour - it boils down to there being no obligation to supply (you can't force parties into a contract). The EU commission in their response said they could not have envisaged a situation where it would not be supplied. How naive!!! when multinationals wish to preserve national franchisees investments.
More "not thought through" legislation.

What companies like VAG can't do is prevent the dealers from doing the service if they wish. They can't cancel the franchise for instance, although we all know there are less tangible ways to make dealers lives uncomfortable.

regards

Jonathan

[Smick]

I had an issue before with my last car, which was a truly horrible Vauxhall Astra, and I tried to get it serviced at an Opel dealer in Dublin.

A very snooty woman asked "Have you had it serviced here before?" When I replied no she said "We don't just take in any old cars off the road before. You have to have a proper service history". I replied that the car's book was up to date and I had just moved to Dublin and was looking to get it serviced. She started to backtrack but I said "obviously you don't want the business" and put down the phone.

I only ever give people the chance to refuse me once.

Interestingly enough the garage closed down not long afterwards.

[bretti_kivi]

I run an import here, no problems in four years and lots of issues so far?
try another dealer :)

Bret

[Anzel]

Finally got a quote from Audi - Finchley... full service for 40000 miles interval, cost around £375 + labour + parts (if applicable), as far from what they said.

And I got another quote from Fountain (anyone ever heard of this?) http://www.fontain.co.uk/service-price.asp, they quoted £282 for 40000 miles full service.

And the point is, which one should I go for? Or another recommendations nearby?

[Skipton01]

Fontain have a good reputation and regularly pick up commendations and awards from various Audi-related organisations.

Cheers,

Mike

[Anzel]

Thanks Skipton01 for your super-prompt reply!
So I'll go for Fountain... to save £100~200 from Audi.