Where to Service Your BMW: Independent Specialist or Dealer? | GVE London – Blog

It is an honour, to be called the driver’s car amongst the three big German names, BMW, as comfortable and technologically advanced as it might be now, is known for its driving experience. Nothing spoils the driving experience more than a car that isn’t serviced or maintained well though. So, as a BMW owner, where should you get your BMW serviced?

You obviously have the option to go to official dealerships, but there are also independent specialists. In this blog post, we’ll list points in favour of both so you can make the call for yourself.

Dealership Servicing: The Official Route

Dealerships are what most people recommend as the safest option for BMW owners, and for good reason.

• They have access to original BMW parts as well as technicians trained specifically for your car’s make and model. These employees and parts together ensure your car maintains factory standards.
• They’ve got the latest diagnostic tools, making it easier to detect and fix any issues.
• When selling a car, one of the very first things anyone familiar with car buying 101 would ask for is service records. A full dealership service history is like getting a star on your kindergarten report card; it’s a sign that the car has been well taken care of.

However, the very reason independent specialists exist is because of the outrageous price of dealership servicing. Labour rates, overhead costs, and the tendency to oversell (not all dealerships do this) or perform unnecessary repairs can make the cost of servicing a BMW at official dealerships skyrocket.

Read Also: How Often Should I Service My Car?

Independent Specialists: The Alternative

Independent specialists started as the budget-friendly alternative to dealership servicing, but this image has changed drastically in recent times. Now, these supercar service centres are the go-to option for luxury and supercar servicing in London and other parts of the world. Here’s why:

• They’ve stuck to their roots; independent garages still charge less compared to dealerships. This is due to lower labour costs, parts at much more competitive prices, and the sheer fact that these businesses run on the trust of their recurring customers. This means no upselling, no unnecessary repairs, and giving a car the proper attention it deserves.
• In these garages, customers are more likely to speak directly with the technician working on their car, which is understandably very reassuring.
• Many independent specialists, like GVE London, focus exclusively on luxury or high-performance cars, making it their forte and ensuring they have all the necessary tools and expertise to address any issues.
• Compared to dealerships, independent garages may offer more flexible scheduling and quicker turnaround times.
• For high-performance M models or modified BMWs, independent specialists sometimes offer services dealerships won’t, such as custom tuning, preventative maintenance for known weak points, and performance upgrades.

With that said, not all garages are the same so look for a reputable garage with certified technicians and a track record of working on BMW.

The Great Warranty Myth

A common misconception is that getting your vehicle repaired anywhere but the dealership during the warranty period voids it. Through word of mouth and social media, this myth is everywhere. But is it true? Thankfully, it isn’t.

Under the Block Exemption Regulation (BER) 2010, you can have your car serviced at any VAT-registered garage without voiding your warranty. As long as the garage follows manufacturer guidelines and uses approved parts, you’re good.

Which Option Is Best for You?

There was a time when recommending an official dealership was a no-brainer, as independent garages were simply not up to the mark. However, those times are long gone. Today, independent specialists are capable of offering the same level of service as dealerships—if not more. Dealerships often refuse to work on modified vehicles or perform any modifications themselves.

With these garages offering the same high-quality work at a much more competitive price, they’re extremely tempting. However, it’s best to stick to official dealerships if you do not have a trusted garage near you.

Conclusion

The biggest challenge in recommending independent specialists is simply the difficulty in finding a good one. If you’re in London, this shouldn’t be a problem. GVE London is West London’s premier supercar service centre, capable of handling everything from routine repairs and servicing to modifications and tuning for BMWs and other high-end cars. Our facility is a playground for supercar enthusiasts. Schedule an appointment with us today!