Honda Jazz - Non dealer service

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Sun 16 Feb 2020 12:19
Honda Jazz - Non dealer service - ManYad

I have had my Jazz serviced regularly with a main honda dealer (has a full service history with honda dealers - bought 3 years old - it's a 13 plate). Now we have moved to Tunbridge Wells and don't have a honda dealer nearby. Not sure going out of the way to another town for servicing makes sense. Have people had good experience servicing with an independent garage/servicer? How do i go about finding one locally?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 Feb 2020 12:35
Honda Jazz - Non dealer service - SLO76
It’s quite a simple car and pretty much anyone can service it. Word of mouth and look at social media for recommendations and look at reviews online. A good independent is a great find and can keep your car going for another decade or more in a very cost efficient manner but sadly there are many fly guys and rogues to sift through.

Look for someone that’s been in business for a long time. I had a quick look online and found loads of independent garages with seemingly good reviews but I’d ask neighbours and friends their opinions as reviews can be faked. I use two local garages for my cars one a VAG specialist for our more complex turbo diesel Polo and the other a very busy large backstreet garage for the Toyota, not that they see much of it. Both have been excellent to date.

Take a drive by during work hours too to see how busy it is. If you see plenty of activity and there’s a few taxis in then that tells you plenty.

Edited by SLO76 on 16/02/2020 at 12:41

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 Feb 2020 12:56
Honda Jazz - Non dealer service - ManYad

Thanks... definitely helps.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 Feb 2020 13:38
Honda Jazz - Non dealer service - Chris M

Tonbridge is 4 miles. Not sure that's particularly "out of the way" if you value main dealer history. Regular servicing can often be done while you wait.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 Feb 2020 15:05
Honda Jazz - Non dealer service - ManYad

Thanks Chris (and everyone else). This one didn't show up on google maps and i thought the nearest one was in orpington! Will check out the tonbridge one.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 Feb 2020 14:19
Honda Jazz - Non dealer service - Andrew-T

Have people had good experience servicing with an independent garage/servicer?

There's little point asking this question, because there are good ones and poor ones. You can only find out by asking around, as has been said. There are plenty of 'independents' but it may be an idea to find one claiming to specialise in your make of car, or oriental brands.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 Feb 2020 14:27
Honda Jazz - Non dealer service - thunderbird

Dad had a Honda Jazz 1.4 twin spark. When it went for a service at a trusted local indy they billed him for 4 new plugs. He pointed out it had 8 but they said no car had 8 unless it was a V8.

Guess where he took it next time.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 Feb 2020 17:19
Honda Jazz - Non dealer service - Theophilus

ManYad - it may give you confidence to use a Honda agency - fair enough. But the car is out of warranty and at this age (even with a Honda garage on my doorstep) I would be inclined to look at using an independent who should have much lower overheads (and therefore prices!)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 Feb 2020 22:37
Honda Jazz - Non dealer service - ManYad

Thanks. Will definitely check out local prices as well. I did pay a bomb for my last servicing.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 16 Feb 2020 23:42
Honda Jazz - Non dealer service - ManYad

Good to know... Thanks!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link