Is full Audi service history an important selling factor these days?

[MikeS5]

My 2012 S5 has full Audi service history, it's due another service shortly and I'm trying to decide whether it's worth sticking with Audi or just going to my mate who's a local mechanic. He thinks I'm nuts for keep going to dealerships but I've got one eye on the fact that I'll be selling it in the next 12-18 months (max).

I've just had my 320 BMW serviced for its first time at my local BMW dealership. It cost me £520, they damaged one of my alloys (which they have in fairness fixed, but it's not the point they should have replaced the alloy completely, the car was immaculate when it went in) and they didn't even turn off dashboard the service light. Two weeks later my brakes are squeaking too.

All in all this is making me question if it's worth it. Does buying a second hand car that has full dealership SH make any difference to you when you're looking to buy? Can the cost vs that of a local mechanic be reflected in the selling-on price or do people generally not give a ****? Thoughts anyone? Thanks in advance.

 

[DrEskimo]

Its bizarre...I know an indie will likely be just as good, if not a better than a dealership, yet when I am looking at used cars I always give more weight to cars with FASH....

I doubt the money you save using an indie will be the same amount of money lost in a sale. Far too many factors will affect that so would just go with whatever you want personally....

 

[Darren92]

Dealer history is worth sod all, most of the time job aren't even completed or carried out correctly - believe me, been there got the t-shirt.

Would rather buy a car with a full independent history rather than full Audi.

 

[AJ91]

I want full Audi when I buy the car used because of warranty but after that I take it to my mechanic which has a Audi VW certified shop where I do all my services. Cheaper but also no warranty issues.

Would never go to a Audi dealership workshop and pay twice as much.

 

[MikeS5]

Its bizarre...I know an indie will likely be just as good, if not a better than a dealership, yet when I am looking at used cars I always give more weight to cars with FASH....

Exactly. It's ultimately just a perception of quality when actually...

most of the time job aren't even completed or carried out correctly - believe me, been there got the t-shirt.

...is often the case. But once its gone there's no turning back so I kind of feel like I'll have wasted my money if I don't see it through to the very end. Tough decision. I need to befriend a mechanic at my local Audi dealership for mates' rates...

 

[MikeS5]

I want full Audi when I buy the car used because of warranty but after that I take it to my mechanic which has a Audi VW certified shop where I do all my services. Cheaper but also no warranty issues.

Would never go to a Audi dealership workshop and pay twice as much.

My local mechanic is a long time close friend but not Audi certified. You'd be hard pressed to find a more passionate enthusiast though so I know it'd be in good hands. I give him as much work as I can but not the job of stamping (digitally or physically) that service book. Yet...

 

[Neil_M]

IMO it varies with the dealership. Some will look after the car as if it's their own, others want you in and out and quickly as possible.

IMO any detailed history is a good thing, be it dealership or independent.

 

[shinyf1]

There was a FASH on the 40k mile 2012 S5 Cabriolet I have recently bought, and all verified with Audi UK prior to purchase. BUT, the service book was not stamped. I popped to the dealer who did the last service (very close to me). Chatted to them and discovered that the 38k S-tronic service was declined by the previous owner on the last service. The selling dealer did get it done for me but it is a lesson in not taking the history at face value. I complained to Audi that their system allows a critical service item to slip through the net on a full service history record. No interest from them as it is 'down to the servicing dealer'.
Currently I'm trying to identify the correct indie to look after the car for me. I'm in SW London - any suggestions/recommendations?


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[Hellz]

I'm experiencing this at the moment, car was mis-sold to me purporting to have FASH however, similar to your situation I've found that it hasn't... I paid a good wedge for the car, too! Fortunately, I paid for some of the car on my Credit Card so have some protection - the credit card company are currently trying to establish a figure of compensation... any ideas what effect FASH as opposed to FSH can have on the price of a car, if any? I get that it's subjective and difficult to quantify but as others have said above it has some effect...

 

[Mario]

IMO, it means nothing. I would rather buy from someone who is passionate and has done all the work DIY to a good standard and has piles of receipts for the proper oil, oil filter, pads, discs, etc, etc, etc. It will give you a much more detailed insight into the cars life than a stamp or a digital record ever will.

That's the main thing for me at least, knowing the car was well looked after and serviced on time, or early and never left with vital service items missing (S-Tronic service mentioned above).

Not to mention, Audi have too many "filled for life" fluids in their cars. Gearbox oil and rear diff oil come under that...IMHO they should be changed every 50,000 miles max! Yes, they say the S-Tronic box needs servicing, but that is only the Mechatronic side of things, not the actual mechanical gearbox side.

Power steering fluid is another "filled for life" which is a joke, because all oils and fluids will break down over time. If the car gets used a lot and has high mileage for it's age then that break down occurs even quicker.

If you showed me 2 cars for the same price but one had FASH and the other was all DIY or Indi with receipts for gear oils, diff oils, changing the S-Tronic every 25,000 miles instead of every 38,000 miles, etc, etc. Then I would take the 2nd one all day long. To me, FASH isn't worth the paper it's written on and only comes into play if you are looking for "good will" from them.

More often than not the "good will" they offer is no more than what you would have saved by servicing the car independently. So I'd rather go that route and keep the money in my pocket.

As an aside, on a brand new car I do (reluctantly) take it to the dealer while under warranty, but once that is over, I don't bother. The only reason is to avoid any fuss if I have a warranty claim during that period.

 

[Swanny356]

Let's not forget that your average Audi S5 buyer will not be as switched on as most people on this forum! I except myself of course

As MikeS5 is selling in 12-18mths perhaps a FASH is worth another few £'s when it comes to selling to Joe public?

Completely agree that a good indie will run circles around your basic Audi 'grease monkey' and cost much less.

Don't disregard that Audi will usually discount any serious repair bills for a FASH which will appeal to buyers.

FWIW I would anticipate @ 5% for the value with FASH but obviously depends on age, mileage etc.

I'm sure a prospective call to any Audi specialist sales rep with a general question about resale value should resolve.