Gentlemen,
Your views and experiences of RAC approved garages please.

I bought the car new (2012 F2 SD4 GS auto) at the local Land Rover main stealer and had it serviced with them ever since. I have no complains with them and have had good service but they no longer offer a courtesy car, probably because I have not bought a new car from them in the last 10 years, and their prices are well OTT.

I now need the annual service and MOT. The car has done just over 41,000 miles. The LR main dealer will only go by the LR service schedule which appears to be based on a yearly basis irrespective of the mileage. I am aware that there are time sensitive matter such as oil life etc. but I wonder if there are things that are done soley because of the year that may not need doing and therefore charged for.

The RAC came up with a number of approved garages in my area (Northampton) with varying quotes all cheaper than LR, and some detailed the work and others simply said "in accordance with manufacturers recommendations".

Any comments please, and any recommendations for a garage in my area (Nothampton).

Jimbo

By 41K miles I'd have already changed the gearbox and haldex oils. JLR just wait till they go bang. Jules

Last edited by jules on 7th May 2022 4:33 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Any garage can do an annual service on a FL2 its nothing special.

I've being them for years on my drive

The engine is a ubiquitous Ford/PSA design. Jules

Wow average of only 4100 miles per year. Did you have the 10 year service done by LR or is that what you're pricing now?
Timing belt, waterpump, all oils etc. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

Just had a price for the 10 year service and MOT from the main stealer of £941.12 (inc. VAT) plus £54.85 for MOT, total £995.97 and that does not include any additional work that may need to be done - I suspect brake pads (I'm still on the originals at 42k miles) and rubber boots on trackrod ends as they look a bit iffy and that may mean new joints £££s!

RAC approved garages came up with six quotes varying from £180 to £320. Only two of the quotes listed details of what work was to be done and neither was as comprehensive as the LR dealer, many of the items were of the ilk of "check screen washer level" and other things that are part of the MOT and everyday checks. One quote says that if the manufacturers specified engine oil is used that will be extra. The big one (£s) from the LR dealer was changing the transmission and rear axle fluids. This was not listed by the RAC garages nor were some other things that LR will do

It's decision time. This car is a keeper I can stick with LR (and choke at the price) or use an RAC garage, unless any of you knowledgable gentlemen can recommend a good garage in the Northampton area.

Jimbo

I used an independant guy near me, little 1 man band garage but a LR enthusiast (his main time consumer is rebuilding Defenders from the ground up) but he is LR authorised with access to the online service history etc.

I had the full 7/10 year service done last October.... timing belt etc, full service, lanoguard under body treatment, and some time spent on a faulty headlight washer. Total cost was around £800 IIRC (without looking at the receipt in the service book)

Have you thought about Rockingham LR who are independent specialists and really know their stuff. They are just outside Uppingham.

Thanks everyone for your comments. Thanks AT1963, thought about Rockingham LR but found New Duston Garage which is much nearer to me. Had the service and MOT. Well pleased with them and recommend them to anyone in the Northampton area. NDG https://www.newdustongarage.co.uk/


J