IMHO the answer isn’t glaringly obvious, hence the long post below. There are pros and cons of both main dealers and independents.
Reputable independent specialist
A good reputable independent VW specialist is IMHO opinion likely to be as knowledgeable as a main dealer - they often have ex-VW technicians in their workshops and invest large amounts of money in specialist equipment required to service / maintain VW vehicles. With most independent specialists being (in the main) small businesses, they rely on repeat business and good customer reviews for their continued existence - so customers are more likely to be treated as individuals readily be able speak to the person who worked on your car, rather than a front of house VW service advisor in a main dealership with no technical / mechanical knowledge. Reputable independent specialists use genuine parts and many will have access to VW’s systems so can update a vehicle’s service / repair history. However, they may not have access to software updates for cars - a consideration for anyone owning a mk8 Golf as there’ve been many updates. The independent specialist is likely to be cheaper too as their overheads - and most likely their labour rates - will be lower than a VW dealer (You won’t be paying for ‘free’ coffee and biscuits, fancy waiting areas, free service wash and vacuum of the car etc.).
Main VW dealer
IMHO The main benefit of using a main dealer is less hassle with warranty clams and getting software updates applied to your car - if any are required (independent specialist is unlikely to have access to these). VW also offer service plans which provide reduced cost servicing - lower prices than a main dealer’s normal prices, but maybe not cheaper than an independent’s prices. With VW servicing having gone digital, owners no longer get a dealer stamp in a service book - they update the on line record for the vehicle. Some reputable independent VW specialists also have access to VW’s on line service records, so can update the service record. Therefore dealership stamps in service books are no longer relevant.
Impact of service history on value
When the time comes to sell the car, the value of a dealership v’s independent specialist service history is likely to depend on who you’re selling to;
- many prospective buyers who’re enthusiasts of a brand place more value and importance on a vehicle serviced and maintained by an independent specialist; the perception - and usually the reality - being the Indy will be more thorough and do a better job than a main dealer who’ll be more likely to do the bare minimum required. e.g. with the mk7 Golf R, when the VW dealer services the Haldex system on the car, they don’t clean strainer filter even if it‘s dirty because VW haven’t specified it should be cleaned - even if asked by the customer to clean it, they’ll probably refuse. A good independent will clean it at the customer’s request, or sometimes they’ll just do it without needing to be asked.
- if trading in at a VW dealership, the dealer is likely to value a VW service history more highly than a service history from an independent specialist; I think a requirement of them selling a vehicle they’ve acquired as an ‘Approved Used’ VW is that it has a full VW service history.
- if trading in at a non-VW dealer, it probably makes no difference to value whether the service history is VW or independent.
Warranty claims
It should be less hassle getting a VW to honour warranty claims if a car has been serviced and maintained by a a VW main dealer. However, getting a warranty claim honoured if the car’s been serviced by a reputable independent VW specialist shouldn’t really be an issue, provided you can prove the car‘s been serviced as per VW’s servicing / maintenance schedules, the specialist used is VAT registered and any parts / fluids they‘ve used are genuine VW parts (fluids are VW approved and to VW spec). Therefore, IMHO it’s
really important to ensure invoices and receipts for any work carried out provide comprehensive details of the work, parts and fluids and you keep all receipts.
At then of the day, you pay your money and take your choice. I’d personally use a VW dealership while a car’s still in warranty, but seriously consider switching to a reputable independent VW specialist when the car is three years old.