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View Full Version : Dealer service history/DIY servicing. Discuss


monkey
19-10-08, 11:20 PM
Here's one for you all to chew over.

My Daytona will be due it's second official Triumph service soon and I'm wondering what peoples general thoughts are on genuine service history and re-saleability etc.

I'll get this one done so I don't invalidate the remaining warranty.
:)

El Saxo
19-10-08, 11:31 PM
I had everything done by the dealer while in warranty, just so I had the dealer stamp in the service book, but now I'm doing my own servicing I'm just making sure to keep the receipts for oil, filter, sparkplugs etc so that a prospective buyer will hopfully see the bike has still been serviced regularly and generally looked after (although it really needs a wash at the moment! :lol). I'm still having the bigger jobs done by a dealer/mechanic too e.g. the valve clearances and naturally keeping any receipts for those too.

If I was buying a bike I'd be happy to buy one that had been self-serviced as long as there was evidence the owner had been thorough and wasn't a complete numpty.

metalmonkey
19-10-08, 11:35 PM
Hey Darren similar situation as me, I just did the 8000 miles service my self as its not that complex really....

With Suzuki long as its done right it wouldn't invlidate the warranty, so no problem there, just long as the right part are used then there is no problem.

I have no idea how they charge for it, the last place I took the bike too put in the wrong oil, put too much in and really didn't do that much. So I'm happy to do it myself, at least I know whats happened to my bike. When I need to do more complex things, then I'll ask for help. I don't think its worth the money really.

monkey
19-10-08, 11:39 PM
With Suzuki long as its done right it wouldn't invlidate the warranty, so no problem there, just long as the right part are used then there is no problem.


Hmmmmn. Who told you that?

yorkie_chris
19-10-08, 11:44 PM
Couldn't really be rsed either way as the only way my bike is sale-able is as parts anyway. No way would I pay for someone else to work on it...

Obviously with a bike worth more than 26p it's more important. :-D

In a warranty claim situation you would find it very hard to prove that you had done the work, for example if you were to provide a reciept for oil, how would you prove that it was actually changed?

metalmonkey
19-10-08, 11:50 PM
Hmmmmn. Who told you that?

I called Suzuki UK and asked them.....As YC said not sure dude, how can I? But I use all genuie parts and the correct oil ect, plus my selcetion tools, though I really want a few more.

monkey
19-10-08, 11:55 PM
BT I'd get that in writing. The way I see it is warranty claims are similar to insurance claims. They'll try to get out of it if they can. Maybe ask a few different dealers.

Spikenipple
20-10-08, 06:28 AM
Except for the initial service (done) and the 15k mile service (9k miles to go), i'll be doing all of them myself. I've also spoken to Suzuki GB and they said as long as I follow the official service schedule and use genuine Suzuki parts then it won't invalidate the warranty. I've been keeping all of the receipts too.

Dangerous Dave
20-10-08, 07:34 AM
I'm wondering what peoples general thoughts are on genuine service history and re-saleability etc.
It won't add any value but which would you pick for the same price, service history or no service history when buying secondhand?

simesb
20-10-08, 07:52 AM
It won't add any value but which would you pick for the same price, service history or no service history when buying secondhand?

+1 - good for saleability, not necessarily for price.

A number of people who aren't comfortable doing service work themselves won't trust home service - it's why they tend to buy newer bikes too.

Baph
20-10-08, 08:05 AM
Hmmmmn. Who told you that?
The dealership had an agreement with me when mine was still under warranty. I buy the bits from them, they stamp the book, I do the work.

As far as any dealership or buyer would know, the services were done by the dealership.

However, I've also kept a spreadsheet running, documenting date/mileage/work done on the bike/parts receipt numbers. I also keep the receipts.

Should I sell the bike (which I doubt I will) I reckon that should be enough to prove I know what I've been doing.

Durbs
20-10-08, 08:24 AM
The dealership had an agreement with me when mine was still under warranty. I buy the bits from them, they stamp the book, I do the work.

As far as any dealership or buyer would know, the services were done by the dealership.


WTF????? I'd have thought they'd be an ex-dealer if the manufacturer found out about that. I assume they know you personally or something?

timwilky
20-10-08, 09:08 AM
I got a little rubber stamp made some years ago. Simple says "serviced" I apply it to the appropriate box on daughter & sons cars and my bike history book.

To my mind there is no difference. All a service stamp proves is that it was at garage on a certain date and proves nothing about the quality of the job.

I also maintain a file in which all reciepts for parts etc. are kept. That additionally proves the parts were purchased but still does not prove they were fitted. With a main dealers service receipt you only get a list of the work he said he did and still no proof that he did it. Why buy the parts if you are not going to fit them?

Ceri JC
20-10-08, 10:02 AM
Given the (fairly common) reports of oil starvation on 675s that have been less than meticulously maintained, I personally would be hesitant to buy a DIY serviced one unless the person could provide me with reciepts proving the oil and filter had been changed at least as regularly as specified in the service schedule.

yorkie_chris
20-10-08, 10:06 AM
But oil starvation and oil breakdown due to normal attrition are different things.

lukemillar
20-10-08, 10:25 AM
Given the (fairly common) reports of oil starvation on 675s that have been less than meticulously maintained, I personally would be hesitant to buy a DIY serviced one unless the person could provide me with reciepts proving the oil and filter had been changed at least as regularly as specified in the service schedule.

But oil starvation and oil breakdown due to normal attrition are different things.

That's what I was thinking! Unless of course you take your bike to the dealer once a week to get you oil level checked!

Actually, oil starvation on 675's is fairly uncommon, but given the illusion of being common due to hearsay. Hearsay that was started by people who didn't check their oil level! :rolleyes:

I thrash mine fairly hard and change the oil every few trackdays. It uses little to no oil whatsoever!

yorkie_chris
20-10-08, 10:30 AM
As oil wears it loses its viscosity, motor will burn off old oil more quickly.

fizzwheel
20-10-08, 10:33 AM
I think it depends on the bike and the owner. If I could see that the owner was a competant mechanic and had a shed / garage full of tools / oil / cleaning products and had receipts for parts used then I woudlnt be so bothered.

If he didnt have any of that or gave me the impression that he didnt know what he was doing. I'd be more inclined to walk away if it had no service history.

Something a bit more exotic such as a Ducati, MV that kinda of thing, the no I wouldnt buy it without full main dealer service history.

TBH I'd also be a bit wary about buying a 675 that hadnt been dealer serviced. Jsut beacuse of the reported issues in the press ( whether true, not true or overhyped )

yorkie_chris
20-10-08, 10:37 AM
Pair of rashed up 1 piece leathers and a set of tyre warmers hanging in the corner, mint bodywork on the bike... everything else having that gravelly texture :-P

"Yeah it rattles a bit... never thrashed... they all do that guv'" :-D

arenalife
20-10-08, 01:21 PM
If I'm buying and the owner just tells me it's serviced by them I just think of the bike as not serviced at all. If they've got a nice set of receipts for oil and filters etc I feel much better about it. I service my bikes and do that, got a stamp off eBay for the book too (says 'serviced according to manufacturers schedule').

G
20-10-08, 01:33 PM
I think it depends on the bike and the owner. If I could see that the owner was a competant mechanic and had a shed / garage full of tools / oil / cleaning products and had receipts for parts used then I woudlnt be so bothered.


I would agree with that, however unless the person came recommened I probably wouldnt have even got as far as to look at it.

While in warranty I have always had my bikes serviced by a main dealer.......as soon as they are out of warranty, I get them serviced by a considerably cheaper, small well established business that comes recommended by friends.

lukemillar
20-10-08, 10:07 PM
If the bike still is in warranty, then I'd get it done by the dealer for the warranty's sake. However, after the 2 years is up, the it's over to me! I self-service my 675 - and more frequently than the service book suggests. I have faith in my own abilities and also believe I take better care over my bike than the dealer. For instance, mine recently went to the dealer for a fuel pump relay recall. When I got the bike back, they had made a p!ss poor job of piecing the fairing back together; sticking fasteners in the wrong holes and losing one altogether! Luckily I had spares, and I generally like the dealer in question (the spares dept is the best!). To me, it just illustrates the difference between someone who really cares about their bike and someone who does it for a living and slaps it back together.

dizzyblonde
20-10-08, 11:04 PM
When I first got Suzy she went straight to the mechanic as she needed proffesional help to get her back on the road. Im Indoors in the midst of degree and no time to DIY. I basically rode her til she fell apart, but she was in working order.

When I got Dave, the bike had been serviced regular by Dan and his dad, dad being a bike recovery guy and all, so that were good enough for me.
Suzy was due for the rebuild and my mechanic had a near fatal accident, I wouldn't trust anybody at the time with my bike and i still wouldn't justify Suzuki prices either. Im Indoors still in the midst of degree YC stepped up to the plate, not only have I found a very competant person to look after my bikes, but someone I trust and someone i can watch doing the work, learn and ask questions.

To me, selling either bike on is more a matter of conscience, I know that either of my bikes (well at least when Suzys electrical issue is resolved) would be able to go out of the door with a good service, wheels firmly bolted on, the frame and engine aren't going to seperate etc etc.....couldn't really say that about dealer service, can't keep a watchful eye, or see if bodgerand scarper are working ( even at my mechanics i could sit and watch or learn)

Lissa
21-10-08, 05:47 AM
I

Something a bit more exotic such as a Ducati, MV that kinda of thing, the no I wouldnt buy it without full main dealer service history.



But as we've found out, there are some dealers who are held in very poor regard, and having them on your service history is a negative!

We bought our Duke with only a partial service history, which is supposed to be a huge 'no-no', but after 7,000 miles so far nothing has bitten us in the ass:D

I guess we'll find out how dumb we've been when she has her major service next month:rolleyes:

Baph
21-10-08, 08:01 AM
WTF????? I'd have thought they'd be an ex-dealer if the manufacturer found out about that. I assume they know you personally or something?
Nope. I bought the bike brand new, and queried the running in process as I'd easily cover 600miles in the first fortnight.

Part of the sale was also me asking about service schedule, and appropriate costs, knowing I'd easily cover 25k miles a year. I also made a point of asking "OK, if I get it serviced by another garage, where do I stand on the warranty?" - basically hinting that if it's not covered, I'd walk away.

The answer was "Buy the parts from us, get whoever you want to do the labour, hell, do it yourself if you're competent - it frees my mechanics up for other jobs & puts money in my till. I don't have a problem with that."

As it turns out, I never had to claim on the warranty.

Wideboy
21-10-08, 06:39 PM
i've done it all my self, just rote in what I've done in the dealer stamp bit, if the buyer thinks otherwise then that's their problem, i know its been done :lol:

northwind
21-10-08, 11:59 PM
Depends a lot on the bike... You have a tasty, up-to-date, highly resellable bike there, so hurting its resale value's probably a less good idea than it is for most. Also, it'll stay more or less current for longer because Triumph can't afford to run with the 2-year replacement madness of japan. Also depends how much you ride- the depreciation hit for non-FSH is identical whether you do one service yourself or ten, but the savings aren't as great.

If it was something disposable like a GSXR600, I'd home service it without a doubt, they depreciate like mad with or without fsh and after 2 years they're the old model and out of fashion (:rolleyes:).

I've got no qualms about buying a home-serviced bike myself, but then I'm not normal.

PS, on warranties it's a tricky situation... In the EU anti-competition law outlawed the practice of making warranties dependant on main dealer service, but that's still the only way to get straightforward and good warranty support. It can be very hard to get warranty work done on a DIY or small-dealer serviced bike, because just like with insurance legality doesn't actually come into it much, and it becomes more about persistance and orneryness. If it goes to court- as it does, quite often- you have to be prepared to defend your mechanical competence under pretty stiff attack.

Also, you do see constant cases of good dealers securing really good warranty claim results, on things that the manufacturers aren't obliged to cover. Sarah Jordan posted a really good example of that on here a while back, where a GSXR had been left in the sun and the clocks melted, because of the sun shining through an aftermarket screen. They got Suzuki to replace the clocks, that's a big value item, and wasn't technically warranteeable.

lukemillar
22-10-08, 01:01 AM
Also, you do see constant cases of good dealers securing really good warranty claim results, on things that the manufacturers aren't obliged to cover. Sarah Jordan posted a really good example of that on here a while back, where a GSXR had been left in the sun and the clocks melted, because of the sun shining through an aftermarket screen. They got Suzuki to replace the clocks, that's a big value item, and wasn't technically warranteeable.

But does this have any bearing on the fact that her and her husband are a Suzuki dealers!?

Baph
22-10-08, 07:56 AM
But does this have any bearing on the fact that her and her husband are a Suzuki dealers!?
I think the point is that the GSXR wasn't theirs personally, but was a customers.

An example of a dealership pushing for warranty to cover something that it technically shouldn't (well, whether the warranty should/shouldn't cover it is debatable - clocks shouldn't be made of soft plastic & easily melt).

jimmy__riddle
22-10-08, 08:23 AM
i think to a certain degree it works both ways with bikes past their warranty, sometimes people have FSH cos they dont know jack, that scares me more than someone servicing it themselves. We all know how many people dont understand much about the mechanics and end up with no oil etc. but have it main dealer serviced after its many years old

Ceri JC
22-10-08, 08:23 AM
Also, you do see constant cases of good dealers securing really good warranty claim results, on things that the manufacturers aren't obliged to cover. Sarah Jordan posted a really good example of that on here a while back, where a GSXR had been left in the sun and the clocks melted, because of the sun shining through an aftermarket screen. They got Suzuki to replace the clocks, that's a big value item, and wasn't technically warranteeable.

Yes. I had my clutch replaced under warranty, which technically, they weren't obligated to. I can't see that happening with a self-serviced bike in the warranty period.

G
22-10-08, 08:29 AM
Yes. I had my clutch replaced under warranty, .

I wonder why that was........probably nothing to do with your avatar pic ;) lol:rave:

454697819
22-10-08, 09:28 AM
id rather see recipets than a stamp in the book... with reciepts you know what has been done, not that someopne has paid some one else to drink coffee.

Mine being in warrenty I keep both reciepts and stamps..

northwind
22-10-08, 07:30 PM
The other thing is, an incompetent owner can still damage a bike, even if it's got FSH...

id rather see recipets than a stamp in the book... with reciepts you know what has been done, not that someopne has paid some one else to drink coffee.


Nah, with receipts you just know bits have been bought, not what happened to them...

Dangerous Dave
23-10-08, 10:16 AM
The other thing is, an incompetent owner can still damage a bike, even if it's got FSH...

Nah, with receipts you just know bits have been bought, not what happened to them...
+ 1 to both comments, I have receipts for all sorts of things but that doesn't mean they went on/in to my bike!

monkey
09-03-09, 02:08 AM
Well the warranty is up on the Daytona now so I'm going to spend the service money on a tuneboy and genuine spares and do them all myself.

lukemillar
09-03-09, 04:53 AM
Well the warranty is up on the Daytona now so I'm going to spend the service money on a tuneboy and genuine spares and do them all myself.

Get the service manual and your sorted! A monkey could service a 675 :p

Sid Squid
09-03-09, 07:47 AM
A monkey could service a 675 :p
And probably will.