Independant Servicing - Invalidates Warranty?

[nambduke]

Does anyone know the stance Ducati takes if my bike is serviced by an independant? Is it the same for bikes as it is for cars, i.e. servicing can be done by an independant but you'd have to have full documentary evidence of the work being carried out was done to the same standard?

Interested in anyones ideas or views on the subject....because my bike is due it's 6k service!!!!

Regards,
nambduke

Update 17/0605
Thanks to all who've replied so far. I'm not clear whether the motor manufacturers block exemption extends to bikes either. I'll check with trading standards and see if they know what the rules are. Provisionally checked with Ducati John to get my bike serviced with him, because like everyone else, I see no point in lining dealers pockets with money when the servicing is at best average
Keep the replies coming!
Regards,
nambduke

Not sure where you stand with the warranty thing but when Ducati John did my bike he provided an extensive report of exactly what he'd done (2 pages).


Have a look at his website, I can highly recommend him

Originally Posted by nambduke

Does anyone know the stance Ducati takes if my bike is serviced by an independant? Is it the same for bikes as it is for cars, i.e. servicing can be done by an independant but you'd have to have full documentary evidence of the work being carried out was done to the same standard?

Interested in anyones ideas or views on the subject....because my bike is due it's 6k service!!!!

Regards,
nambduke

I don't know what Ducati say about it, but I had mine 'serviced' at a Ducati dealer while it was still in warranty. Now it's out of warranty I have just had it serviced properly by an independant Ducati specialist (Louigi Moto) and he's stamped the service book.
As for the work being done to the same standard, my experience is that the independant do the service to a higher standard at a lower price....bit of a 'no brainer' really as far as I'm concerned.
I'm sure there is an obscure EU regulation somehwere on this subject, but it's probably kept very quite by the 'main' dealers.

Just my two penneth worth.......

Quote :

In order to ensure warranty validity, Customer should also make the three obligatory maintenance checks at 1000 km (or six months), 10000 km (or 12 months) and 20000 km (or 24 months), at any official Dealer. Warranty will be not honoured for motorcycles repaired by unofficial Dealer networks, for improper use, for bikes with non-genuine parts, for damages incurred from accidents, overloads, negligent use, or improper maintenance.

that just about covers it

I thought with the recent block exemption laws,as long as it was repaired to manufactures standard with original parts and at a VAT registed garage,they couldn't void the warranty(unless it was due to poor workmanship)????

Originally Posted by bod

I thought with the recent block exemption laws,as long as it was repaired to manufactures standard with original parts and at a VAT registed garage,they couldn't void the warranty(unless it was due to poor workmanship)????

I understand that to be the case with cars but I believe that regulation wasn't extended to bike manufacturers.

Originally Posted by PaulS

I understand that to be the case with cars but I believe that regulation wasn't extended to bike manufacturers.

I have looked into this and what you say is correct certainly for Ducati's, servicing costs must be the best earner for the dealers, takes about a day to do a full service on an S4, so £500/day is not a bad earner.

Shaun

Originally Posted by Shauns4

I have looked into this and what you say is correct certainly for Ducati's, servicing costs must be the best earner for the dealers, takes about a day to do a full service on an S4, so £500/day is not a bad earner.

Shaun

Not being one to particular want to stand up for dealers, I think that is a little unfair.

Franchised dealers have to buy all the factor tools whether they need them or not. I haven't found any independent who has the Ducati Mathesis Tester yet, for example. Most claim they don't need it which is fair enough but at least they have the choice about buying it or not. They also have to send mechanics on training courses and provide 'nice' premises in reasonable areas.

Smaller, independent guys are bound to be cheaper because there overheads are much lower. Some are good and some are not so good, but I doubt if anyone, whether franchised or not, is making a fortune out of Ducati servicing. Too many have gone bust for that.

Regards

Perry

[nambduke]

Hi Bunny,
Thanks for the quote....I've checked the Ducati site out and their words in full are for everyone to see....

Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. guarantees all new motorcycles, standardized for road use, for a period of twenty-four (24) months, without mileage limit. Motorcycles used for any type of competition and/or for renting are not covered by the warranty. Components subject to wear, such as tires, clutch discs, brake pads, distribution belts and cables are also not covered by the warranty. Warranty coverage begins from registration.

In order to ensure warranty validity, Customer should also make the three obligatory maintenance checks at 1000 km (or six months), 10000 km (or 12 months) and 20000 km (or 24 months), at any official Dealer. Warranty will be not honoured for motorcycles repaired by unofficial Dealer networks, for improper use, for bikes with non-genuine parts, for damages incurred from accidents, overloads, negligent use, or improper maintenance. Further details are detailed in the Warranty/pre-delivery booklet, attached to every new motorcycle.

Hope that clears this point for everyone now...

Regards,
nambduke

Ducati can print what they like, they dont make the Law do they??

As regards the methesis tester, Neil at www.cornerspeed.co.uk has got one, oh and a full service (12000 miles) on an S4 will take a good two days, including changing fork oil, brake and clutch fluid, taking the cams out to inspect the rockers,checking and adjusting valve clearances etc. Add the cost of rent, electricity, capital cost of all the equipment and special tools needed plus the guy doing the work needs to make a living wage and i can assure you that the independants are not getting rich on servicing Ducati's.
Alsoemember that they are not servicing bikes seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. Neil has three very quiet months over christmas with almost no work coming in but he's still got to pay rent, eat, heat his house etc.

[NattyBoy]

..www.louigimoto.co.uk have got a mathesis too..

Nat