For years I have heard numerous examples of main dealerships over-charging and giving poor customer service but never really had the money to afford to buy off them anyway and was fortunate to have a company vehicle for several years. When I changed job we then tended to buy second-hand off independents and the situation was then very much the same as with builders, plumbers etc-ie finding a garage you trust and stick with them!

More recently, with our sons needs, we have a motability car and so have to go through main dealers and must say the service we have received through our local Vauxhall dealership has always been excellent. Due to the recent availability issues we had to change to a local Hyundai dealership for our latest car but, again, customer service has been very good so far. Maybe it's because we get our motability vehicle from them rather than actually buying from them but can't think this is the case?

Would have thought that with the current competitiveness in the car market good salesmanship and customer service would be a pre-requisite but maybe not. A friend recently purchased a new car and the MG dealership was so outstandingly rude and unhelpful afterwards that she chose to change to another one a bit further away where the service has been excellent. Like chalk and cheese. Buyer beware eh.