hedgehog

IM have, at the end of 2003, dumped my dealer as an official Subaru dealer. All the usual stuff I suspect, they were providing far too good a service from a showroom that wasn't half fancy enough.

My car is one year old in March but what is the situation if I continue to get it serviced at the ex-Subaru dealers? I am slightly concerned as I have it in the back of my mind that years 2 and 3 of the warranty are "dealer" warranties and so might somehow work differently from the first year.

As I understand it the law now insists that IM honour their warranty if the car is serviced to the same standard as in a Subaru dealership. But does this only apply to the first year or will it apply in year 2 and 3??

I'd be grateful to anyone with the lowdown on this one. If anyone from IM happens to be reading this then I would like to point out that I will be doing all I can to avoid your "official" dealers. It is my intention to change the car when it is 2 years old and, after behaviour like we have seen recently, I can assure you that the next car will not be a Subaru.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

If you look closer into this, you MAY find that the one doing the dumping is actually the dealer.:

IIRC, IM have told dealers to upgrade to a corporate image, and many have declined due to high costs for what is, in effect, a one model range, and have given up the franchise:
I've had it happen twice now.

Don't give up, use a specialist dealer, (TSL, Scoobysport etc).

I very much doubt if I'd buy another Scoob from an IM Scoob dealer, but it won't stop me owning one!

Alcazar

scoobynutta555

From what i have heard from my local dealer, who has also opted out of IM, its not just about "upgrading to corprate" image, but also to do with other factors. Ie, the purchasing of many more demo cars, and the fact that they have to be replaced every three months at a cost to the dealer. He told me that he would have to carry demo stock of up to £300,000 at a time, and these would have to be replaced every three months. Quite an expense I can assure you for an outfit that isn't massive.

sillysi

Hedgehog, all new Subarus purchased after October 2003 can be serviced at a garage meeting IMs new standards. This at the moment only means franchised dealers. It is all down to a clause in block excemption that the OFT are looking into early nexy year.

ARM-Scooby

there was a long post about this in november.

I think that TSL were trying to become a recognised dealer or something like that so that they could stamp services and have them recognised.