What Car? Q&A - Should I have a non-franchised service?

Q: I have a Seat Leon Cupra which is due for its first, 10,000-mile service. I’ve phoned my nearest dealer and their price for the service is £160-£180. My local garage round the corner would do the work and stamp the service log for a lot less, but it is not a Seat dealer. If I get it to do the service will this invalidate my warranty with Seat?
Lee Squires

A: Under rules introduced last year by the Office of Fair Trading car owners can have their cars serviced wherever they like. As long as they use a VAT-registered garage, official parts and manufacturer-grade fluids, your warranty should not be affected.

You should keep all invoices and receipts to prove that work has been carried out according to the manufacturer’s schedule and specifications. Each manufacturer has its own criteria, so you should check your warranty thoroughly before booking a service.