What Car? Q&A - Where can I take my Golf to be serviced?

Q: I have a Volkswagen Golf 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 Volkswagen dealer. If I get it to do the service, will this invalidate my warranty with Volkswagen?
Bob Page

A: No. Under rules introduced by the Office of Fair Trading in 2004, car owners can have their cars serviced almost wherever they like and keep their warranty perfectly intact.

There are some provisos. You need to use a VAT-registered garage that uses official parts or those that are a match for these original parts in their quality.

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.