I gave our long-term Kia an early Christmas present and took it for a winter check recently so I could give the manufacturer’s aftersales service a road-test.

Initially, I enquired online at our local dealer, Boongate Kia, as I have heard that dealers have struggled in the past to get to grips with responding to emails quickly. Encouragingly, Boongate Kia responded straight away.

After a short confirmation call, our quick check was booked for around £20, with a while-you-wait service.
When I dropped the car off, the team was efficient and quick, giving me an estimate of half an hour to complete the checks and directing me to the seating area, where free drinks, wi-fi and magazines were on offer.

Luke, the customer service manager, then told me the car needed a top-up of engine oil and brake fluid and also that the tyre rotation service indicator was showing, so they would move the tyres as they checked the pressures. I was mentally adding up numbers thinking it was going to be a hefty bill when labour was thrown in, but when Luke presented the invoice, it was for the princely sum of £27.81, including VAT.

And when they returned the car, it had been washed, given a quick valet and they had thrown in a ‘winter survival kit’ too, complete with torch, hat and gloves.

Overall it was a very positive experience.