We specified that we’d like to get the loose door pocket tightened, the windshield wipers replaced, a popped-out piece of rubber trim on the door sill fixed, and the mild jerk in the gearbox checked. The wiper rubbers had already fallen apart, likely from sitting in the sun while the car sat on the lot before we bought it. The rubber trim piece on the door has been hanging loose since the first week we had the car. We also asked them to check if our extended warranty is on their records, but the service man simply kept asking for an “invoice” instead of checking on his computer.

Anyway, we left and later that day, got a call from the service centre by 4 pm that the car was ready. We hobble along to the centre, and find out that our service cost only Dhs 350, the standard rate for a basic 10k service. Not bad at all.

However, they said the loose door pocket is “normal”, they forgot to replace the windshield wipers, they said they don’t have the clips in stock for the loose rubber door trim, and of course, the jerks in the transmission is also “normal”.

We then ask them to change the cheap-looking wiper rubbers on the spot, and they quote us a whopping Dhs 180. So then we headed to the nearest petrol-station garage and bought some generic Nissan wipers for Dhs 60.

We give the dealer service centre 10 out of 10 for service charges compared to Japanese brands, but a 5 out of 10 for trying to screw us on spare-parts costs, and a 0 out of 10 for not fixing our minor under-warranty problems.

The Renault Safrane is the perfect car for those who want a comfortable no-frills ride, and my near-retirement father is enjoying the drive every day. Fuel economy has also improved even more over time, as the engine frees up further. Our servicing experience doesn’t reduce our opinion of the car one bit.