Is There Any Need

[teacake44]

When you look at most cars that are on the road now, lots of electronics, fuel injection, sealed units of all kinds, does it really make any sense paying out £200/ £300 for a so called service.

Years ago when all cars had spark plugs, ( I know many do now) put they last a lot longer, points that wore out, or needed adjustment, most of the joints on cars had grease nipples to fill, so you could say it was worth paying out to have a service. Apart from an oil change, and filter, plus air filter, its just a case of keeping an eye on, break fluid, water, and oil levels, steering fluid. so is it really value for money. I don't think so.

[dannyk13]

//I don't think so//
Will you feel the same when the car breaks down due to lack of service?

[youngmafbog]

It's a bit more than just changing the filters, for starters the car get a full check - that could save your life.

Dont forget the oils are now synthetic and expensive, plus there is tax to pay to dispose of the old stuff. £300 or so is not a huge amount given the distance between services is massive now. No longer 6000! Mine is currently on 13500 and its telling me a service is needed in 6000 miles or Jun 2020 (when car is 2 years old)

[CrapAtCryptics]

They do plug in and everything is checked - i had a similar program for my last car- an Audi - and it was amazing the amount of info you would get. Yes you still need a mechanic for some tasks but I know a lot of drivers who would struggle to change a wheel.

[teacake44]

danny , apart from what I said needs doing, what else is there to go wrong, unless a worn out part that you can't inspect on a service, goes, everything else you can see yourself, such as a cracked belt. tyres you can see, breakes are self evident, if wearing. ??

[teacake44]

Synthetic oil is very expensive if you buy it from the garage, not if you get it yourself.

[dannyk13]

Teacake,your car, your risk.

[teacake44]

youngmafbog, I wouldn't think that your car would be a death trap, that's less than 2yrs old, the life saver for older cars is the M.O.T.

[teacake44]

danny, does that mean there's nothing else?

[dannyk13]

//does that mean there's nothing else?//
Sorry teacake, not sure what means?

[teacake44]

danny, 14.03

[dannyk13]

I think that a diagnostic engine check is a valuable part of service.

[teacake44]

The built in electronics will tell you if there's anything wrong, via the dash instruments.

[dannyk13]

And if the electronics develop a fault?. As I said it is your choice teacake.

[teacake44]

If the electronics develop a fault, you will have the engine light come up, if that happens, then and only then, do you have it checked out.

[Hopkirk]

I quite like the idea that someone who knows a bit checks my brakes.

[woofgang]

shrug, your car your choice.

[EDDIE51]

teacake, engine fault lights can and do fail ! I have had it happen to me ! One of the things done in a service is a 'fault light check' to make sure they are all working correctly !

[teacake44]

On any safety point Hopkirk, I'm lucky that the chap who I've used for M.O.T s for 15 yrs, ( and he only does m.o.t ) not a garage, as always said, if I think I've got a problem, drop by and he takes a look, a quick fiver in his hand, is better than the cowboys at the garage, to tell me porkies. :)

[teacake44]

EDDIE51, you can see if all lights are working when you first turn key, beyond that you would have to be a bit obsessed.

[banker_frank]

£300 for a service? My local garage charges £99 and the average in the UK is around £125. Never go for a service at a large garage they see you coming. Check out your local independent garages.