car servicing

[dee5]

My other halfs car need servicing but when i rang the local ford dealer to enquire about prices i nearly fell off my chair. It was �250 plus Vat and then parts & labour on top of that. Does anyone else know where he could get it done cheaper?

[spaced]

description of car would be helpful, and age.

[peterd]

Also depends what type of service is being carried out

[dee5]

Sorry it is an 02 ford focus 1.8 zetec.

[tubeway]

The ford dealer where I used to work charges �109 for a basic service (inc parts and labour) and for a "big" (3yr/36,ooo miles) it is �139. Maybe you needed more than just a service

[woody6]

Ive just had an annual (25000) mile service and mine cost �160. I would be careful with ford dealers - mine tried to charge me �174 until i reminded him that he's quoted me �160 and he checked the t-card and then changed it back to �160!

I also managed to knock him down from a quote of �400 for some brake work to �300 just by telling him that i had another quote at �140, no haggling involved at all. I didnt take him up on it but thats another story.

[BigB]

Hi Dee5

You could go to an independant garage for the service. Ask around for one that has a good reputation. There are some independants out there that are much better than even the main dealer so give them a try.

[derekpara]

In addition to the above, labour charges will vary according to the garge's location. Central london hourly rates are sky high, for instance.

As a Ford owner myself I would recommend a good independent Ford specialist. The staff would all be Ford trained and, in my experience, more conscientous. Good luck.

[kepla]

So, why don't the two of you just spend an interesting weekend servicing the car ? The fifty quid should easily cover materials, and you'll easily find a manual on e-bay for little money. You will also know that the work has actually been done - unlike when a garage 'pretends' to have serviced your car. Okay, so I've just saved you two hundred quid. Happy to help.