Service under these circumstances?

[Fleago]

Hi all,

My OH bought a brand new car in April this year. It was an absolute bargain due to being a pre-register and to the model being discontinued. It was actually registered in November 06, so has a 56 plate, and when he picked it up it only had about 10 miles on the clock.

He's now had a card from the garage saying a service is due, which is right enough on face value as the car is now officially a year old. What we need to know is, is it really necessary to have it serviced at this point as it only started being driven in April and has only got circa 4000 miles on the clock?

Alternatively, can it wait until the car reaches either a year's driving in April 08 or the recommended mileage service point, whichever comes first?

Also, does a car still under warranty actually have to go to a dealer of the make for service or can you use another garage?

Many thanks :)

Fleago

[TITEASCRAMP]

I would say the car needs to be serviced at it is 12mths old. If the service book says 12mths then thats what you need to do. Im only saying that because my Audi is every 24mths.
Secondly read the service book but I believed that as long as the criteier was met reagrds the service and proper manufactuers part used then you can take the car to any garage.
I have done this with my previous cars.
Subaru
Ford
Audi
Never had any problems later with warranty.
Hope that helps.

[Conor]

Low mileage cars go onto a different service schedule which actually requires MORE servicing, not less. This is because components seize through lack of use or the engine oil breaks down quicker / spark plugs get more fouled through doing lots of short journeys where the engine doesn't get up to temperature (that's working temperature, not what the temp guage says). Brakes will also wear quicker from doing mainly urban journeys.

[daveyjp]

Don't get it serviced and it's a nice reason for the garage not to undertake any warranty work - this could prove very expensive in the long run.

You don't have to use a franchised dealer for the service, but whoever does it must use genuine parts and stick to the service schedule.

[Fleago]

Thanks for the help, guys :)

Service it is then!

Fleago

[harveybobbles]

Yes its due a service. but don't use a main dealer tho...

[dopester]

In an engine, oil's useful properties degrades with age, regardless if mileage is low. therefore most manufacturers usually recommend an oil change something like every 10,000 miles or 12 months.

This doesn't always apply however... some cars have special long-life servicing regimes where the oil lasts longer - although there are other expenses involved with that.

Check out the engine oil bible (http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html) for detailed info about car oil. Also make sure you get the correct type of oil for your engine.

[Stephen Leak]

I'd say to go for the service. Your engine and car will thank you for it, and a nice "wodge" of service receipts will look really good if/when you do sell it on.

However, look around for cheap "footfall" deals on things like oil & filters, from places like National Tyres (http://www.national-tyres.co.uk). They may be cheaper than the garage/dealer. I use them to change my oil & filter every 5000 miles/6 months. It is sort of like an "internal interim service".

PS. I've just seen that your car is new. Therefore, I would strongly recommend an oil change. It seems counter-intuitive on a new car, but there could be potentially damaging "stuff" in the old oil, left over from manufacture, storage, assembly, and moving parts "bedding in" with each other.