Is £250 a rip off for major service?

Greensprout

I wish my major services were that cheap..

I recently got a price from the main stealer for my car.. £434!
Serves me right for buying a sports/import car I guess!

That's not even for a cam belt/chain change!

ArsenalFC

I too have a fiesta (1997) ,for an old car you should really only change the oil and filter as already suggested which cost about £30. No more money should be spent on it unless necessary on wear & tear parts or spark plugs, air filter thats all.

albionrovers

Ask the garage how much they charge per hour in labour.
Then use the cheapest one you can find.

Conor_3

Miss_B wrote: »

Hello, I hope you can help..

I need to service my 1998 fiesta as I have owned it for 18 months and not done so yet.

Local garage where I have MOT done (cheaply) quoted £280:eek:
Ford dealer/servicing quoted £250.
Work colleagues are divided between 'Oooh i get MOT and service for £60' and 'You should see how much my old banger costs'

HOW MUCH?? :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Just had my 2004 Ford Mondeo in a the local Ford Main Dealership for a 112500 mile service which is a major service. Cost me £215.

On a 10 year old car though, I'd just get a quick service done.

boyse7en

ArsenalFC wrote: »

I too have a fiesta (1997) ,for an old car you should really only change the oil and filter as already suggested which cost about £30. No more money should be spent on it unless necessary on wear & tear parts or spark plugs, air filter thats all.

I'd add changing the brake fluid every few years, and changing the antifreeze/water in the cooling system. Brake pads need a visual check, as do tyres (although you should be checking air pressure and tread condition weekly anyway)

loofer

You need to hunt around more local independant garages and find out labour rates.
A Major service should be 2.5hrs max.

You can work out cost of parts by looking online also... it will give you an idea and in most cases will cost less than what garage will charge you.

Nationwide Auto Centres do a Major service for about £200. You can also see exactly what's included by looking at their website. (I think you can collect CC points too if thats any use)

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

If the major service includes:

Engine oil and all filters, flush brake fluid, check pads+discs, change coolant, and poke around the car to see if anything is hanging off...

...then I would suggest getting exactly that done. If the £250 quote includes the cost of the parts above, I would think that it isn't a bad deal.

jeannieblue

Greensprout wrote: »

I wish my major services were that cheap..

I recently got a price from the main stealer for my car.. £434!
Serves me right for buying a sports/import car I guess!

That's not even for a cam belt/chain change!

Even if it is an import - it shouldn't make it more expensive.

We get loads in... check it out.

What make is it??

jeannieblue

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

If the major service includes:

Engine oil and all filters, flush brake fluid, check pads+discs, change coolant, and poke around the car to see if anything is hanging off...

...then I would suggest getting exactly that done. If the £250 quote includes the cost of the parts above, I would think that it isn't a bad deal.

Agree - tho discs and pads (are we talking front and rear?) could push it to be a bit more expensive...

But we shouldn't really presume what the car needs.... if you get a good garage, they won't rip you off and do what is necessary and no more.

vertical_fool

Hi all.

Miss_B wrote: »

Hello, I hope you can help..

I need to service my 1998 fiesta as I have owned it for 18 months and not done so yet.

Local garage where I have MOT done (cheaply) quoted £280:eek:
Ford dealer/servicing quoted £250.
Work colleagues are divided between 'Oooh i get MOT and service for £60' and 'You should see how much my old banger costs'

Upshot is I am mightily confused. I want a major service as have really worked the car this summer, rather than just an oil change. I don't have skills to dig out the Haynes myself either! Advice would be gratefully received.
Miss B

As Miss B has owned the car for 18 months without servicing it maybe they suggested replacing the cambelt especially if the car didn't have service history to prove it having had a change (Can prove very cost efficient especially with the benefit of hindsight). Maybe even replace the water pump whilst changing the cambelt. This may be forthcoming from a garage trying to make sales but also expexted if Miss B maybe also asked the garage for Advice would be gratefully received especially if Miss B had also said "I want a major service as have really worked the car this summer, rather than just an oil change". If it had no history this may be wise although I'm cheap and take the gamble! I'd change the oil and filter....probably.

The cambelt and pump may also have been suggested if Miss B was intending on keeping the car for the foreseeable future.

Maybe not by both garages though?

Maybe

Vertical