Who will service my car

thornbridge

Hi All.

We have just bought our pride and joy an 08 plate Civic registered by the dealer last July only got 52 miles on the clock because it's only been on 3 test drives.

Now we want to look after this car and will service it around July time trouble is who out there can one trust. I'm not mechanically minded so i have to go by what the garage say.

How much does an average service cost? some say stay away from the main dealers, some say use the main dealers for the genuine parts.

I've heard stories of services costing £400+ and some under £100.

confused.
regards.
thornbridge

Hintza

You will want to keep the warranty intact so should really get it done by the main dealer. However you can get it serviced elsewhere if they use genuine parts etc. personally I wouldn't take the risk.

First service should be under £250 all in. But just ask the dealer how much and check that with another dealer. I would be tempted to negotiate the price of the first service into the price of the car.

vikingaero

Call the dealer up and ask them the fixed menu service prices for each service:

Minor services for this car I imagine would be around £250, and £350 for a major. Also factor in a brake fluid change @ £50 when the car is 2 years old. Most dealer will also offer an annual a/c service at £80-90. This is a waste of time unless the pollen filter is also changed. It normally involves topping up the refrigerant gas and letting off an aerosol deodorant in the car with the vent system on recirculation - Lidl sometimes dell these aerosols for £1.99 when they come up on offer.

If you really want to look after the car then do as Honest John says: run the car up to the 1st service on the original oil. Doing this allows the engine to bed in. Then in between each service just do an oil and filter change. If you're not mechanically minded then National Tyres do oil services for around £20-£30 and at one stage they offered Tesco Clubcard Points. You'll need to call National and book it to ensure they get an approved oil filter in stock.

thornbridge

Sound advice thanks Hintza.

I did not buy it from my home city dealer but a city about 15 miles away so i suppose i could play one against the other when it comes to haggaling with them

thornbridge

vikingaero wrote: »

Call the dealer up and ask them the fixed menu service prices for each service:

Minor services for this car I imagine would be around £250, and £350 for a major. Also factor in a brake fluid change @ £50 when the car is 2 years old. Most dealer will also offer an annual a/c service at £80-90. This is a waste of time unless the pollen filter is also changed. It normally involves topping up the refrigerant gas and letting off an aerosol deodorant in the car with the vent system on recirculation - Lidl sometimes dell these aerosols for £1.99 when they come up on offer.

If you really want to look after the car then do as Honest John says: run the car up to the 1st service on the original oil. Doing this allows the engine to bed in. Then in between each service just do an oil and filter change. If you're not mechanically minded then National Tyres do oil services for around £20-£30 and at one stage they offered Tesco Clubcard Points. You'll need to call National and book it to ensure they get an approved oil filter in stock.

Brilliant. I'm saving all this on the lap top so i can go back to it in July it will make me look like i know what I'm on about:D

oldagetraveller

I agree with Hintza.
I'm only using main dealers at the moment for servicing to 100% ensure warranty so there are no "get outs" if anything is required within warranty period. "You didn't use correct parts, not serviced to manufacturers spec. we didn't routinely inspect the bodywork so can't entertain a claim under that warranty etc., etc.".
Just had 1st service (12 months) - Vauxhall Meriva, 1.7 CDTi - at supplying main dealer. £124. They found a radio/cd (would an independent have found that?) and handbrake (adjustment) fault. New radio/cd being supplied/fitted under warranty and handbrake sorted. So unless Honda are even more expensive then surely it can't be much different to that for what is basically an oil/filter change and a look around. If Honda charge £250 for a minor 1st service then it's too excessive. Vx dealers charge about £25 for a brake fluid change at 2 years.
If you intend using a main dealer and have a couple reasonably local then 'phone around for best price, they do vary. I tried 3 and they ranged from £124 (supplying dealer) to £144 for the same service!
I will, however, probably use an independent after the warranty period.

jeannieblue

Trying to bite my tongue............

£250 for a minor service??? A first service would only be around £100 - and yes, that would be using genuine parts - which would I guess of course consist of an oil filter and possibly air or pollen. Second service - if it hit anywhere near £250 I would be amazed.

Naturally anything is possible cost wise at the dealerships. One of our customers was recently quoted £320 by Mazda for the first service on her Mazda 5. We did it for just over £122 - it was that high due to the fact that it needed special oil. When they cancelled the dealership service, they said they would match our price.... why couldn't they have been more reasonable in the first place?? Mind, they probably would've only done the oil and filter - and what is becoming common now on first services, a 'visual'.

We don't do 'visuals' - we carry out the service as normal, even if it is only a year old, and take the wheels off to check brakes thoroughly and clean them and check all filters and levels, tyre pressures etc. Top up screen wash - for no charge....

OP - its up to you. But the previous guys estimates are way out. The way to find a good garage, whether it be a dealership or an independent, is usually word of mouth.

Good luck

anniecave

I would always go for independent - but I don't like my local ford dealer - they treat me like I don't have a clue about anything. I'm not a mechanic, but there's no need to treat me like an idiot.

I use use nationwide autocentres on Tesco clubcard deals vouchers so it hardly costs me anything. Nationwide's customer service was not very good last time (kept me waiting ages when i picked up the car), but I had no problem with the work they did.

I have a National Tyres and Autocare place local to me, and I go there for tyres, exhaust, tracking etc and they are really good. They will always give me an honest opinion of whether something really needs doing.

Can you combine a service and MOT - that helps as they are checking some of the same things on both?

jeannieblue

Its an 08 reg Anniecave, so won't be needing an MOT for a couple of years.

anniecave

this website is interesting - shows the regional differences in prices per hour!

http://www.labourrates.co.uk/?p=garagerates

silvercar

I've just had my honda jazz serviced at a main honda dealer for £99 incl VAT along with my "free MOT for life" that came with the car.