Beware of the line "It'll be serviced before delivery"..

Sirbendy

I bought a 2000 model Astra auto 6 months ago from a garage, with the promise of a full service and checkover (bearing in mind we had the airbag/engine lights lit up).

Took delivery, 1 day later the engine lamp lit. I bought a diagnostic kit, it was a bad EGR valve. I fixed this myself and cleared the code..First black mark - it hadn't been checked for faults, just cleared and told to turn the lights off. Heyho, no biggie.

Yesterday I went to remove the sparkplugs, to do my customary 6 month checks..it was a 2 handed battle to get them out - seized in well and truly. Once out, I've never seen plugs so worn! I replaced them today, it's a fair bit happier.

I then snuck a look at the airfilter, expecting nothing more than a mess...it was black/grey, with a stamp of "10/2004" on it. That'd fit with the wear on the plugs.

Serviced, my bum. The service log is full as well, but I'm now a tad dubious! 1 Previous owner, 56000 miles..but definetly getting a new air filter this week too.

I'm glad I do my own services..heh..at least I know they've been done for certain!

LandyAndy

I guess the selling garage didn't think that someone paying small change for a 9 year old car would care.

Sirbendy

it'd seem not, even if they did deliver it to me (50 mile round trip). I'd rather they were just honest and said "sold as seen" - I have no problems with servicing my own machinery..heh.

Think I might be changing the auto gearbox fluid soon as well, just to be on the safe side..although it looks and smells OK.

cyclonebri1

Unfortunately most garages will send the car to their prep department with L&L on the work sheet. IE they are to check lights and fluid levels. This seems to be their idea of a "service".

Glad to see you have the nous to diy, it's the only way of ensuring anything gets done correctly nowadays;)

maninthestreet

Did you check the oil? If it had been changed recently it would be reasonably clean, If it's black, it's not been changed recently.

Sirbendy

Oil is fairly black, but the filter is pretty clean. I'd guess it's had that done.

Air filter is £5.20, not bad. Pollen filter is a tenner. Hmm. Might just yank that out.

Goes a lot better with the new plugs...going to work today was a lot more nippy with plenty of uphill pull and NO preignition!! Definite win.