car service dilemma

Imelda

Hi all,

I would like your opinion on which service I should go for:

I own a 2001 Vauxhall Corsa SXI, I bought it in 2002 and have had it serviced each year. Vauxhall offer 2 types of service a basic and a full. I have up until now gone for the basic service but this time they said I should have the full one at a cost of £248. I was a bit overwhelmed when I phoned them and agreed. Now I am thinking of changing it, the car has done 33,000 miles, 20k of them with me and I have only had couple of problems back in 2003 which have been fixed. They say the plugs need changing and the air filter cleaned. My dad (although well meaning, he's not very clued up on cars) says this is rubbish and would only need doing after 60,000 miles (or 5 years average use). I am confused as I don't want to incur problems later on but don't want to be ripped off either.

Any advice appreciated.

Imelda

Thanks Al Mac, I'm not prepared to pay £250 for a service though, it's 10% of the value of the car! I have just taken a look at the kwik-fit website and a full service and MOT is only £149 and seems to do all the same things the vauxhall one does. Have you had any experience with Kwik-fit? The only thing I envisage needing done to the car are two new front tyres (approx £100 with fitting from kwik-fit).

nej

Find someone who can recommend a good independant garage, that should be far cheaper.

Imelda

Thanks Nej, I am going to email all my friends and family right now to find out where they recommend.
I never would have given it a second thought before joining MSE!

ooo000ooo

Buy a haynes manual and do the basic servicing yourself, maybe find a spanner handy friend/relative/neighbour who would help you with it in exchange for beer.

highguyuk

I went to Nationwide Autocentre for my service, cheapest in the area when I rang around. Used my clubcard Tescos deals voucher ... and got clubcard points in return.

For tyres, they'll be alot cheaper places than Kwik Fit! Online selections such as https://www.blackcircles.com ... check out other posts on tyres on the site.