Car servicing - big & small (pls help!)

Sunshine12

Hi

Im a female that knows nothing about cars and hoping someone can help me.

The last time I got a service it was a small one (I think they said 15 point check). Its coming up on the car computer screen saying that it needs a service again. I phoned the garage and they said that they can just do another small one which includes an oil change.

Im going to be selling the car within the next few months so that suits me better as its about £120 cheaper than the "big" one.

What Im confused about is what the difference is and whether I should actually be getting the big one done......

I hope this makes sense and apologise for my complete ignorance. Any help would be very much appreciated.

thescouselander

If you look in the service record for your car it should say what sort of service is required this time round.

Sunshine12

thescouselander wrote: »

If you look in the service record for your car it should say what sort of service is required this time round.

I never bothered getting the card stamped last few times as its all done on computer (and from previous stamps it doesnt tell me anyway). The garage said that whilst it should be a big one thats done as it was a small one last time that they can just do a small one instead which is whats confusing me.....

Mankysteve

The service book will still tell you what it needs doing at which points. Ie is the mileage coming up to cam belt changing time. If so get this done before you sell.

Sunshine12

Mankysteve wrote: »

The service book will still tell you what it needs doing at which points. Ie is the mileage coming up to cam belt changing time. If so get this done before you sell.

:eek::eek::eek:

I just found the service book you are talking about and Ive never had it filled in since I bought the car (I didnt actually know it existed until just now when I went looking through the paperwork. I only had a little card stamped the first few times I got it serviced)

Is a cam belt the same as a timing belt? Audi told me at my MOT that this needed replacing after 5 years but independant garage said that I should just ignore them as the car has only done 60,000 miles.

[Deleted User]

When people come to buy your car they'll be interested in the service history. As your book is not stamped, have you got all the past invoices for servicing and work on the car? Audi's computer system will be of no interest to job public buying a used car.

Mankysteve

Cam belt and timing belt same difference.

72k or 5 years on the cam belt is usally nowadays but what model is it? and ill confirm. Ignore your garage. Follow Audi recommendation not worth risking when its the cost of a new engine rubber get brittle with age.

Sunshine12

Mankysteve wrote: »

Cam belt and timing belt same difference.

72k or 5 years on the cam belt is usally nowadays but what model is it? and ill confirm. Ignore your garage. Follow Audi recommendation not worth risking when its the cost of a new engine rubber get brittle with age.

Hi, its an Audi TT.
I phoned Audi and they said they can fill in the service detail retrospectively for the service they did and Im trying to remember who did the last one.

Audi said I should replace the timing belt but garage said to leave it as would be fine until 80,000 miles (or thereabouts, cant remember the exact figure). Im planning on selling it soon and a timing belt is about £400 so Id rather not bother unless I have to but I have no clue if this will put people off buying or not.

thescouselander

Sunshine12 wrote: »

Hi, its an Audi TT.
I phoned Audi and they said they can fill in the service detail retrospectively for the service they did and Im trying to remember who did the last one.

Audi said I should replace the timing belt but garage said to leave it as would be fine until 80,000 miles (or thereabouts, cant remember the exact figure). Im planning on selling it soon and a timing belt is about £400 so Id rather not bother unless I have to but I have no clue if this will put people off buying or not.

I'd suggest most buyers will be onto this one - if the belt isn't changed (and it needs to be) they will probably want to knock the appropriate amount off the price so they can get it done themselves.

Mankysteve

As above says. 80k or 5 years

forgotmyname

Thats the problem with buying a car with a full service history, To me some fresh oil once a year is not a service but the garage will happily stamp your book.

Seen many cars with fuel filters that look original. My sister took her car into garages to be serviced when i could no longer do them, She still has the same fuel filter i fitted several years and 50,000 miles ago.