Car Servicing?

mystara

Hi,

I was hoping someone could explain car servicing to me.

I have a 2005 Toyota Yaris that needs a service in a couple of months. Up until now, all my servicing was for free as part of a deal I got with the car. However, now that my freebie servicing is up, I need to try and figure out exactly what I need to ask for and I'm confused.

Arnold Clark, for example, do a "32 point servicing plan with MOT" for £98 (http://www.arnoldclark.com/servicing/service-and-mot.html). Other garages have similar servicing deals.

Arnold Clark also offer a "manufacturer service" (http://www.arnoldclark.com/servicing/manufacturer-servicing/), as does my local toyota garage (at twice the price). However, Arnold Clark only has prices for the first, second or third years or for specific tasks ("brake clean service").

Can someone explain whether these are actually different things? Do I need a manufacturer service? Is a 32 point service better? Worse? Just as good? Or are they just the same thing?

Inactive

You need to get a price for the appropriate year/mileage service in accordance with the makers specification.

You will usually find details in your service book.

darich

As Inactive says, you don't require to specify what works are required.
The works necessary are determined by the age and mileage of the car eg belts need replaced at a certain mileage or age, whichever comes first.

What may be advisable is to phone the garage and give them the year, and mileage and ask for a price for the appropriate service. Be prepared though for the price to increase once the car is in the garage. I'm not suggesting that the garage will try and fleece you - I'm suggesting that certain items may need replacing while not part of the normal service schedule eg brake pads/ discs - these are done only when required so vary from car to car, and driver to driver
Other items wear out too so the price you get on the phone may not be exactly what it costs you.

rev_henry

darich wrote: »

As Inactive says, you don't require to specify what works are required.
The works necessary are determined by the age and mileage of the car eg belts need replaced at a certain mileage or age, whichever comes first.

What may be advisable is to phone the garage and give them the year, and mileage and ask for a price for the appropriate service. Be prepared though for the price to increase once the car is in the garage. I'm not suggesting that the garage will try and fleece you - I'm suggesting that certain items may need replacing while not part of the normal service schedule eg brake pads/ discs - these are done only when required so vary from car to car, and driver to driver
Other items wear out too so the price you get on the phone may not be exactly what it costs you.

But don't be afraid to say 'no thanks' when they say xyz needs doing at additional cost, and go elsewhere for quotes on those things, which are likely to be cheaper, and may not even need doing.

darich

rev_henry wrote: »

But don't be afraid to say 'no thanks' when they say xyz needs doing at additional cost, and go elsewhere for quotes on those things, which are likely to be cheaper, and may not even need doing.

Absolutely....I should have said so.
The OP is under no obligation for the garage to carry out any additional work they claim is necessary.
In fact telling them you're going elsewhere for second opinion/quote may get them to reduce their price.

mystara

So then what is a 32-point service for? Is it just a generic health check for a vehicle?

Stigy

mystara wrote: »

So then what is a 32-point service for? Is it just a generic health check for a vehicle?

32-points are how many things are checked. Typically speaking on all services you'll have the Oil & Filter changed, the brakes and suspension checked. But alot of the time you have to opt for more expensive services if you want the air filter, spark plugs and fuel filter changed. When I was in the motor trade most services bar a simple 'oil service' consisted of pretty much everything except the fuel filter routinely being changed, and all for £79.99!

Now it seems to have 'the works' done, you'll be spending more than twice that, and often over £200!

rev_henry

mystara wrote: »

So then what is a 32-point service for? Is it just a generic health check for a vehicle?

Its a service in which they check 32 points. Bit meaningless just saying 32 points really. I mean, one of those points could be 'does the car have 4 wheels' for all you know! You need to see exactly what those points are.

Inactive

rev_henry wrote: »

Its a service in which they check 32 points. Bit meaningless just saying 32 points really. I mean, one of those points could be 'does the car have 4 wheels' for all you know! You need to see exactly what those points are.

Spot on, it really needs to be defined.

cyclonebri1

rev_henry wrote: »

Its a service in which they check 32 points. Bit meaningless just saying 32 points really. I mean, one of those points could be 'does the car have 4 wheels' for all you know! You need to see exactly what those points are.

Yep, you'll get an oil and filter change and that's it. The rest will be visual check which comes back with a tick or a list of work.

These checks are not worth an awfull lot. Remember the old vauxhall franchise that offered a 101 point check on every car sold??

A freind of mine bought a 1 year old Vectra from them with extensive poorly repaired accident damage:eek:, so much for checks.

Don't rule out using your local indy garage, someone you know will know a trustworthy outfit, it is the way to go to both save money and be assured the job is done correctly or even at all:o.

:money::money:

Gene_Hunt_2

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

A freind of mine bought a 1 year old Vectra from them with extensive poorly repaired accident damage:eek:, so much for checks.

What's so bad about Vauxhall missing that?

Your friend did too.;)