Is an annual service needed

Lum

hubert_cumberdale wrote: »

I always look at it that a person put it together so why cant i take it apart and put it back together.

Have you worked on any recent German cars? :rotfl:

Jackinbox99

Flearoy wrote: »

An annual service 6 months after the MOT would be a good idea in my opinion as any defects would be seen by the mechanic, giving you a bit more peace of mind regarding safety.
.

Ah, but thats where you are wrong. Unless you specifically ask the mechanic to look at something, the chances are they wont notice it. A basic service at most garages wont even involve a road test. Some more expensive garages and dealers may include a multipoint check and a road test to see if they can find any more work which needs doing.

Gene_Hunt_2

Jackinbox99 wrote: »

Ah, but thats where you are wrong. Unless you specifically ask the mechanic to look at something, the chances are they wont notice it. A basic service at most garages wont even involve a road test. Some more expensive garages and dealers may include a multipoint check and a road test to see if they can find any more work which needs doing.

Odd's are they'll just hook it up to a computer.

Shimrod

Lum wrote: »

Have you worked on any recent German cars? :rotfl:

I found this when thinking about changing the air filter in my car. Decided to take it to the dealer instead...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279058

johnnyroper

Jackinbox99 wrote: »

I always do a full service on my cars at the required service interval, or annually, depending on which comes sooner.

As the guy above said, its so easy to do this yourself with minimum tools. For example, on my main car I can do a full service in about 15minutes. I undo the oil drain plug which just needs a spanner. As the oil is draining out into a container, I change the air filter (philips screw driver, 2 screws), change the pollen filter (philips screw driver, 4 screws), change the fuel filter (pliers to loosen 2 clips and a philips screwdriver to undo a small clamp), remove the oil filter (got a chain wrench to do this), fit the new oil filter and visually check the screen wash, coolant, brake fluid etc.

By then all the oil is drained out - so replace the drain plug, pour new oil in, check level until okay. Run engine on idle for a few minutes, then leave, recheck oil level and top up if required.

All the above bits come to £30, plus £28 for the high grade synthetic oil i use.

I think for how little the bits cost these days, an annual service, even if you have done low mileage is well worth it to keep the car running perfectly. If you havent done many miles, you could just change the oil & filter as the air filter / pollen filter wont have been dirtied up much. But on mine, even after 8000 miles, both are usually black.

Its also worth noting that some people think a "service" checks and even fixes loads of other stuff - but in reality it doesnt. Most garages dont do any in depth checks or even plug the car into a computer. A basic service really is just a quick change of the bits ive listed above.

Most cars will need other items changing at various intervals, like brake fluid and coolant, but unless you specify you want these done, garages wont automatically do them.

that is all well and good for the service items,but what about the checking of suspension,brake linings including cleaning and adjusting shoes if fitted and then you have condition of hoses and pipework around engine and underneath?

the op says if it was on mileage then it would be done less than 12 months between servicing so doing it annually is going over the intervals so leaving 2 years is way too long in my opinion.
if it is your pride and joy then stick to the intervals but change garage where it is serviced to save costs.

Trebor16

It's only about 20-30 years ago that many cars needed a service every 6000 miles or so which for most people was twice a year, but since service intervals have been extended I wonder if the requirement for an annual service has been introduced to ensure dealers still get some work.

oscarward

The majority of Peugeots are 20k or 2 years service intervals, Diesil or Petrol

Trebor16

I think you will find the 1.6HDi diesel Peugeots have 12.5k or 2 years service intervals.

Flearoy

Jackinbox99 wrote: »

Ah, but thats where you are wrong. Unless you specifically ask the mechanic to look at something, the chances are they wont notice it. A basic service at most garages wont even involve a road test. Some more expensive garages and dealers may include a multipoint check and a road test to see if they can find any more work which needs doing.

My local independent garage do an extensive multi-point check as part of a service as standard, and include the completed check list as part of your receipt, along with any comments on what they have found. They are very reasonably priced, and I have to say they are honest chaps which is very reassuring. Worth looking around to find places like this. Last time I had my car serviced I had oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, plugs checked (didn't need replacing), all fluid levels checked and the A4 size print out of checks done for a reasonable £145 or so. Not dirt cheap, but at £3 a week over the year, it wasn't so bad.

vic_sf49

I'm been out in the States for bit and laugh every time my car's 'idiot light' comes on to say it needs an oil change after just 3000 miles.

Instruction manual out, reset warning light and continue driving.

I'd say a yearly service is a good idea if your car has any value and you plan on keeping it a while, but unless you'll invalidate your warranty, it's really just a choice as to when you get it done.

I don't bother with those 100 point checks some common garage chains offer, as most of those points are checked during an MOT. When in the UK I just take my motor to my excellent local garage and ask for the basics like an oil and filter change etc.

If you can do the basics yourself, all power to ya!