Servcing your own car, the ironic truth?

optimus_primera

Must admit i've got to change the oil in the primera, but i'll probably get a garage to do it,i have to jack it up to get to the sump plug, and leave enough room to get a drain can there, ease of access to the oil filter is rubbish without a 4 post lift .......... but i have put new clutch in it, replaced the power steering rack, fitted new brakes all round (pads and discs),so at least i know they were done correctly.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

i get my parts for any vehicle cost plus 10% from my friends motor factors (ex employers), i used to do all myself and keep the reciepts, illness hit cant do majority of stuff any more . i would buy any vehicle with history as comprehensive as to have been done by the home mechy. its comforting to know that the shocks, wish bones,brakes/discs etc were replaced not so many miles ago and the belts etc all done, or atleast youll know that they will be due soon know how much the parts cost etc. when i buy a car i replace the oil and filter (if it hasnt been serviced), flugs,pollen and air aux/aircon timing and tensioners, fuel filter anyway. i'm fussy when it comes to oil and only use valvoline/castrol @ recomended grades on my own cars NGK plugs and fram/coopers filters, ferrodo premier pads, brake engineering/brembo discs, Gates belts and any gaskets seals etc will be BGA automotive, suspension by KYB, MOOG suspension parts wishbones,tie rods,clutches either AP racing, valeo, or LUK. i know its not the cheapest of makes but when you get them at the prices i can i do save cash than if i were to buy them retail and satisfied their fitted right and of good quility as to save me more money in the long run.

Hammyman

bigjl wrote: »

I would personally have the car that has been serviced by the owner, with receipts.

I wouldn't. How many car owners know how to do more than just the basic oil, filters and plugs? How many know how to actually check suspension bushes, ball joints, track rod ends, use a code reader to read stored faults and do ECU updates? And even if they did, how many would actually be bothered to?

bigjl

Hammyman wrote: »

I wouldn't. How many car owners know how to do more than just the basic oil, filters and plugs? How many know how to actually check suspension bushes, ball joints, track rod ends, use a code reader to read stored faults and do ECU updates? And even if they did, how many would actually be bothered to?

You are confusing servicing with repairs, a service is just that a service, oil and filters, just things that need changed to keep the car running to specification.

If you want to quote someone then please try and keep it in context. As by doing so you have forgotten what I said later in the post.

"I have witnessed all kinds of mistakes by main dealer mechanics, but feel that a competent DIYer can deal with all the usual stuff himself, leaving the big stuff like cambelts or clutches to a garage."

Mechanical repairs aren't servicing, also from what I have seen and read a lot of dealer "technicians" can do little else than read faults codes.

As far as assessing the condition of suspension bushes, ball joints etc. Well if they are good enough to pass an MOT then I think they should be fine.