Car service advise?

catherine12345_2

Hi all

Due to the fact that I haven't worked for the last 4 years I have had to prioritize my spending and decided not to have my car serviced during this time (I know, I know....please don't shout at me!).

Fortunately, I have just started a new job :j and one of the first things I want to do is have my car serviced. I've been looking at the "Major" service that Halfords do as it seems quite extensive.

Any comment? Any ideas on what I should be looking for in a big long-overdue service. I have a Nissan Micra which has passed the last 3 years mot's first time so it isn't falling apart (not that i'm any kind of expert!!!).

Thanks

Cath

scheming_gypsy

how old is the car and how many miles did you put on it during those 4 years?

if it's an old car / barely done any miles then it might not need a big service; plus a friendly local garage will be able to do the same for a lot less money.. Oil / filter changes etc.

alx33277

The main things are oil, oil filter, coolant and belts - depending on the age/mileage other bits will need looking at like plugs etc..would have thought Halfords would be okay, although not sure they'll cover off the belts..HTH

blue_haddock

I wouldnt bother with halfords, find a decent recommended independant garage instead.

What a lot of these chains offer with their "3 million point service" is actually very little. Its usually change the oil and filter and then 'check' everything else but any remedial work will not be included in the price.

Lessbutbetter

I've been looking at the "Major" service that Halfords do as it seems quite extensive.

please do not go near these large nationwide auto centers. They are rip off merchants, who charge a premium and get away with it because gullible people think that because they're well know they must be good.

Ask on this forum if anyone knows a local, well respected "back street" style garage in your area, where you'll get a personal service by a mechanic who is making his money by having a good reputation for doing a good job, and not just marketing drivel.

Hope this helps

no.1swimmum

How do you find a recommedation for a local garage, mine closed down since last service, and do not want to pay high dealership prices - where would I look for recommendations. The drivers amongst my friends and relatives use dealerships, and as a female I often feel intimidated by garages, is the good garage scheme any good!

shays_mum

This will come in handy for me as well! got a 40,000 miles service coming up in my hyundia santa fe 06 & dealers are coming in really expensive .
Am in the Croydon/SW16 area if that helps.

alx33277

It's not perfect, but it's as good a place as any to start...

http://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/Search/BWCPages/FindABusiness.aspx?s=garage&p=SS1&d=25&mode=simple

HTH..

iolanthe07

Not shouting at you, Catherine, but for all our sakes please don't do this again. An annual oil change and brake check doesn't cost much.

pendulum

The brake check would've been done during the MoT every year.

4 years without a service means you've abused your car to be honest. I'd treat it to a good service now that you can afford it, brake fluid, coolant, oil, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter... no doubt the cambelt is due if it has one, so get that changed along with the auxiliary belt. Maybe even the spark plugs while you're there. Go to an independent rather than a chain or they'll have you over. It'll still cost you a good few hundred quid.

herrys

Right pendulum ... its just unbelievable that since four years you have not serviced your car... now you have to do so much work on that that could cost high....