Car service advise?

Hammyman

pendulum wrote: »

I said the brakes are checked at the MoT every year and that's a fact, so I'm not wrong at all. They check that each wheel records a suitable braking effort (i.e. check the brakes actually work properly), check for contamination from leaking brake fluid, fowling of the brake cables and so on. That, my friend, is a check of the braking system. I didn't say it was a comprehensive check, and no check will cover everything, but it IS a check.

...one which doesn't check the one thing that is continually worn away and needs replacing when it gets to a certain point - the brake pads. And 10,000 urban miles is enough to see them virtually at the point of being down to the metal if they weren't new when the last service was done.

Your example is like buying a condom and not bothering to put it on then being surprised when 9 months later a baby arrives.

benjus

One thing I would say - to anyone else that's doing without servicing their car because they can't afford it - at the very least take the poor thing for an oil/oil filter change regularly. It's likely to cost less than a tank of fuel and while it's NOT a substitute for following the proper service schedule, it's far better than doing nothing.

Just to be clear, I'm not recommending this approach, but as the OP has proved, the reality is that some people are running their cars without servicing them at all, so this would at least be an improvement.

catherine12345_2

Lessbutbetter wrote: »

You've had some advice on here from people including myself telling you to go to an independent garage, yet you're probably going to go to Halfords due to convenience. You might go and get a reasonable service from them, however i know for a fact that the sales managers in those places have to meet sales every week and they will try to flog you stuff you don't need, at a price you really don't want to be paying, trust me.

You've done without servicing for years so spending a day or two finding a good garage is not going to do any harm.

I do know what you're saying and I've not come on here with my mind already made up. However, I don't know where to find an independent garage that I feel comfortable going to. I've asked around and most people I know use the dealership for their make of car. One person recommended a local garage and then someone at work rubbished them. I feel really really nervous about the whole thing as it's a lot of money to spend and a big name gives me a sense of security - granted it may be a false sense!!

I think the thing for me is that I've had my fingers burnt with a small independent organisation (not a garage) before. I lost some money - they refused to put the work right and then went bust!! If I had gone to a bigger "chain" I would have had more security and felt more comfortable complaining!! I felt threatened complaining in this instance and lost out. Maybe this is why "i'm tempted" - Halfords certainly isn't convenient in terms of location!

There is a local garage who only does tyres and exhausts - they say they can "arrange" a service but I know they don't do them themselves. I have been using them for years - kept getting nails in my tyres from one place I worked. Tomorrow I'll phone this garage and ask for a recommendation. Seems like that's the only other option....and phone Nissan for a quote. I'm not in a rush, I just feel nervous about all this and I HATE getting ripped off

catherine12345_2

pendulum wrote: »

A lot of Nissans have chains and I've just noticed you have a Micra. If you post the year and model someone should be able to check to see if it's cambelt or chain. /QUOTE]

I have a Nissan Micra, 998cc, 2002 (old shape). Can anyone tell me whether I have a chain or a belt?

mcjordi

catherine12345 wrote: »

pendulum wrote: »

A lot of Nissans have chains and I've just noticed you have a Micra. If you post the year and model someone should be able to check to see if it's cambelt or chain. /QUOTE]

I have a Nissan Micra, 998cc, 2002 (old shape). Can anyone tell me whether I have a chain or a belt?

chain im sure of it....

Scuttsy

100% definately a chain. I work for a Nissan dealer in the midlands and we offer a major service for all petrol Micras at £189.00. I suggest you ask with the local Nissan dealer if they do a similar deal for vehicles out of warranty. Nissan actually offer a servicing price promise for Services so long as genuine parts are used, ask about Nissan customer care plan. One thing to be very careful of is the timing belt pre-tensioners on the car if it has not been serviced for 4 years it may be worth getting them checked out as if they give out this can cause the chain to swap and that will be terminal on the engine.

iolanthe07

One thing to be very careful of is the timing belt pre-tensioners

Eh? You just said it had a chain, not a belt.

100% definitely a chain

oldagetraveller

And the lack of new engine oil and filter in four years could well prove a problem in due course? Timing chains don't like mucky oil!

albionrovers

I HATE getting ripped off [/QUOTE]

How do you think the next owner of your car will feel?

Broken Britain.

lazer

Just to put another slant on it

I bought a car that was 7 years old (1997) car back in 2004, I used this car for around 3 years, then give it to my mum who still has it.

In our joint 7 years of owning this car it has never been serviced, I changed the oil when i bought it and we also changed the timing belt at some point and are aware of when it needs changed again.

The brakepads/wipers/sparkplugs etc have all be changed when necessary!

The car has passed the MOT ever year, thanks to a local mechanic checking it pre MOT and fixing it up.

The car is still running very smoothly - without ever being serviced.

For those saying about the brake pads wearing, surely anyone driving will know when there brakepads have worn and get them changed? Do drivers not ntice when the brakes become less responsive?