Does my car need a service?

xzibit

Wig wrote:

Where do you get the service information from?

I'd buy the car that was the best value taking into account the cleanliness inside and out and in the engine bay. The one with the best sounding engine, the one with the best compression readings on the cylinders. The one without anything wrong with the spark plugs like oiled plugs for example.

When you're looking at a car, you do a compression test?? And take the spark plugs out? Ok.

I would buy the car with the most mechanically sound engine in terms of how it sounds and runs, checking for reciepts of work done, and services carried out at correct intervals, then condition of all other mechanical workings (suspension/bearings/bushes), then condition of the bodywork, and then finally how shiny the interior and engine is, because we all know, the ruffest of cars can have the engines shined up!!

Happy_frank

Having a car serviced even at a main dealers doesn't mean everyting that was meant to be checked or replaced has been.

My dad took his Omega to a main dealer for a full service, only when he went to collect the car after the service did he ask the mechanic how they had checked the brakes without taking the wheels off as he hadn't given them the locking wheel nut key.
The mechanic replied that he had removed the wheels using the key he found in the spare wheel well. Only after my dad pointed out that he doesn't leave the key there did the machanic admit that the wheels hadn't been off the car.

I'd much rather do the job myself, knowing the job is actually done right, rather than pay someone to wipe all the appropriate bits with an oily rag.

lisyloo

I'd much rather do the job myself, knowing the job is actually done right

I think it a great idea but not everyone has the capability for various reasons.

I check and replace my oil myself but I usually have to ask my husband to remove the oil cap because I can't get it off myself.
I hate having to do this and I really wish I could so more stuff myself but the fact is that I have small girlie hands and just can't do some of the stuff myself :-(

Happy_frank

Get yourself a bigger spanner

moonrakerz

Get your car serviced annually at the minimum, or at the mileage specified.

I am convinced that most breakdowns are caused by neglect and that most of these are brought about by the age of the car, NOT the mileage it has done.
I had two company cars and put 117,000 on one in 3 yrs and 95,000 on the second in a similar period. The only non-service items required in that time was one rubber suspension bush and a sticky pad for the rear view mirror.
I know lots of people with cars that have done a low mileage for their age but are continually breaking down.

It must be that belts, gaiters and even some metallic components will do lots of miles provided that you do them quickly ! (I don't mean at 95mph !!)

Wig

xzibit wrote:

When you're looking at a car, you do a compression test?? And take the spark plugs out? Ok.

Why not it's an easy 5 - 10 minute task, if the seller says no I walk away, infact I do my negotiating on price and ask if I can do the test on the phone before I even go to look at a car.

Unless I'm buying from an auction.