Free vehical health checks

LeroyBoyce

Now and again some firms invite you to drop your car off for half an hour and they do a variety of checks on it for nothing.

I find this is always good if you've just bought a "bargain" second-hand car.

Remember, though, there may be an ulterior motive for them. If they find lots wrong, then you may be tempted to leave with them to put it right - for a good few quid. However, I take their response as a "worst case scenario", and take the list to my local mechanic who I trust 100%.

I've found these companies, with health checks of varying scrutiny, but I was wondering if anyone else knew of any other firms?

Halfords - http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ACArticleDisplay?storeId=10001&articleId=788003&categoryId=245348

ATS - http://www.atseuromaster.co.uk/vehicle-health-check.htm

Perrys - http://www.perrys.co.uk/car-news/articles/2012/04/perrys-offers-free-visual-car-health-checks-18258.php

worried_jim

Free vehical health checks

A free online spell checker.-
http://www.jspell.com/public-spell-checker.html

forgotmyname

No need to take it anywhere I am psychic and can do it over the net.

Your brakes are dangerous, Your shocks and spring will need doing soon.
Some of your bushes are worn. I advise you get this work done now or I will report you for taking a dangerous vehicle on the road.

Do you want me to fix it now? £700.

RichardD1970

LeroyBoyce wrote: »

Now and again some firms invite you to drop your car off for half an hour and they do a variety of checks on it for nothing.

I find this is always good if you've just bought a "bargain" second-hand car.

Remember, though, there may be an ulterior motive for them. If they find lots wrong, then you may be tempted to leave with them to put it right - for a good few quid. However, I take their response as a "worst case scenario", and take the list to my local mechanic who I trust 100%.

I've found these companies, with health checks of varying scrutiny, but I was wondering if anyone else knew of any other firms?

Halfords - http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ACArticleDisplay?storeId=10001&articleId=788003&categoryId=245348

ATS - http://www.atseuromaster.co.uk/vehicle-health-check.htm

Perrys - http://www.perrys.co.uk/car-news/articles/2012/04/perrys-offers-free-visual-car-health-checks-18258.php

Why not take it straight to your local mechanic who you trust 100%?

motorguy

LeroyBoyce wrote: »

Now and again some firms invite you to drop your car off for half an hour and they do a variety of checks on it for nothing.

I find this is always good if you've just bought a "bargain" second-hand car.

Remember, though, there may be an ulterior motive for them. If they find lots wrong, then you may be tempted to leave with them to put it right - for a good few quid. However, I take their response as a "worst case scenario", and take the list to my local mechanic who I trust 100%.

I've found these companies, with health checks of varying scrutiny, but I was wondering if anyone else knew of any other firms?

Halfords - http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ACArticleDisplay?storeId=10001&articleId=788003&categoryId=245348

ATS - http://www.atseuromaster.co.uk/vehicle-health-check.htm

Perrys - http://www.perrys.co.uk/car-news/articles/2012/04/perrys-offers-free-visual-car-health-checks-18258.php

And they supply you with free vaseline too for when they are shafting you.

Seriously. These 'offers' are just to get you in the door then they put the fear of god into you as to so many things that are 'dangerous' about your car and how they simply cant let you leave without getting them repaired for your own safety.

You're caught completely on the hop then they can charge however much they want for whatever they want because you're on the back foot and have no point of reference for price comparison.

AVOID AVOID AVOID

redux

I'd rather think about spending £19.99 at the Citroen main dealer on their so-called winter check, which covers more inspection items and includes some useful stuff like de-icer screenwash and an ice scraper

Crabman

You can get a £19.99 winter check at a participating Ford garage and get a £20 M&S e-voucher. I don't think you have to drive a Ford to get this but best to ask when booking it in:

http://www.ford.co.uk/OwnerServices/VehicleServiceandRepair/ServicePromotions/Winter-Promotions

motorguy

And if you needed an example....

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/543282

Yolina

I'm almost tempted to bring my 3 months old car to one of those dubious "free checks" places to see if they dare find something wrong with it :rotfl:

Edit: just looked at the Halfords blurb "Our free car health check looks at your car battery, wiper blades and car bulbs, and also checks your oil and screenwash levels" Erm... I'm perfectly able to do that, thank you!

Toyota do a "37 points free visual check" too (only for their cars though I think) which at least looks at brakes etc, but frankly if you have your car serviced when it should then there's probably little to no value to these.

LeroyBoyce

Strewth, what an unpleasant bunch you all are.

Firstly: "Vehicle". Momentary lapse of concentration. Happy?

Secondly: If you take the time to read it, I DO take it to my local mechanic. However, you may not realise this but, my local mechanic is unlikely to be the same as every other reader of this post.

Thirdly: I'm pretty sure I made it clear to get a health check done, but do NOT agree to let them repair anything.

Fourthly: Yes, I agree, do not go for the ones that check wipers and whether you have four wheels or not...

RichardD1970

LeroyBoyce wrote: »

Strewth, what an unpleasant bunch you all are.

Firstly: "Vehicle". Momentary lapse of concentration. Happy?

Secondly: If you take the time to read it, I DO take it to my local mechanic. However, you may not realise this but, my local mechanic is unlikely to be the same as every other reader of this post.

Thirdly: I'm pretty sure I made it clear to get a health check done, but do NOT agree to let them repair anything.

Fourthly: Yes, I agree, do not go for the ones that check wipers and whether you have four wheels or not...

Sorry, but apart from Worried Jim having a poke about your spelling (there's always one), I don't think anyone has been particularly unpleasant to you.

I am genuinely interested in why you go to the trouble of travelling and wasting time going for a free check, when you are only going to take it to your own trusted mechanic anyway.

Just seems a bit pointless really as your mechanic is only going to have to do a thorough check anyway, to check what the freebie showed up and to see if they missed anything.