DIY service logs - any tips on keeping them.

londonTiger

Or is there even any point in this?

I'm going to dosome basic service like cambelt change, oil change, filter change, coolant flush and change and brake fluid change. Was wondering whether I should be keeping a log of these chages and if so what sort of information should I keep in order to keep the value of the car as much as possible when it comes to reselling.

Obviously for every 2 years or so I will take the car to a garage to get a once over from a professional mechanic.

vaio

just keep the receipts for the parts......

I wouldn't attach great weight to claims of DIY maintenance but a big fat wedge of part receipts would incline me more to believe it had been done

Dukesy

On my current car, the previous owner had done a lot of things himself (filter changes, plug changes, oil changes) he listed everything he'd done in the service book and then referenced the receipts for every bit and bob he'd done. Great, as we know what has been done and when rather than jus having a wad of receipts. That said, mine is a 1980s car and one would expect home maintenance on it.

Norman_Castle

Keep a log for your own use. Its better than not having a service record when selling.

Chopper_Read

A cambelt is not basic servicing. Get that wrong and your car is scrap.

forgotmyname

I keep everything.. Every bulb, part for the service etc the lot.

Which car would you buy. The one where the owner says yeah its had this and that done trust me. Or the identical one where the guy gives you a wallet for every part bought, With dates and mileages.

I know which one i choose and so far its done me well.

TrickyWicky

Chopper_Read wrote: »

A cambelt is not basic servicing. Get that wrong and your car is scrap.

Only on an interference engine and even then its only if the valves are actually damaged.

I knew a bloke whos dad had a volvo with an interference engine. Cambelt snapped at low revs. Being a bit broke he put another belt on just to try it (and that was 2nd hand) and it carried on running as normal

I also did a belt a while back, screwed it up (engine never ran but cranked), re-timed it and it was fine.

londonTiger

the the subject of cambelts, It's amazing that car manufacturers will use such cheap part (belt) for something that could kill the engine if it goes wrong.

Would be a lot better if cars just timing chains instead.

Unfortunately they're only used on 4wd and other heavy duty vehicles where there is a chance that crap can get it the way of a cheap timing belt and snap it.

GolfBravo

londonTiger wrote: »

Would be a lot better if cars just timing chains instead.

Unfortunately they're only used on 4wd and other heavy duty vehicles where there is a chance that crap can get it the way of a cheap timing belt and snap it.

VW and BMW are using timing chains again. Major problems with them.

Mankysteve

londonTiger wrote: »

Unfortunately they're only used on 4wd and other heavy duty vehicles where there is a chance that crap can get it the way of a cheap timing belt and snap it.

My little 1.2 corsa has a cam chain.

StrongWork

londonTiger wrote: »

Or is there even any point in this?

I'm going to dosome basic service like cambelt change, oil change, filter change, coolant flush and change and brake fluid change. Was wondering whether I should be keeping a log of these chages and if so what sort of information should I keep in order to keep the value of the car as much as possible when it comes to reselling.

Obviously for every 2 years or so I will take the car to a garage to get a once over from a professional mechanic.

Make a list of everything you do including the date and the mileage.
Buy an A4 ring binder and keep all the receipts from the parts you have bought.

I do like a nice big folder of history/receipts when buying a second hand car.