Car Service Options - Is this a good deal?

lovefromcharlie

Hi everyone,

I have an 8 year old KA with just over 29K miles on the clock. I need to get it serviced, not because there are any major problems with it, but because I'm pretty sure it was due a major service at 27K miles and I never got it done. It passed it's MOT in March and had new tyres put on at that point in time.

Problem is that I just can't afford the £200 a full service would cost at the moment so am considering getting a smaller interim service to see me through the winter and then when my MOT is due next year try to find a service & MOT deal.

I don't drive the car a lot as I work in central London. Perhaps one journey to the shops every weekend and then a 200 mile drive to family at Christmas and the odd road trip here and there. Really not a car that's getting a lot of use...

Do you think that this is a good deal? It's advertised on groupon for £25 at the moment, but to be perfectly honest I know sod all about cars. Would it tide me over until next March?

"Maintenance included:

Two oil changes (usually £45 each)

Tyre rotation (usually £12)

30-point inspection (usually £25)

Computer diagnostics check (usually £40)

Puncture repair (usually £10)

A/C Pressure Test (usually £20)

Two MOT tests for a £20 fee each

20% off additional labour"

Would really appreciate your thoughts and advice!

spacey2012

Why would it need a diagnostic check ? unless the EML light is on, there is nothing to diagnose.
Get the oil and filter done and the MOT will throw most other things.
Car servicing on 8 year old cars is at odds with money saving as it often leads to stacks of totally unnecessary work .
The tyre rotation is also a waste of time if they are even wear, if not then it needs tracking not rotating.

scheming_gypsy

Sounds too cheap. What kind of oil will they be using for £25?
Although the rest of it is just labour so no actual parts, and you don't get a lot of the main stuff from a service - plugs, filters, etc.

and it all depends what else they find that needs fixing, so could cost a lot more.

find a Kia forum and ask for advice on servicing it yourself. You might find somebody local who'll do the service if you buy the parts (Euro Car Parts or General Traffic), for a few quid and endless cups of tea

flashg67

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

find a Kia forum and ask for advice on servicing it yourself. You might find somebody local who'll do the service if you buy the parts (Euro Car Parts or General Traffic), for a few quid and endless cups of tea

Or even a Ford forum?

tberry6686

It will seem like a good deal until they give you the list of repairs that need done to your Ka. They would be using the cheapest rubbish they could get a hold of for servicing (if they bother to do it at all).

An MOT is usually about £50, where do you think they will make up for the cheap MOT.

Do yourself a favour and avoid this.

If you are going by the Manual for service timings then you should probably check if the timing belt is due (done on age or mileage as the belts do deteriorate over time) as a timing belt failure would probably take the engine with it.

Cat2011

The only thing particularly useful on that list is the oil change.

With the tiny amount of miles you do, would it not be cheaper to get rid of the car and use a taxi for the shops, and a hire car or car club (zipcar/city car club) for the longer trips? Might be worth doing the math.

scheming_gypsy

flashg67 wrote: »

Or even a Ford forum?

That'll teach me to read!

I was almost right...................

kkgree1

I'd recommend trying to find a "Rapid Fit" nearby. They use Ford parts but are much cheaper than Ford dealers. I used them for a first service when the main dealer quoted almost £200 just for an oil change (Rapid Fit were £125).

My friend also uses them for her 10 year old Fiesta. She had a wheel buckle the other week and they suggested she source one cheap online then they would fit it for her!

Westmead_Fan

I'd recommend trying to find a "Rapid Fit" nearby. They use Ford parts but are much cheaper than Ford dealers. I used them for a first service when the main dealer quoted almost £200 just for an oil change (Rapid Fit were £125).

damn if thats what you got charge for just an oil change, damn i'll avoid that place aswell. find a small independent ring round & when getting prices ask what they do for that, because some places are cheaper because they cut corners or do less than other garages.

OddballJamie

If you don't currently have breakdown, then Ford are quite handy as you get a years full RAC breakdown cover when they service your car.
http://www.ford.co.uk/OwnerServices/VehicleServiceandRepair/ServicePromotions/RoadsideAssistance

With your mileage it's better to go by the year than miles for services. When was your KA last serviced?

forgotmyname

Tyre rotation? They rotate as you drive so pointless. (yes i know they may pretend to swap them around but why bother? It may mask any unusual tyre wear on one corner.

Diagnostic check. They will look to see if you have an engine light on. No light. Clear... You can buy tools to do this yourself for around £10.

30 point check.. sidelights = 4 of them +2 for the headlights +2 for the main beams + 2 or 3 for the brake lights + 6 for the indicators.
There is nothing there you shouldnt be doing yourself on a weekly basis.

Puncture repair, Do you have a puncture?

AC pressure test. Its low £80 to top it up please... You can get a regas for much less and at this time of year they wont know if its any better or not.


2 x MOT's for £20. And a long list of failure points to claw back their losses.

20% off labour thats 30% above their normal rate anyway?