How much for a car wash / mini valet? 19 January 2014 at 12:04AM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Motoring 32 replies 27.4K views

robatwork

Just wondering what's the going rate around the country for a hand car wash including a polish / hoover inside. This wasn't a full valet by any means but I was pretty pleased with £8 for the above - was in Luton.

Netwizard

A mini valet is about £20 round here.

Just a wash is £3 and wash and dry is £5 so you did well for £8!

Rodney_Trotter

Will you still be pleased next time the suns out and it looks scratched to fcuk?

andygb

Rodney_Trotter wrote: »

Will you still be pleased next time the suns out and it looks scratched to fcuk?

:beer:

Exactly, where do we start with this thread?

robatwork

I don't think there is any logic to saying a £20 or £50 valet is less likely to result in scratches than an £8 one. I don't believe the person doing it is rationalising to themselves "This is a cheapo so I will use the extra abrasive sponge".

The only guarantee is to do it yourself.

I remember seeing a TV show about the guy who does Rod Stewart's cars a few years ago - his services were something ludicrous like £2000 per car. I guess if there are people stupid enough to buy "Do ya think I'm sexy" then there is a pop star stupid enough to want his cars cleaned with a toothbrush.

Maybe even he had an off day and scratched Rod's 18th Ferrari with a hangnail.

WantToBeSE

I pay £5 for a wash, £9 for wash and wax, £12 for wash wax and hoover.
A proper valet costs about £30 and they do an amazing job!

opinions4u

£15 for a mini valet and £50 for a steam valet in the closed down petrol station near here.

Never been disappointed by the £15 version so never bothered paying £50.

Never scratched.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Costs me my time, other than some water and detegent and the use of the vacuum cleaner and interior/glass cleaners.

Be a cold day in hell before i let such as the typical roadside car wash crew loose on my vehicles.

I see the typical car wash customers as i drive past, often they are slouched/leaning on the wall in all their rotund glory watching (phew must be tiring for them), good wall that to stand the strain.

sinbad182

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Costs me my time, other than some water and detegent and the use of the vacuum cleaner and interior/glass cleaners.

Be a cold day in hell before i let such as the typical roadside car wash crew loose on my vehicles.

I see the typical car wash customers as i drive past, often they are slouched/leaning on the wall in all their rotund glory watching (phew must be tiring for them), good wall that to stand the strain.

Heaven forbid someone takes their car to a car wash, they must be fat and/or lazy to do so.

What a knob

gilbert_and_sullivan

sinbad182 wrote: »

Heaven forbid someone takes their car to a car wash, they must be fat and/or lazy to do so.

What a knob

Touched a nerve...:rotfl:

opinions4u

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Costs me my time, other than some water and detegent and the use of the vacuum cleaner and interior/glass cleaners.

Be a cold day in hell before i let such as the typical roadside car wash crew loose on my vehicles.

Which is, of course, the correct MSE approach to the task.

I see the typical car wash customers as i drive past, often they are slouched/leaning on the wall in all their rotund glory watching (phew must be tiring for them), good wall that to stand the strain.

Typical? I'm a tad rotund myself, but enjoy dropping my car off in the morning and collecting it in the evening.

The walking I do in the hours between will do me far more good than cleaning the car.