Worth servicing an old Nissan?

ruggedtoast

I've got an old '02 Nissan Almera. She's been a reliable old girl and apart from a few rattles and groans drives pretty much the same now at 100,000 miles as she did at 50,000 when I got her 6 years ago.

Not the world's most exciting car but then I got her as a workhorse expecting her to last a few years and was surprised at how reliable she's been.

I am however getting the sense that something is going to go as the rattles are getting more and the clutch is whining a bit. I have had her full serviced a couple times, over and above the normal oil and filter changes, as I know nothing about cars and understood thats what you are meant to do. Seemed to drive a bit better after each one but maybe my imagination.

The next service will probably cost about half as much as the residual value of the vehicle, is there any point paying out for it; do they do anything that will make the car last longer or is it just an oil change with an inspection?


My Nissan

arcon5

Oil change, filter changes and inspection. Wouldn't be difficult to find a handful of [STRIKE]issues[/STRIKE] quirks on a 12 year old car. Personally i'd run it to its death and not bother.

Westmead_Fan

what was advised on your last mot that gives you a guide on some areas of the vehicle.

Nissans are built to last my mum drives a 93 plate primera and is going strong apart from the usual wear and tear items.

better the devil you know :cool:

forgotmyname

If it was serviced well then the rattles and minor issues maybe fixed for little money.

Its done 100,000 miles. The only reason why it wont do at least another 50,000 is because of neglect.

Dont neglect it and it should last a long while yet.

EdGasket

Most of my cars have at least 100,000 on them when I get them. I change the oil and filter each year and cambelt as applicable and have had many more years out of them.
It is probably better to just get the oild and filter changed rather than a genreal 'Full service'. Then having seen to the oil and filter every 6000 miles, just pay to fix specific problems as and when they arise. The exception would be if a cambelt needs to be changed as if it snaps it is usually terminal for the car. Find out when your cambelt was last changed and see what the recommended service interval is in terms of miles and years.
Paying for a 'Full' service on an old car can be a waste of time as you pay for things like oiling hinges, rust inspection, and topping up the washer bottle.

oldtoolie

Look in your owners manual or service manual (get one on CD on eBay) and see what is included in the servicing.

Check the MPG -- if that has not changed, the engine is running fine and doesn't need any work or new parts like sparkplugs.

Many things you can do yourself.

Some items such as brake fluid do need to be changed occasionally. Items such as the fan belt and alternator belt do need to be inspected.

Then ask the garage to do specific items you do not want to do.

ruggedtoast

Westmead_Fan wrote: »

what was advised on your last mot that gives you a guide on some areas of the vehicle.

Nissans are built to last my mum drives a 93 plate primera and is going strong apart from the usual wear and tear items.

better the devil you know :cool:

It's never had any advisories. Sailed through every MOT.

ruggedtoast

Thanks guys, there is no cambelt, there is a timing chain, and none of the MOTs have every brought anything up.

I think I might give the service a miss then and just carry on with the basic maintenance for a while, although the spark plugs are a good point, I might get them done.

[Deleted User]

Bear in mind that a newer one will still need servicing, so if it's not needing lots of repairs, and you don't particularly want a newer one it's worth keeping it going. But as others have said there's not much point in paying for the fancy bits, just the basic essentials.

ruggedtoast

jack_pott wrote: »

Bear in mind that a newer one will still need servicing, so if it's not needing lots of repairs, and you don't particularly want a newer one it's worth keeping it going. But as others have said there's not much point in paying for the fancy bits, just the basic essentials.

Thats true, I hadn't thought of that.

jimjames

ruggedtoast wrote: »

Thanks guys, there is no cambelt, there is a timing chain, and none of the MOTs have every brought anything up.

I think I might give the service a miss then and just carry on with the basic maintenance for a while, although the spark plugs are a good point, I might get them done.

The other things that may be worth looking at are brake fluid change and coolant change if they've not been done for a long time. Apart from that oil and filters should keep you going.