Service on a very old car

Legacy_user

I'll have owned my car for a year in February, and it's due an MOT then. I was going to book it in for a service first, but my father-in-law has said there's no point in getting it serviced due to its age (14 years old) and to just have an oil change. Obviously I'd like to save money where possible, but not if it's likely to cause problems somewhere down the line. What are people's opinions on this? Is servicing a 14-year-old car a waste of money, or would skipping it be a false economy?

Iceweasel

Even a full service isn't likely to help it pass an MOT - so get the MOT out of the way first.

You can easily do a load of the checks like bulbs etc your self, before the MOT.

After the MOT get an oil-change and an air-filter change.

Plugs as well if it's a petrol.

If it's a diesel get the fuel filter changed.

mcjordi

i usually change oil and filter before an mot. of course its worthwhile getting it serviced.

poppasmurf_bewdley

A car made in this century, ie the year 2000, is not a 'very old car'. My 1967 MGB is a reasonably old car. My late Dad's 1938 Ford 8 was a very old car.

And like any mechanical device, it will benefit from being looked after. Skipping servicing is the quickest way to the knackers yard and a long walk home. And an expensive bill for a replacement.

alastairq

Depends on what you use the car for? {IE, how vital it is to your daily life?}

All mechanical stuff needs 'servicing' periodically.

Cars especially.

Failure to service a car can increase the risk of breakdown...[or worse].

Simple servicing involves changes of oil [engine especially], filters, and checking wear and function of things like brakes, steering, suspension, transmission,etc.

Even giving hte door hinges a squirt of grease makes a whole heap of difference to you.

FIL is confusing 'serving' [maintenance] with 'repair', when thinking of cost.

An unserviced item may well need repairing sooner than one wishes.

Also, it is your legal responsibility to ensure your car is 'roadworthy' at all times on the road.....lack of serving can well lead to a loss of roadworthiness.

Find a local, trustworthy [ask your friends?] small garage who will do MoT's as well....and ask them what they think? If they want your continued custom, then they will be thoroughly honest.

Running any sort of vehicle involves continued expenditure, which can bear no relation to the value, or purchase price.

At 14 years old, that car is pretty much 'new' in my book......

C_Mababejive

Critical points for all cars..every year fit quality oil and quality oil filter. That will go a long way to keeping your motor healthy.

System

Thanks everyone; you've pretty much confirmed what I was thinking. I don't want to skip out on paying a small amount of money now only for it to cost me a fortune in repairs a few months down the line. I travel fair distances in my job so my car is vital, and it makes sense to keep it in good condition. As for it being old, everyone I know seems to spend a fortune on 2-3 year old cars every few years, so it's good to hear mine isn't considered too old just yet!

mcjordi

mines just hit the teens 13 year old megane.. cost me £13 for an oil change (done by myself with decent oil too ) brother in laws car 62 focus cost him 229 "older" cars arent all bad if you look after them

forgotmyname

Your father in law is an idiot.

The only reason cars of that age are not worth servicing is if they have been neglected already and you paid a few hundred £ for it. And will run it until it dies.

A car will last a LOT longer than 14 years with PROPER servicing.

My cars just hit 10 years old and over 170,000 miles on the clock. Yet i change the oil every 6 months and get a full yearly service.
Sometimes it may have only done 2000 or 3000 miles between oil changes, but to me its worth doing.

prowla

If the dates are close then it makes sense to do the MOT first; you can then see if there is anything major needed and can factor that into decisions about the car.

But February is two months away, so it's up to you if you want to wait, especially if we're coming up to cold weather and the old jalopy needs a tune.

jimjames

mcjordi wrote: »

mines just hit the teens 13 year old megane.. cost me £13 for an oil change (done by myself with decent oil too ) brother in laws car 62 focus cost him 229 "older" cars arent all bad if you look after them

Full service with all filters and oil cost me under £40 for my Golf doing it myself.

It is 12 years old and has done almost 250,000 miles but servicing it routinely will help ensure it keeps going for many more.

Avoiding servicing is a completely stupid idea when it's such a low cost way of keeping the car going.