Doing own annual service for first time in a while...

denialanderror

Hi All,

Hoping to get some opinions on options for servicing a 2010 Ford Focus Titanium (facelift but before they completely changed the design if it makes any difference), 1.6 Petrol, Manual.

Options I have are:
- KwikFit Service + MOT - 179.95
- Do own service + KF MOT Only - 105.69

(Breakdown: Engine Oil - 26.99, Oil Filter - 4.99, Spark Plugs - 3.16, HT Leads - 20.06, Air Filter - 20.49 (Total for Parts - 75.69))

Might also need to buy a different tool for removing the oil filter as I'm not sure the one I have will actually fit.

My questions are,

1. Although I always did my own services on previous cars they were much lower in value and I haven't serviced this car since I bought it, as I thought it was important to keep service stamps up to date for retaining value - at 5 years old, and with at least another 2 before I'll be in a position to change it - are service stamps going to make a huge difference to value and will reciepts help?

2. Are there any "gotcha's" that anyone is aware of?

3. I had the brake fluid done last year with the service and MOT, is it ok to leave for 2 years? Bit hesitant to do this job myself as I've tried it before and made a bit of a mess of it and that was on a 20yo Golf. I think KF will it for about 10.00 extra with the service but probably be more as a job on its own.

4. Have I missed anything off the parts list?

5. Is it worth the risk of messing it up for a saving of 74.26 or should I just pay it for the peace of mind?


Any advice much appreciated!

Ebe_Scrooge

My opinions :


1. Although I always did my own services on previous cars they were much lower in value and I haven't serviced this car since I bought it, as I thought it was important to keep service stamps up to date for retaining value - at 5 years old, and with at least another 2 before I'll be in a position to change it - are service stamps going to make a huge difference to value and will reciepts help?


If I was buying a second hand car, I'd value a wad of receipts far more than some arbitrary stamp in a book - anyone can stamp a book without actually doing anything in terms of servicing.


2. Are there any "gotcha's" that anyone is aware of?


Not that I know of - basic servicing is very simple on most cars.


3. I had the brake fluid done last year with the service and MOT, is it ok to leave for 2 years? Bit hesitant to do this job myself as I've tried it before and made a bit of a mess of it and that was on a 20yo Golf. I think KF will it for about 10.00 extra with the service but probably be more as a job on its own.


Brake fluid should be OK for at least 2 years.


4. Have I missed anything off the parts list?


I'm not familiar with your particular car, but does it have a cabin pollen filter ? That's the only thing I can think of.


5. Is it worth the risk of messing it up for a saving of 74.26 or should I just pay it for the peace of mind?


Do it yourself. At least you know it's actually been done, and that you've used the correct quality oil etc. I wouldn't trust KF to do the servicing on my car - they are tyre fitters, not mechanics. In fact, I find doing it myself gives me more peace of mind than getting someone else to do it and hoping they've done it right.

rich13348

I just did the service on my 8 year old Corsa (Diesel) including discs and pads at the front. Nothing really to it drain oil change filter fill oil. Just remember to put the sump plug back in before putting new oil in lol.

When I did mine I changed the pollen filter and got a spray thing that cleans the system so stops the musty smell when you turn the AC off.

richy999

Fuel filter?

Do you really need new HT leads? I would be tempted to skip those unless the car is running rough. You might save a bit of cash by buying a complete service kit.

If you are worried about future resale value... do we-buy-any-car valuation with a full and part service histories. In my experience, it doesn't make a massive difference to the value.

I do my own servicing because I can do a full service every year cheaper than my local garage can do a small service. Also, I enjoy doing it.

mcpitman

denialanderror wrote: »

Hi All,

Hoping to get some opinions on options for servicing a 2010 Ford Focus Titanium (facelift but before they completely changed the design if it makes any difference), 1.6 Petrol, Manual.


(Breakdown: Engine Oil - 26.99, Oil Filter - 4.99, Spark Plugs - 3.16, HT Leads - 20.06, Air Filter - 20.49 (Total for Parts - 75.69))

As previously stated, scrap the HT leads unless there is a known issue.

I think you need a better parts supplier.

40% of some filters at ECP at the moment, link for your car is £11.64.

I'd run through the website and check the other prices, assuming the ones you have quoted are from Halfrauds (although they did have a good sale on engine oil over the last week or two) or some other rip off merchant!

Moneysaving and all that! :money:

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Ford_Focus_1.6_2010/p/car-parts/engine-parts/filters/air-filters/?502591188&1&f154e5ec53bbae2165a6f9e763b044ddb079f124&000008

denialanderror

mcpitman wrote: »

As previously stated, scrap the HT leads unless there is a known issue.

I think you need a better parts supplier.

40% of some filters at ECP at the moment, link for your car is £11.64.

I'd run through the website and check the other prices, assuming the ones you have quoted are from Halfrauds (although they did have a good sale on engine oil over the last week or two) or some other rip off merchant!


Moneysaving and all that!


http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Ford_Focus_1.6_2010/p/car-parts/engine-parts/filters/air-filters/?502591188&1&f154e5ec53bbae2165a6f9e763b044ddb079f124&000008

Thanks to everyone for the advice - By coincidence I'd actually just come across ECP when looking for the location of the pollen filter, I only went with Halfords partly through habit and also as I vaguely remember looking into it before and the saving of ordering online was almost cancelled out by the delivery charges but ECP now seem to be free.


If I leave out the HT leads as many above have suggested that brings the cost down to 61.40 ordering through ECP, using Bosch parts and Castrol oil compared to 77.10 for Halfords own brand on the same.


As the general consensus seems to be that it's a simple job I think the 90.00ish saving which is nearly half what I'd budgeted for the service and MOT this year definitely outweighs the risk of me screwing it up or needing tools so I'll give it a go.


It's due early October so will be buying the parts next month, hopefully prices won't change significantly in that time, a lot on ECP seem to have reductions on them at the moment.


Thanks again,
D&E

denialanderror

Just RE the HT leads point - I'd included them as on my last 2 cars I ended up replacing them as the rubber had degraded and I'd managed to break them removing them, hopefully this won't be the case this time.

WellKnownSid

I'm surprised a 2010 car still uses HT leads?!

Strider590

denialanderror wrote: »

It's due early October so will be buying the parts next month, hopefully prices won't change significantly in that time, a lot on ECP seem to have reductions on them at the moment.


Thanks again,
D&E

The beauty of DIY servicing is you can spread it out over the year, oil+filter change this week, air filter next month, cabin filter a month after that, spark plugs, etc etc etc and so on.

The benefit of doing this, is you look at your cars condition more often, potentially spotting problems earlier and before they turn expensive............ AND obviously it spreads out the overall costs.

richy999

WellKnownSid wrote: »

I'm surprised a 2010 car still uses HT leads?!

The engine in that car does.

denialanderror

WellKnownSid wrote: »

I'm surprised a 2010 car still uses HT leads?!

Hi - Could you please add more detail to this?
I had just assumed as it requires spark plugs...