Tips about servicing an old Corsa car

siliconbits

Just done my MOT and forgot that my car needed a servicing. It has a low mileage, runs on petrol and is a Corsa. What tips can you give me as a novice driver when it comes to choosing the servicing provider? Should I go with independent garages? Or better trust the big players? Opt for new parts? Embark on any plans they offer - e.g. the Masterfitclub? Thanks for helping out!

tykesi

Find a small local garage preferably through recommendations of people who have used them, don't bother with any service plans or anything like that.

Better still, buy a Haynes manual and do it yourself, you'll save a small fortune this way.

Nobbie1967

If it's still under manufactures warranty, you need to make sure it's serviced in accordance with their specs, although most fastfit places will do this. There is very little actual work on modern cars during a service, most of it is checks on various items, but beware of garages pushing for replacement of brakes and shocks as they are often not necessary and definitely worth shopping around for. The shocks and brakes will have been checked for safety during the MOT, so I'd want a pretty good reason why they suddenly needed work now.

xHannahx

Backstreet garages on recommendation is probably where I would be going.
We used a backstreet garage on recommendation of friends a few years ago and have never been anywhere else since, as he's good value and honest as that's what he needs to ensure a good reputation and get custom back when your a small independent.

Rain_Shadow

xHannahx wrote: »

Backstreet garages on recommendation is probably where I would be going.
We used a backstreet garage on recommendation of friends a few years ago and have never been anywhere else since, as he's good value and honest as that's what he needs to ensure a good reputation and get custom back when your a small independent.

And I bet he'd love being described as a 'backstreet garage' rather than a 'local independent garage' . :cool:

foxy-stoat

Invest in a trolly jack/axel stand and a set of sockets and do it youself.

Or cheap local garages, phone for a quote first.

siliconbits

My car is 9 years old BTW.

reddwarf2002

siliconbits wrote: »

My car is 9 years old BTW.

With that age I would stay clear of the 'big payers' and look for a small trusted garage.

Alternatively you could have a go at doing some of the things yourself. Just buy a socket set (about £20) and look on youtube and other forums for how-to's. The parts are very cheap these days with Eurocarparts and ebay helping competition.

What you can't do you can always take it to the garage to have it done.

gingerdad

we use a small independent garage for all our work including our new cars... don't go anywhere near a many stealer execpt for warranty work

siliconbits

Cheers for all the advice. So basically, it might be a good idea to ask Vauxhall-owning neighbours where they do their servicing. How about garage-comparison websites?

WellKnownSid

siliconbits wrote: »

Cheers for all the advice. So basically, it might be a good idea to ask Vauxhall-owning neighbours where they do their servicing.

Or anyone who owns a Ford / BMW / Hyundai / Suzuki / Honda / Mitsubishi / Volkswagen / Fiat / Skoda or indeed any neighbours who own a car.

They're all the same really - big noisy turney thing connected to some gears, then to some more gears then to round bits of rubber. The round bits of rubber at the front also turn from side to side, whilst going round and round. Clever.

There are lots of schemes about, including websites, your best bet is word of mouth. Many of the garage schemes are really just membership schemes designed to sell you more stuff.

Servicing isn't hard - see YouTube as others have recommended. What you learn will be invaluable - as you become more familiar with what goes on under the bonnet you'll soon spot issues before they leave you stranded.