Is PCP a good idea?

rs65

I definitely wouldn't check if the oil has been changed - I wouldn't know how to.

As I said, my first two services were free. I paid £250 for the third. 3 years servicing (45,000 miles) servicing for £250 - fine by me. It will go back shortly.

I wouldn't thrash any car whether I own, finance, hire or borrow it. I still have to pay fuel and tyres and have my own, and others, safety to consider. PCP or not, my mentality doesn't change. Others may be different.

fred246

Have you passed your driving test? You are supposed to know how to check the oil to pass the test.

rs65

fred246 wrote: »

Have you passed your driving test? You are supposed to know how to check the oil to pass the test.

A long time ago. I don't remember a need to know if your oil has been changed.

prowla

fred246 wrote: »

Have you passed your driving test? You are supposed to know how to check the oil to pass the test.

The oil level, or whether it's been changed?

neilmcl

fred246 wrote: »

Car servicing will be just an oil change and a few checks. If they see a new car they won't bother with the checks. Just tick the boxes. Do you check if they've changed the oil? I expect not. So often they won't even bother with that.

I take it you're going to supply evidence that this is rife amongst main dealer servicing?

fred246

http://www.just-auto.com/news/trading-standards-sharply-criticises-garage-servicing-standards_id73279.aspx

I used to have a breakdown policy which dictated that the car had to be serviced. I used to drive round with a copy of the report and my receipts. If anyone said it should be serviced at a garage I was going to say "well there would be a 76% chance of it not being serviced correctly if I had gone to a garage". But my car never broke down so I never used it.

Mercdriver

fred246 wrote: »

Have you passed your driving test? You are supposed to know how to check the oil to pass the test.

The show me tell me is a fairly recent change to the driving test. The question is no more than demonstrating that you know where to find the dipstick (not the one behind the steering wheel) and how to check if you have sufficient oil. It doesn't cover quality of oil or servicing.

fred246

My dad used to take his new car to the main dealer for servicing. When he got it back the oil used to be exactly the same colour and level as when he took it in. He would then phone and complain. They would then say 'sir we will repeat the oil change for your complete satisfaction'. It would then come back with clean oil at a different level.

fred246

I suppose in the modern era you could go to the car in the morning when it is cold. Take a photo of the end of the dipstick. The day after it has been serviced with the engine cold take another photo. Compare them. If it is the same the oil hasn't been touched.

fred246

The garage could always suck a bit out with a PELA pump. Put a bit of new in. That could fool you into thinking the oil had been changed with a few seconds work.