Servicing my car

Urchhhh

I've had my car since August 2015. Its a 2006 Skoda Fabia. I had it serviced last November and the other week also. First time costing £190 and the second £277, I looked on Halfords and Quik fit and noticed a full service costs £150/160. Is it better just to go to there instead? I just went to the garage my parents have always went to and never questioned it.

Also I was flicking through my paperwork in the car and noticed there is a service record book which hasn't been filled out since the previous owner had it serviced in 2014. I didn't know this existed until today. Do I need it filled out?

Also as a side note, I was told my two front tyres need replaced alongside something else which I can't remember exactly the wording, front pads I think. How do I know what tyres I need? How do I know that this work definitely needs done? My partner was talking to a few people and was told the garage is well known for overcharging and doing unneccessary work

worried_jim

Urchhhh wrote: »

I've had my car since August 2015. Its a 2006 Skoda Fabia. I had it serviced last November and the other week also. First time costing £190 and the second £277, I looked on Halfords and Quik fit and noticed a full service costs £150/160. Is it better just to go to there instead?
I just went to the garage my parents have always went to and never questioned it. My partner was talking to a few people and was told the garage is well known for overcharging and doing unneccessary work

Hafrauds and Kwik Fitt will rob you blind, if you think your local garage is bad wait till these bad boys have pulled your pants down and spanked you properly. 9/10 people here will tell you to stick with your local independent.

Ask this garage for a quote for the work and then call a few others to compare. Tyres can be checked easily using blackcircles.com.

waamo

You will be amazed at how much a cheap service will cost. When they add on all the "necessary" stuff that they suddenly find you will walk away crying.

Car_54

Take your service book to the garage and ask them to stamp it for you.

A full service history will help when you come to sell (or at least, its absence may hinder.) However, on a ten year old car it's not the end of the world.

AdrianC

What's a "full service"? Not everything needs doing every time, so the work done - and, obviously, the cost - varies from service to service. If you look at that service book you've found, you'll see that it breaks down what should be done when.

Your regular quick look at the tyres will have forewarned you as to whether they need changing or not. You do check them, right? Knowing how to has been part of the driving test for the last decade and a half... Illegal tyres are three points and a fine, as well as being dangerous - and, especially this time of year, braking distances increase massively before the tyres reach the point of illegality.

Norman_Castle

Urchhhh wrote: »

My partner was talking to a few people and was told the garage is well known for overcharging and doing unneccessary work

Ask these people what garage they use.

gilbert_and_sullivan

As AdrianC, what exactly is a service, to some its an oil change, to others its going right through the car bumper to bumper replacing parts that need doing so as found, removing cleaning and lubing brakes, changing all filters including the fuel filter, checking all levels and possibly changing the gearbox oil and brake fluid whilst there, and anywhere between the two extremes.

Finding a good indy by recommendation is usually the best bet for those who can't do their own servicing.

Fast fit joints do have their uses, such as getting a puncture sorted on a weekend when the tyre specialists are closed, and some branches have decent mechanics who do their best, others do not but that applies throughout the world in every aspect of life, you pays yer money etc.

You should read up on tyres for your own benefit, or go visit a proper tyre shop in the week and get them to check for you.

arcon5

How do you know if tyres need doing?
Errr how about look at them???

rich13348

Take the serivce book back to the garage and have it stamped for each service they did.
There plenty of guides to checking tyre tread depth and what tyres you need.
Like this one here

jimjames

arcon5 wrote: »

How do you know if tyres need doing?
Errr how about look at them???

And on the sidewall the tyre will tell you the exact size details that they need to be replaced with

http://vw-golf-mk2-gti.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/vw-golf-mk2-correct-tyre-sizes.html

buglawton

I was pleased wit etyres recently, they came to my door, swapped 2 tyres on the spot and allowed me to watch the bolts being torqued so I could sign for it. To order, you do need to know the exact tyre size.