advice

Robisere

zak I worked as a foreman in the trade for many years and I can tell you that was a fair price, probably from a fair garage. How was the attitude of the mechanics you met? Did they seem pleasant? No need to be embarrassed by '..knowing nothing about cars...' - if we all knew each other's jobs, who would pay our wages?

If you were happy about the "feel" of that garage, I would consider visiting them for a service, but first phone them and ask for a quote, giving them your car make, model and engine size. When you take the car, ask them to phone if there is anything which needs replacing and give you the cost, say that you will not OK the work unless they do that.

I really think that your car needs a service if you intend to keep it. If you find a good garage that you can rely upon, you may not always have the car you have now. Hopefully, you will find yourself eventually earning more and wanting to change the car for something better. As in my old business, when we had 'regulars' we always looked after them: they are the staples of the trade.