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Car Service - Advice needed
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Hi all
In 2015 I bought my Ford Fiesta Zetec 1litre turbo. The dealership I bought from don't offer a service plan but I was told I can have the car serviced anywhere I want. But the dealership will give me 10% extra on the value of my car towards my next new car when the time comes provided I have the car serviced with them.
When it came time for its first service in 2016 I took it back to the dealership for this. At the time I was told by the service department that the first service on zetec models always costs more (I paid £140). It is now 2017, the car has bang on 12k miles on the clock and is running perfectly but it's time for its second service. When I called to arrange a service appointment I have now been told the second service always costs more. But only because they might need to do a break fluid change. Which is only carried out "if it needs it".
My main question is, am I being taken for a ride here ?
Is it possible to negotiate with the service team and say I absolutely don't want a break fluid change because it's only done 12k miles ? Advice would be appreciated
In 2015 I bought my Ford Fiesta Zetec 1litre turbo. The dealership I bought from don't offer a service plan but I was told I can have the car serviced anywhere I want. But the dealership will give me 10% extra on the value of my car towards my next new car when the time comes provided I have the car serviced with them.
When it came time for its first service in 2016 I took it back to the dealership for this. At the time I was told by the service department that the first service on zetec models always costs more (I paid £140). It is now 2017, the car has bang on 12k miles on the clock and is running perfectly but it's time for its second service. When I called to arrange a service appointment I have now been told the second service always costs more. But only because they might need to do a break fluid change. Which is only carried out "if it needs it".
My main question is, am I being taken for a ride here ?
Is it possible to negotiate with the service team and say I absolutely don't want a break fluid change because it's only done 12k miles ? Advice would be appreciated

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Comments
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Brake fluid can absorb water over time and cause it lower the temperature at which it boils, which can cause brake failure. It's the time not the distance travelled that is important.0
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My Hyundai i20 is also 2 years for the brake fluid change, regardless of mileage, I guess it you don't have it done it won't stop the brakes from working but as said above brake fluid is hydroscopic (that is almost certainly the wrong spelling) ie it absorbs moisture therefore reducing the efficiency of the fluid, so I don't think they are ripping you off0
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Does a price of £240 seem fair then0
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mr_accountant wrote: »My Hyundai i20 is also 2 years for the brake fluid change, regardless of mileage, I guess it you don't have it done it won't stop the brakes from working but as said above brake fluid is hydroscopic (that is almost certainly the wrong spelling) ie it absorbs moisture therefore reducing the efficiency of the fluid, so I don't think they are ripping you off
You're right, it is the wrong spelling. It's hygroscopic; but your point is correct.0 -
That depends what exactly they are included in the service, if its just an oil and filter change plus brake fluid that does seem a little bit sleep, for a simple oil filter old expect about 130 to 160 and another 50 to £60 for the brake fluid, my guess is they are charging around 170 the serviceand about 70 for the brake fluid changed which is little bit excessive but not majorly so, they are main stealers after all.
If it includes other items, eg sparks, air and pollen filters, thats different in which case the price is very good0 -
For comparison: my 2011 1.25 litre petrol Fiesta has a "minor" service at 1, 3, 5, etc. years and a "major" service at 2, 4, 6, etc. years. I've just had a major service at a main dealer, which cost £240. I paid £30 on top of that for a brake fluid change (the first one ever) because their fluid testing machine said it needed one.0
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Brake fluid is every 2 years. On Fords every second service is a major service. You can download the service schedule from the Ford ETIS website.This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0
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