Halfords Service Plan?

onedaysomeday

Hi all

I apologise if this is a stupid question or one that I should know the answer to but I was looking online at Halfords with their free checks they offer for cam belt clutch etc and then thought I would check how much their services are as they have an autocentre not too far from me, and saw about their service plans.

Has anyone ever used it? It seems at first to be a good deal to pay £14 a month and have your MOT and service covered each year, but there seem to be a lot of people saying avoid Halfords?

Again sorry if it's a stupid question just looking for some advice (brand new driver)

Thanks!

waamo

I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. Halfords don't have the best reputation at all.

Whilst the headline cost seems cheap you will be amazed at how much they find wrong with your motor. It will seem like you are driving round in a death trap. The actual cost will be eye watering to fix all the urgent problems.

Nobbie1967

I always use Halfords for my MOT, but I know my way around cars and they don't try it on with, although they did try to upsell me a 'fuel system clean' to cure the high Lamda reading on the emissions caused by a badly blowing exhaust.

As above it is just a good way of getting you in the workshop to find extra work to do and charge you accordingly. If you don't know your way around cars, probably best to get a local garage via recommendation to do the work.

markudman

Hi yes avoid these national chains as they are all about targets, and rob everyone,
I have looked at this plan and it only is designed to draw you in, it only covers basic service item, and a discount on already overpriced items,
it does not cover any items like brakes, cam belts, they will use this to take more money off you,
Do not be sucked in by it.

onedaysomeday

Ah okay - just looking around online as I'll be getting a used car from someone at the end of the month and not sure how much service history documents they've got etc so was going to go and use some of the free checks on the car.

If they can't provide recent service documents (it's a friends mum and she's not sure she can find all the service paperwork) is it worth going to use some of their free checks? Or take it to somewhere local and just get a service done? Last MOT had no advisories and is valid until November

Browntoa

Local garage with recommendation all the way

Free brake check in major Chains = your discs, pads and shock absorber need changing.

Nobbie1967

onedaysomeday wrote: »

Ah okay - just looking around online as I'll be getting a used car from someone at the end of the month and not sure how much service history documents they've got etc so was going to go and use some of the free checks on the car.

If they can't provide recent service documents (it's a friends mum and she's not sure she can find all the service paperwork) is it worth going to use some of their free checks? Or take it to somewhere local and just get a service done? Last MOT had no advisories and is valid until November

The checks are only 'free' because they can generate work that may or may not need doing. If you can't establish the service history, best to get it booked in for a major service with a reliable garage and tell them that you don't know what's been done. They can advise on stuff like cambelt changes after looking over the car properly.

markudman

nothing is free in life, nothing is free in a national chain, its a scam to get your car 4 foot in the air,
we called it the 4 foot rule, once its in the air you ant going anywhere
if you take to them it will be dangerous to drive, even if its not.
Get a service done at a local garage, that's not a national chain

markudman

I know this is not Halfords, but they all operate the same.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/5505557/kwik-fit-quote-fix-air-con-car-didnt-have/
Please google kwik fit reputation
its all the same, I have worked for all of them,

onedaysomeday

Nobbie1967 wrote: »

The checks are only 'free' because they can generate work that may or may not need doing. If you can't establish the service history, best to get it booked in for a major service with a reliable garage and tell them that you don't know what's been done. They can advise on stuff like cambelt changes after looking over the car properly.

That's what I thought would be best, take it in and just get a full service done to be on the safe side. What do they stamp if I don't get a service book? (lots of questions i know, sorry!)

Browntoa

You'll get a receipt detailing the service and any work done

Would be ample evidence down the line