Car Service - price comparison and items checked

what7

So I'm looking for some quote for my 2009 1.3 diesel VAUXHALL CORSA
Before I start ringing local garages, I did some online price comparison.
National tyres are charging £141 for Full service with 51-point vehicle safety health check.
Halfords are charging £180 for Full (no pollen filter change ) and £230 for Major (pollen Inc) with both services have 77 points checked.
Looking at the items National tyres full services replace air, fuel, pollen and oil filter change and new oil. 
Now my question is 
1) what does National tyres full service not include compare to Halfords major service?
2) when I start ringing local garages, what should I ask them? What should I be look out for? How do they compare to big chain?
3) I have good previous dealing with national tyres, so I have no problem going with them, is there any reason I should avoid them? What reason should I choose a local garage over the big chain company, other than help them out in these tough time, although they should be quite busy now with mot.

What is carried out in a Full Service?

Check Instruments, Gauges, Warning Lights.

Check Horn.

Check Adblue / Eolys Warning Light.

Check Interior Lights.

Check Clutch Operation (Manual Only).

Check Seat Belts.

Check Climate Control / Air Con System is Operating Correctly.

Check Windscreen Wiper Condition and Operation.

Check Rear Wiper Condition and Operation (if fitted).

Check Windscreen Washer Operations.

Top Up Windscreen Washer Bottle(s).

Check Windscreen for Chips and Cracks.

Check Mirror Condition (Interior and Exterior).

Check Number Plate Condition.

Check Exterior Lights.

Check Steering, Suspension Linkages and Ball Joints for Wear, Damage and Condition.

Suspension - Check Shock Absorbers and Springs.

Check Tyre Tread Depth.

Check Tyre Pressures.

Check General Tyre Condition.

Check Tyres for Uneven Wear.

Check Tyre Age.

Check Spare Tyre.

Inspect TPMS Valves.

Inspect TPMS Warning Light / Sensor.

Full Brake Inspection.

Check Fuel Pipes for Routing, Damage and Corrosion.

Check Engine, Transmission and Rear Axle Train Drive.

Check Drive Shaft Joints and Gaiters for Wear and Damage.

Check Exhaust System and Mountings.

Replace Engine Oil and Filter.

Replace Fuel Filter (Diesel Vehicles).

Replace Cabin Filter.

Replace Air Filter.

Report if Spark Plugs are due to be changed according to Mileage.

Drain Engine Oil and Refill

Replace Sump Plug Seal or Report Sump Plug Replacement if Integral.

Check for General Oil Leaks.

Auxiliary belt Inspection.

Check for Timing belt Replacement Interval and Report if Due

Check Radiator Condition, Security and Report any Leaks.

Check Radiator Cap Seal.

Check Coolant Hoses for Leaks and Condition, and Security Check Securing Clips for Tightness and Report.

Check Brake Fluid Level.

Report if Spark Plugs are Due to be changed according to Mileage.

Check Battery Condition and Charging Rates.

Check Antifreeze and Top Up Coolant as Required.

Check and Report Condition and Security of Under Tray.

Vehicle Road Test.

Reset Service Light.

Stamp Service Book.

born_again

I would rather go to a local independent garage that has been recommended to me, than touch either of them. No matter the cost of what is done.

what7

What make them miles better than big chain?

Grumpy_chap

what7 said:

Halfords are charging £180 for Full (no pollen filter change ) and £230 for Major (pollen Inc) with both services have 77 points checked.

I assume there is more difference between £180 service and £230 service than simply the pollen filter?

Thenonameleague

Go to an independant one, Ive never used Halfords or National Tyres.

Martin_the_Unjust

what7 said:

What make them miles better than big chain?

Your running an 11 year old cheap car, you really should have found a local independent garage.

fred246

If you take a car to a garage you haven't got a clue what they are actually going to do. Trading standards highlighted this in their report on garage servicing standards. Each garage makes up their own version of 'major' 'intermediate" or 'oil service'. Even if they have checklists it doesn't mean the mechanic needs to follow them. If they don't fancy doing a job they can just tick it. It's an unregulated industry. Mechanics don't need any qualifications. They aren't registered. They can happily tick boxes knowing they don't get into trouble. Dishonesty is the norm.
The only way to know a car has been serviced properly is to do it yourself. The nearest to doing it yourself is employing a mobile mechanic. I know people who are very happy with them. You know the individual. If they have changed a pollen filter you can just ask them where the old one is. You know they have spent some time under the bonnet of your car.
The next best is probably a 'trusted independent'. I have a 'trusted independent' but when you go you sometimes see a new face. You don't know who is working on it. Receptionists will tell you anything to avoid having to find the mechanic to ask them.
I have 2 cars. On one of them the pollen filter is a 2 minute job with a screwdriver. Dead easy. The other one is particularly difficult to get at behind the windscreen wiper linkages. The first time I bought the pollen filter the parts man said "you know nobody changes these?". "Well it's an annual job on my service schedule and I'm doing it" was my reply. I'd love to know what happens with garage serviced cars. You probably have 15 year old cars on their original filters. The most hilarious ones are the ones that say "inspect filter" as though you would take it off and put it back in again!

born_again

what7 said:

What make them miles better than big chain?

Far more likely to have a fully trained motor mechanic, than the above chains who will not employ such highly skilled people to upsell problems and parts that are not required.
Chains employ fitters.

fred246

What do you mean by a fully trained motor mechanic?

born_again

fred246 said:

What do you mean by a fully trained motor mechanic?

Is that question for real?
Because the answer is not....
Some one that is fully trained to watch U-Tube videos 🤦‍♂️