'Full' car service.

Josquin

I arranged a 'full' car service and was quoted £270. 

Here is my mistake and naivety- 

I asked if it included an oil change and filters and yes was the answer, all good. But I assumed a full service would at least include checking the battery, coolant, new spark plugs, wipers  as well as an oil change and filters.

The car service took the garage about 30-45 minutes and then I was informed it had been done. I was a bit surprised. I was told it had 4 things done - oil change, oil filter, air filter and 4 spark plugs.

For £270?

I googled  and found that fitting these filters, plugs and an oil change is really quite do-able. That the filters etc are not expensive.

I recognise that I had a qualified and experinced mechanic to do it of course and had to pay for that experinence Labour and so on which is good.

Maybe I am missing something and very happy to be corrected but it did seem expensive for the work,  time and cost ofm items.

Anyone else had a go at servicing their car?

sheslookinhot

Local independent or main dealer ?

Josquin

Local independent.

MattMattMattUK

It sounds about right cost wise from a garage, but yes, as with most things, they can be done far cheaper if one is willing to learn how and has the ability and potentially the tools required. 

Wonka_2

Depending on the car 'Full service' can mean different things - the service book and age/mileage should determine what's included/excluded.

They may well have checked the required items but I'd certainly not expecting somewhere to replace consumable items (wiper blades) as part of a service charge without asking for your prior approval (or without you asking directly).

Did you show them the service book when you booked it in and discuss the items needed ?

Josquin

'Did you show them the service book when you booked it in and discuss the items needed ?

No.

I wasn't sure what  a 'full' service as advertised incuded- but I do now, it seems generally it is an oil change/filter. air filter and plugs.

But my main point is to me, it does seem pricey for just those things. Of course they have overheads, staff wages etc which onced added up £270 is probably a fair price.

Going to have a go at the next service myself.

Thank you all  for replying.

Mildly_Miffed

An hour's labour can easily be £80+vat, or more - a lot more if it's a main dealer - especially if you're in/near London.

Depending on what the plugs are, they could easily be £50 or more on their own.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-ZR7SI332S-N48-Double-Iridium/dp/B094K1594F/

Another fifty quid or more for five litres of synthetic oil.

Thirty quid for the two filters.

And those are cheap mail-order prices. Plus VAT, at the very least, from a garage.

Is just oil/filters/plugs a "full service"? I wouldn't have said so.
Wheels off, give the brakes and suspension a good visual. Lubricate hinges and latches. Check aux belt etc. If the brake fluid's not been changed in the last couple of years, at the very least check the specific gravity, but might as well change it while the wheels are off.
Wipers and coolant - well, you check those yourself regularly, right? Same time as you check your tyres and lights...?

Josquin

'Is just oil/filters/plugs a "full service"? I wouldn't have said so.'

'Wheels off, give the brakes and suspension a good visual. Lubricate hinges and latches. Check aux belt etc. If the brake fluid's not been changed in the last couple of years, at the very least check the specific gravity, but might as well change it while the wheels are off.'

Ah, these are exactly the sort of things I imagined would be included in a 'full service' esp inc brake fluid.

Yes wipers and so on  i can do etc.

Altior

It's bullish. You can usually find out what's included, for example this is my local:

elsien

Jumping in on the thread to ask about the service book question, because with my car, I was not given a service book because it’s now on the manufacturers online system and they weren’t giving books when I bought my car.

Which is fine while you’re still having the service through the manufacturer, but if you go somewhere independent, I’m not sure where you would check what is needed and when. 

Josquin

Wow. 

That full service is quite the comprehensive list.

How much do they charge for all that work?