Is car servicing really necessary ?

Reggie_Rebel

Your computer crashes and it's a pain. Your car crashes and you are in pain.

jammin_2

Reggie_Rebel wrote: »

Your computer crashes and it's a pain. Your car crashes and you are in pain.

Love it! :rotfl:

Conor_3

Banana23 wrote: »

An split CV boot £300???

No, a complete new CV joint for £300 because it's been running for months with no grease in and getting soaked through with rain and muck off the roads.

Banana23 wrote: »

MOT's are designed to pick up all faults!

Wrong. MOT's are designed to test that a specific list of car systems (brakes, steering, suspension, lighting, windscreen wipers/washers, rear view mirrors, windscreen visibility structural strength, seatbelts and engine emissions) operate to a minimum standard as defined by VOSA. It isn't designed to pick up all faults and far from it. You can pass an MOT with no fan belt, faulty electric windows, non functioning central locking, faulty alternator, absolutely knackered brake fluid etc etc etc.

Conor_3

Aliktren wrote: »

The trick is to find a garage that actually does the service properly, get recommendations from friends at work, we use a local garage and have done for the last 14 years, no matter how new or old the car, we know they do a good job, the cars always feel superb, and our bills for intra service maintenance are almost nothing as they've spotted most problems before they are issues.

Exactly. Look after it and it'll be safe, never let you down or cost you an arm and a leg.

For example, on my wifes' imported Mitsubishi FTO, it has cost us the grand total of £50 to get the starter motor removed, repaired and refitted because it got done when it had just started to show signs of failing ( jammed a couple of times) instead of when it was completely shot at which point, the price would have gone up 200% plus requiring £100 deposit until the old unit was shipped back to the supplier. If you get things done as they're coming to needing being done, it saves you paying out far more when it fails and also takes something else out as well such as not changing brake pads and then ending up having to replace discs as well.

There's no reason to use main dealers anymore thanks to a change in the law on manufacturers warranty.

Butterfliesarepretty

It all depends on the reliability of your mot station, your mechanic, and your own interest in how the car works. I have a mazda mx 5 14 year old, I knew it had a Cat c on the search when I bought it and when it went for an mot, they told me there was a big crack on the passenger inside wing over the wheel, the garage next door to them repaired it for £150 and it then passed. :beer: I always make a note of what garages say they have found and then approach a local mechanic. Some parts I buy myself from mx5parts because they are genuine mazda and cheaper than a garage would pay, then I also get my own air filter, plugs, oil filter, brake pads etc, and get the mechanic to fit them. I don't know much about the difficult parts to reach in a car but I know the basics, just by reading up and contacting other mx5 owners. Safety to me is check the tyre pressure, coolant system, oil system, wipers, seat belts, exhaust, suspension etc. I had my clutch replaced, the air conditioning system has been removed by an earlier owner for some reason.

I have always looked after all my cars, especially cleanliness inside and out. I can never understand why some car owners leave the inside of their cars really dirty and dusty on the dashboard. Is there anyone else like me who likes a clean car, as people look at me cleaning my car and polishing it as if I am weird?

goldspanners

spiritus wrote: »

Apologies for writing such a mischievous title but I wanted to provoke a healthy debate on this subject.

I've come to the conclusion that when I take my car to the garage for it's service the garage will invariably tell me that this and that needs doing and that I should really agree to having all the work done as it makes the car more efficient and safer......... blah blah blah

So why don't we service other things in our lives ? I am certain that if I took my computer for an annual service then an engineer would tell me what he could do to improve peformance and no doubt he would be right. The question is can my computer run satisfactorily without it being serviced and I would have to answer "yes".

The same with televisions. I'm sure if I gave my TV to an engineer and asked him to service it then he would clean it up, maybe replace a few parts and then tell me it's better to service it than not to service it (and again he would be right) but is it really necessary ??

consider us provoked.

what kind of oil does your computer use? is it the same as your t.v?

in2deep_2

Conor wrote: »

You can pass an MOT with no fan belt, faulty electric windows, non functioning central locking, faulty alternator, absolutely knackered brake fluid etc etc etc.

If you were to alter a car on purpose just to meet the minimum requirements for an MOT pass, you would be amazed and shocked at just how bad a car can be and STILL PASS an MOT.
The car you made would have no windows no head lights no wipers no interior at all (apart from one seat and belt) no bumpers no boot no bonnet ....and on and on and on.

So dont rely on the MOT for an indication of your cars health.
If you dont know how to fix/service your own car...get it done at a garage.!!

I dont want to get into a fight about the MOT (i hold a tester licence)

moonrakerz

cowbutt wrote: »

Some of us just like to be prepared for the most common eventualities!

For example, if your alternator goes, and drains your battery, a jump start might be enough to get you home again. Not having the leads means a recovery will definitely be necessary. Not all faults are easily predictable (even with regular servicing) or occur in the comfort of one's own driveway!

I routinely carry coolant concentrate, screenwash, oil, jump leads, spare bulbs and fuses and a Haynes manual, just in case. With my previous two cars, I've also had spare auxilliary drive belts (I probably wouldn't be able to fit them myself, but an RAC engineer or similar might well be able to, I hope).

I think your post just goes to show how much proper regular servicing is a must. The things you mention are simply not necessary if the car has been serviced properly.
Coolant - not necessary if your hoses have been checked
Oil - don't you check it before you set off ?, if you need it after that the car definitely needs a service - or more !
Spare belts - same comment as for coolant
Jump leads - already commented

As I said in my last post, if you have the car serviced properly these "most common eventualities" become very unusual rarities.

To repeat myself, my cars (many) have never let me down.

I'm afraid the old joke about "just putting petrol and water in" is just too true for many cars - and many don't even bother with the water - and some don't even seem to bother with the petrol ! Perhaps that's why you need the Hayne's manual - to find the petrol filler !! :D

Conor_3

in2deep wrote: »

I dont want to get into a fight about the MOT (i hold a tester licence)

You hold an MOT testers licence? Oh dear.

Are you aware of the construction and use regulations which basically negate most of what you posted? For example, it cannot pass an MOT with no bonnet if the engine block and moving parts are showing and accessible without a cover. Based on the date of manufacture, certain lights are a legal requirement etc etc etc.

in2deep_2

Conor wrote: »

You hold an MOT testers licence? Oh dear.

Are you aware of the construction and use regulations which basically negate most of what you posted? For example, it cannot pass an MOT with no bonnet if the engine block and moving parts are showing and accessible without a cover. Based on the date of manufacture, certain lights are a legal requirement etc etc etc.

Ok firstly construction and use is NOT the same as an MOT you can pass an MOT only to be stopped by the police outside the garage for fault thats not part of the MOT. secondly you can unbelievably use a car with very few lights..its a bit complicated but basically if you can prove you dont use your car at night you dont need headlights.....now joke if you will but its true.

As for not being able to pass an MOT with a bonnet missing (in the words of our training officer) show me where it says it.!!!