What is a service?

Nissan doctor

This is just something I'm interested to know, mainly due to people often coming on here asking how much they should be paying for a service etc. and customers reactions in work when you inform them that certain work is due on their car.

This is also not one for any mechanics or people in the trade....


For all the average motorists on here, what is a car 'service' to you? What do you expect to get for 'xx' basic price for a service?

Anan1

That's like asking what a 'car' is.

johnos1984

Depending on the service but if its petrol I'd expect oil, oil filters (every second service), spark plugs (every second service also), oil changed and fluids topped up, brakes checked, wipers checked, bulbs checked and replace as needs be, tyres checked and pressures corrected

If anything else shows up I would expect a call to let me know before any action is taken along with a quote for the work

Diesel is much the same but I wouldn't expect the spark plugs to be done except for a certain type of customer

I also expect to pay 90-120 depending if the filters need to be done or not and the correct parts and fluids to be used

Our man in Havana

brakes checked

Would that involve taking off the 4 wheels?
It had a problem where a mechanic cut corners and not bothered taking off the rear drums to check shoes.

johnos1984

Our man in Havana wrote: »

Would that involve taking off the 4 wheels? It would seem that some mechanics will cut corners and not bother taking off the rear drums to check shoes.

I have 4 discs on mine but yes I have been in the workshop regularly as I know the guy and he always takes the wheels off to check they are ok in fairness to him

As for drums I'm not sure but I would assume he has a way to check if he goes to so much trouble with normal brakes

12 element

johnos1984 wrote: »

Depending on the service but if its petrol I'd expect oil, oil filters (every second service), spark plugs, oil fluids topped up, brakes checked, wipers checked, bulbs checked and replace as needs be, tyres checked and pressures corrected

If anything else shows up I would expect a call to let me know before any action is taken along with a quote for the work

Diesel is much the same but I wouldn't expect the spark plugs to be done except for a certain type of customer

I also expect to pay 90-120 depending if the filters need to be done or not and the correct parts and fluids to be used

Would you really need to change your spark plug every service? I know they are cheap but would you not be wasting your time.

johnos1984

12 element wrote: »

Would you really need to change your spark plug every service? I know they are cheap but would you not be wasting your time.

apologies every second service that should be as well

Anan1

johnos1984 wrote: »

apologies every second service that should be as well

This is what I mean about the term 'service' being so vague as to mean nothing. Spark plug intervals vary up to 100k kms and beyond. Everything varies according to the car, the mileage, previous SH, condition, usage etc...:)

johnos1984

Anan1 wrote: »

This is what I mean about the term 'service' being so vague as to mean nothing. Spark plug intervals vary up to 100k kms and beyond. Everything varies according to the car, the mileage, previous SH, condition, usage etc...:)

Its true but I always think a lot depends on having a caring owner who knows the car and a mechanic who knows the owner and what they like.

My guy knows I like things done right and often even if it costs a bit more. The next person in might want the cheapest job done and he will have a challenge to show them that the worn pads need replacing as its dangerous

It just depends on finding a good mechanic who you trust and who knows their stuff but its hard to define a service. I don't trust a lot of the cheap offers as I don't feel they would spend the time checking the car out correctly

Its a good question op but i think the answers you get will be very subjective.
I know what you mean about people being shocked when they hear work is due. This is just down to pure ignorance on there part as to what is required to keep a car running well and safely. People going for their licence should be examined on how often certain safety parts of a car need to be checked.

Example being a friend who has a 206. She has had it 4 years and up until last week the only work done on it since she owned it was a single oil change and weld on the exhaust to get it through the NCT. I drove it a few weeks back and then pretty much demanded she serviced it immediately! €800 later and it is fit for the road again. The pads were down to metal, discs destroyed, rear shoes down to metal, drum destroyed, rear brake cylindars leaking, handbrake not even remotely holding the car, front shocks totally shot, engine oil all but gone, plugs were burnt looking and brake reservoir almost empty. Same girl is extremely intellignet and competant but simply had no clue these things need to be done. Then again ignorance is not an excuse. What truly worries me is that the car passed the NCT last october....

peasant

In the old days, car user manuals had a service checklist in the back, clearly stating what kind of service was due at what kind of interval/mileage.

Everything was covered from greasing the door hinges to changing the timing belt.

Garages were working off the same list, so in theory you could ring around and ask for a quote for a 50.000 km service and everybody (including you) would know what level of work you were talking about.

These days "service" to most owners = "oil change" and then they get a shock when there's other items on the invoice

johnos1984

My SD1 had a long list like that Peasant

It made it easy to know what to do on any given Saturday to keep it tip top

Vexorg

johnos1984 wrote: »

Diesel is much the same but I wouldn't expect the spark plugs to be done except for a certain type of customer

Diesel engines do not have spark plugs:)

johnos1984

Vexorg wrote: »

Diesel engines do not have spark plugs:)

Sarcasim is lost on certain people

Tigger

Vexorg wrote: »

Diesel engines do not have spark plugs:)

thats what he ment by type

johnos1984

johnos1984 wrote: »

Depending on the service but if its petrol I'd expect oil, oil filters (every second service),....................

Diesel is much the same but I wouldn't expect the spark plugs to be done except for a certain type of customer

Oil filters every 2nd service :eek: Surely you mean air filter?

Anyway back to Nissan Doctor, I don't keep my cars too long, longest I've had a car on the road was 15 months in the last 4 or 5 years. Service to me is an oil and filter change (air filter, plugs or diesel filter if they are due) and look around at fluids, CV boots, shocks and pads etc. I don't really go for coolant and brake fluid changes although going forward I have decided to have the brake fluid changed with pads. I had a car for 5 years back in my younger days, she got a timing belt when due as well as routine garage servicing and a backbox etc whenever needed.

I agree with John though, basic service is an oil and oil filter change and a looksee at friction material, shocks and all reservoirs, along with a heads up on whatever else is due at that mileage or age.

You did specify basic service so I interpret that as not a major one.

johnos1984

RoverJames wrote: »

Oil filters every 2nd service :eek: Surely you mean air filter?

I've very distracted

(hungover)

today, yes air filter every second and oil every service

I'll get my coat now:o

kerten

service for my car = what I ask my mechanic to do.

if a person who can't figure out what needs to be done to his car during service, he/she needs to consult someone who can.

If you have really noone around to ask, then ask for a "oil/oil filter change+checking car for any issues" quote then decide if you need 2nd opinion or not for issues found. None of the mechanics will give you free parts or labour when you accept full service price at the beginning.

Comparing service(basic/full/unknown/crap/super etc) quotes without knowing what is included is funny way of shopping

kildarelad

A full service when i do them involves the following on a petrol car.Oil, Oil Filter ,air filter, pollen filter ,spark plugs replaced.Wipers front and back replaced,tyres checked ,front pads and discs checked back brake shoes checked and cleaned and adjusted up.All fluids topped up suspension checked for leaks and wear ,handbrake adjusted up, drive boots checked for tears,exhaust checked for leaks.Wheel alignment checked thats all i can think of for now but the extent of the service now adays depends on peoples budgets

Nonoperational

For me a service is an oil and filter change and a check of levels etc. Then I expect the garage to check if anything else is due to be done as per manufacturer spec and phone me before going ahead with the work.

Voodoomelon

I'm shocked by the amount of people that leave their car in for a "service", then pick the car up and have no idea what's even been done. I always ask people what they had done to the car and they've no idea, not a notion.

Because of this very trend, I wouldn't trust any backyard mechanic to do even half of what he's supposed to as they know well 9 times out of 10 the customer doesn't give two sh1tes.

Nissan doctor

peasant wrote: »

In the old days, car user manuals had a service checklist in the back, clearly stating what kind of service was due at what kind of interval/mileage.

Everything was covered from greasing the door hinges to changing the timing belt.

Garages were working off the same list, so in theory you could ring around and ask for a quote for a 50.000 km service and everybody (including you) would know what level of work you were talking about.

These days "service" to most owners = "oil change" and then they get a shock when there's other items on the invoice

But this is still the case, and part of the point for my question, pretty much every car sold will have its servicing requirements for the mileage/year in its service manual so is it just down to the general lack of competancy with regards to anything motoring related we have in Ireland that people do not read the manual to see what service is due on their car and therefor get the quote for that service?

kildarelad wrote: »

A full service when i do them involves the following on a petrol car.Oil, Oil Filter ,air filter, pollen filter ,spark plugs replaced.Wipers front and back replaced,tyres checked ,front pads and discs checked back brake shoes checked and cleaned and adjusted up.All fluids topped up suspension checked for leaks and wear ,handbrake adjusted up, drive boots checked for tears,exhaust checked for leaks.Wheel alignment checked thats all i can think of for now but the extent of the service now adays depends on peoples budgets

I presume you are in the trade, read first post again...

However, on the majority of modern cars, spark plugs and air filters are not due at every service, so you wouldn't always be changing them. Wipers are not a periodical service item, but are one that should be checked during a service. So if you are pricing the above full service at a certain price then its silly as some cars wouldn't be due many of the above parts and other cars would be due other items.



There is an issue with the defintion I think, for me a change of oil and filter and and check of pads/levels/lights etc is an oil change or oil change service.

A full service is whatever is required by the manufacturer for the mileage and/or year of the car.

The problem is compunded by many independant garages offering servicing from €99 or whatever(and yes, for the eagle eyed among you, the company I work for does this too) but this leads people to think that for their €99 euro they will have the car back and will not have to spend any money on it untill the next service. Many people actually get the impression you haven't done what you advertised when you tell them they also need brakes, wipers or any other items which you may have found.


A few have said that they expect their mechanic to know what needs doing, and any competant mechanic should only be doing the servicing required at the time, not a generic service, but at the same time when you turn around and inform the customer that their car is due perhaps a gear oil change, coolant change, brake fluid change etc they think you are having a laugh, but still expect you to stamp the service book which states the car has been correctly serviced


I also see many people saying and posting commenting that their last 'service' cost €600 or whatever, but it didn't cost €600, the service may have cost €150, but they also got pads and disks and other work done. they then concider themselves to have been ripped off when someone they talk to says 'I only paid €150 for my service':rolleyes:

CiniO

From my point of view, I would never put my car for service, except when it was required to maintain guarantee.

There is a limited number of things which needs to be checked and changed every so often.
I don't agree with putting car every year or so to garage to let them decide what needs to be done.

In my cars I change oil and oil filter every 15k kms.
I change air filter whenever I see it's dirty enough to be changed.
I take a look at brake pads at least once a quarter, and replece them when needed. In cars which have drums, I check brake shoes about every year.
I change timing belt every period specified by manufacturer.
The same with spark plugs.
I can't really understand a when garage offers checking wipers, tyre pressure, fluid levels, or top up the screen wash. All above are pretty much things I do every week or two. Maybe except from wipers which you just can see if they are fine or not, every time it rains.

Generally I always know if my car is fine, or does it require to do something, and whenever anything is required I do it.

I think that's the best way.

congo_90

peasant wrote: »

In the old days, car user manuals had a service checklist in the back, clearly stating what kind of service was due at what kind of interval/mileage.

Everything was covered from greasing the door hinges to changing the timing belt.

Garages were working off the same list, so in theory you could ring around and ask for a quote for a 50.000 km service and everybody (including you) would know what level of work you were talking about.

These days "service" to most owners = "oil change" and then they get a shock when there's other items on the invoice

Took the words out of my mouth to be honest. some even include on the more expensive cars to check things like the general bodywork/ paint etc.

to me a service is oil and filter change
air filter changed
all fluids checked and corrected
brakes check.
tires. condition, pressure.
all lights working and correctly aligned.

a thorough going over to make sure everything is fine and if a problem found a phone call.

every second or 3rd service to be all the above plus plugs.

just changing oil is to me as normal as putting petrol in. and is something I do myself.

OldmanMondeo

To me a service is the Oil and filter to be changed, the air filter to be changed. Brakes checked, fluid levels checked, tyres & lights checked. A quick look inside to ensure any safety items, ie seatbelts, are in good condition.

Should plugs be due a change, then they should be changed. Once the owner is advised of price.

Any extra work required, i.e bulbs to be replaced, brake pads / discs to be replaced should be advised. I had a garage wanting €18 to change a capless bulb that costs 50c in a motor factors....Still have the proforma invoice.

lomb

I think the manufacturer is partly to blame. I think the Dash should say service x9 say. You could then get a quote from various main dealers/trusted independant for a service x9 whatever that is. The non franchised non specialised mechanics I wouldn't let them do anything on my car unless I knew them. The use of cheaper oils and other parts etc is a false economy and it isn't in their interest to use say 5w-30 mobil on an engine designed for it.
We even had a post here a while ago about a main audi dealer having never fitted or sold a haldex differential oil filter :rolleyes:
Therefore even the main dealers cannot be trusted here as they are just servicing the market so to speak.

Vicxas

Depends entirely on the service, for a basic id expect new sparks and new filters, for a full id reckon itd be a full shabang with new filters, sparks, checks etc.

Nonoperational

Sur there's no need to be putting in new air filters every 7/8k. It's completely dependent on the mileage and history.

angelfire9

This thread reminded me that my car is due a service so thanks OP

I have a Ford Fiesta so it is going to the Ford main dealer for its service it has a full Ford service history and has never given me as much as an ounce of trouble

I keep the receipts for my services in the book so I know what is done every time and when the time comes for me to sell it on I have more info on its service history that the average seller

For Wednesday's service I expect an oil and filter change, the will check the wipers & the washer fluid, the lights and the tyres (including the breaks)

In fairness to the garage they never replace anything except the oil & filters without asking first

Vicxas

Vicxas wrote: »

Depends entirely on the service, for a basic id expect new sparks and new filters, for a full id reckon itd be a full shabang with new filters, sparks, checks etc.

My plugs are a 50K mile item.

Anyway the difference between a basic and a full shabang are checks etc :pac: lol

Nissan doctor

lomb wrote: »

The use of cheaper oils and other parts etc is a false economy and it isn't in their interest to use say 5w-30 mobil on an engine designed for it.
We even had a post here a while ago about a main audi dealer having never fitted or sold a haldex differential oil filter :rolleyes:
Therefore even the main dealers cannot be trusted here as they are just servicing the market so to speak.

How would it not be in the best interest of any mechanic/garage to use the correct oils? There should be no question that any competant mechanic or large garage, independant or not, would be using the correct oil. Thats one of the most basic things.

As for main dealers, you mention that main dealers cannot be trusted to do the correct servicing, and I agree fully, but you also say that you wouldn't let non franchise mechanics near your car..so if you car had a problem, who would you bring it to? And if you were one of the probably 80% of people who would not have an interest or the knowalage to do any work on their own car, then where would you go?

angelfire9 wrote: »

For wednesday's service I expect an oil and filter change, the will check the wipers & the washer fluid, the lights and the tyres (including the breaks)

Surely people aren't relying on a garage to check their washer fluid during the annual service?


@CiniO, you said:
'I don't agree with putting car every year or so to garage to let them decide what needs to be done'.

Again, a competant garage, indy or dealer, isn't just deciding what needs doing, they will be following what the manufacturer, who will have spent millions developing and testing every part of every car they make, have said needs to be replaced/checked/adjusted at a prescribed mileage/age.

The service on a car at x mileage or x age should be what the manufacturer has decided needs doing, not the garage, not the customer. If the customer doesn't want to pay for anything beyond what they 'think' is a service then thats their business, its their car after all but in many cases, when they have only wanted a basic oil change or whetever, they will still expect their service book to be stamped i.e you to declare that their car has been serviced on schedual to manufacturer standards, when it hasn't!

I do my own servicing and consider a service oil and oil filter change, air filter change if needed and sparks if needed.

All other things like coolant, brakes etc are things to keep an eye on throughout the year rather than something I would put in the bracket of a service.

CiniO

@CiniO, you said:
'I don't agree with putting car every year or so to garage to let them decide what needs to be done'.

Again, a competant garage, indy or dealer, isn't just deciding what needs doing, they will be following what the manufacturer, who will have spent millions developing and testing every part of every car they make, have said needs to be replaced/checked/adjusted at a prescribed mileage/age.

The service on a car at x mileage or x age should be what the manufacturer has decided needs doing, not the garage, not the customer. If the customer doesn't want to pay for anything beyond what they 'think' is a service then thats their business, its their car after all but in many cases, when they have only wanted a basic oil change or whetever, they will still expect their service book to be stamped i.e you to declare that their car has been serviced on schedual to manufacturer standards, when it hasn't!

I don't agree with above
I don't think manufacturers spend that much money testing and deciding what service schedule is the best.
There's plenty of cars on the market that needs something to be done more often than schedule says (or the other way). I remember I used to have Fiat bravo 1.6. Service schedule indicated timing belt change every 120k kms, but in real, not many cars made it that much, and people were even adviced by dealers to do it more often, then specified. That kind of mistakes are quite often with loadz of makes, so I don't think they pay too much attention to it.

Secondly - servicing schedule is a compromise between engineers and marketing guys. Some cars need to have oil changed every 10k kms, others every 20k kms. or even 30k kms.
Servicing schedule must be universal for all conditions that car is used too.
Obviously different things will wear if car is used mostly on motorway driving, and different while driving on bendy, bumpy country roads.

F.E. I remember when I was living in a city with lot's of factories and heavy industry, air was so polluted, that after 10k kms air filter was absolutely black, and definitely needed replaceing. In comparision, in west of Ireland, I did 50k kms on one air filter, and it still looked almost like new.

Assuimg service is every 20k, it's quite long distance between them.
For example if I put car for service, they will say brake pads needs changing, as they won't do 20k.
But maybe they will do 18k, so what's the point in changing them so early. I prefer to keep them until they are worn, and then change them when it's time.

For car manufacturer who has to make servicing schedule universal for all kinds of car use, and for all conditions, it's imposible to know better, than the car user which knows exactly what, how i where is he using the his car.

Nissan doctor

CiniO wrote: »

I don't agree with above
I don't think manufacturers spend that much money testing and deciding what service schedule is the best.
There's plenty of cars on the market that needs something to be done more often than schedule says (or the other way). I remember I used to have Fiat bravo 1.6. Service schedule indicated timing belt change every 120k kms, but in real, not many cars made it that much, and people were even adviced by dealers to do it more often, then specified. That kind of mistakes are quite often with loadz of makes, so I don't think they pay too much attention to it.

Secondly - servicing schedule is a compromise between engineers and marketing guys. Some cars need to have oil changed every 10k kms, others every 20k kms. or even 30k kms.
Servicing schedule must be universal for all conditions that car is used too.
Obviously different things will wear if car is used mostly on motorway driving, and different while driving on bendy, bumpy country roads.

F.E. I remember when I was living in a city with lot's of factories and heavy industry, air was so polluted, that after 10k kms air filter was absolutely black, and definitely needed replaceing. In comparision, in west of Ireland, I did 50k kms on one air filter, and it still looked almost like new.

Assuimg service is every 20k, it's quite long distance between them.
For example if I put car for service, they will say brake pads needs changing, as they won't do 20k.
But maybe they will do 18k, so what's the point in changing them so early. I prefer to keep them until they are worn, and then change them when it's time.

For car manufacturer who has to make servicing schedule universal for all kinds of car use, and for all conditions, it's imposible to know better, than the car user which knows exactly what, how i where is he using the his car.

With regards to timing belts and many other items. It is never a case that a manufacturer will give only a mileage limit for a change. There will be a mileage and a number of years. So in the case of the bravo you mention, the schedual is actually every 120,000kms OR 5 years. So if the bravo was 10 years old but only had 20,000kms on it then the engine is in just as much danger as if you had over 150k on the original belt after 2 years. Rubber hardens and begins to deteriate after a certain amount of time, that is the reason for the above.

Servicing scheduals are also designed for, like I've said already, the maybe 80% of car owners who know how to start the engine and put petrol in and thats it. If you know exactly what condition all componants of your car are in then thats fine, just ask the garage to do certain things and there are many people, like yourself, who will always check their levels, tyre pressures etc etc. However, assuming your levels are full, do you have a means of checking the freezing point of your coolant? Can you check the boiling point of your brake fluid? Are you even aware thats such things deteriorate? The point of having your car properly serviced is to have more in depth checks done on all relevent areas, using the correct equipment and by someone with specific training.


There are many who will come on now and say there is no way garages doing normal servicing or offering services from xx amount would be doing anything this indepth...but the fact is, if they are not, then they aren't servicing a car properly. If a garage is servicing a car correctly, they can advise the customer of what needs doing using visible and repeatable measurements and facts, not opinions which can vary from mechanic to mechanic.

johnos1984

Seens as we are talking about what you expect from a 'SERVICE' I thought some of you may enjoy this thread

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496434

C4Kid

Rubber hardens and begins to deteriate after a certain amount of time, that is the reason for the above.

I learn something everyday. I would have just assumed like many everything would be fine until the milage is reached.:pac:

dr.fuzzenstein

kildarelad wrote: »

A full service when i do them involves the following on a petrol car.Oil, Oil Filter ,air filter, pollen filter ,spark plugs replaced.Wipers front and back replaced,tyres checked ,front pads and discs checked back brake shoes checked and cleaned and adjusted up.All fluids topped up suspension checked for leaks and wear ,handbrake adjusted up, drive boots checked for tears,exhaust checked for leaks.Wheel alignment checked thats all i can think of for now but the extent of the service now adays depends on peoples budgets

That'll be E300 please when you're ready.;)
Always better to DIY.
I know people who will throw half a litre of oil into the engine every two months, without reading the dipstick and regardless of the amount of oil in it.
Then throw it into the garage for a "service".
The garage knows they're clueless and either do nothing to it other than change oil and filter (that'll be E300 please when you're ready), or replace half the car "to get it ready for the NCT".
Hence a lot of Irish second hand cars have knackered engine, knackered brakes, knackered suspension, 4 warped wheels, etc...
And of course rust and flaking paint because the garage is filled with E200 worth of junk while E20k worth of car is getting destroyed by the Irish rain in the drive.

Nissan doctor

C4Kid wrote: »

I learn something everyday. I would have just assumed like many everything would be fine until the milage is reached.:pac:

No, all rubber deteriorates over time, tyres are the same, hence why they are now a fail/advisory on the nct if they are over 6 years old.

Timing belt scheduals are always(aside from a very small number of the latest engines) a mileage or a specified time, which ever comes first.

Padraig Mor

Something that hasn't been mentioned is software updates - do (main) dealers check cars for software updates needed when they're in for a service?

batman2000

So I would conside a service to be

Approx cost €90
Oil Change
Oil Filter
Air Filter
Fluids checked and topped up if required
Check Suspension, CV, Tyres, Brakes, Lights,Wipers
Road Test

For around a cost of €150, (Full) I would add
Spark Plugs (Glow plugs if Req)
Pollen Filter
Check AC
Brake Fluid changed if Req
Check Timing Belt or Camshaft (whichever word you prefer)
More detailed audit of the undercarriage
Road Test


Just looking around and Advance are doing a interim service for €75 and Full for €180. Not sure whats exactly involved but its similar to the above.

Nissan Doctor, a friend of mine went to get their Tiida serviced (€139 ish) which was only an Oil & Filter and checks. They began doing a lot of work (an extra €400 with no phone call) some purely based on a checklist, some required. When a second opinion was got, half to the items were not required and those that were (brakes) were half the price, from a good local garage.

It does not assist in building confidence in the motor industry

batman2000

batman2000 wrote: »

So I would conside a service to be

Approx cost €90
Oil Change
Oil Filter
Air Filter
Fluids checked and topped up if required
Check Suspension, CV, Tyres, Brakes, Lights,Wipers
Road Test

I don't think many places would be including an air filter and road test for €90.

illegalpower

You'll know what items need to be changed or inspected if you get the workshop manual for the car, even if you dont plan on doing the work yourself it's still a must have imo as you will have the knowledge you need to get your car in the garage at regualr intervals.

They also will at least get you inspecting your engine for leaks and such. Myself i change my own oil + filter every 6 k miles and try and do all of the work like brake pads, discs and general service myself. I've no training but i just bought the haynes manual for the car and with the help of a knowledgable friend started to learn.

keithclancy

I asked for a service in Dutch

Whatever way I said it, yer man thought I was asking for a blow job.

PADRAIC.M

Padraig Mor wrote: »

Something that hasn't been mentioned is software updates - do (main) dealers check cars for software updates needed when they're in for a service?

I know personally we do with Toyota,Lexus and Saab... And also any outstanding recalls or campaigns.. Some of these are safety related.

challengemaster

RoverJames wrote: »

I don't think many places would be including an air filter and road test for €90.

I dont think many places would be including much of that for €90 tbh, there's a reason you're better off doing your own servicing

batman2000

Although we are discussing main dealers, Advance Pitstop for example give a detailed list. Now whether the parts are OEM or spurious, I dont' know. How do you the main dealers is using OEM? SO they can do it for less than €90 (ok but no Air Fiter) !

(I'm not advocating, promoting or have any connection to Advance Pistop)

Our Basic Interim Service for €75,
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check all exterior lights, Check interior light
Check horn, wiper blades and washer operation
Check and top up windscreen washer fluid
Check and top up power steering fluid level
Check and top up brake and clutch fluid level
Check and top up coolant/antifreeze level
Check battery operation and security
Check for uneven tyre wear
Check tyre tread depths/condition (incl spare)
Check and reset tyre pressures
Check front brake pads and discs
Check rear brake pads and discs
Reset service light


Full Service from €180

Our comprehensive Full Service includes the following:

Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Replace spark plugs
Replace diesel fuel filter
Check all exterior lights, Check interior light
Check seat belt operation and condition
Oil doors and hinges
Check horn, wiper blades and washer operation
Check and top up windscreen washer fluid
Check and top up power steering fluid level
Check and top up brake and clutch fluid level
Check and top up coolant/antifreeze level
Check battery operation and security
Check for uneven tyre wear
Check tyre tread depths/condition (incl spare)
Check and reset tyre pressures
Rotate and balance wheels, reset wheel torques
Check steering, suspension
Check ball joints, links, wishbones, bushes etc.
Check front brake pads and discs
Check rear brake pads and discs
Check rear brake shoes cylinders and drums
Check shock absorber condition and wear
Check driveshaft and joints/gaiters
Check brake lines and hose for leaks and wear
Replace air filter
Check engine and gearbox for oil leaks
Check gearbox and axel oil levels
Inspect the exhaust system condition(incl mountings)
Adjust handbrake travel
Check and adjust all auxiliary drive belts
Check cooling system for leaks and operation
Reset service light
Run engine diagnostic test and file copy of the report
Check Timing belt replacement for the vehicle

RoverJames

RoverJames wrote: »

I don't think many places would be including an air filter and road test for €90.

Air filters cots peanuts though.

its costs me less than 50 euro for the oil, air filter and oil filter to service my own car.

I know an air filter costs peanuts, I sold the things for long enough :pac:

Nissan doctor

batman2000 wrote: »

Nissan Doctor, a friend of mine went to get their Tiida serviced (€139 ish) which was only an Oil & Filter and checks. They began doing a lot of work (an extra €400 with no phone call) some purely based on a checklist, some required. When a second opinion was got, half to the items were not required and those that were (brakes) were half the price, from a good local garage.

It does not assist in building confidence in the motor industry

I agree, Further work should NEVER be carried out with the go ahead from the customer first. As for theItems not being required, this may well have been the case, but this can also be an issue with someone doing the checks properly, to manufacturer spec versus someone who said they 'look' fine.
I've had many .....dicscussions shall we say, with mechanic or friends of customers who 'know about cars' regarding things like disks being required. If I have measured their thickness and they are below manufacturer spec then I recommend changing them, you then get some one coming along and saying that they 'look' fine or haven't got 'much' of a lip!:rolleyes: so its impossible when most people simply aren't interested in maintaining their car correctly.

batman2000 wrote: »

Although we are discussing main dealers, Advance Pitstop for example give a detailed list. Now whether the parts are OEM or spurious, I dont' know. How do you the main dealers is using OEM? SO they can do it for less than €90 (ok but no Air Fiter) !

(I'm not advocating, promoting or have any connection to Advance Pistop)

Our Basic Interim Service for €75,
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check all exterior lights, Check interior light
Check horn, wiper blades and washer operation
Check and top up windscreen washer fluid
Check and top up power steering fluid level
Check and top up brake and clutch fluid level
Check and top up coolant/antifreeze level
Check battery operation and security
Check for uneven tyre wear
Check tyre tread depths/condition (incl spare)
Check and reset tyre pressures
Check front brake pads and discs
Check rear brake pads and discs
Reset service light


Full Service from €180

Our comprehensive Full Service includes the following:

Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Replace spark plugs
Replace diesel fuel filter
Check all exterior lights, Check interior light
Check seat belt operation and condition
Oil doors and hinges
Check horn, wiper blades and washer operation
Check and top up windscreen washer fluid
Check and top up power steering fluid level
Check and top up brake and clutch fluid level
Check and top up coolant/antifreeze level
Check battery operation and security
Check for uneven tyre wear
Check tyre tread depths/condition (incl spare)
Check and reset tyre pressures
Rotate and balance wheels, reset wheel torques
Check steering, suspension
Check ball joints, links, wishbones, bushes etc.
Check front brake pads and discs
Check rear brake pads and discs
Check rear brake shoes cylinders and drums
Check shock absorber condition and wear
Check driveshaft and joints/gaiters
Check brake lines and hose for leaks and wear
Replace air filter
Check engine and gearbox for oil leaks
Check gearbox and axel oil levels
Inspect the exhaust system condition(incl mountings)
Adjust handbrake travel
Check and adjust all auxiliary drive belts
Check cooling system for leaks and operation
Reset service light
Run engine diagnostic test and file copy of the report
Check Timing belt replacement for the vehicle

List like those are just rediculious and simply laid out to make it look like you get loads for your money. Sure people can see that lots of the items on the list are all the same thing?

'Check and top up windscreen washer fluid
Check and top up power steering fluid level
Check and top up brake and clutch fluid level
Check and top up coolant/antifreeze level'

Thats called checking the fluid levels,


Check steering, suspension
Check ball joints, links, wishbones, bushes etc.
Check front brake pads and discs
Check rear brake pads and discs
Check rear brake shoes cylinders and drums
Check shock absorber condition and wear
Check driveshaft and joints/gaiters

Thats checking brakes and suspension,


There is also no reason that most of whats listed above would not be checked even on a car in for just an oil change. All of the above checks wouldn't take long and thats checking them properly, i.e, pad disk measurements, fluid condition, not just levels, tyres pressures etc.

And any car in for any sort of service should be test driven first...

angelfire9

Got my car serviced yesterday cost me €200
Will post up info tomorrow on what was included but I'm happy enough with that

keithclancy

I don't trust any garage to do a service anymore.

The last time I put my car in for a service I scratched my initials on the oil filter.

Came back after the service with the same oil filter and leaking from the sump.

Checked the air filter and that was manky too.

Basically all they did was charge 99 euros for new oil. didnt bother changing the o-ring, oil filter or air filter.

And the only reason I got it done was becuase they were doing an APK + Servicing deal.

Retards.
Lad was screaming at me on the way out saying his boss would fire him.