advice re: first service of a second hand car

jkp

03 skoda fabia 1.2 with 63k miles.
service history book has stamps for the first 2 years, blank after that.
engine still in great shape tho, had it looked over & test driven by a friend more knowledgeable than i am and all he found issue with was a cv boot & front brake pads near the end of their lifespan, which were both replaced by the dealer before sale.
Car was NCT'd in february for 2 years, before it was traded in at dealers.
Service interval reminder is showing on the dash, and i presume it has been since 60k, but maybe it just wasnt reset.
Question is, without knowing when its last full service was, should i go ahead and get one done now to be on the safe side? my inclination is to have all fluids and filters changed. or would the car not have passed the NCT if it required these service items?

Did the dealer claim to have serviced it before selling it? If not and even if he did I'd be inclined to have it serviced.

O.A.P

Yes get it all done now so you start with a clean sheet and know for sure whats needed and when for as long as you have the car. If that car has a timing belt get it changed now too.

Guy:Incognito

Servicing it wont do any damage whereas not servicing it if it may be overdue........

Best take the safe option and get it done.

Ardennes1944

I'd change the oil and oil filter after buying from any independent dealer no matter what they said. As said above, best to start on a clean slate so you know what's what. I find newer cars you're more than likely gonna need to get a torx spanner etc anyway as manufacturers strive to rid us DIYers of their cars.

jkp

dealer didnt claim to have it serviced no. he got it as a trade in and pretty much put it straight up for sale as it was due to the recent nct. i'd say the only work done on it was the brakes & boot we spotted.
the 1.2 fabia has a timing chain rather than belt so am i right in thinking i'm ok till 90k-ish?

how much should i be paying for a full service?
do i need to specify i want engine fluids changed rather than topped up?
i'm uncomfortable going into a garage not knowing what i want, might view me as a blank cheque...

(feel free to recommend me a decent garage actually, i'm in dublin 14, anywhere south dublin, but that's probably a whole other thread...)

jkp

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

I'd change the oil and oil filter after buying from any independent dealer no matter what they said. As said above, best to start on a clean slate so you know what's what. I find newer cars you're more than likely gonna need to get a torx spanner etc anyway as manufacturers strive to rid us DIYers of their cars.

i'm gonna take it slowly with the diy on this! will pay for my first service i reckon, as there's likely things need looking at beyond my ability, then try my hand at oil/filter changes after that

Nonoperational

Get it serviced. No harm. The timing chain should not need to be replaced unless something goes wrong. It's not a service item.

ABajaninCork

I'm in the same boat. Dealer says the car was serviced, but would be inclined to take the car to an authorised garage to have it checked out throughly.

After that, you can take it to another garage.

voteforpedro

jkp wrote: »

i'm gonna take it slowly with the diy on this! will pay for my first service i reckon, as there's likely things need looking at beyond my ability, then try my hand at oil/filter changes after that

take it to these guys for the first service. i've only heard good things about them up to now
http://new.skoda-auto.com/IRL/about/info/news/News/Pages/PilsenAutoNewDealer.aspx

Nissan doctor

Why not just bring it to a reputable garage for a check over.

Most indenpendant garages should offer to inspect and report on the car for free.

I'd always recommend, unless you have a fully stamped and documented service history, that you start fresh with a full service/inspection, then you'll know what due yourself from then on.