What is checked in a full service?

corkgirl17

I had a full service a few weeks ago and it cost me €440 and I was annoyed at the time as he seemed to just replace everything and didn't ask just handed me the huge bill. That aside, I had my nct today and it failed due to worn ball joints on the front suspension. The nct guy said it technically should have been caught during a service but can sometimes be hard to see.
What I want to know is would I be justified in contacting the garage and mentioning this to them??

_Brian

I don't think so.
Maybe if you'd mentioned to them it was going in for NCT they might have checked, but I wouldn't expect this to be checked on a full service.

corkgirl17

Oh really, ok then. I just thought seeing as he checked our rear suspension he would have checked the front too. Thanks for answering

Seth Brundle

He should have checked the front but obviously didn't. It didn't deteriorate suddenly over the last few weeks.
As for the cost of the service, in future ask them to document everything done. Think about it, what is your cars service record like from the perspective of a new buyer? If it's not written down, it wasn't done.

biko

Just like a "full Irish breakfast" no-one knows exactly what a "full service" consists of.
It varies from place to place.

Gumbo

biko wrote: »

Just like a "full Irish breakfast" no-one knows exactly what a "full service" consists of.
It varies from place to place.

And car to car.

Always tell them to contact you first before undertaking any replacements or repairs so you can authorise it
For future, I guess

corkgirl17

I have a full service history with the car. I lived in the UK for the past 5 years and they always contacted my husband before anything needed changing so thought the same would apply with this garage here. When it was done there was nothing we could do just not go back there again. Lesson learnt!!

Toyotafanboi

excessive play in a ball joint is very matter of opinion based unfortunately.

try look at it from the other point of view, the garage may be correct and your ball joints are ok and it's actually the NCT who are "wrong".

the garages technician may have been a bit lax and thought yours were ok when they were in fact too slack, or the NCT tester may have been overly cautious and said they were worn when they were still within tolerance. there are two sides to all these things.

bad news is, one way or the other, you need new ball joints.

B.A._Baracus

What's a full service?

Basically it's where a mechanic takes a good long look at a car (from a far) Asks a co-worker over for a second opinion. Both drinking tea while they discuss how much to charge the poor sod who owns it :pac:


It's a highly skilled process too. Lol.

grogi

corkgirl17 wrote: »

I have a full service history with the car. I lived in the UK for the past 5 years and they always contacted my husband before anything needed changing so thought the same would apply with this garage here. When it was done there was nothing we could do just not go back there again. Lesson learnt!!

You could always ask to have the old parts fitted back, because you never asked for the new ones...

The Sidewards Man

biko wrote: »

Just like a "full Irish breakfast" no-one knows exactly what a "full service" consists of.
It varies from place to place.

Rubbish, a full service is obvious filters and oil change along with checking of timing belt mileage life if applicable. A full check on suspension, brakes, lights etc.
You are asking the garage for a full health check on your car, the right garage will do the oil and filters change and mention if any other components that are worn beyond manufacturers specifications.

Special Circumstances

What is checked in a full service?

Your wallet.

biko

A good way to find out what is included, is to use a garage that states the items on their website.
If they claim they will check it they hopefully will. Not every mechanic is a cowboy.

Here are a few to compare.
http://www.peugeot.ie/topic_id=349/
http://www.cjt.ie/services/full-service/
http://www.kealymotors.com/index.php/car-repairs-service/annual-full-service
http://www.halfordsautocentres.com/advice/servicing-advice/car-servicing-whats-included

LorMal

corkgirl17 wrote: »

I have a full service history with the car. I lived in the UK for the past 5 years and they always contacted my husband before anything needed changing so thought the same would apply with this garage here. When it was done there was nothing we could do just not go back there again. Lesson learnt!!

There really is a culture of rip off here - especially whenever tradesmen are involved.

Stoolbend

Every mechanic is a cowboy on boards.ie until someone wants free advice.

The Sidewards Man

Are Halfords mechanics here as I thought it was just the uk?

biko

Just Britain.

The Sidewards Man

That's good, I wouldn't give Halfords my wheelbarrow.

Chimichangas

grogi wrote: »

You could always ask to have the old parts fitted back, because you never asked for the new ones...

And some may show you said old parts to prove that what they say was done was actually done. But always get the bill itemised, and agree on contct before replacing expensive parts outside of what is usually done in a service.