Doing your own car service versus dealership service

worded

Whats the price saving approx if I go out and buy my own oil and filters?

Thanks

BrokenArrows

worded wrote: »

Whats the price saving approx if I go out and buy my own oil and filters?

Thanks

Depends on the car and dealer.

worded

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Depends on the car and dealer.

fair enough

davo2001

For my own car (2002 Nissan Almera)

Oil cost: €35
Oil Filter: €7
Air filter: €0 (clean it yourself!)
Misc bits and bobs: €15 (parking light, other fluids)


45 mins of my own time.

Total cost: €57

Garage (not even a main dealer) wanted €120

filbert the fox

you should be able to get the basics for about €60.

However, there's a bit more to it than just changing the oil.

Not comprehensive but think about (in order of importance)

Brakes - linings, pads, condition of discs, fluid level,fluid age, handbrake

Tyres - check inside/outside walls as well as tread and condition. Check wear or uneven wear.

Suspension - worn ball joints, movement, drifting, shocks, springs etc.

Diagnostics - air bag, lighting,

visuals, wear on pedals door alignment, rubber seal condition, spare tyre, tools, corrosion etc

biko

Besides the savings you will know what was done and when.
It is worth it.

TheBody

After getting my first car many years ago, I brought it to a main Ford garage to get a full service.

When I went to collect it, they wanted to charge me €7 to fill the screen wash. The thing is that I had filled it to the brim that morning so they obviously had not filled it at all.

Total bill was €220. I subtracted the €7 from the bill and since then, I service my car myself and as Biko siad, I know it's done with quality parts etc.

laoisfan

I only started this year servicing my car myself. Best thing I've ever done. Saving myself money plus learning some new things as I go along. It's all good!!

Muckie

Serviced the Yaris.
Parts from local motor factors.

Oil cost: €19
Oil Filter: €5

Even changed the thermostat today

Thermostat €15
All in took an hour

Toyotafanboi

The saving generally is in the labour. the parts cost in most cases will be swings and roundabouts tbh.

There are plenty of other factors though, what car are we talking about?

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly

I love it. So satisfying knowing that it's mechanically looked after. I don't care so much about keeping it clean any more, but the servicing I keep on top of.

corkgsxr

Laughing at the guy above cleaning his air filter. Youd at worst save it in fuel cost over its life.

shietpilot

corkgsxr wrote: »

Laughing at the guy above cleaning his air filter. Youd at worst save it in fuel cost over its life.

Not to mention the time it takes to clean it :P

uck51js9zml2yt

I get my own parts and give them to my local mechanic. €50 for a service and hr checks everything else.

9935452

corkgsxr wrote: »

Laughing at the guy above cleaning his air filter. Youd at worst save it in fuel cost over its life.

I wouldnt laugh personally. The service interval for the air filter is 30 or 40k miles . Personally i change the oil at 6/7k miles and blow out the air filter each time.
You would be surprised at how much dust gets into it in that amount of time, let alone running it to 30k miles

davo2001

shietpilot wrote: »

Not to mention the time it takes to clean it :P

Yeah, a grand total of 5 minutes, hard work alright! :rolleyes:

Czhornet

filbert the fox wrote: »

you should be able to get the basics for about €60.

However, there's a bit more to it than just changing the oil.

Not comprehensive but think about (in order of importance)

Brakes - linings, pads, condition of discs, fluid level,fluid age, handbrake

Tyres - check inside/outside walls as well as tread and condition. Check wear or uneven wear.

Suspension - worn ball joints, movement, drifting, shocks, springs etc.

Diagnostics - air bag, lighting,

visuals, wear on pedals door alignment, rubber seal condition, spare tyre, tools, corrosion etc

When I dropped my corolla in for a service/oil change, that's all they did, only the basic service. Now I do all my servicing myself and for my wifes car too.
Micksgarage for parts, type in your reg and all the parts are there
Youtube for the know how (and a bit of common sense)

Saves me E100 on labour alone each time for an oil change, and i have changed front shocks, discs and pads, calipers, starter, SCV valves not to mention oil, fuel and air filters myself.

166man

I have a well trusted guy who looks after my cars. i'm not the most mechanically adept person and I think he charges me half an hours labour to change oil in my car. At that price i just let him do it as I know it's done and done right.

I feel as well we need to define what a service is compared to an oil change.

A full service should be carried out by a garage yearly to check suspension, brakes, tyres etc. Oil changes etc can be done by individuals sure, but I'd be happier knowing someone who was trained was looking at my car.

corkgsxr

9935452 wrote: »

I wouldnt laugh personally. The service interval for the air filter is 30 or 40k miles . Personally i change the oil at 6/7k miles and blow out the air filter each time.
You would be surprised at how much dust gets into it in that amount of time, let alone running it to 30k miles

You can never really clean it tho. Youll just blow off the surface dust.

What are they a tenner. Iv always done them every service

9935452

corkgsxr wrote: »

9935452 wrote: »

I wouldnt laugh personally. The service interval for the air filter is 30 or 40k miles . Personally i change the oil at 6/7k miles and blow out the air filter each time.
You would be surprised at how much dust gets into it in that amount of time, let alone running it to 30k miles

You can never really clean it tho. Youll just blow off the surface dust.

What are they a tenner. Iv always done them every service

You would be surprised how clean you can get them.
Price wise 25 to 30 for a genuine one for my A4. I don't like putting spurious parts into it.
How often do you service your car. I change the oil every 6/7 k miles. It's overkill changing the air filter that often

Go for gold

166man wrote: »

A full service should be carried out by a garage yearly to check suspension, brakes, tyres etc. Oil changes etc can be done by individuals sure, but I'd be happier knowing someone who was trained was looking at my car.

That what nct is for

corkgsxr

9935452 wrote: »

You would be surprised how clean you can get them.
Price wise 25 to 30 for a genuine one for my A4. I don't like putting spurious parts into it.
How often do you service your car. I change the oil every 6/7 k miles. It's overkill changing the air filter that often

I love how your being mean and spending all in the same sentence

2forjoy

one reason people use a main dealer is the cars service history will be recorded and if you trading in to this garage they will give you a better deal if they know the cars history.

I get mine serviced in the same Clonmel garage for years and they look after me and the car

quadrifoglio verde

2forjoy wrote: »

one reason people use a main dealer is the cars service history will be recorded and if you trading in to this garage they will give you a better deal if they know the cars history.

I get mine serviced in the same Clonmel garage for years and they look after me and the car

Any mechanic can record the service history
It's called invoices

gibbon75

Go for gold wrote: »

That what nct is for

Sure,they just passed my friend's car with a bottom balljoint hanging off...

dev100

9935452 wrote:

You would be surprised how clean you can get them. Price wise 25 to 30 for a genuine one for my A4. I don't like putting spurious parts into it. How often do you service your car. I change the oil every 6/7 k miles. It's overkill changing the air filter that often

Why don't you like putting in spurious parts ?

9935452

dev100 wrote: »

Why don't you like putting in spurious parts ?

You know what you are getting quality wise.
A lot of the time the genuine part is as cheap or cheaper than the spurious part.
In the past ive put on spurious parts only to have problems with them soon after and then replace them with the genuine part.

jimbis

I've no problem with using spurious parts but with regards to the oil filter I'll go to the main dealer for that, as said sometimes they can be cheaper.
Certain engines don't like spurious oil filters and can cause serious damage. Just because the filter fits doesn't mean it's the right one.

Toyotafanboi

quadrifoglio verde wrote: »

Any mechanic can record the service history
It's called invoices

If you have a new-ish car, a main dealer history is certainly more favourable than an independent and on a new-ish car it may not cost a whole lot more.

punisher5112

I record all services I do in service manual and also a sticker in engine bay and windscreen as to keep a record.

I changed the diesel fuel filter on Mondeo yesterday and drained it, some amount of particles in it and big chunks also. I had meant to do it at last service but left her to fill a bottle any time she would fill it do you think she did no so 12k later I got round to it myself.

I enjoy doing as much as I can and once shown how to for the harder things I'll get on with it while learning some things myself along the way.
Only thing won't try is belt change.