What happens at a car servicing?

maximus02

Hi All

If I bring my car to be serviced by a reputable garage, what do they do or check apart from change the oil and filter?

I want to service my Honda Civic but I'm confused about what happens during the service.

Is the car normally put through further checks?
Is it normally connected up to electronic monitoring software to spot any strange messages etc?

What about plugs, filters, brakes etc? Are they normally checked?

What else should a good garage be checking or changing during a regular service?

Thanks in advance
Max

aristotle25

Usually they would check various levels are ok, things like brake fluid, window washer, coolant.
Usually they would check brake disc and pads wear and also wear left on tyres.

After that they would nearly never hook it up to a code reader to check for logged issues. That is usually an extra cost that you would ask for if there was an issue.

Filters - good places will check at least the air filter if its easy to get to. But generally go by the service requirements to deem if plugs\air filter\fuel filter need replacing.

What does your service book say, where was the last time the plugs and filters where done and when are they due to be done?

maximus02

Thanks aristotle25 for reply.

So really it's just an oil and filter change. My car has passed it's NCT recently without any issues so presumably all is well with brakes, tyres, etc.

I thought a regular service would do more than that.

Doctors room ghost

If it’s a small independent garage that you know and trust expect oil,filters and plug changes and a general once over highlighting any further work that may need doing.
If it’s a main dealer garage expect An assault on your car by an apprentice mechanic with a vise grip and a large bill from a sniper looking service manager

biko

maximus02 wrote: »

What else should a good garage be checking or changing during a regular service?

This is what Advanced Pitstop claim to check/do
https://advancepitstop.com/car-servicing/

If you go to a garage for service, ask for an itemised list.

There is probably a section in your manual that says what should be done for your car at each interval.

Isambard

they'll do whatever you ask them to.

Cookie_Monster

we're about to start running every vehicle over a brake tester / wheel alignment machine as part of standard servicing.

Steve

If your service logbook is up to date then it specifies what is to be done at each service.

Most garages will only do the minimum (in fairness, it's their business so unless you request more then why would they?)

If you have any specific issues or anxieties about a peculiar noise or rattle or anything not working properly then let them know beforehand.

Always tell them if they find anything over and above what the service price includes that they need to ask you before repairing and give you a cost.

EPAndlee

You change the service parts and check over the car. If you find any problems ring the customer ask them if they want the problem fixed or not

Toyotafanboi

Doctors room ghost wrote: »

If it’s a small independent garage that you know and trust expect oil,filters and plug changes and a general once over highlighting any further work that may need doing.
If it’s a main dealer garage expect An assault on your car by an apprentice mechanic with a vise grip and a large bill from a sniper looking service manager

Could you tell us while you are at it, what happens at a trusted main dealer and a dodgy independent garage while you are at it?

khaldrogo

maximus02 wrote:

I thought a regular service would do more than that.

The mechanic will carry out the service you ask for.

If you ask for 'a service' then any decent mechanic will ask you 'what kind of service? Full or basic?'

A basic service is normally an oil and oil filter change and some kind of visual inspection of the car(suspension, brakes, lights and levels.)

A full service is normally an oil and oil filter change, an air filter change, a fuel filter change and spark plugs. (Engine type dependant). Cabin filter replacement is not normally part of a full service unless asked for. All this is changeable in respect of replacement intervals for the service items. Some fuel filters and spark plugs have long service intervals. The full service should also include a comprehensive visual inspection.

If due an NCT as well some further checks would need to be done; seat belts, pedal rubbers, battery secure, check for rust, headlight alignment etc....


It all depends on what you ask for.

khaldrogo

Doctors room ghost wrote:

If it’s a small independent garage that you know and trust expect oil,filters and plug changes and a general once over highlighting any further work that may need doing. If it’s a main dealer garage expect An assault on your car by an apprentice mechanic with a vise grip and a large bill from a sniper looking service manager

We're back here are we? Smh

Toyotafanboi

What is expect for "a service":

For the standard (advertised) service price I'd expect an oil and filter change, all other fluids topped up if neccessary, tyre pressures set, any blown bulbs to be replaced and a full health inspection of the car (steering, suspension, brakes etc). I reckon most places wash the car these days too.

Not many, in fact virtually zero garages will change spark plugs/ air filter/ fuel filter as part of an entry level service.

Servicing and service pricing is a race to the bottom at the moment so everyone will offer a really cheap oil change service price to get you in the door hoping to get a few extras on the car when they get it in.

bucketybuck

maximus02 wrote: »

My car has passed it's NCT recently without any issues so presumably all is well with brakes, tyres, etc.

One of the more dangerous misconceptions many people have.

An NCT is just a snapshot in time, it simply states that on a certain date your car was roadworthy, it is not a guarantee of future road worthiness and is not designed to replicate a proper service and inspection.

Your car could pass the brake test with 20% linings on the pads, then need brake pads a month later. Your car could pass NCT with road legal tyres and then need tyres less than a month later. Your car could pass NCT and then a degraded coolant hose could burst a week later. Your car could pass NCT with dirty fuel, weak gearbox oil and a blocked air filter.

The NCT is not a service, it has different aims.

Steve

bucketybuck wrote: »

One of the more dangerous misconceptions many people have.

An NCT is just a snapshot in time, it simply states that on a certain date your car was roadworthy, it is not a guarantee of future road worthiness and is not designed to replicate a proper service and inspection.

Your car could pass the brake test with 20% linings on the pads, then need brake pads a month later. Your car could pass NCT with road legal tyres and then need tyres less than a month later. Your car could pass NCT and then a degraded coolant hose could burst a week later. Your car could pass NCT with dirty fuel, weak gearbox oil and a blocked air filter.

The NCT is not a service, it has different aims.

So true.

If your suspension is broken, it will pass as long as it's equally broken on both sides.

If you were mad enough to get one side fixed, then it will fail.