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03-08-10, 07:13 PM | #1 |
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More proof that a full service history...
...is not worth the paper it is written on! And you can't trust garages! Learn to service your own car or bike, or find an independent mechanic you can trust! Or at least check everything the garage has done against what your service book and manual says they should have done!
I have a full Vauxhall service history on my 3 yr old, 60k mile, Vauxhall Vectra, so why did it break down on my wife and three year old son today? Because the OEM General Motors branded spark plugs fitted at the factory, that should have been changed at 40k miles, are still in the bloody thing another service later!!! Also courtesy of a full main dealer service history...
WTF do we pay these people for??? Sorry, had to have a rant. Last edited by -Ralph-; 03-08-10 at 07:18 PM. |
03-08-10, 07:19 PM | #2 |
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Re: More proof that a full service history...
Gits...
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03-08-10, 07:22 PM | #3 |
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Re: More proof that a full service history...
Commendable for modern spark plugs to last 60k!
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04-08-10, 12:11 AM | #4 |
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Re: More proof that a full service history...
Post corrected.
Please don't tar all dealerships with the same brush. Kawasaki's service schedule states oil and filter changes every 7500 miles, but everyone who has any mechanical knowledge at our place thinks that is too long for any bike, especially if the bike is not doing lots of miles and could go more than 18 months between services, so we change it at every 3750 miles with the recommended oil and genuine filter. We know it adds another 30 odd quid to the service bill, but we tell the customer that we're doing it and none has expressed any sign of displeasure at it, in fact most are happy we think along those lines. My friend is sales manager at Bill Smiths in Bangor, their top man in the workshop has numerous awards for being a top technician and their happy customer base supports this. Not all dealers are ripping you off. |
04-08-10, 12:14 AM | #5 |
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Re: More proof that a full service history...
I have a suspicion that the ones in my BMW 318i may well have been in there for about the same length of time. I've read some very bad internet reviews of the place where my car used to be serviced, so it's going to get a full one done by me and a BMW trained friend soon. Luckily he has all the right kit and diagnostic equipment.
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04-08-10, 06:31 AM | #6 |
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Re: More proof that a full service history...
I share your frustrations - the final straw being when I picked a bike up form a service with 8 psi in the rear tyre. And it had just that minute come back from a test run with the mechanic! Took me about 20m to figure something was very wrong, get off and check the tyre
But that said, I certainly wouldn't rubbish all garages or service histories. Have just been looking at 10-20 yr old Landcruisers, let's just say that we took the one with the immaculate Toyota service history plus receipts for all work done whenever any problem was flagged, over the (several) cars with no service history at all (or one that stopped 68K miles ago!), and which had just been patched up to get through the MOT each year. The difference became painfully obvious in a test drive... I do find it frustrating though that everything has got all clever in recent years and it makes it hard to do some tasks without the diagnostic equipment, special tools, etc |
04-08-10, 07:13 AM | #7 |
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Re: More proof that a full service history...
Verna Lupo GTI is meant to run some stupidly expensive oil but it runs 10w40 the same as the Polo from whence the engine came. Oil is basicaly oil and as long as they didnt charge you fro fully synth then i wouldnt worry about it. Some of the aftermarket guides are WRONG. AS for the plugs, if they are still servicable, why change them, again as long as they havent charged you for them.
My sv had its 1st set of plugs at 16k and it didnt suffer from it one bit. |
04-08-10, 07:22 AM | #8 |
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Re: More proof that a full service history...
What engines your Vectra got?
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04-08-10, 07:38 AM | #9 |
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Re: More proof that a full service history...
jeez if you didnt have bad luck ralph you would have any.
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04-08-10, 08:47 AM | #10 | |
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Re: More proof that a full service history...
When all four of my vehicles have not been properly maintained per the service schedule, by four different garages, I struggle not to. I just don't trust any of them anymore. How are you supposed to know if the garage is a good conscientious one, unless you work there or know someone on the inside? Take the vehicle apart and mark all the parts that are supposed to be changed with a permanent pen, then take it apart after and see if they have been changed? Might as well just change them yourself.
Quote:
Now, I know that if you want your car to last ten years and 200k then change the oil every 10k, or every year, but my work contract stipulates that my car must always be under 6 years old and 120k miles, and at 5 years you get an email reminder asking you you think about car shopping. Most garages also charge fixed price for servicing now, so that means a 20k service as per the manufacturers service schedule for £xxx pounds. Which includes using the manufacturers specified materials. The way these garages are ripping people off is charging the same price, but using cheaper materials. So yes, they have charged for fully synth. Z18XER, 1.8 140bhp petrol Last edited by -Ralph-; 04-08-10 at 08:51 AM. |
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