DIY Servicing

[Paynewright]

SWMBO’s Octavia just been in for service and brake fluid - basically oil/filter change and check lots of things - £310

What is everyones thoughts on DIY servicing? Considering many of us rip stuff out, fit other stuff in and generally modify wherever possible!

I’m the sort of person who would keep receipts and produce a check list of what I inspected!

Would that put you off purchasing my van? (Its not for sale BTW!)

what are your thoughts?

Ian

 

[Pete C]

DIY once the warranty has expired.
I have kept receipts as some form of proof for when we eventually sell the van.

Pete

 

[Paynewright]

Dad used to service his own cars and taught me. I was brought up on Morris Marina’s and I was doing points, plugs, tappets, oil and filters in the 70s aged 11 or 12.

 

[DaveD]

SWMBO’s Octavia just been in for service and brake fluid - basically oil/filter change and check lots of things - £310

What is everyones thoughts on DIY servicing? Considering many of us rip stuff out, fit other stuff in and generally modify wherever possible!

I’m the sort of person who would keep receipts and produce a check list of what I inspected!

Would that put you off purchasing my van? (Its not for sale BTW!)

what are your thoughts?

Ian

It wouldn't put me off because I'd meet you and I'd quickly know that it had been done right, you get a feeling about people's competence when you meet them face to face, but I suppose it might put others off.
I've always done my own servicing until I got my T6 but my previous cars were less expensive and like you I now question how it may affect resale value. I shouldn't worry because I don't intend to sell any time soon.
I part exchanged my previous Landrover for my T6 and had a folder full of service receipts and receipts for the items I'd used to service it later in its life, each receipt had the vehicle mileage written on it, the dealer was happy to treat that as a full service history.

 

[buchanan84]

Bought our van with full vw history but noticed the last stamp had only ticked oil change, not gearbox and rear diff that were due. Emailed to confirm and got a load of bs when I queried why the rest wasn't done. So don't rate dealer history, any history is only an indication that could be fake anyway... and doesn't tell you what other abuse/ neglect it's had between services..

I service my own and fill in and sign the book, should probably keep the part receipts but they'd all be in my email anyway. Recently spoke to a (independent) dealer about trade and he wasn't bothered at all and actually the car I was looking at was a similar story so they were giving it a full service before selling. Didn't compare the trade in price with anyone else but was in the region I expected. It might put off others, prob most likely private buyers to have never had any problems with selling other cars (tho they've all be worth less)

 

[DXX]

I service my own vehicles but I have to admit it would have to be an exceptional price for me to buy a van / car without complete ‘stamped’ service history. The reason being there is enough stock to choose from, why take a risk.
My current car (20 year old A4) was an ex fleet car, bought by me for peanuts at approx 2 years old, full service history, very high milage towing but had been maintained well.
All garages take the piss, some more than others, £600 here, £500 there, it all mounts up and a good proportion is unnecessary, all the ‘what if’s’ or ‘while we are in there we’d be better to replace this as well’.
It’s incredible that nobody bats an eyelid at shelling out £700 quid for work on a steel box where many wouldn’t dream of spending the same on themselves for a decent BUPA medical.

 

[Indigrey]

I'd rather buy a vehicle from somebody who is passionate and has clearly cared for it rather than someone who has no clue but it has stamps in a book!

 

[TrevorK]

Depends on the situation. I would always use the main dealer for the first 6 years, after that there are plenty of alternatives out there, including your local VW specialist and the big tyre fitting chains.
On my camper I have the VW 2x service plan, which cost me £383 last year (Black Friday deal) - Kwikfit would charge £328 for major and interim service, so I'm happy to go to VW.
My wife's Micra is over 6 years old, Nissan want £538 for a major & interim service, my local Kwikfit £279, so I won't be visiting Nissan again.
Also, I can never understand the relatively high cost of an interim service for a vehicle over 3 years old - surely it is nothing more than an MOT and an oil change?

 

[buchanan84]

I've never bought a car less than 3yr old so it's a bit academic but I wouldn't even use the dealer for the first 3 years unless a good fixed price deal that I think some offer, you don't need a main dealer service for your warranty (as long as its serviced to their recommended schedule), I guess you might get some argument if you diy but you shouldn't if it's from a good independent. Tho probably no chance of goodwill where warranty doesn't cover something.

People including dealers who think/ sell a service that it's just an oil change is where it all goes wrong in my opinion

 

[Paynewright]

Well, just had a quote of £588 for a major service on the van. In addition to £700 odd for the cambelt!

I think I’ll DIY the service!

 

[Murdoch]

Well, just had a quote of £588 for a major service on the van. In addition to £700 odd for the cambelt!

I think I’ll DIY the service!

ouch for the cost of the service. Makes my £53 x 18 for 2 majors and 2 minors look really cheap