Car Service

[Mups]

How do others organise your annual car service?

Do you have the full service one year,  followed by the smaller service the next, and so on?

Does which service to have depend on annual mileage, or age of car - or which garage you use!

Mine expenses all come at once each year.  
Service and MOT are due next month,  followed by Insurance renewal about 6 weeks later.
Everything costs so much nowadays.

[Raven]

I have it spread out, MOT, February, Insurance July 1st, Tax  September
It was altogether for years but to expensive that way.
I just taxed for 6 months a few years ago and that split them up, then I altered my insurance and that split the 3 apart, trying to keep it that way. I have the big service as I drive a lot, before I was up here so much it was the big service every 2nd year, but our guy just works for himself and he's cheaper than the big garages. So that helps.

[Dextrous63]

Our cars are bought from new, because that's the way we've always budgeted things for a fair few years.  Within that finance malarkey we also pay for any servicing costs.  Kinda like paying more each month for home gas/electric bills.  That way we're never suddenly faced with a mighty fee to cough up for.

No doubt not the cheapest way of going about things, but it appeases our peace of mind.

[klondike]

Your tax and insurance are likely to come close still though. Mine always have. Only way really to split them is to have one six month tax period which costs more. I leave mine together and the savings take a hit as they do for any extra expense and get topped back up on low cost months. 

[Scrumpy]

I have used the same garage that I bought my car from..

They are not too far away.. They pick the car up..
M.O.T and service same time.. 
Charlie, the owner , doesn't always do a full service because the mileage is so low..
I pay my tax/insurance by direct debit..

[Mups]

I have used the same garage that I bought my car from..

They are not too far away.. They pick the car up..
M.O.T and service same time..
Charlie, the owner , doesn't always do a full service because the mileage is so low..
I pay my tax/insurance by direct debit..

That's the same as mine, Scrumps.
My MOT and Service is due in September,  then the Insurance at the start of November.

What I wondered though,  was because of the low mileage (like yours),  the garage told me it didn't need a full service last year.   
But what I wondered was,  if our mileage is always low,  how many small services is wise?   This will be third year of only having small services.    Is that safe?

[Dextrous63]

Mups, services are to replace things that have gone through sufficient wear and tear.  Most fluids would have a pretty long life expectancy anyway.

So, if you haven't used your car much then not much degradation will have occurred.  

[Alex]

I use the same garage which is just around the corner.  He does a big service one year and smaller the next.  I've always been satisfied, he tells me what needs doing and what I can put off for a while.   Like Mups my MOT and service come together end of the year.  Insurance February.  I only tax for 6 months at a time as I'm not sure how long my old banger will last 

[klondike]

if you haven't used your car much then not much degradation will have occurred.

I don't use mine much and I'm still degrading - well past my Best Before date already. 

Most car services are specified on mileage or time whichever comes first.

[Mups]

I don't use mine much and I'm still degrading - well past my Best Before date already. 

Most car services are specified on mileage or time whichever comes first.

Yes,  but  what I meant was,  do you reckon its safe to keep on having only the smaller service each year,  or would you opt for the full service now and then?

[Scrumpy]

I am sure it is safe Mups to have a small service every year..
 If you have a decent guy that you take the car to I am sure he will put you right.
I stick to the same garage.. 
I do have a full service once in a while... 

Don't worry too much love... I'm sure your motor is doing fine...

Heaven knows what mine will be like.. My granddaughter Hattie is using it..
I bet my motor is having the time of her life .. Going to places I wouldn't dream of going to..
... travelling down the motorway... changing lanes.. carrying people who talk of things she has never heard of.. Staying out late at night.. Parked up all alone... 

[klondike]

Yes,  but  what I meant was,  do you reckon its safe to keep on having only the smaller service each year,  or would you opt for the full service now and then?

I have a car still in warranty and the servicing paid for up front (like Dex)

I always went small service, big service. The important thing is oil and they always do that. The big service involves filters, plugs and the like and they are unlikely to deteriorate a lot just with age IMO. The garage should be following the service schedule specified for your particular car but most smaller ones don't. A small service is often change the oil, kick the tyres and prepare a bill. Things like the coolant and brake fluid levels may or may not get a look but to be fair you can never be sure just what they did do regardless of what they charged.

[Mups]

I have a car still in warranty and the servicing paid for up front (like Dex)

I always went small service, big service. The important thing is oil and they always do that. The big service involves filters, plugs and the like and they are unlikely to deteriorate a lot just with age IMO. The garage should be following the service schedule specified for your particular car but most smaller ones don't. A small service is often change the oil, kick the tyres and prepare a bill. Things like the coolant and brake fluid levels may or may not get a look but to be fair you can never be sure just what they did do regardless of what they charged.

OK.  Ta, Klondie.   I'll see what they say when I book the MOT in a couple of weeks time. 

[Dextrous63]

OK.  Ta, Klondie.  I'll see what they say when I book the MOT in a couple of weeks time. 

Good idea Mups.  If there's something that actually needs to be done to keep your car roadworthy, deal with that first.  You can decide what to do about the service afterwards.