how do you guys do the service?DIY ,Garage or Dealer

[crazybeeliuzhe]

although there is still few months till my next mot. i am thinking about doing some maintenance at the same time of mot. i a nearby dealer already. they asked a fixed price 109 euro for small service (change engine oil and oil filter plus checking breaking dics) and 199 euro for big service (small service plus other check-ups). I also asked a garage which is close to my house, they ask almost the same price for doing the same things.

since you guys are more experienced with skoda. i wonder how do you guys do this kind of things. do you think it make sense at least doing the oil change by myself and only do the big service at the dealer? the drawback is that there won't be any recorded stamps in the service booklet if i do service by myself. what do you think? Thanks a lot.

Edited 4 August, 2015 by crazybeeliuzhe

[StevesTruck]

DIY it, always. If you want something doing right, do it yourself.

Service history only matters if you're selling.

[Rooted]

Only you know if you can do it yourself, or you need a Trained & Qualified person to check over your vehicle and do and Care & Maintenance.

It does not need to be a Main Dealer if you know where there is a good Independent Garage or Mechanic.

If you can do Oil & Filter Changes, Air, Pollen & Fuel Filters, Lubricate Hinges, Check Tyres, Check Wiper Blades, Check Fluids etc,

then you are mostly there.

 

Even if you were selling a 12 year old car, do you think Main Dealer or any Garage Stamps will increase the cars value?

[crazybeeliuzhe]

Only you know if you can do it yourself, or you need a Trained & Qualified person to check over your vehicle and do and Care & Maintenance.

It does not need to be a Main Dealer if you know where there is a good Independent Garage or Mechanic.

If you can do Oil & Filter Changes, Air, Pollen & Fuel Filters, Lubricate Hinges, Check Tyres, Check Wiper Blades, Check Fluids etc,

then you are mostly there.

 

Even if you were selling a 12 year old car, do you think Main Dealer or any Garage Stamps will increase the cars value?

 Totally agree. 

[Toxicvrs]

Only you know if you can do it yourself, or you need a Trained & Qualified person to check over your vehicle and do and Care & Maintenance.

It does not need to be a Main Dealer if you know where there is a good Independent Garage or Mechanic.

If you can do Oil & Filter Changes, Air, Pollen & Fuel Filters, Lubricate Hinges, Check Tyres, Check Wiper Blades, Check Fluids etc,

then you are mostly there.

Even if you were selling a 12 year old car, do you think Main Dealer or any Garage Stamps will increase the cars value?

Never had an issue with that tbh, just show them the bills for parts (I tend to right mileage on each bill)

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[Rooted]

Even write the right mileage on it Jack, and sorted.

[Toxicvrs]

Even write the right mileage on it Jack, and sorted.

Oops :P not had my morning coffee yet.

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[hutchysrs50]

You have a pm btw Mr Toxic!

[Toxicvrs]

You have a pm btw Mr Toxic!

Ooh ****, hand noticed sorry.

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[theezenutz]

DIY all day no need to throw money away.

[hutchysrs50]

Yep, even genuine dealer parts arnt that expensive, Aslong as you keep the receipt and fill in the service history book you'll be fine.

Worst part of DIY is getting rid of the oil.

[vr6 south]

Yep, even genuine dealer parts arnt that expensive, Aslong as you keep the receipt and fill in the service history book you'll be fine.

Worst part of DIY is getting rid of the oil.

 

 I paint my shed with it. Works wonders!

[Phil-E]

I have taken to DIY servicing now.

 

The car is now nearly 8 years old. No warranty left etc. We plan to keep it for the foreseeable future and by the time we would sell it on it will be at an age/mileage that dealer servicing wouldn't really improve it's value or certainly not enough to compensate for the extra dealer servicing costs.

 

It depends if you plan to keep the car then DIY. If you want to sell it soon then garage/dealer.

 

A recent example of the savings I'm making is oil and filter was less than £40 vs nearly £100. DSG oil change cost me £70 to do vs £169. Brake discs and pads on the front cost me £70 vs £215. So I've saved in this year alone £294 which almost pays for our yearly car insurance!

[mattbvRS]

I always DIY service my cars, save money and learn something in the process. Plus if you do it yourself you know it's done right! - I'm not that bothered about service history because I tend to keep my cars long term and they are usually well out of warranty anyway. Everything bar the cambelt I will usually tackle myself. 

 

The fluids and filters are a doddle to change on modern cars. The brakes are fairly easy too. Suspension components can be a bit more involving but still doable DIY if you have the right tools for the job. That's the only thing really make sure you read up on how to do something and have the correct tools. Most of the basic stuff can be done with just a socket set, a few screw drivers and some allen keys/torx bits in fairness.  

[cheshire_cat]

 I paint my shed with it. Works wonders!

or if you're into iron work the finest for blacking   --cherry red and dip- -for pref out in the fresh air

[Hudson01]

I kind of diy it in regards what i pay but its services by a qualified mechanic at his garage..... he is my neighbour and friend who owns a garage who specialist trade is auto diagnostics (lots of very very expensive computers and leads). So i go with him on a Sunday (normally) and he services the car for just the trade cost of the parts , i also then get to clean all the parts coming off the car and get underneath it to clean the suspension and the arches !!! I have had everything done to my car, incl of the cambelt and waterpump, bushes, front struts etc, its like a new bloody car. But if i had been to a dealer it may not all of been done as is ...... this is why i am keeping it, i could not find another 9 year old car with 60k on the clock and in the condition mine is in.

[wja96]

I still use the dealer on mine. 260,000 miles at the next service. The last 21 stamps all from Robinsons in Norwich. They're no more expensive than any local independent and the relationship built up over the last 7 years means they know how I like the car looked after and tell me if the car needs anything doing to keep it maintained.

I'm not selling the car any time soon. Maintaining the car keeps it reliable and that's much more valuable than saving a few pounds.

[mattbvRS]

Fair play, but to imply that a dealer serviced car will be more reliable than a DIY serviced one is wrong. They don't do anything special in terms of servicing that you couldn't do at home with the right tools tools and a laptop with vcds on. Some people just like to get their hands dirty and know it's done the way they like it.

[giandougl]

There are very jobs that you can'y do DIY with the right tools and knowledge on your car.

Changing all (4) filters and lubricating all points (hinges,locks etc) are the main jobs as already said.

Changing brake discs and pads again with a brake pad caliper rewind tool, is easy and simple.

Changing rear wheel bearing hubs/bearing easy with correct thin walled socket, to remove nut.

 

If you have a fairly comprehensive tool kit, including trolley jack and axle stands, and finding out any snags (from Briskoda) then go ahead..

Good luck..