Hi all,

The old Octy is now coming up to 133000 miles and is about 500 miles away from its next service. As with most people, I'm looking to cut costs where I can and servicing is one of those. Also at this service I'm going to change from fixed to variable servicing.

Up till about 2 years ago, the Skoda service book was fully stamped up etc. Since then I've been a bit lax - I have the receipts etc but not stamps in the book. I never keep it in the car and keep forgetting to take the book in to get it stamped. So, I've still got full service history (of a sort).

So whilst I'm capable of doing things like oil changes etc, this would mean the end of the paper trail. Although I suppose at that age (2004) and mileage it's worth around £2000 so does it really matter? I've no plans to sell.

When is the "correct" point (if there is such a thing) to go from invoiced servicing and a stamped book, to self-service which I presume is undocumented?

cheers

Martin

IMO whilst they are under warranty then a dealer FSH is worth it's weight in gold .... just in case.

After that I am happy to buy a car without a full dealer S/H, providing it has been done by a good independent or there are a wad of receipts showing what and when things were changed (and what oil was used) providing the seller looks competent

A car of that age, i`d be happy to find it had history to a point, then bundles of receipts for parts. I`d write the services in the book still and the mileage, then just keep the parts receipts in little piles for each one.

I did think this was going to be about getting caught banging one out after reading the title.

Yes I know what you mean '2SkodaFamily' mine is now 6 years+ old, and probably worth about the same.

I have serviced mine since car was 5 years old, and know I cover things even a major service would not, unless specified.

Savings well over a hundred pounds each service' with my own servicing being more thorough.

It's a case of different strokes for different folks.

Those who sell their cars after a short ownership would benefit the paper trail, as opposed those who will keep their cars for 10 years+.

High mileage will have a bigger effect with a paper trail being second place.

Personally I keep every receipt relating to anything bought for the car, with fuel being the exception.

At the end of the day (as they say) it's keeping your car well maintained, legal and efficient.

Good Luck.

I noticed that the dealer who sold on my old Xsara advertised it as having "Full service history" and wondered if any prospective purchasers would have been slightly perturbed to discover that over half of that "service history" consisted of my handwritten notes scribbled on parts invoices Still, thats far more than you would usually get with a cheap 8 year old car......

I've done 95% of all the servicing on my car (even under warrenty)......BUT I write the dates, miles, etc in the service book.....plus i have a checklist sheet that I print off (like the garage has)...and fill that out.....plus the recipts......

At that age and value, I think a file of receipts and a handwritten note in the service book is fair enough. It would be fine for me if I was buying.

I recently sold my 1999 (V) 150,000 mile Peugeot 306.

I self serviced after the warranty ran out (oil, oil filter and air filter). Anything else (cambelt, radiator etc.) was done at a local independant garage.

I simply made a note of the mileage on the receipt from when I bought the parts.

The new owner was more than happy to take these receipts as a valid service history...

Edited 17 December, 201114 yr by silver1011

Think I'll go for it then....

cheers chaps.

Martin