I serviced my wife's Citigo today, very satisfying because the dealers wanted £300 and it ended u costing around £65.00 in total. I did a mechanical apprenticeship many years ago but I'm a bit ring rusty working on cars, having had other priorities until very recently. I'm not used to working on modern cars so did a bit of research and asked a few questions on this forum, a couple of which were answered. I used Mann filters, having got the codes from the Mann Europe catalogue, as they seem to be well regarded. They looked identical to the VW filters I removed.  The pollen filter was black through, the air filter looked pretty good, but all were replaced. The oil change and filters were easy, although for a few seconds I thought the oil filter was going to fight to the death before being removed. A chain wrench and a ring spanner for leverage got it moving. This was a relief because I've used the screwdriver and hammer method of removal before, but it creates some wicked sharp edges. My biggest worry was the spark plugs, and if I'm right the replacement intervals are 4 years. This is a 2017 car so I expected problems, based on the experiences of some others on this forum. However, they came out very easily. The coil packs came out by hand, no need for even tie wraps. There were traces of grease on the ceramic part of the plugs so that clearly works wonders for ease of removal. The plugs themselves were in a bit of a state and definitely ready for changing. The spark plugs are quite deep and I did not have a magnetic 16mm plug socket, but I do have a magnetic rod with a light on the end, bought for a couple of pounds from Ebay, which I think is even better, for removal and replacement of the plugs. the magnetic tip is just strong enough to allow the plugs to be tightened a few threads with the lightest of touch, which is necessary to avoid stripping the threads. If anyone is reluctant to service their cars because of the issues some people have had, i would say go for it.  A charge of £300 for what I did today is ridiculous. ( I do have an inspection pit, which made a big difference , especially with changing the oil filter though. If you do your own, I would recommend some latex gloves, because used engine oil is a known carcinogen.

A safe way of putting in new plugs and reducing the chance of cross threading is a length of rubber pipe / hose.

You just push onto the plug and start off the plug this way.

41 minutes ago, e-Roottoot said:

A safe way of putting in new plugs and reducing the chance of cross threading is a length of rubber pipe / hose.

You just push onto the plug and start off the plug this way.

That would work, but my magnetic tool makes it easier to withdraw the old plugs, I would say

Indeed, have the correct tool for the job is the best plan.  Not all do when they go to do a job.  Plug sockets with rubber surrounds or magnetic as re fandabbydozzy but if someone is buying they need to remember for some vehicles they need thin walled ones.    I have all the gear but still put the plugs down the hole on the end of a rubber pipe. 

2 hours ago, e-Roottoot said:

A safe way of putting in new plugs and reducing the chance of cross threading is a length of rubber pipe / hose.

You just push onto the plug and start off the plug this way.

 

Good tip George - I'll remember that one!