Car's 1st Service

[snapman]

As my car is going in for it's first service(2017 plate), I've been looking around for the best price. Low-and-behold, Arnold Clark charge more for the main service on a car under 3 years old than a car over 3 years old! I'm looking at local garages obviously, but I'd like to know from you guys "in the know" what the going price range should be. Arnold Clark was looking at £249 (area is the West Coast of Scotland). As there should be next to, or nothing wrong with the car, how can the price be justified from Arnold Clark? And if it does cost a few bit more normally, what is it that a first service (or a service under 3 years) covers that the later ones don't? The car's done 9,000 miles so far.

Thanks in advance,

snapman

 

[IANB]

A good local garage will be a lot cheaper and if your car is under warranty it wont be affected as long as they use the proper parts and oil as per service spec. What make is the car? I tend to stick to dealer services and i book it through the Kia website as i get a better deal. Arnold Clark are robbing bastewards

 

[cactikid]

get the car serviced in stealers to comply with warranty so have a read of handbook.

thinking it only an oil and filter service

 

[IANB]

get the car serviced in stealers to comply with warranty so have a read of handbook.

thinking it only an oil and filter service

You dont have to get a dealer service to comply with warranty

 

[Ferret]

My Seat Warranty was honoured using a none dealer VW Specialist as opposed to a dealer as the VW specialist could verify all Seat parts were used, they were about 40% cheaper. They helped no end when seat was moaning the warranty conditions had not been met and seat eventually replaced the injector.

Id normally do all the servicing myself but to keep the warranty opted to go this way..

It may be easier to have the dealer do it but not necessary warranty wise. Stipulate to anyone doing it that genuine parts must be used to keep the warranty valid.

 

[alex123]

i always thought first service was free as dealer has to make checks on behalf manufacturer

 

[Ferret]

Ford use to do a free interim service at very low miles to see if there were any issues.

Guess it depends on the manufacture .

 

[IANB]

Same with kia approved used it comes first serviced (interim) I bought mine with just over 6000 on the clock they did a service on it before i collected.
The service manager also advised that lack of servicing does not always invalidate warranty as it may fail ie alternator and non oily or wear tear bits. Personally i would not take the chance lol and always keep on top of the servicing not to keep warranty but for the good of the car and safety

 

[snapman]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I thought I could take it to any garage for it's service, as long as it was genuine parts. I've a Vauxhall Astra which I got from Arnold Clark. No mention of the first year's service being free, surprise surprise. I was wondering, due to the amount they were wanting, they were doing something like 30/40 point checks or something. Something I think the car wouldn't need in it's first year. As some of you guys said, I thought it would be an oil, oil filter and spark plug change only. NO WAY would I pay £249 for that!!! I'll shop around other garages for the lowest price. Thanks again lads!!

 

[IANB]

Most cars dont need an oil change until 15 to 20 k nowadays as they use longlife oil so if its 10k it should probably be an intrim service , check the service book and manual it normaly details the service points

 

[snapman]

Cheers @IANB will do. As I've cycled to work for donkey's years now I hardly use the car (just a quick run here and there), so hopefully the Mrs has kept the service book in the glove compartment. She does like to tidy up and move things, so fingers crossed! I'll have a look tomorrow. Cheers mate

 

[cactikid]

move things,ohh feck where is the locking wheel nut remover=at home what a let down

 

[alex123]

my wife got a new golf from arnold clark helensburghthe first service was free

 

[Ferret]

I really dont trust that long life stuff.

I sneak a oil change in at half the distance the service schedule says. Genuine oil and filter obviously.

 

[cactikid]

i would say oil change with filter every year or 15 k,stop starts kills engine when only going to the shops.

 

[Ferret]

I have the use of equipment that reads Viscosity and couple of years back tested fresh long life at cold and at 90c and compared the readings to the same long life oil at 12000 miles. Its viscosity at both ends of the spectrum were significantly reduced like piss to the eye from a VW derv.

6 month later and 6000 miles on the new stuff i did the same again and found the at cold the viscosity was ok at 90c it was loosing its viscosity again.

Anyway as my cars are usually 12 months old when i buy them i keep them for around 6 years and normally a family member then gets them i choose to do my oil services early because of my findings. Particulary important on derv engines i feel where the oil has to suspend all that carbon.

I reckon manufactures are keen on the fleet car sales and these extended services are to suit that not necessarily good for your car in my opinion.

 

[avid]

I have the use of equipment that reads Viscosity and couple of years back tested fresh long life at cold and at 90c and compared the readings to the same long life oil at 12000 miles. Its viscosity at both ends of the spectrum were significantly reduced like piss to the eye from a VW derv.

6 month later and 6000 miles on the new stuff i did the same again and found the at cold the viscosity was ok at 90c it was loosing its viscosity again.

Anyway as my cars are usually 12 months old when i buy them i keep them for around 6 years and normally a family member then gets them i choose to do my oil services early because of my findings. Particulary important on derv engines i feel where the oil has to suspend all that carbon.

I reckon manufactures are keen on the fleet car sales and these extended services are to suit that not necessarily good for your car in my opinion.

Would you say the same go’s for petrol engines.

 

[Ferret]

Would you say the same go’s for petrol engines.

As ive always had Derv cars so never tested the oil but the oil in a petrol cars has a lot less work to do than in a derv, derv oil has suspension additives to keep the carbon suspended in the oil so it does not settle or clog up oilways etc. petrol engine oil does not have this and gets no where near as dirty so it may fair better and stay in spec longer.

There is an 52 plate VW golf in our family passed on that was mine from 10 months old it has 216 thou on the clock and it still on the original turbo, ok dervs will do high mileages but its sweet as a nut still and pulls very well no smoke. I put this down to it oil services outside the recommended which even now has it done at 5000 intervals.

VW oil and filter done twice a year. Filter and oil £40 no brainer for me.

 

[cactikid]

have you ever tried mobil oil as thats what we use,not cheap but as i am a lunatic driver i need the protection in my 2001 spacewagon. we use it in diesels and when you look into the engine you notice how clean it is.

 

[Ferret]

have you ever tried mobil oil as thats what we use,not cheap but as i am a lunatic driver i need the protection in my 2001 spacewagon. we use it in diesels and when you look into the engine you notice how clean it is.

Had a Escort RS Turbo back when i wa a lad CVH engine and used it back then when oil changes were at 6000 good oil back then not used it recently.

Might see if there is a low ash version for dpf's