What happens with a car service?

[Meckity1]

Me again with car stuff. I daren't ask the garage, as I worry about being ripped off, but what happens with a service? How long does it take? Is it expensive? What should I ask?

I'm not even sure what I don't know, so I thought I would ask on here rather than google. Car is Citroen C3, 54000k (ish) and the service light has come on. I think she's driving like she's 'bunged up' but my experience is pathetically limited.

Many Thanks in advance.

www.kwik-fit.com/servicing

This will give you an idea of what's included and prices. I wouldn't bother going to a main dealer for it, a local independent garage will inevitably be cheaper. They'll probably have it in for half a day.

Google is your friend:

www.wearemarmalade.co.uk/driver-hub/owning-a-car/maintenance/full-car-service/

Cost will depend on where you take it - a main dealer will be more expensive that a small independant garage/mechanic.

Thank you. I really appreciate the help.

I'd be lost without Mumsnet

You really should have your car serviced every 10,000 miles (although some cars now let you get away with more, but it's not great for longevity). Even if you don't, then at a minimum the oil should be changed.

But as you have waited until the service warning light has come on, it usually means that something has / is on the verge of going wrong and it will cost more. It'll probably be full service cost + some.

As pp say, don't go to a dealer. If there are any independent Citreon specialists nearby that is probably a good bet. There basic costs might (or not) be higher than your bog standard backstreet garage, bit their diagnostic abilities will be specific to your car make so you can often end up spending less as they can find the problem quickly. Alternatively, ask colleagues for a recommendation.

And, I mean this in the kindest way, perhaps you should do a bit of reading into basic car maintenance? It will be much cheaper in the long run to care for a car well: it will last longer with better mpg and lower service costs and if you sell it, a full service history will mean you can get more money.

Basic service costs depend on the car. We have a Kia Venga and our annual basic service costs about £65. Thats essentially a change of oil and a quick check over. A full service at the Kia garage costs £250. We’ve never done that as we’ve always gone to our local garage.

I DO use my Volvo dealer but only because as part of the package you get 12 months roadside assistance and, if anything does need fixed, they have access to the correct parts.

Is it still a thing to sell with 'full service history'? If I was choosing between 2 similar priced second hand cars I'd choose one that was fully serviced.

Rivergreen Thank you, it helps to get more information. I bought the car 4 April and was told it had just been serviced, so I thought I would be okay holding out until the autumn half term for the next service. I've taught myself how to top up the washer fluid, and I am now trying to pick up the stuff that I don't know I don't know iyswim.

I've got some recommendations for local garages which is helpful.

My DH drives. He doesn't top up the window washer and will let cars go years and thousands of miles between services. I have to rely on Mumsnet for direction on this. Thankfully, the people on here are awesome.

You can probably find the service schedule and what it entails online. Around the 50000 mark is probably a major service but that will depend on the individual garage, find a reputable one, some independents are poor and some dealerships are poor no guarantees either way.

Fairylea The nearest citroen dealer to me is Evans Halshaw, and I've not heard good stuff from there. Besides, I like the idea of going with a smaller, local place. I've had some recommendations, so feeling sort of okay. Just worried about not knowing what I don't know.

If the service light has come on and it was serviced in April it could be a simple case of the service light not being reset back when it was done. Might be worth getting a health check done rather than a full service far cheaper and should flag up if there are any issues.

LizzieMacQueen I know the car has full service history to date. I paid cash, and I don't think I'll ever be able to afford another one. I'm an older driver, just passed my test in my fifties, so it's kind of like my first car and my last car. That's why I need to take care of it.

Singletomingle I think that's why I posted here. I need to know a little otherwise I would be absolutely an easy target for a bad garage. I've asked around, and I have a few ideas. Thank you.

Have you got any paperwork from past services? Without that its probably best to have the full service to get everything checked out and any necessary replacements made. It will hopefully head off any nasty surprises at MOT time.

Singletomingle I know I'm not an experienced driver (first proper driving lesson July 18, passed test March 19), but she's driving like she's 'bunged up'. She has since I went to Morrisons petrol station. I think I'll book her in for a service and take the hit. At the worst, she's just going to get a little extra tlc.

x-posted. If its got full service history and less than 10000 miles since last service I'd take the documents into a garage and ask them to just check out the warning light initially.

ExpletiveDelighted I've got all the paperwork somewhere, and the MOT is due around March, so having her serviced now before the winter sets in and then perhaps a health check (which I've found out about due to this thread, so I'm glad I posted) in the run up to the MOT may work.

I can ask about oil when I am there as well. I would like to keep an eye on the oil and stuff, but was bewildered by the different oil types.

ExpletiveDelighted That may be an idea. I had all sorts of fun trying to work out how to turn the 'tyre pressure alert' light off when I had to change a tyre after a puncture. But she is driving 'bunged up'. I don't think it is just my driving.

She is also my first car after passing my test. I'm bound to have been a little hard on her, so perhaps a full check up is worth it?

OP, please check whether the cambelt has been changed before you bought it. There may be a sticker on the engine block and/or in the service log.

Google suggests C3s are generally recommended for about 80,000 miles. But it also depends on age and how the car has been used. If it hasn't been changed since new, it may be worth getting it checked for wear and making a call on replacement date after that.

Basically, if that goes, it fucks your engine, so please don't ignore it.

If you drive mainly short journeys all the various filters can get blocked up and a spirited longer drive should clear them out. But if you are at all worried take it to a reputable garage and get it checked out. If its nothing anyone decent won't charge.

BuzzShitbagBobbly Thanks, I'll check the engine and paperwork.

She's four years old, and I bought her with 50k miles on the clock, so the poor car has had a new driver put four thousand on in only a few months. There are bound to be issues, especially as I learned in a diesel and bought a petrol.

I'd rather get her checked regularly than not.

Single I love the use of the term "spirited"

My dad (and now me) called it the "Italian tune up"!

Singletomingle I mainly do the school run. That's eight miles each way, twice a day, and it's lots of stops and starts, and some tight corners and steepish starts at traffic lights. I have to get out of some junctions quick, and others I have to creep through. I can imagine it would be hard on a car.

I still haven't got the courage to go on a motorway yet, and I've got a lot of other stuff going on at the moment, so I don't know when I'll have a chance.

The Kwik Fit website has all sorts of useful tips for car ownership and maintenance, if you scroll right down this page. I think I saw an advert in our local branch for a car maintenance course for women a while ago too.

www.kwik-fit.com/sitemap

That sort of journey will be tough on your clutch OP. Be careful you don't ride it as that will wear it out faster (random link: www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/99627/what-is-riding-the-clutch)

(although its good you went diesel>petrol and not vv for those stop start trips!)

Motorways will be so easy compared to the school run. Easy peasy! You'll wonder what the fuss was about

BuzzShitbagBobbly As I'm getting more confident, I can see me going for 'spirited'.

One thing about my run - I've not had a chance to get scared of hills, steep hills, sharp bends, double parked narrow streets and blind corners. I just need to get on board with 'spirited'.