Fucked up, what do I do next?

[CarConfession]

So I’ve realised today that I’ve never gotten my 2.5 year old car serviced. First year I had it, the service was due during covid and we were in the vulnerable category so not seeing anyone. I’d barely driven it so didn’t think it was an issue. Last year, it was due just before Christmas. We’d had a hard year and were cutting back on everything that wasn’t essential. But now I’ve realised it’s due to be changed in November next year (three year PLI/rental thing) and it’s never been serviced.

So, wise people of mumsnet, what do I do now? The choices I can think of are to either try and change it early with no service history, hoping they’ll be desperate to sell cars now before the reg changes next month
Or to get it serviced now and say I’ve only missed one year, and late one year. Then change it in November when I’m due.

To make it easy-
YANBU- change car now with no service
YABU- get it serviced and hope it’s ok

What does your lease agreement say about servicing?

I don’t get the angst. I bought my car new in 2008 and have had it serviced a grand total of 3 times in all these years.

She has never broken down on me, save a few flat tyres.

Does it not go on mileage?

@Arabellla

I don’t get the angst. I bought my car new in 2008 and have had it serviced a grand total of 3 times in all these years.

She has never broken down on me, save a few flat tyres.

Probably a lease agreement rather than bought the car

I’ve never checked the lease agreement. I usually go on miles because I drive so much for work.

The angst is almost completely caused by parental judgement (I’m nearly 40 😂) and that I travel a lot and I’m worried it dies on me through lack of oil or the gear stick snapping off or something 🤦🏼‍♀️

Unless there’s something specific here about it being a leased car which I don’t understand, it’s fine - just get it serviced now?

Ah, I didn’t realise it’s a lease. Never had one, aren’t they supposed to pay for the service fee?

When I leased a car I had to have it serviced every year as part of the agreement. Not sure what happens if you don’t.

We had this. It meant at the end we got about £800 less for it trade in price

Check the lease. Its highly unlikely its going to drop dead on you with no service. They'll probably bump a few grand off the amount available for your next one.

I’m worried it dies on me through lack of oil

Surely you check the oil level yourself?

Don’t they contact you when the service is due?

You might have an issue if anything goes wrong with it because it can invalidate the warranty
I would speak to the lease company and get it done ASAP

They'll probably bump a few grand off the amount available for your next one.

Another reason I’m happy with my 14yo Mazda.

Just take it in now for a service and explain you've been shielding. What's the worst that can happen? The main thing they'll be concerned about it that you've kept up the monthly payments for it.

A lot of the newer synthetic oils last a very long time but you need a service and oil change ASAP. You will be in better shape with a recent service than no service so do that. Personally I would just wait until November, all this constant changing to brand new cars is so bad for the environment.

Just get it serviced now. Then you can have it serviced before you take it back.
Like you say, that's one missed due to covid, one late (say you all had covid or something) and then one on time before returning.

I once did this by accident. The lease company charged me more for the missing service than it would have cost to actually service it myself. Get it up to date before you hand it back, and you should be fine.

Jist book it in for a service now.
I am on a forum called piston heads and this gets asked all the time.
All that would happen if they pick up on it when it goes back is invoice you for a missed service. Which, depending on who you lease with can often work out cheaper than the actual service itself!
Same with any scratches/dents. Almost always you get charged a small fee compared to £100s if you were to book it into a repair shop,
Check your paperwork to see what the fees are. But honestly for your own peace of mind, Jist get it booked in when next possible.
Can I also ask, do you have it on a pcp where there’s a balloon payment, in which case what I mention above is irrelevant or an actual leasehire agreement?

Just get it serviced. It’s not worth the angst

Get it serviced now, you’ll no doubt take a financial hit when you come to change it and will also have invalidated the warranty.

Check your agreement- they will charge you for the missing service history.

Service it and put a bit of cash away. They’ll probably charge you a couple hundred for the missed service. My lease charges £250 per missed year but nothing for a late.

Thanks everyone. I’ll book it in and keep it until I’m due to change :) I’m hoping the low mileage will make up for the lack of servicing 😳

Ive had a fair few leased cars in my time. Some have been fully serviced on return, and some with late or missing services. Never been back charged for this. Most leased cars go straight to auction after their term. As long as there's a recent service of some description when it goes back - it's generally fine.