Servicing - garage or DIY?

[scrote]

As I am intending servicing my Cupra over Christmas I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on what's best - a garage/dealer doing it or doing it myself? It will only be a basic service (plugs, oil, filters etc.)

As I see it there a few pros and cons of each. Doing it myself is obviously cheaper and I can choose exactly what parts I use. If a garage does it they can probably pick up potential issues that I won't and I get my Service Book stamped (though I'm not sure what value this adds to a 7 year-old car).

Any thoughts/advice would be most appreciated.

 

[Damoegan]

I alway do my own servicing but if I didn't I would take it to a decent VAG specialist or a good VAT registered garage. Never take it to a stealers mate unless you like parting with lots of money.

 

[Jayt]

dealers wanted £170 to service my diesel cupra, i serviced it myself for £45, IMO money is better off in my pocket rather than theirs, especially at the minute.

 

[vwbassett]

DIY all the way if your mechanically minded and have a nice selection of tools. My old mans had his in at the local seat dealer and wondered sometimes if anythings actually been done. You can also make sure you use the correct stuff ie oil. Only thing is you miss out on the dealer stamp which to buyers means a lot generally so hold on to every receipt

 

[Damoegan]

dealers wanted £170 to service my diesel cupra, i serviced it myself for £45, IMO money is better off in my pocket rather than theirs, especially at the minute.

Thats what I mean.
If your bothered about the stamp in the book take it to a good VAT registered garage as they can still stamp your book.
If your not bothered and are half handy with the tools then do it yourself.
I just keep every receipt for everything I buy for the car and put it into a file. The people who would be likely to but my car when I do come to sell it prob wouldn't be bothered about the service book being stamped when I have a book full of receipt's, IMO.

 

[scrote]

That's a good point about saving receipts for any parts bought as it would show someone who cares about his motor just as much as getting a garage/dealer stamp. I'll bear that in mind if i do decide to go the DIY route.

 

[Damoegan]

That's a good point about saving receipts for any parts bought as it would show someone who cares about his motor just as much as getting a garage/dealer stamp. I'll bear that in mind if i do decide to go the DIY route.

Thats the way I see it anyway mate.

 

[vwbassett]

I service mine(LCR) every 6 m or 6000 miles which ever is first so it does cost a lot but bringing up the stamp vs receipt point it can look better just for people who know little about cars a stamp by dealers/independent is safer and more reassuring.

 

[JamesL]

service mine myself, but fill out the service book as usual and try and keep all my reciepts. I intend to keep it for a few years anyway, I like doing those bits on my car and I dont like paying other people to do work I can do - there are jobs I have and will take it to the garage for though, and use a good independant.

 

[olliep]

see how much your local skoda garage will charge

 

[godber225r]

Do it yourself! you know whats been done you know you done a better job and you know its going to be alot cheaper. I really enjoy servicing my LCR. I would never let a garage service my car ever again. just keep the receipts. If you keep the car for ever it dont matter about the sevice stamps and if your that bothered about it you can always make your own!!!!

 

[olliep]

do you need any 'special' tools for servicing a leon. i.e. plug removal or oil drainage. where 'should' you go to dispose of oil?

 

[robreidmotors]

Tools;

1. sump plug, correct spanner
2. oil filter removal, either chain wrench about £5? or old fashioned knock screw driver through and turn! (have oil collection bowl etc underneath)
3. suitable bowl or oil collector.

id recommend a replacement washer for the plug, just in case.

i use an old washing up bowl to collect the old oil, this fits under the car without jacking, something to check first! if you do choose to jack the car put axle stands somewhere to support it.

I personally use oil flush, run for 15mins, i think its superb, but many disagree so its personal choice.
As for oils, i would stay away from castrol, they won a court case to be able to sell refined mineral oils as semi synthetic. I use Fuchs Oil which is sold i think at gsf parts and opieoils, which is superb oil, Halfords stuff seems good, mobil also, others on here may have equally good choices.

Usually council tips have an oil disposal container, if not a friendly garage may do it.

I always do my own oil, I know exactly what I have put in, and know I have used the best parts. Best advice is check everything beforehand. I check i have the right sump spanner, that the oil filter is correct by checking it up against the old one. And most importantly i take my time, and i always ensure my keys are never in the igntion so im not tempted to start the car without oil!

Oh and try and make sure the car is level, or if slightly tilted its tilted towards where the sump plug is so that you can drain as much of the oil as possible.

 

[robreidmotors]

oh yes, when you untighten the sump plug get a feel for how tight it is for when you re-tighten it.

 

[Faisal]

iv just done my basic service myself,spark plugs,oil change etc.but im reaching my 80k service so il get a proper garage to do that.the only problem is the stamp...

 

[vwbassett]

Even better thing for the VAG range of oil filters is the oil filter socket(something like 12 or 14 flutes) attaches to 3/4 ratchet/extension that halfords sell in there laser range and its only a couple of quid. Off in seconds and especially good fir LCR's as they are tight from below it just makes it that much easier.

 

[godber225r]

I got one of them laser oil filter sockets its excellent!! so easy!! good thing also is to change the sump washer every time and occasionally change the sump plug for a new one. Service stamps are no problem people shouldn't worry about them too much just keep the receipts!! and if you keep the car for ever it shouldn't matter as the car will be worth nothing and too old to care about service history.

Most grease monkeys in garages do a crap job for lots of money but you get a service stamp and the cars worth more??!!

or

Do it yourself do a much better job the car lasts longer but worth less just because it has no stamps, its madness!!??

Up to you??

 

[vwbassett]

Just wondering for all you chaps who do, do it yourself what do you say in an ad when you come to sell it? would you still say FSH or just receipts for everything?

 

[godber225r]

When i sold my old renault that i had for 6 years, and i did all servicing and repairs on it and still got a good price in the end, and i just said on the add that i had lots of receipts. When the bloke come to look at the car he couldn't fault it because i had looked after it so well. and serviced it properly MYSELF!!!

and i will be doing the same to the LCR

Anyway, just say on the add that you have lots of receipts

 

[s20ty c]

I got one of them laser oil filter sockets its excellent!! so easy!! good thing also is to change the sump washer every time and occasionally change the sump plug for a new one. Service stamps are no problem people shouldn't worry about them too much just keep the receipts!! and if you keep the car for ever it shouldn't matter as the car will be worth nothing and too old to care about service history.

Most grease monkeys in garages do a crap job for lots of money but you get a service stamp and the cars worth more??!!

or

Do it yourself do a much better job the car lasts longer but worth less just because it has no stamps, its madness!!??

Up to you??

i think your wromg mate, i have to say there are a few bad garages about, but every car that comes though our doors gets a proper good service!
p.s less of the grease monkeys lol