Service Issues: How do you service your Car?

[Oilydad]

Just out of interest, how do you look after your car/cars?

I service mine myself with an annual visit to the MOT centre, but I also have a guy who I trust with jobs that I either don't have time to deal with, or possibly need work doing where using a hoist is more cost effective.

You may choose more than one option.

[OldBlueVolvo]

I have voted for both servicing by local garage and owner because I'm still learning and there are many things I can't do yet. Also, my car's servicing is now becoming more like minor restoration. It would have cost a fortune to pay a mechanic to do all the work shown in my 745 project thread.

[badm88n]

I always use a local garage that is a volvo indy/specialist. I voted "local garage". It would have been nice to vote "local garage - volvo indy/specialist" which is quite different from a local garage servicing all makes.

[acshortt5]

I voted "service it myself" seeing as how I do and have also personally (in no particular order) replaced:

Shocks & springs inc all mounts
Front wishbones
top engine mount (using poly bush)
radiator, thermostat, ECT sensor
strut brace
stereo system for a better volvo one inc adding dolby
dash dials
PCV system
Induction pipework
boost gauge
maf sensor
Steering gear inc inner track rods and track rod ends.
Tail pipe.
Brakes sorted with the help of Tim Williams.
and probably numerous other things that I've forgotten.

I call it the bottomless pit but it is rather nice to drive.

[Hinckley]

I voted for dealer serviced - as they do 'service' my car. That is where it ends though - ordinary mechanical repairs are done by myself where possible, anything electronic and I'm stuffed but I do have a tame ex-dealer mechanic with the correct software to assist with anything spaghetti related.

[Chris_C]

I have a "Chris' service schedule" which is pretty much the Green Book schedule but with some things reduced in mileage because of the type of use my car gets.

It's less than helpful taking the car to a garage anymore, there are parts from at least 10 different car models fitted atm lol

[pdrvolvo]

i will tackle anything if i think i can complete the job,but i know my limitations.compared to most jobs servicing is straight forward.do it yourself and save some money.learn as you go.


peter.

[Oilydad]

Really interesting this, and thanks for the input to my post. Obviously, by the number of voters, most of us do our own car repairs.

There are also times when we use a garage, and of course, there's always the MOT time.

So based on the above, do we do our own repairs because we enjoy doing them, or to save money? How competent do we feel about tackling work and diagnostic work on our Volvo's?

Between us all, we have a great knowledge of our cars, and that's great. I personally always come away from anywhere but my local garage thinking:

Have they actually done the job? Have they overcharged me? What sort of parts have they used? All these sort of issues are reasons that I invariably do my own repairs. Are the staff trustworthy? (Once had a number of my own tools go missing from my toolbox, which were only produced when I threatened to call the police).

Great information.

[Paul240480]

Originally Posted by Oilydad

Really interesting this, and thanks for the input to my post. Obviously, by the number of voters, most of us do our own car repairs.

There are also times when we use a garage, and of course, there's always the MOT time.

So based on the above, do we do our own repairs because we enjoy doing them, or to save money? How competent do we feel about tackling work and diagnostic work on our Volvo's? I for one do enjoy it, now that I have the time. Confidence is building with the more I do.

Between us all, we have a great knowledge of our cars, and that's great. I personally always come away from anywhere but my local garage thinking:

Have they actually done the job? Have they overcharged me? What sort of parts have they used? All these sort of issues are reasons that I invariably do my own repairs. Are the staff trustworthy? (Once had a number of my own tools go missing from my toolbox, which were only produced when I threatened to call the police). Whilst living in UK, I wanted to service/maintain, but never had the time (that's UK life for ya!) But I trusted my Indie 100%.

Great information.

Good thead!

[andy_d]

Mostly for me its "why should i pay someone lots to do what i can" ok there are certain jobs *bl***y airbag light* that as yet i Cant do due to needing ££ specialist items (that usually get used less often in direct link to the higher the cost).
oh and "stuff that" type jobs - exhaust/tyres , whilst i can do exhausts, without the lift ramp its a royal PITA ,,but i refuse to use kwik*** or "plume of tyres" type places (plume wrecked my 940 exhaust in front of me, and refused to fix the parts they broke by hanging off the exhaust and jumping up/down ,, )

Deffinatly one to distrust garage untill proven they Can do the job without being a "plume of tyres" type.

Currently contemplating using a local garage for a brake caliper replacement, whilst its a job i know i can do in a afternoon, the time/ache of the bleeding of the brakes Does tempt me to farm it out to them. (the Joys of a pre owned car ,, "serviced" by someone who knows only "large hammer/bigger hammer" and adjustable wrench to round nuts/bolts off and doesnt belive in refitting things like "seals" or using Gen parts....)

Westons of solihull < about the Only ones i Do trust, there not a volvo specialist but a performance car specialist. ok my s40 isnt a performance car, but there mechanic's know there spanners, and they are ,to date, a very reliable place .