Is there any point in buying a service package when a car reaches a certain age?

norm

norm

norm

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I'm driving a Ford Fiesta Zetec S 1.6 TDCI 08 reg. It has all its service history stamps. I'm looking at getting it serviced in the coming months, but beyond changing oil/oil filter/pollen filter, what do you actually get for your money other than a load of visual checks.

A local Ford dealer wants £195, and that doesn't even include changing the brake fluid (which is supposed to be done every 2 years, so you would expect it to be part of a major service).

http://www.vospers.com/servicing/book_vospers_major_service/

I don't mind paying for a quality service, but my suspicion is these dealer garages sell these packages and work on doing as quick a job as they can to maximise profit.

Do I just take it to an indy, supply the oil/filter myself and advise them what I want done in accordance with the Ford service schedule?
 
Yeah brake fluid in a fiesta doesn't need replaced every 2 years, maybe every ~8. Take it to an indy.
 
That isn't a service package - it's just a service. A service package contains all required servicing over a set period of year.

The manufacturer dictates what needs doing to the car and at what interval. The dealers then follow this. Whether you still want to do that or not is a decision entirely for you. On a £4000 Fiesta, if you can get it done cheaper somewhere else it might be worth considering doing that. Just make sure it's like for like, random garages love to sell a 'Major Service' which is just a collection of random stuff they've thought up.
 
Kaeo said:
Yeah brake fluid in a fiesta doesn't need replaced every 2 years, maybe every ~8. Take it to an indy.
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This is what the Ford service schedule states. https://www.etis.ford.com/fordservice/serviceScheduleForm.do

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If I take it to an independent garage, what should I be expecting to pay, and do I need to outline what I want done, as like Fox says a definition of a major service changes.
 
Service package where you pay say 3 years services in advance?

Don't do it. When you book car in for service on one of these plans you'll find that they don't do it. They have no incentive as they won't be making any money from you as it's pre-paid from 1, 2 or 3 years ago.
 
Kaeo said:
Yeah it's a diesel fiesta, I wouldn't be worried either way.
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:confused:

I take it you're trying to insinuate because the car doesn't meet your snobbish expectations of a decent car it's not worthy of being looked after?

Strange.
 
LeeUK said:
Service package where you pay say 3 years services in advance?

Don't do it. When you book car in for service on one of these plans you'll find that they don't do it. They have no incentive as they won't be making any money from you as it's pre-paid from 1, 2 or 3 years ago.
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Yeah slight confusion I didn't mean service package in the traditional sense, i.e. over a fixed number of years, I meant something different e.g. whatever checks a particular garage will include in the service they are offering.
 
LeeUK said:
Service package where you pay say 3 years services in advance?

Don't do it. When you book car in for service on one of these plans you'll find that they don't do it. They have no incentive as they won't be making any money from you as it's pre-paid from 1, 2 or 3 years ago.
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Eh? How can they not do it? If it's a proper package like e.g. mini tlc, then it's a contractual agreement to provide the required services at a prepaid locked in price.
 
Armageus said:
Eh? How can they not do it? If it's a proper package like e.g. mini tlc, then it's a contractual agreement to provide the required services at a prepaid locked in price.
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My grandad took out a 3 year service plan when he bought a new Chevrolet 10 years ago. He would book it in for the service when due and mention any problems. He would go back later that day to pick car up to be told all done yet all problems he mentioned were still there. Happened each year.

Didn't go back to that dealer after the plan ran out.
 
LeeUK said:
My grandad took out a 3 year service plan when he bought a new Chevrolet 10 years ago. He would book it in for the service when due and mention any problems. He would go back later that day to pick car up to be told all done yet all problems he mentioned were still there. Happened each year.

Didn't go back to that dealer after the plan ran out.
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A service plan covers services - problems aren't going to be sorted free of charge.
 
Armageus said:
A service plan covers services - problems aren't going to be sorted free of charge.
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Not disputing that.

He would take car in for service with squeaky brakes and tell them so. He would go back and collect car and they would say everything is fine without even looking at the brakes.

He would rather have had the brakes looked at and paid extra if they needed replacing rather than just being told everything fine.

Car clearly hadn't been looked at.

I also doubt they changed the filters and oil either as he was doing low miles so probably looked clean enough to them.
 
The dealership should give a breakdown of everything included in the minor/major plans.

I'd be surprised if an indy garage will accept you providing them an oil and filter, as that's part of where they make their money.

If you go to that lengths, can you not do it yourself?
 
That service will also include full break down cover. I use of for my 58 Mondeo and 10 plate Fiesta. Brake fluid, coolant change etc are extras, and not included on full service at any garage.
 
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