Servicing car myself - pros & cons

[shotta287]

Seems to be a split opinion. I'm an engineer in the aerospace sector. So naturally I would like to do it myself. But for some reason working on my own car scares me mainly because it is my only car and my daily so if I muck up somewhere then that's it.

[Steve H]

sheepman said:

i'm sorry but someone who works at a trusted, reputable garage, working on cars all year round is going to be better than someone who has a go at the weekends/does odd jobs.

This is probably true. Then consider that the OP isn't even a weekend DIYer, he classes himself as a total novice.............

I wouldn't knock anyone for maintaining there own car and everyone has to start somewhere but if a total novice with minimal tools or equipment is hoping to do better job or save money without exposing himself to some substantial risks he's kidding himself.

[powerstroke]

sheepman said:

powerstroke said:

Yes just bought a 3 year old ford with full ford history , bare minimum is the other way of saying FMDSH ..
brakes in a mess , wheels all stuck on , and no grease on anything , how the bonnet cable didn't snap god knows , etc ..

helix402 said:

A “professional” will do a better job. What’s a professional? Will someone on bonus do a better job? As with all aspects of life there are those that do an excellent job and those that don’t.

I do all my own repairs as I know they are done to my standards. It helps that I did a BMW apprenticeship and then gained Technician qualifications. Now I just work on cars for fun in a professional manner!

Of course, everyone on PH falls into the professional category I was referring to

i'm sorry but someone who works at a trusted, reputable garage, working on cars all year round is going to be better than someone who has a go at the weekends/does odd jobs.

of course there are garages with poor work quality, they don't fall into the professional category I was referring to.

Good advice so you're saying so don't go to the main dealer then ...

[Lordbenny]

I service all my cars myself (05 Passat / 05 Mini/ Westfield)...even got a Specialist Car Company stamp made up for the service book

[Willy Nilly]

shotta287 said:

Seems to be a split opinion. I'm an engineer in the aerospace sector. So naturally I would like to do it myself. But for some reason working on my own car scares me mainly because it is my only car and my daily so if I muck up somewhere then that's it.

That should give you a huge head start then. Could you even service it at work? Get yourself a service manual and you should be ok

[sheepman]

powerstroke said:

Good advice so you're saying so don't go to the main dealer then ...

Not entirely, The local ford dealer (now closed down due to compulsory purchase by the council) did a brilliant job, fitted parts I had provided on a few occasions and even opened up earlier knowing I'd be there early for a service after a nightshift.

the nearest dealer now charged more, left the interior full of oily fingerprints and mats stinking of petrol at the last service.

[xjay1337]

MrAverage said:

If you find a garage you can trust then its always worth getting quotes for certain jobs.

I do 'most' jobs on the car, mainly smaller things that don't require specialist tools. mainly due to price but also because there are many rip off merchants when it comes to garages and cars in general.

As an example i recently bought a CRV for er' and called my local garage for a quote for full service and change steering / diff fluid, after hearing the price i didn't know whether to laugh or cry. subsequently ordered £96 of service items/oil filter tool/diff fluid and spent a day swearing underneath the bonnet and under the car. i now know the car has been serviced properly, what oil has been used, that it is remarkably clean underneath.

Having said the above, i did pay to have the steering fluid flushed/changed as it was £40 and i have never done the job before. same for other jobs like brake fluid change local garage does it for £30 i wont piss about with my brakes over 30 quid just not worth it in my eyes.

Choose your jobs carefully, do a bit of research on new jobs and weigh up the 'savings' vs your time, available tools etc.

Good for you.

Btw sealey pressure bleeder is 45 quid piece of piss to use.