Annual servicing - is it really necessary?
Discussion
I have a 2007 plate V8V which I purchased in 2011, the car has 25k miles on the clock. I have serviced the vehicle in 2012 (£550), and recently this month in 2013 to the tune of £1.5k at Grange Aston. Given I barely do 3k miles a year, I'm keen to gather the experts opinions on whether it is worth servicing it ever year.
Will it devalue the car if I service it alternate years?
On a linked note, I bought the car in 2011 for £43k, the car it seems according to autotrader (looking at similar aged models with similar mileage) is still worth £41k, that's only a £2k devalue over 2 years! Bonza!
Will it devalue the car if I service it alternate years?
On a linked note, I bought the car in 2011 for £43k, the car it seems according to autotrader (looking at similar aged models with similar mileage) is still worth £41k, that's only a £2k devalue over 2 years! Bonza!
It may not devalue it by much..... But it would certainly restrict your buyers...
I for one wouldn't buy a car without a FULL service history....doesn't matter if its specialist or main dealer.... But I want to know the car has been looked at annually, no matter how few miles its done
I for one wouldn't buy a car without a FULL service history....doesn't matter if its specialist or main dealer.... But I want to know the car has been looked at annually, no matter how few miles its done
A other posters, it's a time or mileage thing, not time and mileage.
Sadly AM want annual services and I don't care how many miles it does, mine is serviced annually. I wouldn't touch one without that full service history.
I'd love to think future cars have services based on useage, or every two years at least, I'm not sure why in this day and age they require annual servicing.
Sadly AM want annual services and I don't care how many miles it does, mine is serviced annually. I wouldn't touch one without that full service history.
I'd love to think future cars have services based on useage, or every two years at least, I'm not sure why in this day and age they require annual servicing.
steveatesh said:
A other posters, it's a time or mileage thing, not time and mileage.
Sadly AM want annual services and I don't care how many miles it does, mine is serviced annually. I wouldn't touch one without that full service history.
I'd love to think future cars have services based on useage, or every two years at least, I'm not sure why in this day and age they require annual servicing.
+1 My wifes DS3 only needs servicing every 2 years or 20000 miles although I think since July last year for new cars it's gone back to an annual service or 20k miles.Sadly AM want annual services and I don't care how many miles it does, mine is serviced annually. I wouldn't touch one without that full service history.
I'd love to think future cars have services based on useage, or every two years at least, I'm not sure why in this day and age they require annual servicing.
many other cars have extended service intervals, but its best to stick to manufacturers recommended if you don't want to have issues selling later
the other way to look at it, is to use the car more
In the first 2 years I was servicing mine every 6 months as I used it daily, now in recent years its only doing 2-3K between services as its a 3rd car but still gets serviced
make sure to use an independent for more VFM, if it really does only need an oil change and check over, then £500 bill is better than £1K from a dealer....
the other way to look at it, is to use the car more
In the first 2 years I was servicing mine every 6 months as I used it daily, now in recent years its only doing 2-3K between services as its a 3rd car but still gets serviced
make sure to use an independent for more VFM, if it really does only need an oil change and check over, then £500 bill is better than £1K from a dealer....
Grant3 said:
^^^^ what Mr G said, it's not just about the service, it is also about a proper annual check for potential faults
Why are other prestige cars such BMW, Porsche and Mercedes are mileage dependant (or 24 months) but AM is strictly 12 months? Is this because AM uses older technology when manufacturing their cars or do they need to maintain sales/service revenues at their dealers? Even with low annual mileages and an Aston Martin keeper (so no concerns about FSH for resale), I still go along with the annual servicing.
I suppose, unless one is an engineer (where is George), who has experience of what items can cause future problems, we are not to know what is best. There are also differing opinions about the modern fully synthetic oils. Some say it lasts a very long time, whereas others seem convinced that it deteriorates even in an unused car. If that is true, I would have thought it would also deteriorate in the 'tin' before being sold. Who knows?
I have a Mercedes-Benz with service intervals that are indicated on the dashboard. It is also a low mileage car, and servicing intervals have only been every two years. With more recent Mercedes cars though, I think the manufacturer recommendation has changed to servicing every year.
Cynics might say they were getting less money on the dashboard basis, hence the change. That car doesn't seem to have had any problems with it's two year services, so perhaps low mileage Astons would be OK too.
We now need an impartial engineer, with an oil degree, to explain.
Edited by Jon39 on Wednesday 18th September 11:37
Agreed - expert mechanical opinion required. I still get mine serviced annually but really don't think it's necessary for a car that does 3 or 4k pa. My BMW gets a service every 20k miles (or 20 months).
I come from an accounting background and if shoved in a boardroom deploying a strategy to maximise shareholder value/return, I would support a 12 month servicing policy regardless if this was necessary or not.
I come from an accounting background and if shoved in a boardroom deploying a strategy to maximise shareholder value/return, I would support a 12 month servicing policy regardless if this was necessary or not.
It's all about the bottom line of the dealerships and manufacturers. You only have to look at this to see the kind of antics that some of the dealerships get up to!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...
slippery said:
It's all about the bottom line of the dealerships and manufacturers. You only have to look at this to see the kind of antics that some of the dealerships get up to!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...
There are some interesting tales on there.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...
I enjoyed the one about the man who blocked in his father's car in a pub car park. It was supposed to be at a dealer, having an indicator fault fixed. The dealer employee was then left at the pub without transport. Great stuff
I have added a couple of my own experiences, to the long list.
Edited by Jon39 on Wednesday 18th September 13:53
Synthetic motor oils are very stable over time; there should be no degradation in characteristics for many years from sitting around in the supplied unopened airtight container. However, sitting in a sump where the car itself is not in a humidity controlled environment, water contamination can occur. The engine will breathe as the air inside it expands and contracts with changes in ambient air temperature. The breathing in allows moisture to accumulate over time - how much depends on several variables but the resultant emulsification of the oil is not your friend.
I'd stick to the program.
I'd stick to the program.
It's interesting that they use the earths position Round the sun to determine when the car needs servicing though rather than useage.
It is merely convenient I imagine, and deigned to maximise returns rather than be based on any empirical evidence about likely wear and tear or degradation.
If oil does go off, or take in water, do all oils do so at the same rate regardless of condition, because that is the assumption being made in a yearly service. And isn't it coincidental that the oil degrades in a time frame entirely consistent with mans observations of the sun and earth?
No hum we just bend over and pay the bills!
It is merely convenient I imagine, and deigned to maximise returns rather than be based on any empirical evidence about likely wear and tear or degradation.
If oil does go off, or take in water, do all oils do so at the same rate regardless of condition, because that is the assumption being made in a yearly service. And isn't it coincidental that the oil degrades in a time frame entirely consistent with mans observations of the sun and earth?
No hum we just bend over and pay the bills!
steveatesh said:
It's interesting that they use the earths position Round the sun to determine when the car needs servicing though rather than useage.
It is merely convenient I imagine, and deigned to maximise returns rather than be based on any empirical evidence about likely wear and tear or degradation.
If oil does go off, or take in water, do all oils do so at the same rate regardless of condition, because that is the assumption being made in a yearly service. And isn't it coincidental that the oil degrades in a time frame entirely consistent with mans observations of the sun and earth?
No hum we just bend over and pay the bills!
Your dead right It is merely convenient I imagine, and deigned to maximise returns rather than be based on any empirical evidence about likely wear and tear or degradation.
If oil does go off, or take in water, do all oils do so at the same rate regardless of condition, because that is the assumption being made in a yearly service. And isn't it coincidental that the oil degrades in a time frame entirely consistent with mans observations of the sun and earth?
No hum we just bend over and pay the bills!
Having spent years working and advising in the area of maintenance (including the auto industry) I feel some frustration with AM in this area.
I remember many years ago going for a test drive with a BMW salesman and after asking about the service schedules he informed me that the service requirements were determined based upon condition.....we can but dream
Being a bit cynical, and bearing in mind the commercial pressures, most Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are motivated to recommend over maintenance, usually based upon fixed time - either calendar or running hours (sound familiar), which not only can deliver increased revenue in the form of service revenues and parts sales (huge margin generally), but are also likely to reduce the likelihood of warranty claims.....etc. etc. Of course there are many drawbacks to this, but only if you are the owner / operator and not the OEM or the service agent....stands to reason really...
So I guess the argument goes, why would you change the maintenance / service schedule if you own a bespoke marque and people will buy the car irrespective? If you are not in a hugely competitive segment, such as executive saloon (I know, AM are in a competitive segment(s), but not quite as harsh?), then I guess you can get lazy and let the status quo continue to the benefit of the OEM and the associated service channels...
I'm not suggesting that an annual check, oil change, etc. is not valuable or necessary, but an annual check that costs circa £1k seems a bit OTT and some judicious application of some sensors and appropriate technology (and basic principles) could go a long way...no?
I remember many years ago going for a test drive with a BMW salesman and after asking about the service schedules he informed me that the service requirements were determined based upon condition.....we can but dream
Being a bit cynical, and bearing in mind the commercial pressures, most Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are motivated to recommend over maintenance, usually based upon fixed time - either calendar or running hours (sound familiar), which not only can deliver increased revenue in the form of service revenues and parts sales (huge margin generally), but are also likely to reduce the likelihood of warranty claims.....etc. etc. Of course there are many drawbacks to this, but only if you are the owner / operator and not the OEM or the service agent....stands to reason really...
So I guess the argument goes, why would you change the maintenance / service schedule if you own a bespoke marque and people will buy the car irrespective? If you are not in a hugely competitive segment, such as executive saloon (I know, AM are in a competitive segment(s), but not quite as harsh?), then I guess you can get lazy and let the status quo continue to the benefit of the OEM and the associated service channels...
I'm not suggesting that an annual check, oil change, etc. is not valuable or necessary, but an annual check that costs circa £1k seems a bit OTT and some judicious application of some sensors and appropriate technology (and basic principles) could go a long way...no?
(ignoring the technical necessities)
Its new car buyers that Aston need to attract, and most people spending £100-200K cash on a car are not worried about £1k bills every year...its usually the 3rd or 4th owner when the car is 5 years old thats on a different budget to the new Aston buyer
So its just business needs I guess. Until the competition start to offer fixed price servicing every 20k miles and Aston compete with them for volume fleet sales, they will just continue as they are..its the big fleet sales (and total cost for 3 years) that really drives the car market to move to 20K mile and 2 year intervals, not invididual consumer purchases
Its new car buyers that Aston need to attract, and most people spending £100-200K cash on a car are not worried about £1k bills every year...its usually the 3rd or 4th owner when the car is 5 years old thats on a different budget to the new Aston buyer
So its just business needs I guess. Until the competition start to offer fixed price servicing every 20k miles and Aston compete with them for volume fleet sales, they will just continue as they are..its the big fleet sales (and total cost for 3 years) that really drives the car market to move to 20K mile and 2 year intervals, not invididual consumer purchases
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