Do you clean your car before it gets a service?
Discussion
I mostly don't bother, mainly because I use an independent. I don't leave it there absolutely filthy either though, somewhere in the middle usually.
Just to let you know though, as someone who works in an Accident Repair Centre with a lot of technicians from many different garage backgrounds (dealerships, specialists and of course body shops); 99% of people working on your car couldn't give a rooting rooting about it and will treat your precious immaculate example with the same care as a wreck. An occasion remark might be made that it is in very good condition for its age but that's it, it will be driving in exactly the same way etc. Most of them won't notice it is better than usual, or that it is an RS3, not an A3 etc or won't even know what that means even if they spotted the badge.
Just to let you know though, as someone who works in an Accident Repair Centre with a lot of technicians from many different garage backgrounds (dealerships, specialists and of course body shops); 99% of people working on your car couldn't give a rooting rooting about it and will treat your precious immaculate example with the same care as a wreck. An occasion remark might be made that it is in very good condition for its age but that's it, it will be driving in exactly the same way etc. Most of them won't notice it is better than usual, or that it is an RS3, not an A3 etc or won't even know what that means even if they spotted the badge.
trickywoo said:
I do for the mot.
I self service so that part isn’t relevant to me but if I did take it in I’d ask they didn’t wash it.
Funnily enough I was just wondering about this myself. Daughter's car's MOT next week, it's pretty dirty. For no readily apparent reason, I feel like I ought to clean it before it goes in! I self service so that part isn’t relevant to me but if I did take it in I’d ask they didn’t wash it.
Shermanator said:
I mostly don't bother, mainly because I use an independent. I don't leave it there absolutely filthy either though, somewhere in the middle usually.
Just to let you know though, as someone who works in an Accident Repair Centre with a lot of technicians from many different garage backgrounds (dealerships, specialists and of course body shops); 99% of people working on your car couldn't give a rooting rooting about it and will treat your precious immaculate example with the same care as a wreck. An occasion remark might be made that it is in very good condition for its age but that's it, it will be driving in exactly the same way etc. Most of them won't notice it is better than usual, or that it is an RS3, not an A3 etc or won't even know what that means even if they spotted the badge.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why you should use your local independent bodyshop for repairs. Don't let your insurance company tell you where to take a car you care about! [/crusade mode]Just to let you know though, as someone who works in an Accident Repair Centre with a lot of technicians from many different garage backgrounds (dealerships, specialists and of course body shops); 99% of people working on your car couldn't give a rooting rooting about it and will treat your precious immaculate example with the same care as a wreck. An occasion remark might be made that it is in very good condition for its age but that's it, it will be driving in exactly the same way etc. Most of them won't notice it is better than usual, or that it is an RS3, not an A3 etc or won't even know what that means even if they spotted the badge.
Lexus service includes a valet, which they always seem to do a good job with, so it would be bad value for money to clean it just before going. I do give it a quick once over inside so I don't look like a total slob though
I don't like cars going in for work that aren't clean, not necessarily detailed but just not a health hazard... I'd be mortified. That said, worked in the motor trade previously and the state some cars are presented in is borderline mental health concerns. I've refused work on cars due to them being utterly rancid and had no issues telling the customers that too. Techs / staff / drivers are there to deal with your car, not the resultant diseases they've caught having been in it. But it takes all types I suppose... I'm sure quite a few medical professionals would rather their patients had a shower before arrival too.
Yes, to a point. One poster has told us that mechanics and testers don’t care or notice, but I still imagine that a filthy car gives a bad impression, especially if the interior is unsavoury from ferrying children around. When I was working at a car sales outlet, we found that the hardest cars to clean, meaning not just wet vac but seats out, etc etc - a day’s work , were Yummie mummy’ type 4x4s. Yes, you can ‘see through’ the mess when assessing a car ,as can experienced buyers, but that shouldn’t justify presenting a mess for MOT or, more remarkably, a trade in. The main salesman had a lovely phrase to the effect that the car on display should appear ‘ adequate.’
dontlookdown said:
Funnily enough I was just wondering about this myself. Daughter's car's MOT next week, it's pretty dirty. For no readily apparent reason, I feel like I ought to clean it before it goes in!
As per the testers manual available to view on the gov.uk website reasons to refuse to test - "b. The vehicle or any part or equipment on the vehicle is so dirty that examination is unreasonably difficult."Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff