Servicing, DIY or Garage?

[*rob*]

Normally would do it myself, but want the book stamped so take it to a place I know

[bobssignum]

I used to have my car serviced at my local vx dealer , but after a few run ins with them i stopped using them as did everybody else it seems as they went bust.
They claimed once on the billing that they had changed the air filter , when i asked for my K&N filter which was fitted at the time back they soon changed the story Also claimed they could not reset the service reminder so i had to show them how to do it .
Do the service yourself at least then you know it has been done .

[Graham]

Had mine dealer serviced until it was 3 yrs old, for warranty purposes.

Then been diy ever since. Car is 53 plate and has oil & filter changed every 5k, and air and fuel & pollen every 10k.

Keep a A4 piece of paper from purchase date, with sub headings Date, Mileage, Action.

Then when ever any work or service item changed, or tyres, exhausts its all documented and all receipts kept.

Think this is a valuable tool when coming to sell it on.

As the purchaser can see that it has been maintained thorougly.

[CK1]

Main dealer.

Have not got the knowledge/patience to do it myself.

[Das]

I do it all myself keeping all the receipts in my eyes looks far better someone saying I do all work myself but here's big pile of receipts.

Or someone saying heres my car full service history.
All it is is a book with stamps you can buy fakes of eBay.

I personally don't like the servicing schedule from
A dealership. Too long between oil changes

Completely agree with everything Critch said. Ok a book full of stamps is nice, but look at some on the horror stories on here with regards to main dealers not doing the work, skipping things that need doing, and not doing things because its not reached the mileage in the service book. If you feel confident enough do it yourself, defiantly go to VX for the parts you need and get yourself a folder and save up the receipts with the mileages and dates written on them that you did things. I even keep my receipts when I go and buy screen wash from VX.

[frasedeb]

I service it myself, I write everything down in the service book but its just not stamped, keep good records and receipts and I cant see a problem.

same here

[tangoman]

Do It Myself as been a mechanic since I left school.
The only thing I've had a garage do for me is MOT's and had them do Cambelt and rollers.

[John LE]

Only time my car goes into a garage is when I don't have the equipment to do the job (tyre changes, tracking and MOTs)

[gibbon7000]

I did all the servicing on my old siggy myself. At least i knew it was done and done properly. don't think it effected the sale value that much, maybe £200 quid but I more than saved that by doing it myself. If you ever need a hand bud just give me a shout

[Hideous]

it's not worth paying main dealer to service an 8yr old vectra - resale value is always going to be dirt cheap so might as well save money on the servicing if you can. different story for a valuable car, but for a vectra - imo not worth going to main dealer when it is out of warranty.
careful though - some independent garages are more expensive than the main dealers these days so get some quotes first if going down that route.

if you can service properly yourself - that is clearly the best & most cost effective option.