Servicing Experience

The recommendation below come from the Dti. They will help you understand the level of service you should expect from your local garage.

Does your car need a service?

Many modern cars only need a service once a year, but older cars require one every six months.
The manufacturer’s service handbook will set what is best for your car. The type of service you need will also be affected by how you use your car. For example, lots of short journeys where the engine does not have a chance to warm up properly will probably mean more frequent oil and filter changes.
A garage should be happy to discuss the particular needs of your car.

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR GARAGE?

A good garage should deal with you fairly. They will:

• have staff who know their customer service standards;
• only do what they are qualified to do;
• comply with a “code of practice” if they belong to a trade association;
• give clear details of repair options and costs if you phone them;
• agree any work with you and confirm it in writing;
• give fixed-price, written quotes (including VAT), or written estimates if quotes aren’t possible;
• explain why any diagnostic work is needed to identify a problem and get your agreement to any follow-on work and costs;
• tell you in advance if they don’t take certain types of payment (such as cheques, credit or debit cards) or if they charge for these;
• get your permission to go ahead if the cost is likely to exceed the estimate;
  
• explain why any replacement parts are needed;
• let you inspect any replaced parts or return them to you;
• use only new replacements unless you agree otherwise;
• provide full details of work done on invoices and receipts,

including:

• descriptions of any replacements used, if not new
• labour charges
• the total cost including VAT;
• comply with consumer protection legislation;
• tell you who will deal with any complaints.
  

Running Faults and Repairs

Ask to speak to a mechanic or technician, such as a person qualified in car electrics, about the problem. They are most likely to be able to diagnose any faults.
Explain the problem in as much detail as you can. If you can, include when the problem occurs, for example, only when the engine is cold, or after the vehicle has been standing for a while.
If it will help, ask if a mechanic can join you on a road test so you can show them what the problem is and when it happens.
Make sure the faults are written down so that everyone can be sure of the work agreed to.

Confirm that:

The cost includes VAT, all parts normally replaced in the service and any other parts agreed to. Confirm the details of any guarantee that comes with the work.
If the garage thinks extra work or parts are needed, you must be contacted to agree to a price before it is done. Or instead, you might agree an upper level of extra costs before the garage need contact you. In this case confirm that the extra work or parts will be included on the invoice.
The service details are to be recorded in you car’s service book.

COLLECTING YOUR CAR

Ask to view the old replaced parts and check that:
The bill is for the amount agreed, or is not significantly more than any estimate you were given.
Check that the work and parts are fully itemised (this will be proof of purchase if a problem occurs as a result of the work or a replaced part fails).
The details on any new MOT certificate are correct and that it has been correctly stamped.
The service record book has been stamped with the garage’s stamp and that the relevant details of the service are correct.
Rather than replacing parts which are not fully worn out, a good garage will advise you when they will probably need replacing, based on the way you use your car.

The service checklist
All reputable garages use a service checklist.
When Conducting a service, the technician will work through a series of checks to ensure the service is done correctly.
Wynns Service Centres use the Wynns approved service checklist or one supplied by Autodata.

Click Here to download / view the Wynns service checklist

Information is taken from the Department for Trade and Industry website: www.dti.gov.uk/index.html