Hi all, new user here, hoping you can offer some advice on servicing!
I have a 64 plate i-Dtec 1.6, which was purchased from a Honda dealer in Feb 2016. It was up to date on its servicing, having had its 12 and 24 months full services each September.
Since owning it, I had what my local garage calls an 'intermediate service' done in Sept 2016 and 2017. I'm not sure exactly what that covered, probably not much more than the basic oil and filter change. In 2018 the car needed its first MOT, along with tyres and brakes, so I did that but for whatever reason didn't get a service done.
So here we are in 2019, approaching the next MOT, at 32,000 miles and 5 years old. Clearly I need to get a better service done this year. I'm wondering what would you recommend I do? When you read the list of items on the official service guide, it seems way too long, and I wonder how many of those things are essential? Also, how many of the things on the list could I do myself, and is there much to be gained in saving money that way? I'm vaguely technical - used to do a lot of work on cars in the old days - but these days I do very little and don't have the modern tools.
It's not just about saving money - there's a certain level of interest in trying things myself . However I won't be lying out in the road doing mucky oil changes! Things like changing filters or electrical leads may well be possible though, depending on the tools required.
Any thoughts appreciated. Is there much to be gained in attempting things myself? Or should I just shut my eyes and hand over my credit card. What items would you say are pretty much essential at this point in time?
Many thanks.
I have a 64 plate i-Dtec 1.6, which was purchased from a Honda dealer in Feb 2016. It was up to date on its servicing, having had its 12 and 24 months full services each September.
Since owning it, I had what my local garage calls an 'intermediate service' done in Sept 2016 and 2017. I'm not sure exactly what that covered, probably not much more than the basic oil and filter change. In 2018 the car needed its first MOT, along with tyres and brakes, so I did that but for whatever reason didn't get a service done.
So here we are in 2019, approaching the next MOT, at 32,000 miles and 5 years old. Clearly I need to get a better service done this year. I'm wondering what would you recommend I do? When you read the list of items on the official service guide, it seems way too long, and I wonder how many of those things are essential? Also, how many of the things on the list could I do myself, and is there much to be gained in saving money that way? I'm vaguely technical - used to do a lot of work on cars in the old days - but these days I do very little and don't have the modern tools.
It's not just about saving money - there's a certain level of interest in trying things myself . However I won't be lying out in the road doing mucky oil changes! Things like changing filters or electrical leads may well be possible though, depending on the tools required.
Any thoughts appreciated. Is there much to be gained in attempting things myself? Or should I just shut my eyes and hand over my credit card. What items would you say are pretty much essential at this point in time?
Many thanks.
