Servicing your own car vs garage

[MFM]

Who services their own cars here instead of taking it to a garage? I've always serviced my cars myself as I generally don't trust anyone else with them. Plus I know it's done right with quality parts and it's a whole lot cheaper.

Thing is, in the last year our household acquired two Audi's. A 2011 model A3 for the wife and 2010 S4 for me. Although I would still prefer to service my own car, I'd take it to a reputable garage just for the stamp as it's not a cheap car and might put some people off when I come to sell it on.

I've got the same problem with the wife's A3, but less so as it wasn't as dear as my car.

Are buyers really put off by people servicing their own cars if they can show all receipts for parts and oil etc?

 

[Nilz]

I guess if you have all the reciepts and paperwork to prove that everything has been brought and you keep a record of when everything was done it wouldnt be so bad.

Myself and many others I know do it all themselves and no probs there...I think if you sell it on and people are swayedby the FSH thing, it could make a difference.

 

[s3_trev]

It would absolutely make a difference. If you told me that you serviced the car yourself, I would then be asking you for your credentials, as well as all the receipts etc. Even then it would be a major stumbling block, as just to be blunt - you may know jack s**t about how to service a car, especially an S model, and it would be myself that would then be taking the hit when something went bang down the line, due to your lack of skill, using the incorrect tools etc etc.

In reality you may be the best mechanic in the world, and the car could be in super tip top shape, but how do I know that? Can I come back to you in 3 months time when something goes pop, the way I could do with a garage?

In all honesty, I think I would walk away 99.9% of the time.

 

[MFM]

It would absolutely make a difference. If you told me that you serviced the car yourself, I would then be asking you for your credentials, as well as all the receipts etc. Even then it would be a major stumbling block, as just to be blunt - you may know jack s**t about how to service a car, especially an S model, and it would be myself that would then be taking the hit when something went bang down the line, due to your lack of skill, using the incorrect tools etc etc.

In reality you may be the best mechanic in the world, and the car could be in super tip top shape, but how do I know that? Can I come back to you in 3 months time when something goes pop, the way I could do with a garage?

In all honesty, I think I would walk away 99.9% of the time.

Tbh, you would only really have that point of view if you knew absolutely nothing about cars.

How many people never have their cars serviced and then get a dodgy stamp to make it all look kosher. I bet you wouldn't walk away from such a sale?

 

[MFM]

It would absolutely make a difference. If you told me that you serviced the car yourself, I would then be asking you for your credentials, as well as all the receipts etc. Even then it would be a major stumbling block, as just to be blunt - you may know jack s**t about how to service a car, especially an S model, and it would be myself that would then be taking the hit when something went bang down the line, due to your lack of skill, using the incorrect tools etc etc.

In reality you may be the best mechanic in the world, and the car could be in super tip top shape, but how do I know that? Can I come back to you in 3 months time when something goes pop, the way I could do with a garage?

In all honesty, I think I would walk away 99.9% of the time.

Tbh, you would only really have that point of view if you knew absolutely nothing about cars.

How many people never have their cars serviced and then get a dodgy stamp to make it all look kosher. I bet you wouldn't walk away from such a sale?

 

[MFM]

It would absolutely make a difference. If you told me that you serviced the car yourself, I would then be asking you for your credentials, as well as all the receipts etc. Even then it would be a major stumbling block, as just to be blunt - you may know jack s**t about how to service a car, especially an S model, and it would be myself that would then be taking the hit when something went bang down the line, due to your lack of skill, using the incorrect tools etc etc.

In reality you may be the best mechanic in the world, and the car could be in super tip top shape, but how do I know that? Can I come back to you in 3 months time when something goes pop, the way I could do with a garage?

In all honesty, I think I would walk away 99.9% of the time.

Tbh, you would only really have that point of view if you knew absolutely nothing about cars.

How many people never have their cars serviced and then get a dodgy stamp to make it all look kosher. I bet you wouldn't walk away from such a sale?

 

[s3_trev]

Why put up a post like what you put up and then argue with the responses? Im telling you how I see it and how a lot of potential buyers would see it as well. Sorry if you dont like it! How do you come to the conclusion that someone would need to know nothing about cars? Im not a mechanic by trade but Im no Idiot either, and I would bring someone with me on top of that, as I am sure a lot of other people would as well.

And yes I would. I dont for one second think that just because a car has a stamp, that its suddenly a good buy. Im not that stupid! You would then look at the garage that stamped it, possibly make a few phone calls etc etc. Wheras, how can I check your mechanical competancy other than believe what you tell me? Do you understand what I am saying?

You asked "Are buyers really put off by people servicing their own cars if they can show all receipts for parts and oil etc?". My answer is yes. I am sure other people will reply soon so maybe one of their replies will please you better.

 

[MFM]

Why put up a post like what you put up and then argue with the responses? Im telling you how I see it and how a lot of potential buyers would see it as well. Sorry if you dont like it! How do you come to the conclusion that someone would need to know nothing about cars? Im not a mechanic by trade but Im no Idiot either, and I would bring someone with me on top of that, as I am sure a lot of other people would as well.

And yes I would. I dont for one second think that just because a car has a stamp, that its suddenly a good buy. Im not that stupid! You would then look at the garage that stamped it, possibly make a few phone calls etc etc. Wheras, how can I check your mechanical competancy other than believe what you tell me? Do you understand what I am saying?

You asked "Are buyers really put off by people servicing their own cars if they can show all receipts for parts and oil etc?". My answer is yes. I am sure other people will reply soon so maybe one of their replies will please you better.

Lol. Oh dear. Yeah I think it's best you do take someone with you whenever you're thinking of buying a car.

I've got lots of mates in the car industry who I could get to stamp my book and then tell them to tell you what you want to hear when you call them.

Fact is, it doesn't take a genius to take a look at a car and see whether it's been looked after and maintained. I'd much rather buy from someone who did the work themselves, kept all the receipts and show that they have made an effort. Even if they can't show me their 'credentials' as you put it.

 

[Gazwould]

Definitely servicing is not rocket science , on an older vehicle I'd rather see an enthusiast than a rush bonus job main stealer.

 

[jojo]

Depends on car value. I guess on a more expensive machine like an S4, I'd pay the dealer to do the oil change just for the stamp. But I'm competant enough to do an air filter swop, pollen filter swop, sparkplugs etc. myself. My 8L S3 is worth a couple of grand, I don't think prospective buyers are too concerned with fully documented service history on these cars, so long as they know what they are looking at.

 

[joinerman]

Service history means didly squat, it's not what you know it's who you know, I've never had a problem providing a full service history with any car I've had, just because it's been to a main stealer & got a stamp in the book doesn't mean it's been properly serviced.

 

[desertstorm]

Personally I would like to see a pile of receipts in the approximate chronological order with all the parts used for servicing the car. It's easy to get a book stamped or even made up as stated above. The Audi I bought had a full Audi service history with it when I bought it. It won't ever see an Audi garage again as I do all the work myself and save an absolute fortune, And I know it's done correctly. But then I tend to keep my cars for several years and people are less expectant of a full service history on a car that's 10 years old.
My car isn't on a long life service regime with the oil being changed every 20+ K miles it gets changed every year with less than 10K miles and using the same oil and parts that would be used at a main dealer.All the other service items brake fluid, coolant etc are changed as per recommendation or earlier.
I even change things that are not on the service schedule such as the gearbox oil.
Personally to me I can tell a lot about a car just looking at the wheels, If the car has 3 different makes of tyres and most are fujimotsu ditchfinder specials and the rims look like somebody has gone around them with an angle grinder I wouldn't buy that car regardless of it's service history.
It's been driven by somebody who doesn't know how to drive and doesn't care about the car.
People who know nothing about cars look for full service histories and probably expect them on cars less than 3 years old, after the warranty has run out people tend not to bother so much.

 

[MFM]

I

Personally I would like to see a pile of receipts in the approximate chronological order with all the parts used for servicing the car. It's easy to get a book stamped or even made up as stated above. The Audi I bought had a full Audi service history with it when I bought it. It won't ever see an Audi garage again as I do all the work myself and save an absolute fortune, And I know it's done correctly. But then I tend to keep my cars for several years and people are less expectant of a full service history on a car that's 10 years old.
My car isn't on a long life service regime with the oil being changed every 20+ K miles it gets changed every year with less than 10K miles and using the same oil and parts that would be used at a main dealer.All the other service items brake fluid, coolant etc are changed as per recommendation or earlier.
I even change things that are not on the service schedule such as the gearbox oil.
Personally to me I can tell a lot about a car just looking at the wheels, If the car has 3 different makes of tyres and most are fujimotsu ditchfinder specials and the rims look like somebody has gone around them with an angle grinder I wouldn't buy that car regardless of it's service history.
It's been driven by somebody who doesn't know how to drive and doesn't care about the car.
People who know nothing about cars look for full service histories and probably expect them on cars less than 3 years old, after the warranty has run out people tend not to bother so much.

Couldn't have said it better!

 

[s3_trev]

Lol. Oh dear. Yeah I think it's best you do take someone with you whenever you're thinking of buying a car.

What is that supposed to mean?

I've got lots of mates in the car industry who I could get to stamp my book and then tell them to tell you what you want to hear when you call them.

If you have mates in the industry that would be willing to lie to you and put their rep at risk that's fair enough. More power to you. I am sure there are others who have mates that would do the same for them. Obviously you dont just ask for a service history and do the deal based on that. It goes without saying you need to check the car as well.

Fact is, it doesn't take a genius to take a look at a car and see whether it's been looked after and maintained. I'd much rather buy from someone who did the work themselves, kept all the receipts and show that they have made an effort. Even if they can't show me their 'credentials' as you put it.

First of all, you are talking about yourself here, however you post asked "Are buyers really put off by people servicing their own cars if they can show all receipts for parts and oil etc?". So obviously you are happy enough with a DIY job that someone has done in their garage, without so much as them telling you that they are suitably qualified and know what they are doing. I wouldnt. Others may not be either. If I knew the person that done it that could be a different story.

And someone mentioned the value of the car as well. This is a very good point. If you are buying a car worth less than 2k say, then a service history may not be as important, and taking someones word for it that they done all the work themselves to a high standard, would be enough. But if you are spending 15-20k on a car, a service history becomes more important. And I should say that an dealer service history isnt important to me personally, as to be honest most dealers havnt a clue, but SOME type of service history, preferably from a reputable VAG specialist would certainly be desired.

 

[s3_trev]

Also - are you only interested in selling your car to mechanically minded people? What about the percentage of the population that really do know nothing about cars? Are you not interested in selling to them? Because as you have said yourself, those are the people that would be looking for the service history.

 

[Smirky]

If it was a high performance car I would be looking for service history either main dealer or specialist,my s3 was an Audi approved used car so it was just one less thing to worry about

 

[Lavis89]

If i turned up to look at the S4 and you had a stack of receipts for parts and i could see some of the work had been done i might have a crack at knocking you down a bit but i wouldn't walk straight away (im actually going to be in the market for one within the next year so this definitely got me thinking!) If i turned up and you had a FSH stamped book by some indies and thats all the paperwork you had then that would definitely put me off instantly.

 

[mdm83]

Perhaps if you get a garage to do the servicing but provide the parts you get best of both worlds- a nice stamp in the book with the knowledge that it's got the proper parts/good Oil etc