Its a basically simple well made good quality car, i wouldn't think twice about using a good indy, an easy DIY too if you fancy having a go yourself, chances of it needing any software updates or remedial work are minimal, but might be worth checking on the govt website and Honda Civic forums to see if there are any recalls in your chassic number range.

Worth checking when it needs the tappets adjusting, i believe this is basically the same as the 2.0 as used in previous gen cars (but happy to be wrong on this), which had adjustable tappets, again it's simple enough once you look up the sequence for which valves should be fully open for a corresponding tappet to be on the back of the cam for gap checking, i did my daughter's 2.0 S type in a couple of hours tops (couple needed monor adjustment) and slipped a new set of spark plugs in at the same time, again simple enough for a competent indy.

As an aside i would hope for that cost they at least serviced the brakes properly ie strip clean lube up, because that is not part of Honda standard service regime and IMHO it blinking well should be, because they can suffer with rear calipers seizing up over time.

Edited by gordonbennet on 25/06/2018 at 13:25

This was the main reason I bought a Mazda3 and not a Honda Jazz/Civic 3dr in late 2005/early 2006. All the Honda dealers in my area (including, ironically the multi-franchise Hona and Mazda dealer I get mine serviced at now) were very expensive on servicing (at the time). Sometime you can get lucky, especially if they have decent competition from other Japense/Korean makes and indies locally. When I looked back then the difference was about 25-30% per service.

I also would never choose to have a car serviced an MOTed at a garage that offered reduced price MOTs, as they are just a gimmic to drum up business in my view. I think the most I've ever paid for the 'big' 6th year service on my Mazda3 (including full price MOT) is about £450, but normally the services and MOTs come to about £200 - £350, depending on the service cycle year/mileage. This could be the case for yours for its 'big' service - if not that's a huge rip-off in my view.

I'd check around for other Honda dealerships near your home/place of work to see if they can undercut that for the same level of service. Check the reviews first for any alternative before committing to anything. Up to you whether you want to try an indie - if you can get decent advice about who is good and not, they can save you a fortune on some makes of car well outside of the warranty period.

I'm not planning to get rid of the car any time soon, but nonetheless, I like the idea of it being serviced by the people who made it, especailly as it ages.

Think I'll stick to Honda for servicing and use the local garage for small remedial work.

Thanks all.

For the age of the car I'd be looking for a decent indy, unless Honda now throw in any benefits such as breakdown cover that tips things back in their favour. I'm very wary when a dealer says you need all this extra work doing to pass an MOT, best to take your car to an MOT company that have no interest in repairing your car