Ford Focus - Car Servicing

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Tue 21 Jun 2011 03:07
Ford Focus - Car Servicing - eustace

I have a 2008 model petrol Ford Focus. It's due for its 3 year servicing. It has run 23000 miles.

An independent mechanic has been highly recommended to me. However this mechanic is a mobile mechanic. He doesn't have a service station. He comes to the customer's home and services the car there. He carries all his tools in a van.

I am a bit concerned as to whether this is a satisfactory way of servicing a car. For e.g., will a ramp or a car lift be needed to effectively service the car?

Considering the relative newness of the car, is it better to service the car with a garage who has better facilities, compared to a mobile gararge?

Any advice apprerciated....

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Tue 21 Jun 2011 07:05
Ford Focus - Car Servicing - justadriver

First ask your ford dealer if there is a menu servicing option, and if an mot will be offered at a discount as may dealers and national chains offer this. for the age of your car I would guess that it is mot time. Don't forget if it is a diesel to make sure the oil change is done before the test! check the prices and tell us, but the roadside servicing will not drain the sump, ithe oil will be sucked out using the dipstick leaving more residue. if it is not a big difference go to Kw** fit you will also get a warranty on your work! happy motoring. Anf finally, he won't be able to adequately inspect under the car, so it will be potentially only an oil and filters change!

Edited by justadriver on 21/06/2011 at 07:06

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Tue 21 Jun 2011 09:50
Ford Focus - Car Servicing - daveyjp

If you have a larger Ford dealer near you use their Rapidfit service. You will get a Ford main dealer service at a lower price as they pass on some of the parts discount and you pay lower labour charges. It's also while you wait so you can see what they are doing.

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Tue 21 Jun 2011 10:06
Ford Focus - Car Servicing - FP

"...roadside servicing will not drain the sump, ithe oil will be sucked out ..."

Not necessarily true.

"Anf finally, he won't be able to adequately inspect under the car..." - sorry, that's just ridiculous.

I have for some years been using a small independent outfit which originally came highly recommended and I've never regretted it. They do have their own premises, but it's often more cost-effective to do the work on my drive, which also gives me the opportunity to chat to the guys and gain useful information.

As for oil changes, they jack the car and slip a container underneath. As with everything they do, you can see what they're up to and ask what they're doing.

If the OP has got a strong personal recommendation I would go with it.

Edited by FocalPoint on 21/06/2011 at 10:09

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Tue 21 Jun 2011 11:32
Ford Focus - Car Servicing - bathtub tom

I do my own servicing, but I'd recommend you get this one done at a Ford dealer. If there's anything wrong, it's presumably still under guarantee and will likely be fixed for free. You'll also get any software updates installed.

The last time I had a car coming up for three years old, I bit the bullet and coughed up the £170 for what was basically an oil and filter change, but they fitted new front lights for free.

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Tue 21 Jun 2011 11:57
Ford Focus - Car Servicing - jc2

Rapidfit are usually but not always cheaper-get a quote from both counters.I have had work done more cheaply at the main dealer part of the workshop.And not all Ford dealers charge the same for the same work-there can even be differences in dealers in the same parent group.

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Tue 21 Jun 2011 15:37
Ford Focus - Car Servicing - eustace

Thanks all for your advice.

Actually the car is a February 2008 model. The next service is due in July, as the last one was done in July last year. Hence the MOT has already been finished in February. I have bought the car second hand about 8 months back, and this is the first time I will be getting it serviced.

As adviced, I will get quotes from Ford as well as the independent options.

Also can somebody please advice me about the difference between the Honest John good garages list and the good garage scheme.

There is just one non main delaer garage appearing in my location on the HJ good garage list. It says that it has one reader recommendation, but I am not able to find that recommendation.

However the good garage scheme website lsists several garages in my locality, but none of them appears in the HJ Good Garages list.

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