Recently I have had many conversations with customers regarding the service intervals on their cars. Just last week I had a guy who's Audi A2 had developed another management fault. I asked him if had had it serviced recently, as many warrantees insist that a "minimum" oil service be carried out after six months. He replied that it wasn't due for another 10,000 miles or so.

I went on to give my usual, well-worn speech......

These long life (long distance) service schedules are a great selling point for a new car buyer especially a fleet buyer. If you buy a 100 motor's & they only need a service every 20,000 miles then this represents a big saving. The majority of these cars will see their time through the first three years without a problem. The reality is that the second or third owner is going to get a car that has done possibly 60,000 miles & only had 2 or 3 oil changes. The manufacturers have few worries, as they are out of warrantee period & they are in position to sell you lots of bits for your well-worn motor. Mr fleet owner has a clear conscience & a healthier bank balance (nice)

Anyways, this customer brings his Audi in for his new MAP sensor (thrust sensor in Audi speak) & he was covered by his warrantee (a rare thing in my experience). He asked if we could look at his brakes, as they were making a grinding noise. We stripped all his brakes & the condition of the front discs was unbelievable. They looked like they had been recovered from the Titanic. I couldn’t contact the customer to get authorisation to carry on, but decided that they needed changing. I showed the guy his discs & he couldn’t believe what he saw. My point about servicing was reinforced! There is more to a service than just the engine & its amazing how badly seized a brake pad can become in 12 months.

In my opinion, all cars should receive a Full Service at least every 12 months or 10,000 miles & a Minor Service 6 months in between. It is arguable that cars that cover a higher mileage could get away with fewer Full Services. I see a few that do about 10,000 miles in three weeks & there seems little point in pulling all the brakes to bits that often, as we do on a Full Service.

There are many factors that have to be taken into account & it does take some time to assess the individual needs of customers.

Sorry for my ramblings.

Please discuss………….