Self Service

[DangerMouse]

Anyone on here self service their Aygo?

Credit crunch and the fact that it's budget motoring makes me think I might service the car this time. It's now out of warranty, also it's a minor service due. What parts are needed apart from oil, oil filter?? Surely it won't cost half of my dealers price, a

[Zaaro]

Yea I self service mine, havnt had it serviced once at toyota, and never will it be! lol

Worked at Volvo for a bit and I must say its much easier with a ramp lol (obviously) which I think is one of the reasons alot of people take there cars in instead. That and time ofc

[DangerMouse]

I thought I'd buy a jack with a couple of axle stands (seen them for about £30 all-in) - probably pay for themselves on the first service.

[Boro Sera]

You might want to add Air Filter to your list.

And maybe change the plugs - they don't cost much

[Batfink]

Hello,

I will definitely be doing my own servicing once I'm out of warranty - it's very easy to do and, as you say, will save a lot of money. I've done plenty of servicing of my own cars in the past which takes away the worry element for me.

I'm fairly local to you, and would be happy to lend a hand (or indeed guide you through the process) if you decide to go ahead - it would be a good opportunity to take some photos and make a nice guide for anyone else that wants to give it a go. I've got axel stands, trolley jack etc too.

You need oil, oil filter and sump gasket for the minor service. Personally, I think there's little point changing things before they are due - but if you like the air filter and spark plugs are easy jobs.

Anyway, if you want a hand just drop me a PM and we'll sort it.

x

[manalishi]

Slight tangent - what's the likely reduction in your used car value as and when you come to sell it? I'd suggest at least keeping the receipts for the filters/etc to help persuade a future buyer that it's been properly maintained. Maybe it'll get the same price but just take a bit longer to sell?

But speaking as a recent used-Aygo buyer, seeing the official Toyota Aygo service chart things (those 'chapter-and-verse' checklists) for each of the services made me feel reassured. Moreso than seeing the same car that's claimed to have been owner-serviced - I'd have walked away.

[daveyjp]

FSH depends how long you intend keeping it. If you keep for three years then sell I'd want a FSH. Once you get to 5+ years I'd be happier to look at owners records. An owner who is organised enough to keep all paperwork for a car is also more likely to have looked after it.

Once ours is out of warranty it will go to a local garage to be serviced. We have an independent fast fit centre at the bottom of the street - they kept my very old Fiesta Mk1 going for the 18 months and 30,000 miles I had it. Rust got it in the end, but oil changes, brakes, exhaust and clutch were all done there.

[DangerMouse]

Batfink I've sent you a PM concerning this.

[adilmon]

FYI

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=95170

[rgvsean]

Yep I do, I service mine every 6000 and use a washable air filter and fully synth oil. Costs me around £50 a time and I know it's all done.

The car may lose £500 when selling due to this but I will have saved 3 times that in dealer costs.

[adilmon]

The car may lose £500 when selling due to this but I will have saved 3 times that in dealer costs.

Good point. I'd be happy to buy a car with receipts dated to show the materials used and a ticked checklist of maintenance tasks. To me, service history doesn't just mean a dealer's stamp. In fact, a couple of my local PMA stores will even put the reg number on my receipt.

That said, oil changes are critical to engine life, so I've compromised by getting a VAT registered garage to do the oil change (i supplied), so I could get the book stamped. Anything else (brakes, filters etc) I can take care of myself.

[DangerMouse]

I'd be quite confident to do an oil change, quite possibly change the brakes, but what else would a minor/major service include?

[johnan]

I'd be quite confident to do an oil change, quite possibly change the brakes, but what else would a minor/major service include?

I would be quite happy to change oil/filter, brake fluid, brakes as required or get my local VAT registered garage to deal with it, but I am concerned that Toyota, or any other car maker, may instruct their dealer technicians to make subtle adjustments to cars or even reprogram the ecu very slightly, which they do not tell anyone else about, so your local man, or yourself of course, would be unaware of the mods.

I remember when I took my Aygo for its first service, I mentioned that there was a bit of "misting" of damper fluid round one of the rear damper bodies and could they check it...when I picked the car up they said they had changed ALL the dampers after their "health and safety" inspection and they replaced my discs the following year, free of charge, due to lipping, without me even mentioning that I was concerned about them.

Both of these events suggest to me some directives going out from head office to look out for a bad batch of dampers, and a batch of soft discs, and if you come across them, change them.

The local man wouldn't know about these things to look out for, as being almost "recall" items....or am I wrong and manufacturers have to give out all information to registered garages?

I would like to think so, but doubt it.

[rgvsean]

I'd be quite confident to do an oil change, quite possibly change the brakes, but what else would a minor/major service include?

I would be quite happy to change oil/filter, brake fluid, brakes as required or get my local VAT registered garage to deal with it, but I am concerned that Toyota, or any other car maker, may instruct their dealer technicians to make subtle adjustments to cars or even reprogram the ecu very slightly, which they do not tell anyone else about, so your local man, or yourself of course, would be unaware of the mods.

I remember when I took my Aygo for its first service, I mentioned that there was a bit of "misting" of damper fluid round one of the rear damper bodies and could they check it...when I picked the car up they said they had changed ALL the dampers after their "health and safety" inspection and they replaced my discs the following year, free of charge, due to lipping, without me even mentioning that I was concerned about them.

Both of these events suggest to me some directives going out from head office to look out for a bad batch of dampers, and a batch of soft discs, and if you come across them, change them.

The local man wouldn't know about these things to look out for, as being almost "recall" items....or am I wrong and manufacturers have to give out all information to registered garages?

I would like to think so, but doubt it.

Some good points there, these are the things you have to think about when making the decision. For me the car is outside warrenty on an 05 and I 'plan' to keep it until it dies or I am finally ready to get an Integrale 'best car ever tm' and all that comes with ownership of one of those - ie not when I am commuting everyday lol. It's currently on 25,000 miles but my book is signed up to the 50,000 mile block, runs fine, no problems or even minor niggles. If something breaks I'll fix it.