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[basilbrush]

It's true we get enthusiastic about our cars and like to  keep service history up, but it means less to other people than we think. The trade looking at Forfours up to eight years old will be quoting book price and aren't even likely to look at the service book. Private buyers will first of all be interested in the look and condition of your car and then will be glad to see that the car has any service history.
To be frank Mercedes wanting £230 for an A  service on an eight year old car is just asking too much these days. If your car is running well why does it need even to go on the Star diagnostics every year.
If I was in JJ''s position I would get a local shop to do an oil change and stamp the book. The MOT test will cover all the other checks that an A service looks at. To me motoring is just too dear these days to keep playing other peoples games and letting them empty your pockets for you.
My brother an ex motor mechanic and train maintainer uses Halfords service centre now after being ripped off by Ford stealers. I know some of you will groan "Halfrauds", but he's had good service and they've saved him loads. Just having an Mot and interim service here http://www.halfordsautocentres.com/en-gb/autocentres/BristolDownend/ puts £75 back in your wallet as opposed to Merc

[funkydoodycool]

I'm with basil there.  Plus, every single car I ever bought from a dealer (including this one) has that fantastic acronym FSH in the advert.... some have half the MOT (with a "missing" advisory sheet - it's a very good thing that it's all on one page now!), some have the very first servicing from the first 2 years and nothing more, some have a recent stamp from the dealer's mate and nothing more.... I've yet to see a car with FULL service history - although my Brab comes closest with just a couple of minor gaps.

I suppose the only thing about your car that would support a dealer service history at its age is the low mileage, and the fact you hardly drive it, so at some point in the future it could be a shining example of an older car.

[Problemchild]

Mine has got F(merc)SH and at 42k miles I still get it serviced every year.

This A service is £170 (the B service is over £250) but even halfords are only about £140

Astor MOT costs, unless you can find a voucher, they cost what they cost. Last year I paid £35 this year £54 - no real explanation. Probably cashing in on the vosa changes (which have me worried a bit)

JJ

[funkydoodycool]

There's a standard fee for the MOT, it's £54.85.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/DG_4022514


Places that do it cheaper do it because they choose to, presumably to get some business.

[Fox]

I can understand funky's frustrations with people who advertise FSH but dont have it.

Tbh, the ability to say 'my car is 8,9, or 10 years old and has a full service history' is very special. To me thats quite something. I would do all I could to keep it. It probably won't add value to the car but it's still something that could close a deal.

[basilbrush]

I can understand funky's frustrations with people who advertise FSH but dont have it.

Tbh, the ability to say 'my car is 8,9, or 10 years old and has a full service history' is very special. To me thats quite something. I would do all I could to keep it. It probably won't add value to the car but it's still something that could close a deal.

 Having a service history is obviously good to show a potential buyer, but a full service history would be just as good as a full main dealer service history. A lot of people fought long and hard to stop the manufacturers having a monopoly on servicing under warranty. It's fine for people to keep going back to Mercedes if they can afford it to keep their treasured stamps, but to me it's pure sentimentality.
The whole point of the excercise is to prolong the life of the car and ensure safe operation and nothing more.

[Problemchild]

but there is also the confidence factor..... this owner that i am buying from really doesn't scrimp and cut corners on this car and pays to get everything done.

saying that..... my car is slightly different but if i put it back to standard then all will be fine

JJ

[Scoobysook]

Your car is modded at the mo JJ but if you put it back to standard and sold it tomor to the right buyer then the full history from Merc would be worthwhile. It depends how long u keep it or intend to keep it and how cost effective the service is. Also when you go to some garages they may not even do the service properly - at least if you did it or a reputable smart Indy then you know it's done properly.

[basilbrush]

Also when you go to some garages they may not even do the service properly - at least if you did it or a reputable smart Indy then you know it's done properly.

Unfortunately you can't guarantee that any garage will do a service properly. You pay an hourly rate, but the guy will be on bonus and your car will be out of that shop into the yard asap. It's also the case that servicing might be given to a junior operative while the best guys might be stripping engines etc. Fair enough I did use bsmarts for my Forfour because they had the kit to adjust the softouch clutch, but I didn't enjoy the prices. My wife's car when she had it was serviced by the dirtiest little garage near where I worked that kept winning the "garage of the year" awards. Half the labour charge of the main dealers and never had a complaint if you turn a blind eye to state of the toilet.
The best thing to do is find a garage that gives good service at a good price and keep going back and you can build up a relationship. I'm afraid glossy state of the art garages like Mercedes don't impress me at all. They're way overpriced and don't even care about reductions for older cars. They're a prestige outfit after the executive's expenses. Smart indy's are a bit better mostly ex mercedes trained people who struck out on their own.