Inspired by threads like the recent poster who couldnt tell that they had a blown indicator bulb, plus the number of cars driving around with faulty lights...
How about having a one day course that all drivers must go to before taking their driving test, where they learn the basics of car maintenance in a safe controlled environment, including:
How to check tyres (with examples of faults to look for)
How to change a tyre, light bulb, and other such running repairs
How to check oil, wash, coolant, etc
How to change a windscreen wiper (one of my friends was planning to go to the garage for this. I suggested he buys the part and i'll do the job for a pint!)
How to spot dangerous faults with a car
They have some basic questions at the start of the test these days about tyre pressures, oil level, coolant level etc... That's a good start. Maybe a more comprehensive list of questions would be a good start.
They have some basic questions at the start of the test these days about tyre pressures, oil level, coolant level etc... That's a good start. Maybe a more comprehensive list of questions would be a good start.
Yeah but you still dont have to be able to DO basic things like changing a tyre, replacing bulbs, etc.
I'm sure that garage owners and recovery crews would of course disagree!!!!
Yeah but you still dont have to be able to DO basic things like changing a tyre, replacing bulbs, etc.
I'm sure that garage owners and recovery crews would of course disagree!!!!
I suppose basic maintainence isn't something that people are prepared to do anymore.
My mate is currently shopping around for the best price to service his VW Passat. He's coming up with figures like £250!
An unbelievable figure for something that's basically just an oil change and filters.
I get change from £20 when I "service" my car!
If people want to piss money away at a garage then that's up to them.
I suspect those same people don't know how to change a tap or plumb in a toilet either. Some of us learn these skills because we want to. Others... dont.
I suppose basic maintainence isn't something that people are prepared to do anymore.
My mate is currently shopping around for the best price to service his VW Passat. He's coming up with figures like £250!
An unbelievable figure for something that's basically just an oil change and filters.
I get change from £20 when I "service" my car!
If people want to piss money away at a garage then that's up to them.
I suspect those same people don't know how to change a tap or plumb in a toilet either. Some of us learn these skills because we want to. Others... dont.
I just spent (well Xmas) £257 servicing my Ibiza. Not because i can't do it, more because simply when you come to re-sale, on a new car, the norm is to have a FMSH and to get the stamps so it makes the car easier to sell.
People don't run a mile when they see FMSH so it is almost worth being arse raped by a dealer. So, I think you are over-simplifying matters by saying it is done by people who can't do it, I think there is that, but also time constraints and ability to do so with the tools availiable and re-sale also have to be taken into account.
I think servicing a brand new car, is a little different to servicing a 30 year old one, not only in advancements but also the expectations by potential new buyer.
In saying this, a course would be good, but it should not be compulsory especially as Halfrauds will either do it for free or £5 for doing the above simple work, or if you can follow a manual then all is well.
I think a lot of the problems in motoring do however come down to ignorance and laziness, however.
I just spent (well Xmas) £257 servicing my Ibiza. Not because i can't do it, more because simply when you come to re-sale, on a new car, the norm is to have a FMSH and to get the stamps so it makes the car easier to sell.
The trouble is, matey boy plans to run his Passat to 200k before he gets rid.
When a car has that many miles, service history becomes irrelevent. Current condition is what matters.
He can't understand that he'd save himself a lot of money if he could be arsed to learn how to do it himself. "If it's not stamped it looses value!" "You're not selling though, are you?" "No, but it'll still be worth less" FFS...
Still; his car, his problem, eh?
I suppose basic maintainence isn't something that people are prepared to do anymore.
My mate is currently shopping around for the best price to service his VW Passat. He's coming up with figures like £250!
An unbelievable figure for something that's basically just an oil change and filters.
I get change from £20 when I "service" my car!
If people want to piss money away at a garage then that's up to them.
I suspect those same people don't know how to change a tap or plumb in a toilet either. Some of us learn these skills because we want to. Others... dont.
yup. when i get a house i plan on becoming a 'jack of all trades', plumber, electriction, brick layer etc etc.... mostly because i want to, because i know i will make sure its a good quality job, and it costs significantly less!
I just spent (well Xmas) £257 servicing my Ibiza. Not because i can't do it, more because simply when you come to re-sale, on a new car, the norm is to have a FMSH and to get the stamps so it makes the car easier to sell.
People don't run a mile when they see FMSH so it is almost worth being arse raped by a dealer. So, I think you are over-simplifying matters by saying it is done by people who can't do it, I think there is that, but also time constraints and ability to do so with the tools availiable and re-sale also have to be taken into account.
I think servicing a brand new car, is a little different to servicing a 30 year old one, not only in advancements but also the expectations by potential new buyer.
In saying this, a course would be good, but it should not be compulsory especially as Halfrauds will either do it for free or £5 for doing the above simple work, or if you can follow a manual then all is well.
I think a lot of the problems in motoring do however come down to ignorance and laziness, however.
its not like your driving a e60 or a Bentley you know, £250 a service each year will cost you more in services than you will ever get in re-sale value.
Great idea. I think that some people these days are so clueless as to what they are meant to do. A friend didn't even know how to add washer fluid, I mean FFS...
Naa, you don't make people buying a house have lessons in DIY so why this? :P
Because if their pipes leak then it might damage them and their posessions, if their tyres are faulty they could kill a coachload of people when they crash!
Lets just pt this into perspective. I'm not saying that everyone should know how to do a full service on their car. Not everyone has a garage, or the tools and if they choose to use a garage to do the service then fine. On many new cars i'd even argue that with all the electrics etc its safer to take it to the experts.
But the list of things in my original post are all basic safety checks / repairs that you sohuld be able to do on the road if necessary to keep the car safe.
The trouble is, matey boy plans to run his Passat to 200k before he gets rid.
When a car has that many miles, service history becomes irrelevent. Current condition is what matters.
He can't understand that he'd save himself a lot of money if he could be arsed to learn how to do it himself. "If it's not stamped it looses value!" "You're not selling though, are you?" "No, but it'll still be worth less" FFS...
Still; his car, his problem, eh?
Oh i see, I am selling it like next month so, bit different!
its not like your driving a e60 or a Bentley you know, £250 a service each year will cost you more in services than you will ever get in re-sale value.
Not really, first service was £180, second at £257 so total price is £437. You would lose that in re-sale if it did not have FMSH/FSH.
Because if their pipes leak then it might damage them and their posessions, if their tyres are faulty they could kill a coachload of people when they crash!
Lets just pt this into perspective. I'm not saying that everyone should know how to do a full service on their car. Not everyone has a garage, or the tools and if they choose to use a garage to do the service then fine. On many new cars i'd even argue that with all the electrics etc its safer to take it to the experts.
But the list of things in my original post are all basic safety checks / repairs that you sohuld be able to do on the road if necessary to keep the car safe.
Yep, although that should only really take a hour to teach, I think a whole day would be a waste of time.
Perhaps the first lesson you have to do get a certificate of competency in basic motoring skills to proceed?
Not really, first service was £180, second at £257 so total price is £437. You would lose that in re-sale if it did not have FMSH/FSH.
well the cars not 2 years old is it? im sure it was a 56 plate,
in which case, £400 every two years will never be recouped in re-sale value. its not something that people care about that much. age and mileage are far more popular in the trade than FSH.
yup. when i get a house i plan on becoming a 'jack of all trades', plumber, electriction, brick layer etc etc.... mostly because i want to, because i know i will make sure its a good quality job, and it costs significantly less!
Indeed. Certain things i would always call on a professional to do (e.g. playing around with gas pipes etc) but i definitely object to the idea of paying someone to come and install a TV aerial or fit a kitchen if i am capable of doing it myself. Obviously if i'm not then fair enough, many good people make a living ot of doing that job and i'll happily employ them if necessary.
How would this fit in with those who already know how to do all the above, and more besides? If I were learning to drive again I would certainly begrudge paying £50 or whatever to stand around being told how to do something I already know. I know one guy who had designed a car from scratch and was well on the way to finish building it before he was 18!
well the cars not 2 years old is it? im sure it was a 56 plate,
in which case, £400 every two years will never be recouped in re-sale value. its not something that people care about that much. age and mileage are far more popular in the trade than FSH.
Well it has had its second service, which would indicate that it is 2 years old.
57 plate been and gone
58 plate been and gone
The car is coming up 2 and half years old!
No, £400 over 2 and half years will be re-couped. I care about it, if I was buying a car still in warranty, I would be very bothered to insure that the warranty was still valid ensuring the car had FMSH.
As such, it is very important for both consumer and people in the trade on new cars. And modern cars, it is something you always advertise if your car has it!
If the car has FSH and has done 100k I would be more likely to buy it than a car which has done 100k and no history at all...
How would this fit in with those who already know how to do all the above, and more besides? If I were learning to drive again I would certainly begrudge paying £50 or whatever to stand around being told how to do something I already know. I know one guy who had designed a car from scratch and was well on the way to finish building it before he was 18!
I think the proportion of people (like ourselves) is incredibly low in comparison to people who cannot.
I wouldn't mind paying £50 for the re-assurance that everyone has some idea on how to check for dangerous faults continuously, not relying on the MOT...
Driving, driving lessons, vehicles...
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Car Maintenance Course?
FFS...
