Ask Honest John

Should I keep get my car serviced by a main dealer or by my local garage?

I have a 2014 BMW 3 Series xDrive with 48,000 miles on it, which I intend to keep for at least three years. It's due a service. Is it worth keeping a BMW service history (very expensive) or do I go to...

Do garages try to sell unnecessary extras when you go for a service?

I recently took my 2015 Ford Fiesta auto (12,000 miles) for its three-year service at our local Ford dealer. We had agreed a price for the service and MoT, but they asked if I wanted to pay £25 more so...

A garage lied about worn brake pads and charged me an extra £750 - what can I do?

I took my Mazda MX-5 in for a service recently. When paying for the service, I was told that the pads were 90 per cent worn and the discs had a lip, so they required changing at the same time. Being surprised...

Is it possible to service a new car yourself?

I'm about to upgrade to a much newer Ford Focus. I have serviced my previous Focus myself for 10 years. What problems am I likely to come across with a three year old car? Is it still possible to service...

At what mileage should I replace brake pads and discs?

My Mazda 6 is just under three years old with 24,000 miles on the clock. I was told that the pads and discs need to be replaced all round. My first service at 7200 miles noted 8mm on the pads, the second...

Do you recommend manufacturer service plans?

Having just purchased a new Ford, I want to set up a service plan. I know Ford do various plans, but my garage have theirs too, which for more cost has a few more aspects of cover. Do you recommend just...

My Nissan Qashqai has multiple issues but it missed a service - Nissan refuse liability, so what do I do now?

Over the last couple of months I have had continued problems with my car due to excessive oil consumption, loss of power. I've also been told that the engine needs replacing due to piston ring slotting...

Does my car need to be dealer serviced to maintain full service history and warranty?

I have a 2016 Audi A3 sportback S-line. Very pleased with it, but it's now due its first service. Do I need to go through Audi? I have an excellent local garage who will inevitably undercut the prices...

SEAT tells me my diesel Alhambra only needs serviced every two years - is this too long?

SEAT contacted me after one year of ownership about the annual service on my 2.0-litre diesel Alhambra. However, now they say that my car did not need a service until it was two years old. This incompetence...

My diesel car has an 18,000-mile servicing interval, is this too long to leave it?

I have a Renault Kadjar diesel, which I'm told needs servicing every 18,000 miles. I'm a bit uneasy about this. I had Skoda diesels previously that I took off longlife service intervals and did every 10,000...