The poster above is on the right track, i would add it's an ideal time to ask around those of your friends and family who's opinion you trust which garages they recommend.

There will be a competent indy in your area, one that does a good job and doesn't charge the earth and wants customers to come back he may well be out in a rural area and his premises may not look as impressive as a main dealer or fast fit joint, don't go by the packaging.

Also agree with avoiding fast fit places if you can, the Ford main dealer is worth getting a quote from as a starting point.

Time spent finding that good indy will save you money for years to come and you'll probably get a better job done too.

Remember that any service can discover worn brakes (second opinion always worth getting), split drive shaft boots etc and everything above above and beyond the normal service items will be chargeable.

Also, would a garage tell me in no uncertain tersm to "go away" if I'd acquired the parts and then just ask them to fit them?

Chris, not every garage will turn you over.

Your friends and family are too wealthy you need recommendations from people worth listening to (that can be a short list these days) who have similar aged and older cars than you.

If you find a good preferably rural garage just let them supply the parts, if you want to get the parts then do it yourself, you won't find a much easier car to service than a Fiesta.

As a guide i was paying £120 to £150 for annual service on my 6 cyl MB at a specilaist indy (which takes 7litres of fully synthetic good oil).

Good little garages are about you have to do some donkey work and find one, and then be a good customer too...good customers are as thin on the gorund as good garages.

I used to use Rapid fits for my Fords - attached to dealerships, Ford technicians, much cheaper prices and while you wait.