Is a Logbook Car Service Needed after Car Warranty Has Expired?

pg13 on 05/11/2015 - 12:25

Hey guys

Just a quick question on Car servicing.
My car has just reached 100k in kms and I realised there is a lot to spend on the car.
Timing belt, brake pads change, new tyres etc, and also the normal 10k interval service.

My car warranty has expired, but it is recommended that I still perform a 'Logbook' Service?
Logbook services are normally more expensive from what I heard. For eg, on my logbook, it says I need to change my timing belt every 100k kms, but my friend has said that you can prob change every 120k and not have any problems.

But yea will getting the Logbook stamp be better when I sell my car next time? Or trade it in? (I will mostly likely trade in my car in the future). Will not getting a logbook service impact my trade in value at all?

Please let me know.

Thank you in advance for you replies.

(Maybe I should just change my car altogether…..)

Automotive

Comments

  • nocure on 05/11/2015 - 12:27
    +5

    The first thing i look at when buying a used car is the logbook history , in saying that it is only a small part of the overall decision making process but its nice to have that info. IMO

    • pg13 on 05/11/2015 - 12:30
      +1

      Oh yes, I guess even at dealers they will have logbooks there so.
      GOod point. Thanks Nocure

  • [Deactivated] on 05/11/2015 - 12:31
    +4

    If you no longer have to worry about keeping up your warranty - why wouldn't you take your car to your own bargain mechanic and have them service it and record it in your log book…

    People tend to care more that it's been done as opposed to where it was done :)

    Dealerships tend to make more money from servicing than sales.

    • pg13 on 05/11/2015 - 12:41
      +1

      So you are recommending I take car into a local mechanic, but do a logbook service right?

      • [Deactivated] on 05/11/2015 - 12:49
        +1

        I mean. I would consider what people are saying re: timing belt, as a delay won't really save you money, but it could cost you a lot.

        Re: service schedule… I think it's personal choice. Some people will follow it religiously. Some will pick and choose. Some ignore it altogether and wonder why their engine seized…

        • kickling on 05/11/2015 - 17:17
          +2

          Correct. Dealerships like to keep grabbing your money with after sales services. Your local will do the same job, possibly with a bonus smile (sometimes). Dealers will also charge you full price for parts and not give you options for other major brands especially with consumables.

          Once the warranty is gone, you have no reason to go back to the Dealer. Just get your book stamped locally if you want to have that recorded history for ease of selling your car later (or even helping in retaining a better sale price). If you're pedantic, take it to an Authorised Citroen mechanic.

  • nocure on 05/11/2015 - 12:34
    +11

    it says I need to change my timing belt every 100k kms

    That non-negotiable…it must be done … A broken timing belt will destroy an engine.

    • Evil-Elmo on 05/11/2015 - 12:37
      +4

      Yeah, that's one wear item I really wouldn't try to stretch out as long as possible. If I were buying a car with around 100km it's also one of the first things I'd want to know if it'd be done or not.

      • pg13 on 05/11/2015 - 12:45

        Thanks guys, looks like I will be changing my timing belt.
        Do you guys know an approx. cost for this?
        I do not want to get ripped off lol

        • nocure on 05/11/2015 - 12:51
          +2

          (correct me if i'm wrong guys:) Approx $800 make sure they change the water pump at the same time.

        • pg13 on 05/11/2015 - 13:33

          @Cheap Charlie:

          I drive a Citroen C4

        • Randxyz123 on 05/11/2015 - 16:36
          +1

          @Cheap Charlie: The OP needs to find a Citroen specialist to take it to. That way you can use genuine parts but it will be less than a dealer.

        • arescarti42 on 07/11/2015 - 00:55

          @nocure:

          Sounds about right. I think $600-800 was what I was quoted for my old Magna, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's more for a European car.

      • BartholemewH on 07/11/2015 - 00:39
        +3

        For those playing at home, the engine that won't lunch itself in the above specific scenario is referred to as a 'non interference' engine.

    • ribze1 on 07/11/2015 - 15:43
      -1

      Spot on. You'll have a piston fly through your bonnet - very dangerous.

  • lowndes8 on 05/11/2015 - 12:39
    +2

    I would keep the services up to date BUT your better off going to a local mechanic rather then a dealer as they are a rip off.

    I would be getting the belt changed ASAP. They recommend every 100,000 KM or 4 years it gets done.

    Also keep the service history up to date helps sell the car long term. A car with service history is much more desirable than one without. I know i wont buy a car without history

    • pg13 on 05/11/2015 - 12:43

      Yep sounds fair enough.

      Another thing to note is that, my services book finished at 120,000km. Is that normal?

      • PVA on 05/11/2015 - 12:55
        +1

        yes, the services just repeat (130k is the same as the 10k service etc.)

  • lowndes8 on 05/11/2015 - 12:52

    mmm weird

    Just get receipts from each service they should put the mileage on it when its serviced

  • [Deactivated] on 05/11/2015 - 12:54
    +1

    Interesting to note: Some newer cars (BMW I know of) sold now do not have a set servicing schedule (time/km), but instead, things are done as they come up/are sensed by the cars' computer.

  • PVA on 05/11/2015 - 12:55

    whats the make, the standard services may be a fixed price and might be better than picking and choosing separate items to be done each service.
    took our Honda, Mitsu and Nissan to Ultratune once and it was more expensive than the dealer service.

      • PVA on 05/11/2015 - 14:47

        Yep, direct comparison. After the log book service done by Ultratune I compared the cost. dealer was fixed price so I new what it should be. Tried them a few times with our three cars over the years and thats how it worked out. eg, prices are here for Nissan http://www.nissan.com.au/Owners/Owner-Information/myNissan-S…

        Years back I went to get a service done by KTAS dealer was going to be $700, KTAS gave me a quote and it was slightly more (not much more but certainly not cheaper as I thought it would be).

        I am not saying its always this way and I never used to do dealer servicing but the last , say, 8 years it's been cheaper for us. (and easier for the wife as she gets her free flat white and bikkie and gets a lift home and picked up again when the car is ready, all nicely washed too.

        • kickling on 05/11/2015 - 17:23

          That's a good dealio. Lucky to get that offer still after 8 years, but also makes sense. They must have done the maths for the promo and figured out the ideal price to discount their services to try and get you back to buy another car in 8-10 years time.

        • PVA on 05/11/2015 - 19:36

          @kickling:
          no, i mean the last 8 years with three diffrent cars. mitsubishi for a few years, honda for 3 and nissan for 3.

          holden has fixed price services for life, the local dealer has an old FJ and say that has fixed price services (would think there is not much to service though)

  • yoonibear on 05/11/2015 - 13:48

    I'd recommend the timing belt - get that done ASAP.
    Logbook stated change the timing belt after 100k .. I changed mine after 240k … after it broke. With any car ownership it all comes down to maintaining the car and replacing wear and tear items.

    Mine finally gave way after 10 years and that was with some horrid things done to it. (didn't service the car from 20,000kms to 70,000kms, serviced then nothing until 160,000km - it eventually completely broke down, I was towing it back from every 3-4 weeks).

    You can try various car forums related to the model of the car you own - they might be able to give you better advice.

    https://www.fixedpricecarservice.com.au/
    I use this website for a rough figure of what I might be expecting to pay.

  • rajohn1 on 06/11/2015 - 08:43

    Thought I'd check when my timing belt replacement cost after reading this, as my car is due for its 100k service very soon, and it seems that my 2007 Prius has a timing chain which is Maintainance free! So I don't think it needs to be replaced unless there is a problem!

    Can anyone verify that?

    Thanks John

    • Peck on 06/11/2015 - 23:18

      Check your log book. It is not always 100k service. Some cars it is 150k/a specific time period like 10 years or something.

    • arescarti42 on 07/11/2015 - 01:08

      Not quite maintenance free I believe. The chain has a tensioner and guides which the service manual might recommend be checked maybe every 100km, but the chain itself will probably last 300,000km+ before it needs replacing.

      Check the service book if in doubt.

  • pjcook on 06/11/2015 - 09:05
    +1

    A logbook service does not have to be done by the dealer, and licensed motor mechanic can carry out a log book service without impacting your warranty.

    Definite +1 on timing belt though, get it done.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2015 - 16:01

      He doesn't have a warranty-it ran out.

  • backpaqer on 06/11/2015 - 10:51

    I got the factory service manual for my Nissan Maxima. The Logbook Service according to their own manual, is mostly change oil, replace oil and air filters and that is it! Everything else is inspect only. Except the major service…which @ 100k is replace plugs, replace belts (2) and nothing more. And as I found out once - Nissan didn't even do the basic service but felt they could get away with charging me anyway. I caught them out, called them out on it and have never been back since. This was when Ken Morgan ran the Brighton dealership. I thought it might improve when the dealership changed hands…so I gave them one more chance and they screwed it up again so I put it down to bad service staff. Garry and Warren Smith in Glen Waverley on the other hand - sensational service…I'm happy to drive out there to get something fixed, but it's a bit far for a basic service which I can do perfectly well myself.

    But now that the car is a good 15 years old…I don't think many people worry about service history when cars get that old and cheap…but it still runs perfectly so I benefit with a car that has been well looked after and is not likely to break down any time soon and hasn't had a true logbook service from a dealer in a very very long time.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/11/2015 - 16:07

    There seems to be some confusion over what a logbook service is.
    It is simply a list of tasks that the manufacturer says is necessary for that particular car at set times/kilometers.
    You do not have to go to a certain dealer at any time, in warranty or out of warranty; just make sure you do what is needed and have the mechanic stamp and sign the log-book.
    If you are in warranty and do not use genuine parts then you may have an issue, but that does not matter here.
    Many dealers will offer very competitive service costs because they can rely on volume, they have all the specialist kit required and they always hope to sell you another car. From the customer point of view they have a reputation to maintain so will look after you if there is a problem.
    (Unless your car was made in Korea-allegedly)

  • ddrex on 06/11/2015 - 18:36

    How long do you plan on keeping the car? I like to keep a good car and after warranty is finished, i service it myself with good quality oils and parts and it is considerably cheaper than if any mechanic does it, and i know what is in it as opposed to generic, cheapest oil they can get, most mechanics use. I also keep the logbook up to date but there is no stamp on it because i do it myself. I keep the receipts of everything though ;) End of the day, if receipts aren't enough for a new buyer, after a number of services done by myself, i would have saved a considerable amount of money, and would be able to lower the price by that amount, if compared to a car with full logbook details and stamps.

  • IamEzza on 07/11/2015 - 00:46

    Search for the best independent mechanic in your area, not a dealer or a servicing chain (like ultratune). Ask family and friends and use the internet.
    An independent can still do the log book service and stamp your book. Not everything in the service book needs to be followed to the letter, but a timing belt you don't want to skip. Also keep up the oil/filter changes with quality oil (it's not that expensive, especially on sale at Repco/Supercheap) and the car should keep running well for a long time.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join