Just brought a Cento!

Just brought a 98 Cento for my girlfriend to learn to drive in. 56k miles, last serviced at 50k miles in Dec 05. I am wanting to do a DIY service on the drive. Change oil, filter, air filter and generally check of fluids. Anything else I should change or check?

Thanks.

Change the plugs. If there's no evidence of a recent cam belt change (if you have a Sporting) then I would do it for piece of mind, althought the FIRE engines are 'safe' engines, i.e. the valves won't hit the block if the belt goes.

If the handbrake works and the clutch is good, with no clonking from the rear suspension, then you should be OK

I'd say change this as soon as if it's dodgy I've spent toooo much money trying to get it repaired...it's just easier to whip it out and replace it

Change the handbrake?

Noway! If it ain't working it's usually an easy DIY job (albeit a bit fiddly and messy). (See the guide.)

I'd check the pads, shoes and disks for wear. Again, easy DIY and not expensive.

My handbrake was adjusted 5 times to try and get it to work

Maybe mine's just naff!

depends what exactly we are talking about in 'change the handbrake'?

smart move

Check the oil breather and throttle body breather pipe thingy to make sure there actuall connected to the filter box... mine wasn't and i only realised like a week ago after owning the car about 2 months... go knows how much crap theyve sucked in

oh and check the condition of the clutch cable... common failing point. you dont wanna be stuck at the side of the road cos its worn and snapped

Why do people keep forgetting the fuel filter? Would add one of those to your service parts list also.

:shakehead

We are actually getting the knocking from the rear (suspected it was the exhaust) but reading the forum makes me think it is bushes. To be honest, not sure if I'll bother changing these as this car really only has to last the learning process and then sell it on for whatever we can get. Anything bad going to happy (except knocking) if we dont do the bushes?

Nope, other than an MOT failure if really bad.

Cheers

D