My car (1.4 lounge) is due for it's first service at the end of next month. It's was pre registered, but I've only had it since December, and will have done about 8,000 when I take it in.

I've been quoted £208 for full service and £115 for low milage service.

Which should I go for?

Full service. 8000 isn't all that low a mileage, some people only manage two, or even less No point in skimping.

What's the difference?

crabman

go for the low mileage service - basically an oil change and check over

The bare minimum you want is an oil and filter change - the low mileage service may only be oil, so check that it does include the filter.

I guess your decision on which service should eb based on your intended use in the next 12 months - if you are going to add 5-8k miles then the low mileage one i fine, if you are going to add 10k or more miles than get the full one.

I'd expect to do about 1000 miles a month...

Ulpian said:

Full service. 8000 isn't all that low a mileage, some people only manage two, or even less No point in skimping.

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If service intervals are at 18000 miles then I consider 8000 miles to be low. I had a low mileage service done on mine at 7500 miles but be aware that you can only choose the low mileage option once in two years.

Also the second service is usually more expensive than the first so it might prove more economical to save the low mileage option for that one.

I'm hoping to change my car just before it is two years old hence my decision but I have to say I don't know what they omitted as I know that the DET even removed the spare to check the tyre pressures.

grimwau said:

If service intervals are at 18000 miles then I consider 8000 miles to be low. I had a low mileage service done on mine at 7500 miles but be aware that you can only choose the low mileage option once in two years.

Also the second service is usually more expensive than the first so it might prove more economical to save the low mileage option for that one.

I'm hoping to change my car just before it is two years old hence my decision but I have to say I don't know what they omitted as I know that the DET even removed the spare to check the tyre pressures.

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That was exactly how it was explained to me. Second year is the time for the low mileage.

yea but the problem with that is that the checks and stuff they do every 2nd year would then get missed out altogether - id rather go for the low one at the 1st year and then let them catch up with everything in one go at year 2.

thats my plan, although having an abarth i suspect i wont be using their network as i dont fancy getting ripped off to the tune of a few hundred for an oil/filter change!

gib1970 said:

yea but the problem with that is that the checks and stuff they do every 2nd year would then get missed out altogether - id rather go for the low one at the 1st year and then let them catch up with everything in one go at year 2.

thats my plan, although having an abarth i suspect i wont be using their network as i dont fancy getting ripped off to the tune of a few hundred for an oil/filter change!

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I imagine that Fiat have not just done this on a whim but that a lot of thought will have gone into what is considered necessary to be checked.

I don't think for a minute that they would compromise on safety or anything else important. The only things that would be omitted would be items that have proved, through a lot of research and development miles not to be susceptible to problems in the short term.

£208 sounds a bit OTT to me, I was just quoted £170 for mine for a full service since it's nearly at 10,000 miles!

Jake_in_notts said:

That was exactly how it was explained to me. Second year is the time for the low mileage.

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nope, the opposite is true

full service includes plugs hence why it is more expensive

if you do a full service too early you will be replacing parts too soon that still have life in them

oh heck! you're not making the decision any easier!

Does the low milage service include filter changes? I live in a very dusty area, and previously my filters have always been very clogged up with clay dust...

not using your car regulary or just doing small journeys can be just as harmful as doing 400 miles a day, DPF's dont regenerate, spark plugs get fouled, battery works harder, oil/engine not getting up to working temperature etc...personally i'd recommend full service every time.

T14086 said:

not using your car regulary or just doing small journeys can be just as harmful as doing 400 miles a day, DPF's dont regenerate, spark plugs get fouled, battery works harder, oil/engine not getting up to working temperature etc...personally i'd recommend full service every time.

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The Marea is gets a full service every 6000 miles because although I'm doing about average mileage it's nearly all lots of short runs about town.

Cornish Blonde said:

My car (1.4 lounge) is due for it's first service at the end of next month. It's was pre registered, but I've only had it since December, and will have done about 8,000 when I take it in.

I've been quoted £208 for full service and £115 for low milage service.

Which should I go for?

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Hi, as a new owner i'm a little confused as to why people are having full services done on year old cars with 8-10Kon the clock. i was told by my delaer that the servicing interval (1.2 lounge) is 18K or two years, whichever comes first, unless the car has covered less than 6K miles in the first year, in which case it needs a low mileage service? Is this correct?

stu0710 said:

Hi, as a new owner i'm a little confused as to why people are having full services done on year old cars with 8-10Kon the clock. i was told by my delaer that the servicing interval (1.2 lounge) is 18K or two years, whichever comes first, unless the car has covered less than 6K miles in the first year, in which case it needs a low mileage service? Is this correct?

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yes totally correct

Woah!

can someone just run that by me again? I just had a card and a phone call from the garage saying that I am due for a service. So I booked one it - for tomorrow!!!

I drive a 1.4 if that makes a difference....

Just checked my dealers web site. it says:

Please note your service is due by the manufacturers recommended mileage OR annually.

E.g.; a new Fiat 500 on an 18000 mile service interval, will be due for a service after 12 months even if it hasn’t reached the mileage. The following year will be a 36000 mile service and so on.

If you are a high mileage driver you will be required to have the service carried out more frequently (every 18000 miles if applicable on your model).


Can anyone clarify this for me PLEASE Don't want to spend money unnecessarily! Though I need warranty stuff doing, more oil and coolant at very least.... so will be going anyway...

it was explained to me the only difference worth noting is spark plugs, our 500 just had the low miles service and I was told its really not worth replacing them unless you do the full 18k or so per year. Just get the low miles one and have spark plugs at your 2nd service. The low mileage service includes oil and filter change and a full inspection anyway and thats what matters and if you need spark plugs already there is something wrong lol