Service Log and DIY Servicing

[davidhawkins_78]

Hello you lot .. silly question for you!

In short, I'm more than a competant mechanic and am loathed to spend ?100 on a basic service just to get a stamp in the log book to say it's been done.

BUT I also understand that those stamps can significantly increase the value of your car. OK you might be a F1 engine builder, but when someone comes to take her off your hands, they have every right to be dubious as there's no proof (Well no main dealer stamp anyway).

I'm sure I'm not the only person to have thought of this ... what do you reckon on the subject

[mk1]

Write in the service book the date , mileage etc. Keep all the receipts in a folder. There is nothing more impressive than looking to buy a car and the care full owner has a $hite load of paperwork and receipts.
I think that a car serviced by a competent owner is probably a better buy (and better serviced) than a stealer serviced car. I don't think you will devalue your car by servicing it yourself.
Steve.

[Dinky]

I agree with MK1,plus its a hell of alot cheaper!  
Thats wot im gonna try n do with my car!(hopefully  )

Dinky  

[Dizzie]

I have a huge folder full of reciepts for mods and parts that have been replaced while I've had the car. I got a few from the previous owner. I'd never let any normal garage touch my car though.

[kniterider]

i always do my own servicing, (although if i hadnt and got done at a garage my warreny would have been valid when my cambelt tensioner faile don my mk4!!) its a choice you take i will now say if you have any kind of warrenty running on your car spend the money and get it done proper, i had a months to go when i service my mk4 and because of that my warrenty was invalid so i had to shell a grand to get it on the road again, but if it would have happend a month later id have had to have spent that  much anyway, if you have no warrenties on your car then yes, keep a nice wedge of reciepts for oils/filters/parts etc all stapled to a printed sheet (via computer/printer) with what mileage you did the stuff at and when  you reset service timers ect (mk3/4's) then i dont think it will have any reflection on future resale value etc as most vw owner take pride/time/care and will probably do a better job than some 17yr old yt boy in a garage!!

just my piece!! also if you ever change your cambelt, please please, no mater what milage etc replace the tensioner unit also (with a genuine VAG part) as this is what failed on my mk4 and has cost me a packet!!!!

Gaz

[richandhazel]

As many of you already know, I do all my own servicing and work..........also do quite a bit for other people too. I've got a fantastic piece of software for recording all your service history, parts changed and gives you reminders etc.

I'm going to be away for a week so I may take a while to reply, but if anyone is interested in this software IM me for more info

[winstonb]

Do people really care that much about dealers stamps for older cars these days?  sure fro the first couple of years you'd want to see it all been looked after, but im not sure id be that fussed when looking at a 15+ yr old MK2.  Much more important to see a bundle of reciepts and take a good look over the actuall car.

How about making a stamp up to use every time you do a service.  It might not be main dealer, but its as meaning full as a normal independent garage.
Maybe somthing like The GolfGTI.co.uk Garage  

[JMallows]

In my opinion, if i was looking at two cars, same age same condition etc... One had full VAG service, and the other had service done by himself, i would go for the latter. In my opnion if its been serviced by him then he's more than likely to care about the car, than a garage, to them its just a car! But,... only if i thought he was genuine, and not lying etc...