Big Car Club - MPV and SUV Forums

Always take photos of your engine bay and the bits you want repaired, and make markings on them so you can check if they actually did the job properly. Also ask for the old parts back but be wary in case they give you any old junk they have lying around.

Any other tips please?

Leave a Haynes manual in the passenger footwell so they know you're not likely to be easily conned

Always re-do your tyre pressure after having a new tyre fitted, they never pump them up to the right pressure

Assume that most of what they list in the car's service schedule won't be done. You probably just end up with an oil change and a cursory check over brakes and tyres regardless of the "level" of service you go in for. If you're lucky they might do the air filter and maybe even the fuel filter too. But don't expect any more than that.

If buying a new car, all those complicated financial calculations are there to confuse and intimidate you. Bottom line is, they're trying to fleece you. Just ask the price, and if they can't tell you that, walk away. Second hand cars are better value for money anyway: just save up and buy a car outright.