Scheduled service

The scope of a service programme varies from car to car. The same make and the same model year can call for different work depending on how far the car has been driven and what was done last time. So the price is an estimate until we have looked up the car's service programme.

The estimate binds us. Under Finnish law an estimate may not be exceeded by more than 15 per cent, additional work included. In practice the final price can be at most 15 per cent above the estimate, never more.

The interval is usually 15 000 to 30 000 km or 12 months. Newer cars calculate the interval themselves and tell you when a service is due. That calculation takes driving style and short trips into account, so it is more reliable than the odometer alone.

A scheduled service is the cheapest moment to find suspension and brake faults, because the car is already on the lift with the wheels off. Together, suspension and brakes are the commonest reason a passenger car fails its inspection.

We write down what we saw, including when we recommend doing nothing. We also write down what we recommended and what you chose not to have done. Next time, both of us remember.