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Troubleshooter: A long list of oil changes is not a service history record

It's important to have a car regularly and properly inspected

Brian Turner
Sep 02, 2021  •  September 2, 2021  •  2 minute read  •  Join the conversation
The MGB's oily engine bay
The MGB's oily engine bay Photo by Elliot Alder

Okay, okay, I’ve heard enough from dealership service consultants on this one, and seeing that it makes sense and represents something consumers might get some value from, well, here it is.

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Take this very very common service counter scenario:

Advisor: after checking your vehicle for unusual tire wear, our tech has found a lower ball joint with some excessive play. It will need replacing along with at least 2 of the tires.

Customer: but my warranty just expired, how can this be? I bring my car in religiously twice a year for service, how did you not notice this while the warranty was still in effect, or until it ruined 2 tires?

Advisor: (pulling up service history showing quick-lube service oil changes only) you’ve never had any comprehensive or even basic inspections done here and our quick-lube bay is only equipped for oil changes and fluid, lights, and tire pressure checks. We did recommend various inspections when they were due, but you refused each time.

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Customer: but I bought the car here! You’re the dealership; you’re supposed to catch these things!

And so on and so on.

More On This Topic

  1. Troubleshooter: What an oil change inspection won't cover

    Troubleshooter: What an oil change inspection won't cover

  2. Oil changes: Do it yourself or leave to the pros?

    Oil changes: Do it yourself or leave to the pros?

No-appointment-required, quick oil change services are wonderful things. They’re convenient, inexpensive, and allow us to take care of required lubrication services without disrupting our schedules, but they are no replacement for complete vehicle inspections. More and more new vehicle dealerships are moving towards offering dedicated quick-lube services as they finally sit up and recognize that their competition isn’t just a dealership across town, but their friendly neighbourhood Canadian Tire or Jiffy Lube next door.

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There are dozens of components and systems that require periodic inspection that are never checked during an oil change, no matter how experienced or dedicated the tech may be. Also keep in mind, most of these techs check the history of every regular customer vehicle they work on, and when they see that none of their past recommendations are being acted upon, many simply stop recommending things.

You can be the drive-it-till-it-quits type, or if you’re looking for more reliability, take advantage of seasonal specials from your auto service providers on comprehensive inspections and have the pros take a close look at what your oil changers have been missing at least twice a year. The money you spend is likely to save you some higher repair costs down the road.

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