Do you think my car was serviced?

Hi, I bought a 2009 Opel Insignia four months ago. The place where I bought it from promised it had a full service done. A few weeks ago I noticed that every time I used the brakes there was a grinding sound. Also the code 'no 82' came up on the dashboard. Apparently this means that the engine oil needs to be changed.

Over the four months the car has not been used a lot. My question is if the place did a full service, would these problems still occur? The guy who I bought the car from was very dismissive and agreed to do the brakes. But he wouldn't even find out what the code 82 meant - I had to do that myself.

Thanks

Jackie Cullen (Dublin)

Oct 2012 Filed under: servicing

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Expert answer

Hi Jackie,

We would expect a car's brakes to be thoroughly checked during a service for sure, though whether they warrant changing really is up to the mechanic doing the job. As that noise was not there when you bought the car it's fair to assume there was no issue with the brakes then - though clearly the pads didn't have much left on them. It's good that they're doing it now for you, even if the person you are dealing with is dismissive.

It's quite poor that the mechanic wouldn't find out what the code 82 was about, but there you go. The Insignia's engine management system monitors several parameters such as number of cold starts and engine speed and calculates when you need an oil change. If you use your car more frequent short journeys rather than longer ones then it may require changing earlier. Many people ignore this read out and just change their oil according to mileage or time, but the official word is to stick to what the engine management computer says. Just make sure the garage resets it again for you.

Last point: I wouldn't expect the garage to pay for this oil service. If they do, it's a bonus!

Hope that all helps put your mind at ease.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser
@Shane_O_D