Help me not donate more money to dealer profit than I really need to...

May 18, 2008 2:29 PM

2006 Honda Civic service schedule: Maintenance Minder or dealer service recommendation?

I've listed my 2006 Civic for sale, but am still unsure as to which maintenance schedule the car should follow, and would like to provide this information to any potential buyers. The operational and service manuals (as well as the Honda Owner's website) indicates that maintenance is only required when specific number/letter codes appear on the dash display.

Of course the dealer recommends services as specific set intervals, the next of which is 35K miles. They stated that this service includes: oil change, transmission fluid check/refill, air cabin filter and engine air filter (?) change, new brake pads, tire rotation, and a valve check. The quoted cost being a semi-outrageous $449, of course.

This car has been well maintained and not driven hard by any means. I know the dealer will obviously overcharge for the amount of work that will be done, but it would seem that getting this service done would bring more piece of mind to a used car buyer. I also already have one serious buyer who has driven the car and has not expressed concern over the lack of the 35K mile service (mileage just barely exceeds 35K).

Recommendations on what you would you do? Pay the dealer for the service, find a non-dealer who can to the equivalent for a lower cost, state to any buyers that all maintenance has been done per the 'maintenance minder' codes, which it has for the past two years.

posted by Asherah to travel & transportation (2 comments total)

I would call several Honda dealerships/service centers in the area and compare prices between those and trusted non-Honda mechanics. There are three or four major ones in Cleveland, OH and the prices vary drastically. For example, my friend's 2004 Civic cost $190 for the 40k check-up at Motorcars Honda (East side). The 40k check-up at Classic Honda (South of the city) for my 2004 Civic cost $90.

When shopping for a used 2004 Civic last summer, I only considered ones that had a Carfax record with scheduled maintenance completed by Honda.

If I in your shoes, I'd have the service done and chalk it up to taking care of the car and making it a more attractive sale.
posted by vkxmai at 3:39 PM on May 18

If I were a buyer, I wouldn't care whether the dealer did the service, as long as you used a good garage for the big maintenance stuff. In fact, if you had your car serviced by my favorite, excellent local Honda specialist garage, I'd feel better than if you had the work done by the dealership. Honda dealer mechanics, in my experience, aren't as good as the best independents.

And I wouldn't think that you would be the one to tell me the maintenance schedule - I don't assume that car sellers are mechanics. I'd just look it up in the manual, like you did, and verify that you had done your oil changes on time.
posted by zippy at 6:19 PM on May 18