MOTORISTS LOSING FAR MORE THAN THEY SAVE WITH DIY MAINTENCE

Cash-strapped motorists are paying a heavy price when it comes to trading in or selling it, by doing their own servicing. The warning comes from consumer car-selling service HonkHonk.co.uk, which is seeing reductions in the value of home-maintained cars which far exceed the savings made by not using garage services. As the cost of living crisis continues, more people than ever are turning to YouTube tutorials to guide them through oil changes, brake pad replacements and other routine maintenance. But initial savings often turn into massive reductions in the value of the car when it's eventually sold. HonkHonk says it's vital to have an official record of essential servicing or dealers will significantly reduce any price they offer against the car to set against doing the work themselves. The problem has been recently highlighted by customers of HonkHonk - which brings motorists together with dealers who want to buy their cars - reporting that dealers had turned down good cars because they had no recent service history. Dealers also tell HonkHonk that some sellers don't appreciate that the dealer will have to vouch for the maintenance of any car they sell - which means repeating any work that the motorist has already done. In some cases DIY maintenance means a car may have no takers at all on the HonkHonk marketplace, where dealers compete with each other for the best cars they need for stock. To illustrate the issue in cash terms, HonkHonk reveals these real life examples of an initial saving turning into a much bigger loss, using three current cars for which customers are struggling to find acceptable offers. Range Rover Sport with 45,000 miles Trade value in excellent condition and full service history £35,000. Two entries missing from service manual. Servicing money saved - between £600 and £2,000. Best offer £29,500. Cost of skipping warranted services - up to £4,900. Because this car has not sold for 30 days it has also lost an extra £800 in trade value since being listed for sale. Mini Cooper diesel with 30,000 miles Trade value in excellent condition and full service history £13,000. Services skipped for years 4 and 5. Servicing money saved - between £400 and £750. Best offer £11,500. Cost of skipping warranted services - up to £1,500. Ford Fiesta 1,6 Petrol with 65,000 miles Trade value in excellent condition and full service history £4,000. Only 6 warranted services in 12 years (against 11 recommended). Servicing money saved - around £1,200. Best offer £2,250. Cost of skipping warranted services - £1,750