Free car health checkups?

Equus · 5th February 2007, 17:14

I got an SMS last week from Advaith regarding a free health checkup for my Santro. Worth the time?

amu1983 · 5th February 2007, 18:01

Nope... nothing is free in this world. Don't know about Hyundai, but Maruti will 'recommend' that you change this and that at their free service camps, and will try to make some money. The cursory checkup will be far less thorough than what your friendly local mechanic will do for you, for free.

Just stick to your regular servicing schedule, and it should be fine. Remember - if it aint broke, don't fix it.

ravibhat · 5th February 2007, 18:15

Yes its worth visiting free check. Don't get trapped by their offerrings there. like discounts on accessories etc.. stuffs

They might collect feedback because free check up always targets for checking the cars and talking to customers.

Regards,

Ravi.

shuvc · 5th February 2007, 18:25

Went to a free MUL checkup recently at Kolkata. Did not face a single sales pitch for accessories etc. Actually was of a help in a way since I got batteries changed in the remote since I asked for it.
The checkup is pretty quick and possibly cursory ... car was cleaned .. got 4 pens, a duster and a cap

and had to be alert so that they didn't put those various stickers on ...

rks · 5th February 2007, 18:37

Advaith Hyundai is where I got my Santro in Dec. 2000. They are very pro-active and bug you on the phone if you delay the routine service beyond 6 months. I have found them to be quite good.

The free check-up may be just a stunt to attract more customers. Of course if you have no issues with your car and just got it serviced, there is not much point in getting it checked again. If you do have some issues or have done several thousand kms from the previous service, a free check-up can be beneficial.

condor · 5th February 2007, 19:07

No harm, and can help to get it checked. But like RKS said, if your service was recent, or a service is right around the corner, you could skip this. If you suspect something wrong with the car, then you could go for the check.

Had got such a call from Prerana for my Indigo, and went across to get a niggle checked. Turned out to be a damaged part and later got it rectified. Didnt face any sales pitch either.

theMAG · 5th February 2007, 19:23

Dont think too much abt these free camps - utilize them. They'll merely diagnose your car and give you gap analysis. They aint gonna do any work on it unless you authorize. A worthwhile effort I'd say.

Equus · 5th February 2007, 20:45

The next service is 2 months away and I have some knocking and power issues possibly due to different fuel grades recently.

Thanks guys! I will give it a try and keep you posted.

mithun · 7th February 2007, 04:49

Although I don't have any experience with any car checkup melas, I had lots & lots of nightmares when I had gone for such melas in the past for my bikes. They would simply give a report of parts that need immediate replacement and try to make some quick bucks. And also there will be some company guys(a.k.a morons) who will be proclaiming themselves as omniscient ones.

If your car is well maintained, I would just recommend you to stay away from such gimmicks.

5th February 2007, 17:14	#1
Equus Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,123 Thanked: 423 Times	Free car health checkups? I got an SMS last week from Advaith regarding a free health checkup for my Santro. Worth the time?
	() Thanks

5th February 2007, 18:01	#2
amu1983 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 144 Thanked: 0 Times	Nope... nothing is free in this world. Don't know about Hyundai, but Maruti will 'recommend' that you change this and that at their free service camps, and will try to make some money. The cursory checkup will be far less thorough than what your friendly local mechanic will do for you, for free. Just stick to your regular servicing schedule, and it should be fine. Remember - if it aint broke, don't fix it.
	() Thanks

5th February 2007, 18:15	#3
ravibhat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,256 Thanked: 37 Times View My Garage	Yes its worth visiting free check. Don't get trapped by their offerrings there. like discounts on accessories etc.. stuffs They might collect feedback because free check up always targets for checking the cars and talking to customers. Regards, Ravi.
	() Thanks

5th February 2007, 18:25	#4
shuvc Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 2,913 Thanked: 352 Times View My Garage	Went to a free MUL checkup recently at Kolkata. Did not face a single sales pitch for accessories etc. Actually was of a help in a way since I got batteries changed in the remote since I asked for it. The checkup is pretty quick and possibly cursory ... car was cleaned .. got 4 pens, a duster and a cap and had to be alert so that they didn't put those various stickers on ...
	() Thanks

5th February 2007, 18:37	#5
rks BANNED Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ?? Posts: 1,238 Thanked: 17 Times	Advaith Hyundai is where I got my Santro in Dec. 2000. They are very pro-active and bug you on the phone if you delay the routine service beyond 6 months. I have found them to be quite good. The free check-up may be just a stunt to attract more customers. Of course if you have no issues with your car and just got it serviced, there is not much point in getting it checked again. If you do have some issues or have done several thousand kms from the previous service, a free check-up can be beneficial.
	() Thanks

5th February 2007, 19:07	#6
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speed-brkr City Posts: 15,864 Thanked: 16,015 Times View My Garage	No harm, and can help to get it checked. But like RKS said, if your service was recent, or a service is right around the corner, you could skip this. If you suspect something wrong with the car, then you could go for the check. Had got such a call from Prerana for my Indigo, and went across to get a niggle checked. Turned out to be a damaged part and later got it rectified. Didnt face any sales pitch either.
	() Thanks

5th February 2007, 19:23	#7
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	Dont think too much abt these free camps - utilize them. They'll merely diagnose your car and give you gap analysis. They aint gonna do any work on it unless you authorize. A worthwhile effort I'd say.
	() Thanks

5th February 2007, 20:45	#8
Equus Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,123 Thanked: 423 Times	The next service is 2 months away and I have some knocking and power issues possibly due to different fuel grades recently. Thanks guys! I will give it a try and keep you posted.
	() Thanks

7th February 2007, 04:49	#9
mithun BANNED Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cochin Posts: 2,195 Thanked: 268 Times	Although I don't have any experience with any car checkup melas, I had lots & lots of nightmares when I had gone for such melas in the past for my bikes. They would simply give a report of parts that need immediate replacement and try to make some quick bucks. And also there will be some company guys(a.k.a morons) who will be proclaiming themselves as omniscient ones. If your car is well maintained, I would just recommend you to stay away from such gimmicks.
	() Thanks