Afternoon all
I’ve got a Peugeot Expert van on an 08 plate. I’m going to service it myself next time.
Obviously its oil/oil filter/engine flush, and easy visual checks, lights, tyres etc,but what else do you do yourself?
I’ve just greased all the door runners and hinges, cos they was getting a bit sticky. Do you bother checking brakes etc when they have to be done as part of the MOT? I havent long actually changed the pads, so I wont be checking them.
So, what do you do/dont bother with?

Ta

A year it’s a long time been mots for brakes to wear out..! Mot just checks for functionality doesn’t it rather than life left.

I usually check everything in the service schedule in the handbook.

As a general rule, I would visually inspect coolant and oil levels every week (or before a long journey) with tyre pressures and condition.

At the right interval, do the oil, oil filter and air filter and check the pads/disks. When the pads start getting low or the disks start getting badly lipped, I’ll make a decision to change them. Ditto the tyres really; just keep an eye on them and change in pairs as required.

I leave A/C and other complex stuff to the professionals.

I do oil/fuel/air/cabin filters as per the intervals (well, at about 75% of them actually). I change over to winter tyres each year so check the brakes then when the wheels are already off. Other than that I just suck my teeth and kick the tyres.

what he said.

filters , fluids , check for leaks , tire pressures , tread depths , pad thickenss , disk condition – inside and out. adjust my wheel bearings , check gear box, transfer box and diff oils – check chassis for rust 😀

filters and fluids takes about 30 minutes , the rest of the service about an hour and a half.

any knocks or bangs get investigated asap before they develope into major issues.

Timing belt before specified interval.

aux belt if called for.

rubber seals around the doors/windows get silicone oiled in the pre winter service – stops the doors and windows sticking in ice…

Brake pads less than 1.5mm thick are an mot fail, close to that advise, anything else not mentioned.

I hear what your saying about MOT interval being a long time, I should have added I do less than 20,000 a year and my last pads seemed to last forever, so the new ones should be good for a few years yet.
Timing belts and water pump already done.
Specialist stuff will be left to the experts, I’m not that adventurous, plus it has to be done on the side of the road if I’m doing it.
I like the silicon on the seals pointer, especially as the door was a bit sticky this morning.

Thanks everyone for the tips so far.

Brake fluid every 2 years.

Lights

Unless you know the engine has been flushed on a regular basis previously I wouldn’t start doing it as you can do more harm than good. I do flush regular but have done so from low mileage.

Everything else as per Trail Rat. If you wait for something to fail on an MOT then it is you who failed to maintain the vehicle.

I should have added I do less than 20,000 a year

– thats still a fair few miles….

my last pads seemed to last forever, so the new ones should be good for a few years yet

Pads can fail too such breaking apart, pick up a stone that will destroy the disc or the caliper may get mucked up stopping it from sliding correctly creating uneven wear.