@divegeester
It warms my heart to read comments like this, I think the original poster may have missed your point.
I would never do it, but the number of times I have had taxi drivers asking me to forge service documents because they went cheap and had an accident and now need to prove to the court they were not to blame, staggering.
They are not regular car users and the courts hold them to a higher accountability.
I don't know where the original poster is from, but if he is outside the EU it probably doesn't matter, it should, but probably doesn't.
@how-ntl saidI should start this post by saying thank you for your comment. what i write below is not meant as an insult to your good self, i'm sure you meant no insult to me either. Boomshanka.
@huckleberryhound
Whats the make, model, year and mileage of the vehicle?
Are you UK or elsewhere?
Each vehicle is different and so are its owners, if you mess with the brakes, as others have said you are more than likely going to introduce moisture, with brakes "If its not broken don't fix it", with exception to brake pads/shoes or disc's.
If your brake pipes are corrode ...[text shortened]... ould be changed as I inspected everything else sort of thing.
Don't be scared to change it monthly.
For the record, i've had my vehicle serviced 7 times by 4 different mechanics/garages. So far i've had one spill oil down the engine then break the air filter sensor connection (they kept quiet about it and stuck it back on with rubber glue), not knowing about the second thing, i gave it to them twice again (this is a major chain garage). The third time they failed to put the oil filter back on properly. I had another garage mess up the filter, and the last one failed to reconnect the fuel hose to the fuel filter properly...so forgive me if i scoff at the holier than thou attitude of any mechanic that tells me my car is in bad hands if not given over to their industry. Plonkers don't just own crap taxis.
I have connections in the industry, and my car will be treated properly. When i asked for tips, i was looking for more "make sure and have plenty of rags" type thing. I'm only planning on doing the filters myself, and the oil change. Stuff you'd think would be easy enough for a garage not to make a dog's dinner of, and things i need to get done around 5 times a year.
@huckleberryhound
No offense was meant and none was taken.
I totally understand about the rogues and these are usually " young fitters" not mechanics as such in the large franchises.
Finding a good garage is like looking for hen's teeth, my customer base is loyal and I value their custom, it doesn't take much to upset me when I am a customer and I apply the same logic to them.
My taxi customers ask to see my work before leaving the garage and I am glad to show them, but they like me are old and that's how it used to be done.
In my book a good mechanic will give you the old parts to take away if you want (within reason) and for you decide if it was absolutely necessary.
If I am honest, I am not shocked by your account, but I hope you made them accountable.
For what it is worth though, some of us still believe in honesty and integrity.