How to... cut your service bills - Take your own oil

FOR You can save more than £5 per litre
AGAINST Garage might 'forget' to use it

When you consider that a first service often includes little more than a change of the oil and filters, it's amazing how the bill mounts up. Manufacturer-supplied oil can be surprisingly pricey.

So why not take your own when you drop your car into the workshop? You can buy oil from high-street stores or over the internet.

If you do decide to supply your own oil, it's worth checking with the garage that it's the right kind - and that they are willing to use it.

I tried it and saved money
I've been taking my own oil for my car's oil changes for the past 20 years. I always check that it's the correct specification, and I always use Castrol as I'm a shareholder.

Sometimes the dealer has raised an eyebrow, but I know I'll get charged twice the price that I buy the oil for in Halfords.

At my last oil change, the Mercedes dealer was going to charge me £71 for the oil, but buying it myself cost me just £25 - an enormous saving.
Donald Siddle, Wiltshire, Mercedes C180k owner