It seems somewhat simple to just stand firm with the finance person and refuse all the add-ons, but how does one figure out what services are actually needed when the service adviser comes to you with a list of issues?
> how does one figure out what services are actually needed when the service adviser comes to you with a list of issues?
As a basic set of rules:
a) say no to everything.
b) look at the service intervals in the book (or what the maintenance minder in the car says).
c) ask them if the factory service plan would cover it
d) ask them if it's critical to safety, and if so, explain what would happen if you didn't do it, how you would notice it was an issue, and how you should respond while it's happening on the road.
e) as soon as you run out of factory service, and maybe factory warranty, use an independent mechanic
Now, sometimes the factory service intervals are wrong, and sometimes there's stuff you probably should do that the factory doesn't say to do ever; but for the most part, the factory schedule is a good baseline, and dealer service wants to do extra frivolous stuff. Some independents do too, I have never seen a next oil change sticker printed with factory intervals.
These are good questions to ask if you assume you would get truthful and non-misleading answers. I wouldn't trust a salesperson to answer these truthfully.
