For years I always hand washed my car. Just a bucket and sponge, rinsed off with water and a chamois dry. Then I worked away from home and the car was doing lots of winter miles so I popped it into the local car wash and was pleased with the results. However, I found that as I moved around, the quality of the results varied from okay to dire. I stopped working away from home so returned to hand washing. About 12 years ago I moved out of the family home and the opportunity to hand wash the car was very limited. This however coincided with the rise of the hand wash operatives and I was pleased with the results I got. Mind you, early spring and MOT time was the only time the car got washed so I do not have a lot to go on! Since buying the Jazz, a year ago, I have been washing the car by hand, myself. Being retired and it being such a small car has made this easier. Recently, after reading through the detailing sites, I have gone over to the two bucket system, using rinseless shampoo. I don't think the car is any better finished than when the local hand wash fraternity was doing it, though it gets done about once a week now.
I would advise anyone who struggles to wash their car, due to time, health issues or just sheer practicalities of washing it, to give the local guys a chance. There are plenty of them about, so you can try a few and see what's best. I always paid for the full bhuna, whatever was on offer, and was never disappointed. Give it a try.