Hi. Just got a service plan quote for wife's Citigo and it is way more expensive than my 08 Roomster. Got my first service coming up later this year. Should I be prepared for a shock?

My local garage wanted to quote me for servicing the Citigo.

I said not sure they can with the warranty and all that, they said they do other makes which are still under warranty.

How do Skoda work, do they allow this? Not sure on this as it's the first new car I've had for a number of years, normally do my own servicing/repairs.

Sorry to hijack thread but would be good to know also what the costs are for the Citigo is it a standard charge across the dealers?

Edited 22 April, 201313 yr by MickA

You can have your car serviced where you want - 'Freedom of choice' but the garage must follow the manufacturers guidelines and use genuine parts. That's all there is to it.

Do you think a VAG dealer does anything any different to what your trusted local mechanic would do ?

However, you may get a free car wash or a tin of sweets from a main dealer !!

I get my Ocky serviced at an ex VAG service technicians garage.I still have the Skoda extended warranty and have not had any problems with warranty work at the Skoda dealer. However, when going to the dealer try the well another garage said they would do it for 20% cheaper. It worked when my discs needed changing.

Do you think a VAG dealer does anything any different to what your trusted local mechanic would do ?

Yes, they update the car with any necessary software upgrades to the ECU which have been issued by the manufacturer. The local guy won't have this facility, even though he will probably show more care and respect for your property than the faceless dealer and their scratch your paint off clueless valeter.

If you pay upfront, Skoda dealers will do three years (up to 30000 miles) servicing for £499 - for any model (strangely).

VW dealers - for the same deal- charge £299 for the Up, increasing in stages for their bigger models, up to £499.

But I don't think you can extend your 3year warranty with VW to 4 or 5 years by simply making an extra payment when ordering the car.

Swings and roundabouts?

If you pay upfront, Skoda dealers will do three years (up to 30000 miles) servicing for £499 - for any model (strangely).

VW dealers - for the same deal- charge £299 for the Up, increasing in stages for their bigger models, up to £499.

But I don't think you can extend your 3year warranty with VW to 4 or 5 years by simply making an extra payment when ordering the car.

Swings and roundabouts?

Yes you can, fourth year warranty extension on UP! is £205, whilst five year warranty is £490.

Got my first service coming up in 3 weeks - i'll let everyone know how much i get charged!

We got 3 year free service included in the price of the car through Skoda Finance.

Please don't think this a highjack as I think it is relevant to this post, but what do they do on the services? I'm guessing that oil and filter is obvious but is the rest just checks, or do they actually do something substantial? I'm just thinking that £500 is a bit steep just to change the oil and filter three times. I'm sure Sod's Law states that all the major stuff needs doing on the fourth service!!

Please don't think this a highjack as I think it is relevant to this post, but what do they do on the services? I'm guessing that oil and filter is obvious but is the rest just checks, or do they actually do something substantial? I'm just thinking that £500 is a bit steep just to change the oil and filter three times. I'm sure Sod's Law states that all the major stuff needs doing on the fourth service!!

Exactly my thoughts! Just about anyone can easily/successfully change the oil and filter but the Skoda stamp in the Service Book plus the computerised records are harder to come by. If VW only charge £300 (still too much but just about affordable) for the VW up! fixed price servicing, then why do Skoda UK have to rip us off by charging £200 more? If it was £300 I'd snap it up but £500 is pretty greedy. Perhaps Skoda UK will have a more reasonable charge when the Configurator finally comes online again?

That's what I meant by swings and roundabouts. VW 3-year servicing £299, Skoda £499.

VW 5-year warranty £490, Skoda £260.

Saw the Job Details for the first service under my Roomster service plan. It 'cost' them £113 total. 62 for oil, filters, screenwash and sump plug. 51 for labour.

Why not use a VW/Skoda indie?I am sure there must be one where you live.They are mostly half the price of a main agent,and take more care of your car.

It is certainly the case with Smart. The main dealer charges £120 for the A service (Small) and the Indie charges £70.They also know Smarts inside out and take pride in their work.

As long as the garage is VAT registered and they use genuine parts,the warranty is covered.

The Citigo, with its non-turbo engine and fixed service intervals, is less fussy on oil than some of the VW-sourced engines on longlife schedules. At a small cost to fuel economy, I'd use Mobil 1 0W40 which meets the correct VW spec and is a known high quality oil (proper Group IV PAO synthetic) unlike some oils which use weaselly terms like "synthetic technology". It shouldn't cost as much to service as the Octavia, which seemingly needs liquid gold to keep it running for 18,000 miles at a time.

...and they use genuine parts,the warranty is covered.

Is there a way to prove that genuine bits have been used? It's easy to see 'Skoda' on an oil filter but how do you prove that the brake fluid or coolant is genuine Skoda........? I suppose keeping the receipts is the only way, as I can imagine that if a warranty claim can be got out of then this is what they would do. I would prefer to use an independent garage but I think the first three 'free' years will be by the dealer.

My car will be due it's first service in another couple of months. What are you owners normally being charged?

I think there was a post a few weeks back that got to the bottom of extended warranties for skodas

upto 3 years id skoda with skoda assist (rac cover)

the warranties for years 4 and 5 bought as part of the order are official skoda

the warranties for years 4 and 5 bought after order are NON skoda and which ever insurance backed scheme the dealer chooses, so shop around and read all the small print for exclusions

I suspect service plans are similar, as my dealer advertises them as their service plans, so enquire at a few local dealers and also ask if you have to have the car serviced at that dealer / chain or any skoda dealership

Edited 14 May, 201313 yr by bluecar1

Got my first service tomorrow, i wonder how much it wil cost?

I think there was a post a few weeks back that got to the bottom of extended warranties for skodas

upto 3 years id skoda with skoda assist (rac cover)

the warranties for years 4 and 5 bought as part of the order are official skoda

the warranties for years 4 and 5 bought after order are NON skoda and which ever insurance backed scheme the dealer chooses, so shop around and read all the small print for exclusions

I suspect service plans are similar, as my dealer advertises them as their service plans, so enquire at a few local dealers and also ask if you have to have the car serviced at that dealer / chain or any skoda dealership

The service plans are subsidised by Volkswagen/Skoda financial services so you can have them done at any Skoda franchised dealer.

Right, had my first service last week - it cost £92.

Thanks MikeW. My service is not due until the beginning of August and I will then advise my costs.

In the meanwhile is anybody else aware of their first service costs?

If you pay upfront, Skoda dealers will do three years (up to 30000 miles) servicing for £499 - for any model (strangely).

Where'd you get this from?

Skoda charge a maximum of £129 for a fixed 10,000 mile / annual service, see here...

http://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/service-and-maintenance/national-pricing/servicing

So three years servicing should cost a maximum of £129 x3 = £387.

The above is National Pricing at participating retailers only. It is available from three years onward and every second (larger) service is not £129 but £249 and doesn't include brake fluid change. The three year deal I mentioned originally is for new cars up to one year old.

Silver: always read things properly and look at the small print!

Has anyone else taken the free 3 years servicing option with the finance package? If so when/have you received your servicing vouchers?