Looking through the manual, there doesnt seem to be much info on what is done apart from checking door hinges and fluid levels and changing the oil. but what is actually done as from what i can make out the sparks are not replaced or cleaned till the car has done at least another 20k.:confused::eek:

Exactly the same as the first variable, plus a few extra bits and bobs depending on if done last time, eg. brake fluid change. I think the spark plugs are also changed along with the air filter, and pollen filter.

Spark plugs wont be until 40k. Neither will the air filter. Pollen is done every 20k.

Ihave been looking at my service manual and on the face of things it looks like the work carried out is pretty minimal. With the TFSi engine in mine i think it may well be getting a bit more attention than Skoda deem necessary, unless i am mistaken. Bought it with 10k on and it has had a 'service' already so will be checking to make sure that a reasonable amount of work has been done as they're now saying i dont need any more servicing until 30k!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hmmmm £200-£250 for very little work... if i ask for the sparks to be changed will they change them as im not happy with them done at 40k. unless there is anyone local to me who knows how to do the sparks on my car as i couldnt find them.

hmmmm £200-£250 for very little work... if i ask for the sparks to be changed will they change them as im not happy with them done at 40k. unless there is anyone local to me who knows how to do the sparks on my car as i couldnt find them.

You see its all in that statement there.

You couldnt find you spark plugs (let alone change them) so you have to pay for someones knowledge, training and expertise to change them for you. When you consider most labour rates are in the region of £80ph (we want to get paid, costs a fortune to open a dealership in a market getting harder and harder etc etc) it doesnt take a lot to get to £200 when you consider £50-£60 is engine oil.

next to nothing really, apart from the opportunity for the dealer to fleece you in return for a stamp in the book.

Had the 2nd variable service done on my 1.9TDi last week at just short of 28k miles. Done at main dealer.

Parts included oil (£55 +vat), oil filter, pollen filter, screen wash, - may be more! Can't remember exactly .

Total cost was £182, so taking off the government's cut it leaves £155 without vat

Haven't a clue what the filters cost but round figures leaves £85 for labour?

Labour is a poor term really - they have to pay running costs on the building, salaries, courtesy car, etc out of that

As Lummox says, it soon adds up.

Put it in perspective - £182 for 15,000 to 18,000 miles is a paltry 1 to 1.2 pence per mile = 3/5 of feck all

Added to that, having the full dealer service record adds value at swap time and makes your car easier to sell.

I think that main dealer pricing is much more competitive these days since they were stopped from voiding the warranty if a car wasn't dealer serviced. A month ago I needed some tyres for SWMBO's Micra (odd sized tyres!!) - shopped around including the online places. Best deal was at the local Ford main dealer :eek: - 3 quid a tyre cheaper than nearest rival for the same tyres (Conti Eco 3) with a special deal of 1200 nectar points as a bonus.

If there are any dealers reading this it ain't an excuse to put up yer prices :P... In fact I think I deserve my next service free

You see its all in that statement there.

You couldnt find you spark plugs (let alone change them) so you have to pay for someones knowledge, training and expertise to change them for you. When you consider most labour rates are in the region of £80ph (we want to get paid, costs a fortune to open a dealership in a market getting harder and harder etc etc) it doesnt take a lot to get to £200 when you consider £50-£60 is engine oil.

its not a dig at the small man like yourself lummox, i actually prefer to use a small garage (like i did with my last 2 cars) because its slightly cheaper, but more importantly the car gets proper attention and proper advice. One thing i was pleased about was i forgot to ask for a spare bulb (used one out of the spare bulb kit) on one service. when i asked how much i was told not to worry as ive spent enough on them, whats a 20p bulb after using them for a service. a big dealer ship would have charged a good few quid and then offered to put it in the spare bulb kit for quarter of an hours labour.

I think Ross' point is that the garage charge what is probably not a huge mark up when compared to CDs, DVDs, Software, Supermarkets etc etc.

I can do most car servicing myself, but these days I don't because of the cost of some of the tools and because of the value of my time. It reaches a balance point where it's worth doing myself then i will, but otherwise I'll pay to keep my free time and know it's done.