servicing...HOW MUCH?

[newskoda]

ok so i phoned up skoda in sidcup today to find out how much they'd chage for a 30k service. £199.

apparently all they do is check the car over and change the oil. That sounds like the most expensive oil change ever. can anyone elaborate on this?

i've owned my fabia vrs 6 months and have had my local mechanic change the oil twice since i've had it. Fuel filter and air filter been done too recently. If i was to get the service done by my local...i usually buy the parts myself, give it to my mechanic and he charges just £60 labour.

[Conshine]

The oil is about £15 per litre from the dealers so you would be looking at £60+ for just the oil.

Probably about £100 for the Labour

Also anything else they use like a new sump plug, washer fluid, any filters, engine flush (if they still do that) etc etc....

About right for the price I would say.

40k I think is the biggie, thats about £250 as this includes the air and cabin filters IIRC.

[Conshine]

ok so i phoned up skoda in sidcup today to find out how much they'd chage for a 30k service. £199.

apparently all they do is check the car over and change the oil. That sounds like the most expensive oil change ever. can anyone elaborate on this?

i've owned my fabia vrs 6 months and have had my local mechanic change the oil twice since i've had it. Fuel filter and air filter been done too recently. If i was to get the service done by my local...i usually buy the parts myself, give it to my mechanic and he charges just £60 labour.

Why twice in six months for the oil (unless you do huge miles) and I hope he used the correct VW 501 spec PD oil?

I only do the oil every 10k?

Just re-read your post and it seems a bit pointless having it serviced if you have had a recent oil change and the filters have been done, they won't do much more than this at the dealers?

I'd just get the correct parts and let your mate do it and save yourself money, unless you want the dealer stamp in the book?

Edited 12 December, 2008 by Conshine

[VRStu]

Try phoning a couple of dealers for a 'sample' price.

[jakesbrakes]

I am starting finally to think that the prepaid service contract I was talked into when I first bought the car is going to be good value..

Paid originally £576 for a 3 Year max mileage of 36.000 period..

And the final service will include the Mot.

Even the 1st service gave me the oil/ filter plus windscreen blades.

So the earlier payment has now been (almost) forgotten.

[Lee]

I went down the three year service plan route and the best part was not having a huge bill in one go as the monthly payments were barely noticed.

Outside of normal servicing I would suggest "extra care" is subjectivbe and down to personal preference, e.g. how often you change the oil, do yo wait until a wiper blade is changed by a dealer(?) and the same for filters. Personally I'm quite happy to change the oil a few extra times in a year along with the air/pollen filters etc as this reassures me the car is being cared for rather than waiting for a nasty surprise once a year.

Ultimately the choice is yours.

[marcrp]

I foolishly had my 20k service done at the Sidcup Skoda garage and they charged me £300 which was effectively a oil change and brake fluid.

I won't be going back there. I'm not sure where you live but there is a independant VW/Skoda specialist in Gravesend if you want their details. I haven't used them yet but plan to for my Cambelt change.

[Tom_vRS]

Servicing prices are very much dealer dependant. I wholeheartedly recommend not only ringing round local dealers for quotes, but also there is a lot to be said for building up a rapor (sp?) with your local service department

[newskoda]

Why twice in six months for the oil (unless you do huge miles) and I hope he used the correct VW 501 spec PD oil?

I only do the oil every 10k?

Just re-read your post and it seems a bit pointless having it serviced if you have had a recent oil change and the filters have been done, they won't do much more than this at the dealers?

I'd just get the correct parts and let your mate do it and save yourself money, unless you want the dealer stamp in the book?

I do about 20k-25k a year. I would normally change the oil 4 times a year as i did with my previous car, but fully synth is so much more expensive so its just the cost that stops me. My last car which was a ford escort mk6, achieved 175k miles before i sold it and due to the number of oil changes i did the engine was still very smooth.

If you do less than 10k a year that You have bigger reason to worry as if you only change your oil once a year that is bad, as sludge and deposites are more likely to form. You might be kissing your engine goodbye sooner than later

remember oil is the life blood of the car

[newskoda]

I foolishly had my 20k service done at the Sidcup Skoda garage and they charged me £300 which was effectively a oil change and brake fluid.

I won't be going back there. I'm not sure where you live but there is a independant VW/Skoda specialist in Gravesend if you want their details. I haven't used them yet but plan to for my Cambelt change.

the sidcup garage...is that the one at half way street?

:eek: £300 for just an oil change and brake fluid? i bet you may not go back there again especially after u found one in gravesend! thats good..glad there's some good independs around

for my oil change and full brake fluid change it was

an hours labour (£30)

vw 505.01 pd spec oil @ £35

oil filter £4

dot 4 brake fluid £10

total cost £79 inc parts and labour by a vw specialist.

[Conshine]

I do about 20k-25k a year. I would normally change the oil 4 times a year as i did with my previous car, but fully synth is so much more expensive so its just the cost that stops me. My last car which was a ford escort mk6, achieved 175k miles before i sold it and due to the number of oil changes i did the engine was still very smooth.

If you do less than 10k a year that You have bigger reason to worry as if you only change your oil once a year that is bad, as sludge and deposites are more likely to form. You might be kissing your engine goodbye sooner than later

remember oil is the life blood of the car

That is correct, hense I do 20k per year and have it changed twice.

Oil is far superior than it used to be.

I still see it pointless doing it more than what the book says....what about the variable servicing engines like on the Octavia??? My friend has one and the first service was 18k, his has done the same miles as mine and is in no worse condition. In theory, mine should be better as I have the oil done at a specific interval and not when the car says.

It's really up to the individual person, mine has done nearly 80k now and is in perfect condition.

[Decron]

for my oil change and full brake fluid change it was

an hours labour (£30)

vw 505.01 pd spec oil @ £35

oil filter £4

dot 4 brake fluid £10

total cost £79 inc parts and labour by a vw specialist.

That service didn't include an inspection which must be done once a year. Also, even trade a genuine filter is more than £4 so if it's not genuine then you could have issues with your warranty.

Sounds like you should just take it back there and get it done. The dealer will charge more that an independant as a rule of thumb but there are also sometimes good reasons for this. Have a search...