Hi all,

This morning I had the first service carried out on my 8 month old CR170 vRS by the supplying dealership, and have to say I left less than impressed. The first worry concerns the oil – the cost of the service included a 1 litre top up bottle (which I was led to believe was complimentary but when I got home found I was charged £7.55 + VAT for it and I already have one!!). Anyway my car is on variable servicing and takes 507.00 spec oil, but the top up bottle they gave me is Castrol SLX C3 0W-30, and on the back it says VW 502.00/503.00/505.00. When I queried this with the service manager and told him it was the wrong grade, he went into the back office to ask someone else and I heard the reply of “well that’s the one for diesel, we only have this other one and that’s for petrol enginesâ€. The service manager then told me there’s practically no difference between 505 and 507 and it will be fine, so off you go, or words to that effect. I said I hoped they actually put 507 in the engine and he said yeah yeah. I got the impression he neither knew nor cared.

The invoice says they used 9 units of “WIOIL - BULK OIL†at £5 plus VAT per unit - presumably half litre. Does that sound like it might be 507.00? What has anyone else got on their invoice for a CR170 variable service? How can I tell if they used the right oil other than their word for it? And in any case what is the difference between 505 and 507? Does it really matter?

Anyway to top it all I got home to find they hadn’t stamped the service book, so have to call back in on my way home from work next week to get that done, and at the same time I’ll give them their 505 top up back and get a refund. That will probably be the last time I visit City Skoda in Basingstoke.

It's a shame that the enjoyment of a great car is tarnished by sloppy aftercare. Not at all what I'd been led to expect.

Rant over.

Cheers,

Bob.

Edited 27 August, 201015 yr by vRS Bob

According to the VW guides if your car has a DPF (yours does) or is on variable service you have to use 507 oil. I would be back at the dealer insisting they change the oil for free ensuring they use 507 spec...

Yes, I was going to say a diesel with a DPF must use 507 oil accoding to VAG and yours will def have a DPF given the age. They must do a full oil change (and you have the right to look at what they are pouring into the car next time you go). The other alternative would be given their f-up that you demand a full refund and book yourself into another service centre or independant if there is one locally and then they can do it and stamp your service book..

On a more general note, I think the 507 is fully synthetic which is essential also for variable service intervals (because any other oil will confuse the ECU) - I'm pretty sure that the one they have used is a semi-synthetic so will not be suitable regardless of the DPF. What an awful experience - make sure you do a negative feedback in the dealer section of this site!

PS - I'm pretty sure that it shouldn't cause any lasting damage to the car if it is swapped over quickly and your variabke serice reset again.

Edited 27 August, 201015 yr by Delacroix

The service manager then told me there’s practically no difference between 505 and 507 and it will be fine, so off you go

Therefore admitting that there is infact a difference! Heaven forbid you have a future warranty issue linked to having non-507 spec oil in, I'd be in touch with Skoda UK about this, you need an oil change to 507 spec oil and documntary evidence to support this has happened. You have the same car as me, I'll be ensuring mine only ever has 507 spec oil. (due to the DPF as mentioned earlier in the thread)

With a DPF fitted you must only use a oil to VAG spec 504.00 [petrol] 507.00 [diesel] as it has a low sulpher content which doesn't damage the dpf. The only other spec you could use if you did not have the DPF fitted is VAG spec 505.01 [diesel] which was used for fixed servicing,[yearly].

Oh crikey, thanks guys.

I'll get them to show me what they put in in it when I drop in next week. If it's not 507.00 I'll let them have it.

Cheers,

Bob

--

With a DPF fitted you must only use a oil to VAG spec 504.00 [petrol] 507.00 [diesel] as it has a low sulpher content which doesn't damage the dpf. The only other spec you could use if you did not have the DPF fitted is VAG spec 505.01 [diesel] which was used for fixed servicing,[yearly].

Exactly right.

My 2008 2.0L 140 PD Scout has the Dust Particulate Filter.

Despite being on the fixed service intervals I always ask for them to use the long life oil and I'll pay more.

My dealer informed me that as I have the DPF they have to use the fully synthetic 507 oil regardless of which type of service schedule your on.

for DM Keith in York.

I've heard about this problem of even VAG dealers confusing the correct oil for DPFs before (there are some things about it on the Honest John site), and thinking about it you do wonder if some of the DPF problems that are new showing up on cars that are a few years old are sometimes in part caused as much by dealers putting the wrong oil in at the 1 and 2 year service intervals as lack of regular M-way runs to clean the damn things out properly...

My suggestion is go to Winchester Motor Co in Winchester for your next service. They are the only Skoda garage that I have found in Hampshire that actually seem to know what they are doing. Have had a number of warranty items fixed FOC and 1 service there so far. Next service is the big cambelt one and it will be going there again !

Avoid Sparshats at all costs, mine and a good friends experiences have been really poor. He was actually sworn at twice when buying his new car - naturally the dealer has denied this when challenged and never properly apologised. They also messed up his private plate transfer and he very almost lost title to the plate. Needless to say they will never be getting any warranty or service work from him (ever).

As others have said many times you must use 507.00 oil with the DPF.

Can I suggest that you let Skoda UK know what your dealer said? The bad dealers should be weeded out but nothing will happen unless us owners take more pro-active actions with the manufacturer.

Edited 27 August, 201015 yr by Minimoke

My suggestion is go to Winchester Motor Co in Winchester for your next service. They are the only Skoda garage that I have found in Hampshire that actually seem to know what they are doing. Have had a number of warranty items fixed FOC and 1 service there so far. Next service is the big cambelt one and it will be going there again !

Avoid Sparshats at all costs, mine and a good friends experiences have been really poor. He was actually sworn at twice when buying his new car - naturally the dealer has denied this when challenged and never properly apologised. They also messed up his private plate transfer and he very almost lost title to the plate. Needless to say they will never be getting any warranty or service work from him (ever).

My other two options for future services are Meadens in Sway or Garland Motors in Aldershot - anybody know if either of those know what they're doing? Winchester's a bit out of my way.

Cheers,

Bob

--

I have an in-born distrust of ALL service departments dating back over many years.

Once the car's in the workshop, you just don't know what's happening.

The service receptionist will tell you anything you want to hear just to make you happy.

As a precaution when having any service which entails either oil and filters I always supply my own and ask that the replaced ones are placed back in the new box. I also mark my oil filter, if it is an external canister type, as an added measure.

Another little scam that is practised by many service departments is for the quantity of oil that is charged.

Many charge for quantity based on a dry refill rather than a drain and refill. In some cars this can be as much as 1 litre and at the prices changed for garage bulk oil - quite a few pounds.

Edited 28 August, 201015 yr by ramonford

Avoid Sparshats at all costs, mine and a good friends experiences have been really poor. He was actually sworn at twice when buying his new car - naturally the dealer has denied this when challenged and never properly apologised.

Why didn't your friend immediately withdraw his order and demand refund of deposit and if no satisfaction go to the local paper and trading standards with his story?

I'm buying a car from Sparshats and so far have no complaint but if they mess me about I can easily go to Winchester!

Edited 27 August, 201015 yr by juan27

I havent used meadens for full service yet but a few warranty returns and they were ok.

Have to admit asked them to investigate a problem with a LE wheel and never got back to me after several emails and calls, to be honest that has pretty much made me rethink using them for any other work, which is a bit of a shame. The after sales has been pretty crap all round.

I used Sparshatts for my scooby and would never use them again, a real bunch of useless idiots, curbed alloys and damaged the rear bumper.

Looks like i will be heading winchester way if people have had good experiences.

Regards J

I have an in-born distrust of ALL service departments dating back over many years.

Once the car's in the workshop, you just don't know what's happening.

The service receptionist will tell you anything you want to hear just to make you happy.

As a precaution when having any service which entails either oil and filters I always supply my own and ask that the replaced ones are placed back in the new box. I also mark my oil filter, if it is an external canister type, as an added measure.

Another little scam that is practised by many service departments is for the quantity of oil that is charged.

Many charge for quantity based on a dry refill rather that a drain and refill. In some cars this can be as much as 1 litre and at the prices changed for garage bulk oil - quite a few pounds.

Yes I'm expecting any old flannel when I go back next week to get the service book stamped so am considering just biting the bullet and buying my own 507 and changing it again myself this time round for peace of mind, then supplying my own oil in future.

Cheers,

Bob.

Yes I'm expecting any old flannel when I go back next week to get the service book stamped so am considering just biting the bullet and buying my own 507 and changing it again myself this time round for peace of mind, then supplying my own oil in future.

Cheers,

Bob.

I understand your position, and desire for an easy life. But this is how lousy service is allowed to continue in this country - can't imagine it happening in the USA. At least SUK should be given the 'opportunity' to reprimand (bo##ock) their franchisee - this behaviour does the brand no favours.

Plus - how do you think SUK would treat a (related) waranty claim if this had been done by an independent?

Edited 28 August, 201015 yr by the_brace

Why didn't your friend immediately withdraw his order and demand refund of deposit and if no satisfaction go to the local paper and trading standards with his story?

I'm buying a car from Sparshats and so far have no complaint but if they mess me about I can easily go to Winchester!

Not too sure to be honest, I think this happened after the order had been placed and a build date communicated - therefore cancelling the order and placing elsewhere would have incurred additional delays - this was at the time that the 1.4 TSI was in very short supply. I'm pretty sure I warned him about Sparshats but given that it is only a couple of miles away from him it just seemed the easiest option. I live near Fareham and have always travelled to a dealer that I feel comfortable with, regardless of miles. I take my wifes car to Bournemouth (Merc specialist) and mine to Winchester. As long as I get a loan car and I can get a couple of hours off work I don't mind the journey. Besides Winchester have always given me a good loan car, 2 x Octy's and 1 x Yeti on the three visits I have been there.

Not too sure to be honest, I think this happened after the order had been placed and a build date communicated - therefore cancelling the order and placing elsewhere would have incurred additional delays - this was at the time that the 1.4 TSI was in very short supply. I'm pretty sure I warned him about Sparshats but given that it is only a couple of miles away from him it just seemed the easiest option. I live near Fareham and have always travelled to a dealer that I feel comfortable with, regardless of miles. I take my wifes car to Bournemouth (Merc specialist) and mine to Winchester. As long as I get a loan car and I can get a couple of hours off work I don't mind the journey. Besides Winchester have always given me a good loan car, 2 x Octy's and 1 x Yeti on the three visits I have been there.

Do they charge you for the loan cars at Winchester? City Skoda want around 17 quid a day for insurance! I'm wondering if this is standard poilcy across all Skoda dealers.

Cheers,

Bob

--

City Skoda must be quite a new outfit as Jacksons (previous Skoda dealer in B'stoke) went bust only a few years ago. They really ought to be better than that, and if you can be bothered it would be helpful to let Skoda UK know.

Parkview in Reading are also quite new: I haven't tried them as I got mine from Jewsons in Oxford who are excellent.

City Skoda must be quite a new outfit as Jacksons (previous Skoda dealer in B'stoke) went bust only a few years ago. They really ought to be better than that, and if you can be bothered it would be helpful to let Skoda UK know.

Parkview in Reading are also quite new: I haven't tried them as I got mine from Jewsons in Oxford who are excellent.

Thay are new - only been going about a year or so, and they also double up as a Mitsubishi dealership - might explain a lot.

I do feel a big letter to Skoda UK coming on, but I'm going to wait for the outcome of my return visit there on Wednesday.

Cheers,

Bob

--

Just on the topic of dealer service and their attitudes to your pride and joy, I took my new car in for them to have a look at the 12v socket as it's not working and waited for the car, whilst waiting looked into the workshop and the workshop 'Grunt' who was employed to sweep up was using my car as an 18K brush stand, leaning his brush up against the side of my car....needless to say I blew my stack with the service manager!

Edited 29 August, 201015 yr by The Skud

Do they charge you for the loan cars at Winchester? City Skoda want around 17 quid a day for insurance! I'm wondering if this is standard poilcy across all Skoda dealers.

Cheers,

Bob

--

I think it is very much the minority position - most still give you a free courtesy car if there is one available and your insurance is ok. When mine was last in for its service (Simpsons, Preston) I got a demo Superb to play with , which was nice

Do they charge you for the loan cars at Winchester? City Skoda want around 17 quid a day for insurance! I'm wondering if this is standard poilcy across all Skoda dealers.

Cheers,

Bob

--

There is no charge for the loan car BUT if you want to reduce the excess (down to nil I think) them it's a fiver a day. That to me is reasonable, knowing that if you stuff it in a ditch you can walk away. Not that I intend that to happen!!!

A quick update...

I just had a courtesy call from the dealership asking me how my Service Experience was last Friday and how, if at all, it could be improved!!! Well I gave it to her straight (as it were)!

She promised to speak to the mechanic who serviced my car and find out what oil he used, and to address the potentially engine damaging wrong top up oil issue, and get back to me before my return visit tomorrow afternoon.

I'll keep you posted...

Bob

--

Any update?