To service or not?

[m3racer]

Hi All,

I thought after being member since June I should dip my toe and make a post! I have found lots of useful advice and comments on Briskoda and it looks like a great community you have here, so hopefully you can help with this query. I think I already know the answer but this is more for my own sanity and wallet.

I bought a 2005 Octy Elegance 1.9 PD in June, love it loads, found it great to drive and it has been utterly reliable and is all the car that I need at the moment. It was a big upgrade from my previous ride of a 13 year old Fiesta! However, a little person came along an upgrade was required, the Fiesta's boot was proving to be an interesting experience with a buggy. Why do baby's need so much stuff?!?!?

Anyway my question is as the Octy is 5 years old is it worth continuing with main dealer service and the stamps that you recieve at considerable expense. As I see it I have three main options:

1. Contine having it serviced at the main dealers

2. Service at an independent and have the service history maintained this way.

3. Service it myself

For a little bit of background I have previously worked in the motor trade and am very comfortable with tools and getting dirty and have previously serviced all my own cars with little problem.

Your input on this subject is welcome just in case there is something I have not thought of!

Thanks in advance

[blueR36]

I would do option 2. Especially as it is always raining at the moment !

[ednmra]

When I was young and fit I did my own servicing once the car was out of warranty - mainly because I enjoyed it!

Now when it comes to crawling underneath to find sump plugs etc. I let some reputable mechanic put the thing on a ramp and save both our backs!

[mdk1]

Would go for option 2 myself as i don't know one end of a spanner from another.

It depends on how long you are going to keep the car, i noticed your Fiesta was 13 yrs old, so if you are looking to keep the oct'y for another 6-7yrs it might be worth doing your own maintance.

[lfc958]

Sensibly No 2 as long as the Indy has the equipment to reset faulty codes & servicing interval ( if its not variable).

Altho check prices around local / nearby dealers, as my son has found with his furby, the dealer is only £20 more than an indy- & he feels £20 is a price to pay for peace of mind.

Edited 10 November, 2010 by lfc958

[Golf-Fiend]

I'd opt for 2 and 3. If you have a good local indy that you get on with you can always do your own oil, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter etc and let them do the rest like brakes and other vehicle checks.

[Lew_VRS]

I had the same issue when I bought this car, i think I have more trust in the local indys than I do with the local skoda garage to be honest.

[Keith Lard]

Main factor is how long you'll keep the car?

Service history is worthless on a 10/12 year old car, the car is worth almost nothing so no-one will pay a premium for a big history.

If you think you'll sell in a year or two then I'd go with option 2, otherwise go for option 3 and save yourself a fortune in labour charges.

I serviced my mate's Golf with him recently, Cheapest he was quoted was £185. We spent £45 on parts and did all the work the garage would have done, A no brainer if your keeping the car a while and are handy with tools.

[Gizmo]

I too would go with option 3, just keep all your receipts to prove that genuine parts have been fitted, however I am able to reset the variable service indicator myself as I have VCDS - something to consider if the car is on variable servicing.

[FriendlyFire]

On a five year old car I'd go with option 3 : DIY.

As far as I can tell a typical "service" is essentially:

1. Oil and filter change
   
2. Read DTC codes
   
3. MOT
   
4. Inspect tyres and brake pads etc.
   
5. Change Ait, Pollen, and Fuel filters. Change spark plugs - At increasingly longer intervals.
   
6. Reset service interval
   

Motor factors will sell you the fuel, air and pollen filters for what a main dealer charges for just changing a pollen filter.

You can buy a VAG code reader for less than a ton and read/reset DTC codes as well as reseting your service intervals.

A MOT covers the safety related issues.

Most dealer inspections are standard inspections you should be doing weekly, e.g. topping up levels and checking tyre pressures.

ASDA will sell you the latest branded engine oil for less than a dealer charges for standard oil.

In my opinion, changing plugs and fuel/air filters is a fourty minute job as difficult as changing the filters on a Dyson.

Basicaly, if you can get the sump plug off you can change the oil and oil filter.

So, if you buy a modest DTC reader the only thing you need out source to a dealer is the two yearly brake fluid change.

[m3racer]

I too would go with option 3, just keep all your receipts to prove that genuine parts have been fitted, however I am able to reset the variable service indicator myself as I have VCDS - something to consider if the car is on variable servicing.

This is the way I have done it previously to buy genuine parts and keep the receipts, a VCDS was to be my next buy, an early christmas present for me

Regarding variable servicing is there anyway to tell without a VCDS, as currently the service history states it was on this but the last service indicated it may have been changed.

[jrw]

Don't even need to remove sump plug nowadays. Dealers and most indy's will suck it up through the dipstick hole. Just buy a pump and make the job even easier!

[alberg]

Along with the new Octavia of June 2010, I have a Megane 2001 with the 1.9DCI engine.

Wifes car and it has now 150000km, only at 30000km it went to the dealer for service, oh yeh at the time Renault had longlife service but the dealer always recomended changing the oil every 15000km. Anyway, after the 1º service always did the oil/filters/brake pads and others at home. Did go to an independent when the engine belts where changed.

Independent car service was at BOSCH CAR CENTER.

Edited 10 November, 2010 by alberg

[Golf-Fiend]

Just had a major service and brake fluid change . . . . . all for . . . . . £60.00 from an indy vw audi specialist.

Why so cheap I hear you ask? Well, I do all the simple things like oil, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter myself using genuine spec parts from Skoda (oil 507 from Halfords). OK, so these parts cost me the best of about £60 themselves.

During the brake fluid change the garage did all the neccessary underbody checks etc etc so all in about 1/2 hour labour.

One happy bunnny!

[Aspman]

If you trust your indy I'd do 2.

[Golf-Fiend]

If you trust your indy I'd do 2.

Yup - been using him for 15 years.Top man and a good team of mechanics. Bought them all two huge tubs of chocolates as a thankyou/Christmas pressy too. Pays to have a good relationship with your garage too.