After 15500 miles I gave in to my inner worries and sent Betty off for her first service. I had an urgent desire to have an oil change at 12000 but was assured by the Dealer this was only a "waste of money". The official mileage for the first service was 18000 miles but, for various reasons including my nervousness, I went for it.

The service was uneventful and parted me from £225 (incl. 20% VAT) All the minor extra jobs were included so a bit of a non event. I have done about 60 miles since then and the "variable service" on the Maxidot has not updated itself. It is still reading ------- miles. How long does it take for the computer to work out what sort of driving is being done and to calculate the next service mileage?

One thing that struck me was that, although the services are not cheap, the cost per mile is relatively low. In my case 1.5p.

Anyone like to comment on their experiences with Dealer servicing.

Edited 29 January, 201115 yr by Terfyn

After 15500 miles I gave in to my inner worries and sent Betty off for her first service. I had an urgent desire to have an oil change at 12000 but was assured by the Dealer this was only a "waste of money". The official mileage for the first service was 18000 miles but, for various reasons including my nervousness, I went for it.

The service was uneventful and parted me from £225 (incl. 20% VAT) All the minor extra jobs were included so a bit of a non event. I have done about 60 miles since then and the "variable service" on the Maxidot has not updated itself. It is still reading ------- miles. How long does it take for the computer to work out what sort of driving is being done and to calculate the next service mileage?

One thing that struck me was that, although the services are not cheap, the cost per mile is relatively low. In my case 1.5p.

Anyone like to comment on their experiences with Dealer servicing.

£225? :S :S Is that still just an oil change, filter and sump plug replacement in the diesels for the first one or do they do any more?

I had mine done early at 9,000 miles and it'll be done every 6 months/6,000 miles from now on as I plan on keeping her for a good few years. :-) I found a variation on local quotes for the first service by around £40 - in the end I went with the local dealer and paid £90 all in. The work was spot on so I was very happy with that. :yes:

There was a fair amount more, pollen filters changed, things like that. The ECU was diagnosed and updated. Took 3 hours.

There was a fair amount more, pollen filters changed, things like that. The ECU was diagnosed and updated. Took 3 hours.

Was there any other parts swapped as part of the service though? Is there a diesel fuel filter that gets replaced as an example? Ecu updates etc should all be non chargeable due to warranty cover obviously. :yes:

I have done about 60 miles since then and the "variable service" on the Maxidot has not updated itself. It is still reading ------- miles. How long does it take for the computer to work out what sort of driving is being done and to calculate the next service mileage?

From experience of my Octavia it takes something like 250 - 500 miles for the ECU to 'learn' your driving pattern and start predicting when the next service will be due.

Be patent; you'll be fine.