I bought a 2007 Octavia 1.9tdi (105bhp) with a full service history in August 2010. A couple of months later the service indicator flashed. My friend who owns a private garage needed the cash so agreed he could service the car. Being on variable service, he bought the correct Shell long life oil as Skoda recommended, changed all the filters and gave it a good once over. He was unable to either reset the service indicator or stamp the book.

Anyway, almost 12 months later the car has just passed 93k, and requires the glow plugs changing (as per a warning and being checked by a skoda garage). Wondering if I should not only have the glow plugs changed but whilst its in the garage, have the oil etc changed to realign with the service book. As the service indicator was not reset, I have lived with the beep and the indicator for 12 months. So no way of knowing if the long life oil needs changing or not. I suspect not. Also suspect that being 10/11 months old, the oil will probably be good until the Spring then have a full service done then. Saving a bit of cash. Timing belt is 15 months old, the break fluid doesnt need changing until March '12.........

Any thoughts or similar experiences?

What mileage was the change done at? That's the important bit, as you would be due another variable service at upto 18k or 2 years. The car will tell you when.

What mileage was the change done at? That's the important bit, as you would be due another variable service at upto 18k or 2 years. The car will tell you when.

Done 12k miles since the oil was changed

If the service indicator wasn't reset using VCDS then the car is effectively running on fixed service, and won't give you a variable service warning NOW OR EVER unless/until the indicator is reset.

Your only safe way out of this one is to get an inspection service, oil change, and indicator reset soon.

Personally I would change the oil, because you may have long life oil in the car, but you are certainly not on variable servicing as the service indicator was not reset.

Anyway, almost 12 months later the car has just passed 93k, and requires the glow plugs changing (as per a warning and being checked by a skoda garage).

Any thoughts or similar experiences?

What makes you think that you need a set of glow plugs? (apart from the dealer telling you)

If the car does not struggle to start in the winter then leave them be.

SWMBO's Golf has had a 'glow plug fault' on all 4 glow plugs since she bought the car 2 1/2 years ago, however the only job a glow plug does is enables the car to start easily on a cold day, as this has never been an issue and it always starts within a second of the engine being cranked over I can see no logical reason to change something that is working perfectly as they were designed to.

Glow plugs are not a service / consumable item as such, (as in there is no schedule for replacing them every xx years/miles) they are an item that you change when they fail.

Personally I would change the oil, because you may have long life oil in the car, but you are certainly not on variable servicing as the service indicator was not reset.

What makes you think that you need a set of glow plugs? (apart from the dealer telling you)

If the car does not struggle to start in the winter then leave them be.

SWMBO's Golf has had a 'glow plug fault' on all 4 glow plugs since she bought the car 2 1/2 years ago, however the only job a glow plug does is enables the car to start easily on a cold day, as this has never been an issue and it always starts within a second of the engine being cranked over I can see no logical reason to change something that is working perfectly as they were designed to.

Glow plugs are not a service / consumable item as such, (as in there is no schedule for replacing them every xx years/miles) they are an item that you change when they fail.

The glow plugs were diagnosed by Skoda via connecting to their computer. Was advised to changed before any significant cold weather.

The glow plugs were diagnosed by Skoda via connecting to their computer. Was advised to changed before any significant cold weather.

Your call then.

According to VCDS all 4 of SWMBO's glow plugs are knackered - however whilst they are still all working perfectly (and have been for over 2 1/2 yrs whilst being 'knackered') I certainly wont be changing them :no: