Hi,

I've had a 2nd service on my 61 plate vRS estate today, 19500 miles done, £195 total cost.

I know what they have done from the report, but my question is what should they do on such a service?

I was told an oil change with filter, a new pollen filter and a visual inspection, that's your lot!

I refused the service and got it done at an independent garage in Ellesmere Port for a lot less.

The Oil and Filter, Pollen Filter and an Inspection service which is about 44 things.

The Fluids checked, then tyres, brake pads looked at or not, etc etc.

Not much done really. just looking at wipers, maybe grease or oil hinges type thing.

No wheels off or anything.

Any problems picked up on or advised to you?

Please do me a favour.

Dip your oil when hot and report back where the oil is on the dipstick now that they have filled it.

Maybe dip it cold as well if you do not mind.

george

I checked the oil level after getting home, looked good.

All parts were £42, labor £120 + VAT.

Report shows oil change, oil filter change, fuel filter change and a single screw. No idea what the screw is for, guess something came off somewhere.

Only advisory were the two front tyres getting low, something I was aware of anyway.

At what point do major items get changed, sparks, cambelt etc?

£195 sounds abit expensive to me. Did you shop around for the best price from several dealers?

When I had mine done it was oil change, pollen filter and inspection. That's the lot.

I checked the oil level after getting home, looked good.

All parts were £42, labor £120 + VAT.

Report shows oil change, oil filter change, fuel filter change and a single screw. No idea what the screw is for, guess something came off somewhere.

Only advisory were the two front tyres getting low, something I was aware of anyway.

At what point do major items get changed, sparks, cambelt etc?

Sump bolt + washer i believe

Iirc correctly the nu,ber is - N 908 132 02

£120 Labour would be a ridiculous hourly rate of £120 an hour, because they were no more than an hour.

even 1.5 hours for an Inspection service @ £80 an hour.is a rip off.

If 2 hours @ £60 an hour then what were they up to for the extra 1 hour.

£42 without vat does not sound right for parts. Should be a bit more IMO

*So maybe the Reception desk Invoice and bill is just rubbish, i would question it.*

Often there will be

Screen Wash charged £4

& Environmental charge £4 (Oil Filter disposal)

then.

Around £30-£40 for,

3.6 litres oil, 5w 30 fully synthetic (or 4 litres as they sometimes put on the invoice)

Oil filter (£7-9)

Sump Plug £1.36

Pollen Filter £11-£13

*They may not have done the Pollen Filter, no idea what Fuel Filter they charged for.*

Brake Fluid is @ 3 years, then each 2 years

Spark Plugs at 40,000 miles or before (i would want them looked at checked @ 20,000 miles, certainly at 30,000 miles)

george

Service prices are pretty fixed - I believe this is why they chucked the parts in on my Monte's first service for "free", adapting the labour segment in the invoice accordingly.

That was the first service - £120 inc VAT.

The service book (which you should check was stamped and don't fall for the "it's on our system so it doesn't need stamping") will outline exactly what SHOULD be d0one at each service.

I don't think they can penalise now for taking a car to any VAT registered garage, as long as they use OEM parts to replace stuff.

Correct. EU free trade allows you to go where you want, VAT Registered, Proper Parts and Warranty not invalideted.

An Important thing with the vRS is that Skoda UK never informed Owners that they may need an ECU Update.

Dealership Servicing Prices are not 'pretty fixed' even in Scotland where hourly rates might be very similar.

a vRS 1st Service might be Quoted from £85-£120, (Minor) & a 2nd Service from £177-£230 (Major) Some are quoting on Brake Fluid at the 2nd Service.

They (vRS) were not called in and some never got an ECU update done at the 1st Service but were at the 2nd Inspection Service when the car is Plugged in, it should get done if required.

(That will not be getting done for you at a none Skoda Dealer & maybe not even at one.)

Just a shame that Skoda or the Dealers do not communicate that to the Customers.

george

Yep - plugs at "40k" service (normally around 38-39k).

You get new ones with a new engine (21k for me ).

Funnily enough when I had mine serviced at 19000 miles, my garage rotated the tyres. Back to front to even out wear. How do I know? Because one of the front wheels had a small scuff on it when i hit a kerb! Now its on the back and I soon will be needing 4 new tyres at 30000 miles.

Sump bolt + washer i believe

Doubt it most dealers suck the oil out the top now.

When I had my mk1 serviced at a mates garage last year first none dealership service. The sump plug was a git to get out as it had never been out before

There was me thinking the 2nd service was a 'Major one'? Really sounds like not a lot was done. I thought all filters and plugs were changed, oil was changed, then everything checked and topped up. Fortunately I've got 2 years free servicing so my 2nd service coming up is also free.

Regarding the ECU update - is ALL Fabia's that need the update? Or just some of a certain age?

i just paid £109 for my first service which was just oil and filter change really according to the invoice oh and possibly pollen and i had some plugs done at 7k

oh and apparently the second service is £250 but that includes everything

If the pollen filter and plugs were done at the first service for that price, that was some bargain.

Or Plugs were done under Warranty.

What is the everything included at the 2nd Service.?

Its supposed to be Oil & Filter, Fluid Checks, other checks and pollen filter.

£250 for a 2 year/20,000 mile service on a MK2 vRS would be a rip off IMO.

2nd/20,000 service does not include the Brake Fluid Change which is at 3 Years,

Plugs which are @ 40,000 miles.

Air Filter probably about then or when someone bothers to look.

Your Wheels might never be off before 3 or 4 years..

george

I had a 3rd service done on my Monte back in November on the Skoda Fixed Price Service, when I called they said it would be either £104 or £129 (I think), depending on whether the pollen filter had been changed at the 2nd service or not.

Is that just a 3rd service through mileage (minor Oil Service) or because the car is at 3 Years old?

&

on the Monte or the vRS.

Have you had the Brake Fluid changed already or are you going to have it done @ 3 years old and before the Manufacturers Warranty exprires?

*Had they changed the Pollen Filter at the 2nd service or did they do it at the 3rd service,?

or maybe because it was 'Fixed Price Servicing', did they not change it because 'Fixed Price Servicing'

says 'If Required'.

george

the plugs were done under warranty at 7k emissions light and engine light were flashing up under hard acceleration. according to the little flyer that was in the car after the service the second year service includes oil,fuel,pollen,air plugs and apparently the wheels come off for a full brake inspection, software enhancements

I thought at 20k brake fluid was done too? Was always done every two years (for me 20k is roughly two years) on my last vRS. After Combe I'm thinking of putting 5.1 in and uprating the disks and pads. May get them to change air filter and plugs to be sure.

brake fluid is normally every 3 years but could be mistaken

Mk2 Fabia includung the vRS is Brake Fluid Change at 3 years then every 2 years.

If changing Calipers, discs etc then most will probably be changing all the Brake Fluid for a better performance fluid, worth while as well is fitting better Flexy hoses..

Re Skoda Servicing up to 3 years and Brake Checks.

That is usually a Visual Check of the Discs & Pad wear and does not require the wheels to be removed.

If you do not know for certain that the wheel have been off,

its worth seeing that you can get them off now,

& put some copper grease on the centre hub so that they come off without difficulty next time or in case of a punture & need to remove at the roadside.

*Spark Plugs were originally for replacement at 40,000 miles on a Twincharger vRS same as with the Air Filter.

(or when required)

Maybe now with so many Plug Failures the Service Routine has been changed to 20,000 for Spark Plug replacement.*

george

Is that just a 3rd service through mileage (minor Oil Service) or because the car is at 3 Years old?

&

on the Monte or the vRS.

Have you had the Brake Fluid changed already or are you going to have it done @ 3 years old and before the Manufacturers Warranty exprires?

*Had they changed the Pollen Filter at the 2nd service or did they do it at the 3rd service,?

or maybe because it was 'Fixed Price Servicing', did they not change it because 'Fixed Price Servicing'

says 'If Required'.

george

That was on the Monte at 30k, brake fluid was due at 40k but traded in at 37k, unsure on pollen filter, I assume it was done at 20k, it may as you say though, not needed doing.