I like to take my car back to main dealers for services. Yes I know this is more expensive than an independent, but I just like the full-set of Skoda stamps.

I'm also quite aware of just how little is done on some of these services.

My car now has 35k on the clock and has told me a service is due in around 1k. My first service was at 19k, so all seems about right for variable servicing.

So this will be the second variable service - so I'm guessing oil and filter and that will be about it, don't think you get plugs until the 3rd service. So with this in mind I immediately contacted my local dealer and I'm given a quote of £240inc. This just seems rather high for what would be considered a minor service. If I was getting plugs and all filters done I could probably understand that price.

The thing is I also want to get the car checked out under warranty. I've got wind noise from the front passenger location (not rear quarter-lights as I've already sealed them myself).

So question 1 - £240inc for a second variable service - expensive or the going rate for Skoda?

Onto question 2 - I'm in between Cambridge & Peterboro - any other dealers I should contact? I will NOT touch Vindis of Cambridge with a barge pole however.

3 - I'm assuming any dealership could look into a warranty issue? But should it really be going back to where I purchased from?

Cheers chaps.

What do you get on Skoda.com?

I get this for a 2.0 TDI.

Minor Service Minor Service

Minor Service – recommended every 12 months/10,000 miles

This includes:

• Oil & filter change (fully synthetic oil)

• Vehicle inspection test and report – which include inspection of all lights, instruments, bodywork, glass, locks, battery, drive belts, suspension, steering, fuel lines, brake pads/shoes/discs, hoses, wash/wipe system, exhaust system, engine components, fluid levels and tyres.

• Full vehicle road test – which includes checking steering alignment, clutch and braking operation, engine performance, suspension noise and driving controls.

• Vehicle and software updates from ŠKODA's database

• Replacement pollen filter, if required. This is determined by the manufacturer service regime data for your vehicle

• Diagnostic check including report

• Re-set service interval display

• Wash and vacuum

• ŠKODA stamp in service book

Close £129.00

Major Service Major Service

Major Service – Recommended every 24 months/20,000 miles

This includes:

• Oil & filter change (fully synthetic oil)

• Replace pollen filter, if required. This is determined by the manufacturer service regime data for your vehicle

• Vehicle inspection test and report – which include inspection of all lights, instruments, bodywork, glass, locks, battery, drive belts, suspension, steering, fuel lines, brake pads/shoes/discs, hoses, wash/wipe system, exhaust system, engine components, fluid levels and tyres.

• Replace air filter, if required. This is determined by the manufacturer service regime data for your vehicle

• Spark plugs (petrol engine) or fuel filter (diesel engine) if required. This is determined by the manufacturer service regime data for your vehicle

• Remove wheels and check brakes

• Check/adjust tension of all drive belts

• Check/replenish gearbox oil (where applicable)

• Check/replenish final drive oil (where applicable)

• Full vehicle road test – which includes checking steering alignment, clutch and braking operation, engine performance, suspension noise and driving controls

• Vehicle and software enhancements from ŠKODA's database

• Check suspension system

• Check heating/air con operation

• Diagnostic check including report

• Re-set service interval display

• Wash and vacuum

• ŠKODA stamp in service book

ŠKODA trained technicians service to SKODA recommendations using specialist equipment and approved parts covered by a 2 year warranty.

Close £249.00

I also recently paid £130 at an indipendant VAG specialist for a basic service.

OK, so looking at that price list I'm effectively being quoted for a "major service".

I suppose that is fair enough - my car is 24 months old.

Maybe I was just wrong. For some reason I thought the second variable was a minor and it didn't get it's first major until around 36 months.

Cheers for that.

Fixed servicing alternates between minor and major services. Variable services are all major. That said, aside from the oil change, it's all inspection rather than actually doing anything or changing anything. For example, brake fluid and pollen filters are separate items. For that matter, the spark plugs are also a separate item not part of either the minor "oil service" or the major "inspection service/variable service".

IMHO, a Skoda main dealer service stamp of in the book is a good thing to have when selling but NOT when you trade in to the dealer. He will reap the benefit not you, unless you sell privately. There is also the issue of good will as others will tell you which IMHO is just another way of saying "out of court settlement".