Ooh Eddy, stop it, you're hurting me! :rofl:

It's just a few minutes on a several small jobs which adds up. I think it's the inspections which take longest which are along the lines of some MOT checks. e.g checking the tyres, all lights, brake pads, discs etc... There's nothing to stop you having the oil and filter change by a dealer and doing the rest yourself.

not sure, actually... JBS like to comment?

No the quote would include parts

It's just a few minutes on a several small jobs which adds up. I think it's the inspections which take longest which are along the lines of some MOT checks. e.g checking the tyres, all lights, brake pads, discs etc... There's nothing to stop you having the oil and filter change by a dealer and doing the rest yourself.

... apart from the loss of my warranty ... :(

tis OK Eddy, I'm not really quibbling. I know I could do it all myself, but I have to pay to keep the warranty intact.

Methinks I could change some wiper blades, a pollen filter and the oil in a lot less than 2.2 hours - where does the rest of the time go? :rubchin:

Yes so can I, that how I earn bonus and a garage works.

The idea is that normally your car would have a lube service and a 20k in the time that an variable service comes up, so thats 0.5 for the lube and 1.6 for the 20k. Plus extra time is allowed for resetting the service indicator with VAS 5051.

... apart from the loss of my warranty ... :(

tis OK Eddy' date=' I'm not really quibbling. I know I could do it all myself, but I have to pay to keep the warranty intact.[/quote']

I realised that after I posted.

TBH a couple of hours is soon taken up and not that bad if you go to an independant such as JBS as they're hourly rate is around

A downside to your vehicle going outside the dealer network is independant garages may not be privy to technical bulletins like a dealer and arent linked to the Skoda system that informs us of any recalls that may be due on the vehicle.

Yes so can I' date=' that how I earn bonus and a garage works.

The idea is that normally your car would have a lube service and a 20k in the time that an variable service comes up, so thats 0.5 for the lube and 1.6 for the 20k. Plus extra time is allowed for resetting the service indicator with VAS 5051.[/quote']

Well, Lummox, I'm not disputing that's how life is, but to my mind quoting an inflated labour cost for a job, and charging the customer for longer than it actually took, is plain dishonest.

Labour times are agreed by Skoda (in fact VAG) and the motor industry as a fair time allowed for the work carried out. We have a book provided by Skoda which sets the labour times for servicing.

For example..

Lube (petrol) 0.5 hours

Lube (diesel) 0.7 hours

Annual Service 1.3 hours

20k 1.6 hours

40k 2.5 hours

These times are worked out by the manufactuer not the dealer. I can get you a list of all the operations carried out on a variable service if you like, its quite in depth.

Lummox, I'm not questioning your honesty, just the system. Also I'm interested to know what takes 2.2 hours when the only parts involved are some oil, some wiper blades, and two filters. That seems to argue that a 20k service isn't much of a service, either.

Its an inspection as mentioned much the same as an MOT (which the ministry allow an hour for) with the addition of checking things like the spare tyre.

Hmmm well I suppose it's a testament to the reliability of modern cars that they need no work doing other than an oil change after 20000 miles, and possibly up to 3 years on the road. I will have a hunt around and see if I can locate a link with a list of the items to be inspected in it.

I can get a service sheet tomorrow and add a full list of what to be done, there shouldnt be a problem with that as you are supposed to get a copy of the sheet when your service is carried out.

I suppose its like everything, good dealers do a good job and ones that want to cut corners find ways, 2 hours is probably about right if you do a good job but it would be easy to just spend an hour on the car, i suppose its a question of trusting your dealer, It would be quite easy to find out if they didnt do a full inspection you would just have to brake something they check, boot light or something and wait for the report. I trust my dealer to do a good job until proven otherwise and think 2 hours is fair for a service.

you would just have to brake something they check, boot light or something and wait for the report.

Is the boot light something which is on the service sheet?

Seem to recall they're supposed to test switches and the like, but the dealers I've been to always seem a bit non-commital about this sort of thing.

Actually...my "child lock" button has always been broken since I've owned the car, but as until now I've never had to use it I'd never noticed...something which should've been picked up in one of the 4 or 5 services I've had at dealers? :rubchin:

Rob.

I worked for a dealer for 5 years on the warranty , service , parts side.

I knew of the majority of recalls.

Yes ok there are some that I may not know.

But I can assure you that the majority of dealers will NOT go to the computer and check to see if there is a recall on your car.

Lummox I am sorry but I know that for a fact.

It is a shame but I also know that the dealer I worked at had a young apprentice that did the majority of the service work.

He was hard working and did the job correctly.

But that young lad would do up to 6 services in a day.

Dealers charge

Oh and yes you DO NOT loose warranty by having the car service at another garage.

We can reccomend anything that requires checking by warranty which we have done in the past.

We also know of common faults on the car.

Plus as sad as I am I can still remember part numbers and supersessions.

I also have the ability to check on ETCA for the parts.

Sarah

I usually get a service checklist at the end of a service from my dealer. I looked at the list of things to be checked at 20k in my service schedule last night. None of it involves any dismantling or tools, that I could see, with the possible exception of the gearbox oil level check. Mainly it's things like CV joint boots, brake pipes etc. (all visual inspection only). I would say the whole thing could probably be done inside 45 minutes, if you know your way round the car, and have it up on a ramp.