I am frustrated.  I have booked my car in for an MOT (4 year old Octavia TDI PD DSG, 36000 miles).  It is on variable servicing after 3 years of free services whcih were part of the package when I bought it, and on the face of it does not yet need a service.

 

Is there a complete list of what should be in each service? 

 

I ask because it appears my garage is trying it on.  :think:  Last year, this Approved Service Garage wanted to clean and refill the Aircon, but I rejected it.  This year they recommend

 

Add a Minor Service - £129 or
Add a Major Service - £249

 

 

Recommended Routine Servicing [Click Here]

Brake fluid change- £59

(every 2 years once 3 years old).

Air Conditioning service - £69

(every 2 years from 4 years old. Includes Air Con Refresh).

Cambelt replacement - £369

(for Diesel engines)

 

My car is on variable servicing.

The Service Schedule booklet in the car (dated 11.08) doesn't refer to minor or major services, but 30 000 km is inspection, and 60 000 km includes lubricating a few things which I guess is the major one. 

 

The booklet says that every 60 000 km, I should replace the DSG oil and filter, and change the oil of the Haldex coupling. Those are not in the garage's suggestions, so are they part of the major service?  Will my car's MFD tell me that this is needed, or just that a service is due?  Can I see how far away the MFD thinks my next service should be done?

 

The booklet says every 60 000 km to replace the dust and pollen filter (though this appears to have been done at 20k miles in 2011, so should not need doing now).

 

In 2011, when the car was 2 years old, the receipt said that the brake fluid change was due next year, but the 2012 service receipt does not specify.  Checking the service schedule booklet, there are big warnings saying that the brake fluid should be changed every two years, so it should have been done in 2011 when they said "not due".  I've never had a garage fill in the service booklet, except for a stamp, since my first Ford Escort Mark I in 1978!  So who knows?

 

The booklet DOES NOT MENTION Air Conditioning. Last time my garage tried to say it was necessary, I rang Skoda who told me it only needed checking for coolant level, and if necessary that might have to be topped up (not replaced).

 

According to the manual, my cambelt (toothed belt) does not need replacing until 150 000 km (93,000 miles) so it is not necessary yet.

 

So, I'm being recommended some things that do not appear necessary, and others that appear vital are just missed off.  Am I alone in wondering what on earth is going on?

 

Not at all- I wonder what they'll want to do to mine once my 3 years fixed deal ends. Was your car on the 3 years fixed service plan, i.e. every 12 months or 10k miles whichever came first? If so it might be that they used different oil on the last (free) service which would effectively mean it was still be on fixed as it doesn't have long life oil in meaning it's now due another, which would then be a major?

 

as far as the cam belt is concerned it might be that as well as a milage there is also a time limit too (It's a different engine but our PD is 80k or 4 years which ever comes 1st, so you could be in a similar position).

 

My fixed 3 year plan says to change the brake fluid at 3 years if necessary what ever that means!

 

I'm also confused....

Yes it had been on the fixed interval servicing, but as part of the final service the garage reset it to variable. There was never anything that said what they'd do for the 3 years servicing.

I've not found anything in writing apart from the garage's and a thread on this forum where 4 years is recommended for the cambelt.

I took out a service plan when i bought my octy vrs (petrol) when it was 2 years old,this covered one minor service (glorified oil change) & one major service,this covered oil & filter,air filter,pollen filter & spark plugs & a inspection,it also covered a brake fluid change at 3 years old,however i suspect this wasnt done as i have just changed the brake fluid myself now my car is 5 years old & the fluid that came out didnt look like 2 year old fluid,more like 5 year old fluid,i havent had my air con serviced in the 3 years ive owned the car. I had my cambelt & water pump replaced when the car was 4 year's old. 

I thought if you went variable servicing then every service was a major service?

The dealer is right.

 

There are only two different types of service...

 

1) Fixed. The car is serviced every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever is reached first.

 

Those with the free servicing packaging get three fixed services, nothing else.

 

If on the fixed interval you should revert back to the owners manual and request the additional compnents that are not included within the fixed regime as and when they are required (air filter, spark plugs etc.).

 

2) Variable. The car monitors the number of cold starts, oil viscosity etc. and determines when it needs a service. This can be up to 20,000 miles or 2 years (approx.).

 

You then have extra's which are also required at different intervals which the garage has also listed, such as the brake fluid and cambelt etc.

 

See here for what is included under each of the two service types...

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/service-and-maintenance/national-pricing/servicing

 

See here for the cambelt, brake fluid and A/C etc. costs...

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/service-and-maintenance/national-pricing/maintenance

 

Your owners manual is now out of date. Skoda introduced a time limit on the cambelt in addition to the mileage (4 years across the range), which has been rigourousley debated on here.

 

The pollen filter is included with both types of services.