Booked my Scout in for its first variable service just coming up to 18,500 miles. I was fully expecting to be told it'll need a major service but the dealer said at that mileage all that will be required is an oil and filter change, no other work or filter changes so a minor service (£163) is all that's required. I was surprised but pleased with that. 

 

My old Subaru's first service was about £650 once they'd changed brake pads that didn't need doing.

So did the car get visual inspection of Discs, Pads, Steering & Suspension Components.?

 

If the Brake Pads on the Subaru did not need changing, and you knew that,

surely you never let you charge them for changing them.

 

george

Is an oil and filter change not just a minor service then which should be £129?

You are still being quoted too much.

 

Skoda have a fixed pricing policy - minor / fixed service is £139.

 

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

 

Read the small print and you'll see cars under three years old are excluded. In my experience main dealers I have used have been happy to quote me £139 regardless of vehicle age.

 

Also a minor service is identical to a major service other than a major service includes additional items that are only replaced "when required" including fuel, air and pollen filter, which on most diesel engines are not required until 60,000 miles or more.

 

I feel for all those that have paid for a major service (£259) and had no more done than the next guy paying for a minor service.

 

I'd suggest any dealer quoting more than £139 for a minor service is not offering good advice.

So did the car get visual inspection of Discs, Pads, Steering & Suspension Components.?

 

If the Brake Pads on the Subaru did not need changing, and you knew that,

surely you never let you charge them for changing them.

 

george

Of course I didn't know that that pads were fine at the time, otherwise they wouldn't have been done would they?

The Subaru dealer rang me during the service to say the front pads needed changing immediately I agreed to the work (unseen and trusting their word). The car had done 12k miles. They said the rears needed doing as well,  but I said leave the rears for now I'll bring it in next month. Took the car to my local independent the next week who said what are you talking about these rear pads are like new they don't need doing. (unsurprisingly after 12k miles).  I was scammed, but you learn. (The next set of front pads lasted 50k miles). That Subaru dealer never got a service booking from me again.

 

Silver1011 I will ring the Skoda dealer and ask for the £139 price.

Edited 14 May, 201412 yr by paddypaws

Of course I didn't know that that pads were fine at the time, otherwise they wouldn't have been done would they?

 

erm, hate to ask what seems like an obvious question, but could you not see the pads throught the alloys? Can't remember a car where I couldn't.

erm, hate to ask what seems like an obvious question, but could you not see the pads throught the alloys? Can't remember a car where I couldn't.

erm NO! As per my previous post it was at the dealers i was at home  20 miles away. they rang,  I took their word for it.

Edited 15 May, 201412 yr by paddypaws

 

 

Silver1011 I will ring the Skoda dealer and ask for the £139 price.

 

The dealers are all franchises and have their own labour rates, service prices vary from dealer to dealer except when national pricing kicks in as Skoda UK then pay the difference.

The dealers are all franchises and have their own labour rates, service prices vary from dealer to dealer except when national pricing kicks in as Skoda UK then pay the difference.

Interesting, I thought it must be something like that. I guess skoda don't want to lose your custom when the warranty runs out so that s why they do it!

The dealers are all franchises and have their own labour rates, service prices vary from dealer to dealer except when national pricing kicks in as Skoda UK then pay the difference.

 

Are you sure?

 

If this was the case then I'd expect Skoda to insist that the dealer sticks to the rules.

 

Cars under three years old aren't supposed to qualify for the fixed servicing, yet the three local dealers I use were all happy to charge the £139 for my 2 year old Superb.

 

Skoda also mention that not all dealers support the scheme. If Skoda were reimbursing dealers then I can't understand why any franchised dealer would not want to be a part of it. It would be a win-win situation for them, attract customers with a low price yet get paid the full price from Skoda...

 

I suspect signing up to the fixed pricing scheme will be voluntary but 'highly encouraged' and those that choose not to participate will miss out on other incentives and rebates from Skoda UK.

Edited 15 May, 201412 yr by silver1011

You are still being quoted too much.

 

Skoda have a fixed pricing policy - minor / fixed service is £139.

 

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

 

Read the small print and you'll see cars under three years old are excluded. In my experience main dealers I have used have been happy to quote me £139 regardless of vehicle age.

 

Also a minor service is identical to a major service other than a major service includes additional items that are only replaced "when required" including fuel, air and pollen filter, which on most diesel engines are not required until 60,000 miles or more.

 

I feel for all those that have paid for a major service (£259) and had no more done than the next guy paying for a minor service.

 

I'd suggest any dealer quoting more than £139 for a minor service is not offering good advice.

 

Only at participating Skoda dealers. My local Skoda AD charges £180 for a MINOR service because they're not part of the scheme

 

Tap your postcode into the website to find a dealer 

erm, hate to ask what seems like an obvious question, but could you not see the pads throught the alloys? Can't remember a car where I couldn't.

 

You can't always tell using this mehod as they may be worn on an angle, so to you they look fine but on the unseen side they could be down to the bone. 

Only at participating Skoda dealers. My local Skoda AD charges £180 for a MINOR service because they're not part of the scheme

 

Tap your postcode into the website to find a dealer 

 

Try telling them your going to another dealer to get the deal, most will price match.

I might do that, but on the other hand they might say no. They are convenient for me and £163 vs £139 isn't too bad. It seems to be the way of life now to chase the cheapest price and save a few quid, but then ultimately I think that's why wages haven't kept up with the cost of living for the last 15 years or so, you can always find something cheaper and companies keep squeezing their employees where it hurts. If it keeps local mechanics in a job sometimes its worth paying a little for the convenience.

I feel for all those that have paid for a major service (£259) and had no more done than the next guy paying for a minor service.

 

I'd suggest any dealer quoting more than £139 for a minor service is not offering good advice.

 

Yup! DM Keith were good for this actually. According to date and mileage ours was due a 'Major' service last time. What they actually did was just a 'Minor' service at the base price then just charged for the extra bits they did (think fuel filter and something else) which came it at much less than the usual Major service cost.

 

Phil

12k and the front and rear brakes needed doing?

Utter bull**** my friend. You have most likely been stitched up like a kipper.

erm NO! As per my previous post it was at the dealers i was at home 20 miles away. they rang, I took their word for it.

Well, more fool you for not checking, looks like you've been taken for a ride.

Edited 16 May, 201412 yr by damo
abusive language removed

Well, more fool you for not checking, looks like you've been taken for a ride.

Really no need for that kind of attitude. I know the Subaru dealer ripped me off the whole point of the thread! Well if you've got the time to drive a 40 miles round trip just to check every time  a dealer recommends some work I feel sorry for you, obviously you have a very dull life! 

Edited 16 May, 201412 yr by paddypaws

Sounds like this latest dealer gave advice that had you paying too much for a Oil & Filter change 

if your car is on Variable/Flexible Servicing.

(Long life oil @ about £13 a litre & a Oil Filter & Sump Plug as Parts.)

?

Of the £163, how much was charged for the parts on the Invoice ?

 

If not checking all Service & Maintenance Items your self, checking Brake Pad wear etc,

Annual Servicing and proper Inspection Services is well worth having done. IMO.

 

george

Amazing how it only takes one or two stupid comments to spoil a thread. Better to let this one die a natural death I think.

Really no need for that kind of attitude. I know the Subaru dealer ripped me off the whole point of the thread! Well if you've got the time to drive a 40 miles round trip just to check every time  a dealer recommends some work I feel sorry for you, obviously you have a very dull life! 

I probably could have time to do it if I wanted to cos my job affords me most of the week off and still plenty of cash to pay my mortgage and whatever I want, and I also enjoy driving so it's no big deal, but I'm just not stupid enough to take someone at their word so I don't get mugged off like you obviously did. I pretty much have all the time in the world to do whatever I want, so it sounds more like sour grapes than anything.

 

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Edited 16 May, 201412 yr by blackspaven

Such a shame the way threads can go.

Spoils the feel of the forum at times.

Ah well :-)

That's what happens if you ask a simple question and you just get sarcasm back. post #5 AND #7 both started like that. Someone wants to chill out and have a look at themself! :no: