Service advice please

[bq15]

Just wondering what people think about manufacturer service v "others".

 

I'm just coming up for a second service at about 37k (car is nearly 2 years old), and as far as I can work out the Skoda official price is £259. Using the RAC's comparison service I can find a "similar" service - their "Full" option - for £141.

 

As far as I can see the Skoda warranty is not dependent on official Skoda servicing - so do I save my £118, or is it likely to come back and bite me in the future?

 

Thanks in advance! 

[Brianpilman]

As long as you have proof of skoda official parts being used and keep receipts I personally wouldn't be too worried

[Greg R]

It's a tricky one really. Whilst it might not invalidate the warranty, where problems occur on items that might not be covered by the warranty, you tend to find manufacturers are more forgiving on vehicles with a full dealer history. If it's outside (or close to the end of) the warranty period, i would save the cash and go to an independent specialist.

[Gabbo]

As far as I can tell, the first 3 services (3x 20k miles) are just an oil change so I can't see any reason why you can't get someone else to do it or even do it yourself.

There is some useful information in this thread:
http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/270976-servicing-intervals-for-the-new-20cr-150bhp-engine/

 

In terms of how it would affect your warranty, I've no idea, but providing you can prove they used the correct spec oil then I don't see any problems.

[cnc]

Bear in mind Skoda dealers should also be aware of any software/hardware/mechanical updates the car might need, independent dealers might not have this information. 

 

If the car is in warranty use Skoda to avoid any quibbling should a claim be needed, otherwise compare the cost of a local independent specialist to the Skoda price, there might not be much difference depending where you live.

 

Personally I wouldn't use someone such as a Halfords Autocentre or similar (that's just my opinion), but if you decide to go independent specialist route go somewhere a friend/colleague/someone on Briskoda has used and can recommend.

 

Don't forget to check out some of this sites sponsors such as this place, they may be able to do you a good deal http://www.volksautos.co.uk/

[bq15]

Thanks all.

 

It's a shame "3 years free" equalled "one oil change at 18k", but it wasn't the reason I bought the car, so no real complaints.

[BA Baracus]

...the Skoda official price is £259..."similar" service for £141.

 

Just ask your dealer to sharpen their pencil - might not get it for £141 but business is business.

[73henny]

If you were buying second hand would you rather a car with a manufacturer's service history? I would

[pipsyp]

Yes I would suggest having it main dealer serviced until the warranty expires at very least.

Skoda main dealers and SUK for that matter will be harder work to deal with for warranty issues if they arent being used for routine servicing. Arguably you have more comeback with a Skoda main dealer also if they muck something up and it needs rectifying.

[silver1011]

Thanks all.

 

It's a shame "3 years free" equalled "one oil change at 18k", but it wasn't the reason I bought the car, so no real complaints.

 

What!?

 

If you bought the car with the 3 year servicing deal then the service indicator should have been set to fixed intervals i.e. 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever is reached first.

 

This gets you the three services, 3 lots of fresh oil for the engine and turbo and 3 stamps in the service book.

 

Are you saying the car was delivered to you set to the longlife / variable service intervals?

 

If so then you need to ring Skoda UK and complain, I'd be asking for the two extra services your car should have had.

[silver1011]

Just wondering what people think about manufacturer service v "others".

 

I'm just coming up for a second service at about 37k (car is nearly 2 years old), and as far as I can work out the Skoda official price is £259. Using the RAC's comparison service I can find a "similar" service - their "Full" option - for £141.

 

As far as I can see the Skoda warranty is not dependent on official Skoda servicing - so do I save my £118, or is it likely to come back and bite me in the future?

 

Thanks in advance! 

 

Don't pay the £259.

 

There are two types of service...

 

1) Fixed (minor) - 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever is reached first.

 

2) Variable (major) - up to approx. 20,000 miles or 24 months. The car measures the oil viscosity and decides for itself when it needs fresh oil.

 

A fixed service is £139. A variable service is £259.

 

Now the important bit here is the only extra's you get on the more expensive major service is a pollen, air and fuel filter.

 

BUT these extra parts are only fitted if required, which on most modern engines isn't until at least three years old or 60,000 miles.

 

This means a £259 service before 3 years or 60K is a complete waste of money.

 

Have a £139 fixed service done instead and save yourself £120, see here...

 

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

[andyvee]

Yep - there is no difference between an 'oil change' service and an 'inspection' service on the fixed servicing regime until 60k. Not that any dealer has managed to evidence to me, and I had 3 services on my last O3.

 

Basically, it is an oil and filter change and that is it.

 

I'll be replacing the air, pollen and fuel filters myself at every service.

[bq15]

What!?

 

If you bought the car with the 3 year servicing deal then the service indicator should have been set to fixed intervals i.e. 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever is reached first.

 

This gets you the three services, 3 lots of fresh oil for the engine and turbo and 3 stamps in the service book.

 

Are you saying the car was delivered to you set to the longlife / variable service intervals?

 

If so then you need to ring Skoda UK and complain, I'd be asking for the two extra services your car should have had.

 

It was an ex-demo car with just under 9k on the clock. When it tipped over 10k without asking for a service, I phoned Skoda (not wanting to inadvertently invalidate the warranty). They said - after some hesitation - that if the car said it didn't need a service, it didn't need a service, and that wouldn't cause any future problems.

 

Having read a couple of the linked threads and info, my guess is that because it was a car that was kept at the dealership for six months, it didn't undergo the normal switch from variable to fixed that they do before giving it to the customer?

 

 

Have a £139 fixed service done instead and save yourself £120, see here...

 

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

 

Sooo...speaking as a naive customer (which is sometimes how I try to appear even if I'm not, just to see what "they" will try to get away with), if I book it in and they say "at 37k it needs a major service, that will be £259 please", I'm OK to say "no thanks, I'll just have the cheap one", bearing in mind the clause about "servicing according to the manufacturer's recommendation"?

[skodafang]

I run a fleet of Skoda's (30) for Business and never use main dealer servicing.

I find the main dealers here in Cornwall & Devon below par and we have to travel 50 miles to get to one.

 

Never had one warranty claim refused. And that includes a mechatronic unit from a DSG box.

 

Just my opinion and findings so don't go shooting me.

[pipsyp]

My car was delivered on variable....i just took the initiative to book its first service approaching 10k miles.

When it was returned to me the car had been reprogrammed for fixed intervals...I may have asked for it but think they just did this as a matter of course knowing I had the service plan.

To be fair also over 3 years/30k miles the regular oil changes are probably sufficient. Changing other sundry items of course isnt a bad idea but could be argued as not absolutely necessary.

[andyvee]

To be fair also over 3 years/30k miles the regular oil changes are probably sufficient. Changing other sundry items of course isnt a bad idea but could be argued as not absolutely necessary.

True, you don't really need to be replacing pollen, air and fuel filters every 10k, but I will probably do them, may do them every 20k which will be about 15 months. So a bit like the O2 variable service regime, with an additional oil and filter change at 10K

[silver1011]

Sooo...speaking as a naive customer (which is sometimes how I try to appear even if I'm not, just to see what "they" will try to get away with), if I book it in and they say "at 37k it needs a major service, that will be £259 please", I'm OK to say "no thanks, I'll just have the cheap one", bearing in mind the clause about "servicing according to the manufacturer's recommendation"?

 

It is a valid question.

 

However if you look at Skoda's national pricing policy as linked earlier you can physically see the differences between a £139 minor service and the £259 major service.

 

There really is nothing in it on cars under 3 years old and that have covered less than 60,000 miles.

 

If Skoda or indeed your local dealer really wanted to be difficult then I'm sure they could.

 

For what it is worth my 2011 Skoda Superb has only ever had the £139 minor services at 10K. Every second service I paid extra (roughly £80) from their menu pricing to have the fuel and air filters changed - which incidentally is still £40 cheaper than the major service.

 

My car arguably has been serviced over and above the manufacturers requirements. Incidentally I had my fair share of warranty claims during the initial 3 year period without issue.

 

I won't blame anyone who chooses to stick their car into the dealer and just pay the bill, I can relate to the easy hassle free approach. I just like to make sure that people are aware that there is money (quite considerable sums) to be saved for very little effort.

 

Pay your money and take your chances and all that 

[bq15]

That's why I'm here silver. Really appreciated, thanks.

[shenendor]

I'm in a very similar situation having just bought an Octavia L & K 2.0 Tdi CR with 10500 miles on it, ex-demo. I asked for a service from the dealer (presumably just oil change and odds and sods) even though its on variable servicing, so I could get 20K before the next one but my main concern about independent servicing is whether my mechanic (who is very good) will be able to reset the service interval with a non-Skoda computer (he couldn't do my last car - a Seat Exeo Sport). If he can't then it negates the flexible principle. Anybody got experience of this please?

[andyvee]

Easily resettable with VCDS.

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[shenendor]

I appreciate the note re VCDS but being an auto ignoramus in this field are there any places in South Yorkshire other than Skoda dealers who could do the service interval re-setting and would it have to be part of a service; would that service be more economical than aforesaid Skoda? Would appreciate any help.

[andyvee]

Shark Performance at Mansfield?

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