Hi Guys,

 

I have just posted another topic, but thought I'd start a second thread with a different question.

 

I have about 4,000 miles until my last free service, but as my car is on a hire purchase scheme I have to get it serviced every 10,000 miles.

 

What do you reckon I should do regarding the services after the next one?

 

I guess I can't do it myself, and not sure I'd want to on such a new car, but do I have to take it to a Skoda dealer? I just resent the idea of paying about £250 for a glorified oil change for the first paid for service!

 

Thanks,

Matt

Savilles of Mustow Green near Kidderminster are good. They recently gave up the Skoda franchise. I have booked my car there for service. £180 instead of £260, and I know it will be done properly. I have similar feelings about being overcharged as yourself.

Alternatively, Overton Garage in Ludlow. Another good independent that specialises in Skoda.

I mention both these as I note your location shown as Shropshire. Good luck.

Hi Mat,

speak to Ant at AP Automotive (VAG specialist), top service, all genuine parts etc.

 

He's based here in Telford, not far from J6 of the M54.

 

Oh he's a Briskoda sponsor by the way.

Is that right?

Once your free services run out you can surely get the car switched to long life/20k mile servicing?

If I were not doing alot of miles Id stick to 10k yearly servicing though.

Id be careful with a car on PCP/HP getting it serviced outside the dealer network before the warranty expires...as much as an independant using proper VAG parts shouldnt affect warranty the reality is that it could...especially if an independant makes a mistake resulting in something failing.

Case in point......I was loaned a 64 plate GTD whilst I waited for my own GTD factory order to turn up for a few months.

The car had 19k miles on it when I received it...before it was given to me my fleet dept sent it off for a service.....though unbeknown to me until receiving the car with a local independant garage rather than at VW.

Car was a loaner so didnt care a great deal but was surprised they'd sent a less than year old near-30k car to an indy to save a few bucks iver getting it done in the dealer network.....

Anyway cutting a long story short....the indy didnt fit the oil filter correctly, causing the threads to cross on the filter cap and it weaped about a litre of oil all over the sump shield and bottom of the engine block for 4.5k miles before it made itself known (low oil light and finding a patch of oil on the drive as it started trickling off the shield).

Car went back into VW, having to have a new filter, cap and top-up.....so no doubt the service at the indy garage was a false economy.

They did also say at the time (though again I didnt particularly care as it was a company loaner) that servicing outside of the dealer network whilst in warranty may affect it...certainly gives VW UK cause to be funny about honouring certain warranty repairs if a fault is caused as a knock on effect of servicing with an indy.

Your car, your choice but forewarned is forearmed as it were :-)

Savilles of Mustow Green near Kidderminster are good. They recently gave up the Skoda franchise. I have booked my car there for service. £180 instead of £260, and I know it will be done properly. I have similar feelings about being overcharged as yourself.

Alternatively, Overton Garage in Ludlow. Another good independent that specialises in Skoda.

I mention both these as I note your location shown as Shropshire. Good luck.

Thanks for the recommendations. Yes I am in North Shropshire, so the garages you mention aren't too far.

 

Hi Mat,

speak to Ant at AP Automotive (VAG specialist), top service, all genuine parts etc.

 

He's based here in Telford, not far from J6 of the M54.

 

Oh he's a Briskoda sponsor by the way.

Hi Andy,

I knew about Ant yes, but thanks all the same

 

Is that right?

Once your free services run out you can surely get the car switched to long life/20k mile servicing?

If I were not doing alot of miles Id stick to 10k yearly servicing though.

Id be careful with a car on PCP/HP getting it serviced outside the dealer network before the warranty expires...as much as an independant using proper VAG parts shouldnt affect warranty the reality is that it could...especially if an independant makes a mistake resulting in something failing.

...

They did also say at the time (though again I didnt particularly care as it was a company loaner) that servicing outside of the dealer network whilst in warranty may affect it...certainly gives VW UK cause to be funny about honouring certain warranty repairs if a fault is caused as a knock on effect of servicing with an indy.

Your car, your choice but forewarned is forearmed as it were :-)

I think it's right, I'll have to check though. I am currently doing about 15,000 miles a year.

 

I don't really mind what the service plan is, as long as there are no ill effects of it being too long.

 

I'll dig my paperwork out and see what it says, knowing my luck it'll be 10,000 mile services!

 

I also accept the warranty point, and there may be a clause saying it has to be Skoda serviced.

 

Thanks for your thoughts

If I were not doing alot of miles Id stick to 10k yearly servicing though.

I only do low mileage, and I don't understand why if you do higher mileage it's fine to leave the servicing up to two years, but on low mileage it's better to service every year?

Higher mileage....your car may well end up being serviced 2-3 times per year if on fixed intervals....fine if you are happy to pay for it but is probably a bit overkill.

Variable servicing....if you are doing 20-30k/year or more then your car is still more or less going to get serviced yearly or thereabouts.

Dor me its about trying to ensure the car gets inspected every 12 months or so, without it becoming too inconvenient or costly. If you are on variable servicing and dont do alot of miles I just feel two years is quite a while for a car not to be checked out but thats just me.

Either way the car will be running long life oil so its not a problem in that sense.

Matt,

We have recently done a 2014 Octavia VRS.

The customer had checked out all paperwork regarding servicing and where it can be done. All customer services had told him was "Genuine Parts Must be used" and did not dismiss an independent garage for servicing.

I would advise checking your paperwork and perhaps speaking to someone official for your particular circumstance.

If it transpires that your car can be serviced at an Independent, I would be more than happy to do this for you & of course, only using Genuine Parts and Fluids.

Ant

Hi Mat,

speak to Ant at AP Automotive (VAG specialist), top service, all genuine parts etc.

 

He's based here in Telford, not far from J6 of the M54.

 

Oh he's a Briskoda sponsor by the way.

Thanks for the shout Andy

Matt,

We have recently done a 2014 Octavia VRS.

The customer had checked out all paperwork regarding servicing and where it can be done. All customer services had told him was "Genuine Parts Must be used" and did not dismiss an independent garage for servicing.

I would advise checking your paperwork and perhaps speaking to someone official for your particular circumstance.

If it transpires that your car can be serviced at an Independent, I would be more than happy to do this for you & of course, only using Genuine Parts and Fluids.

Ant

 

Hi Ant,

 

I have had a look through all the paperwork I have and it doesn't say I can't, but I'll check anyway. Definitely bearing you in mind, your fairly local and I have heard good reviews.

 

Matt