Quick question - apologies if already covered but a quick search didn't reveal what I wanted exactly...

 

Am awaiting delivery of my new Octavia Estate...though I'm hoping for pre-Christmas I've pretty much succumbed myself to the notion it's going to be in the new year!

 

In terms of servicing, I've been offered a service plan which covers the first 2 services for something like £279ish (I may be making that figure up, but the total was only a little more than the most expensive of the first two services (think it was the second, major one)). Anyhow, what I'd like to know is, for a new car (bearing in mind this is cash purchase, no PCP or HP etc) is it recommended that I get it serviced at a dealer for the first 3 years (whilst in warranty), or would warranty remain just as valid if servicing/work done at any other garage? My local dealer (where I'm purchasing from) is Lookers Stockport, anyone have any experience with their after-sale services? It's not that far away, and there are others not too far away as well, so not an issue if dealer is best. In terms of DIY, I'm not overly confident, just tend to keep things topped up and let garage do the rest, but with written instructions could probably go so far as changing brake pads/discs - so any suggestions for anything easy that would save money/time and not invalidate warranty that I could do would be appreciated.

 

Also (and I think I know the answer to this already), in terms of variable interval and fixed interval servicing - which would be best? I do roughly 12k/year, my work location varies every 6-12 months, so am occasionally urban/city driving into Manchester, but sometimes do motorway driving up to Preston-way (though with roadworks at moment it often feels like city driving!) Will do a long journey to visit family in Wales or down south once a month or so, so overall very varied driving conditions. My feeling is that fixed interval servicing is probably best, partly because my journeys will vary greatly throughout the year, but also because that's what I've been doing for the last 10 years with my other cars (though only because I've not had the option of variable interval admittedly!) and they seem fine. Any thoughts would be gladly received!
 

Thanks in advance

 

RW

I know you can have your car serviced by any garage as long as they are VAT registered and they use the correct skoda parts, but I think its better to have it done by Skoda for the 1st 3 years as it should be easier to get any warranty issues sorted out.

 

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

 

Looks like £279 for the first 2 services. I think I paid £479 for the first 3 and a brake fluid change at 3 years.

Lookers Stockport got a bit of a kicking in this post:

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/414208-pedals-on-vrs/page-2?hl=%2Bpedals+%2Bvrs#entry4737909

If you've had your car serviced at a Skoda dealer all the way through warranty then Skoda may be more inclined to be helpful if anything happens after the warranty ends.

 

The type of motoring you are doing is suitable for the variable service IMO, which means the 2 services will cover the 3 year warranty period.

I guess where you get it serviced is entirely up to you and what is more convenient. I take mine to a Skoda dealer as I have (or had) the service pack that covered three services, although I had my third just last month. So long as the garage is VAT registered it won't affect warranty. Or it shouldn't anyway.

IMO, private owners should be using fixed services, with variable being left for fleet managers to use (or the rare few private owners who do manage very high miles). If you read through the plethora of servicing threads on here there are many owners using the variable servicing incorrectly, IMO. Mainly just to save a few quid it would seem.

If you've had your car serviced at a Skoda dealer all the way through warranty then Skoda may be more inclined to be helpful if anything happens after the warranty ends.

 

The type of motoring you are doing is suitable for the variable service IMO, which means the 2 services will cover the 3 year warranty period.

But you may find that the service deal specifies the car has to be set to fixed servicing.....make sure you read the small print.