Hi

 

Interesting conversation with my dealer today, which others may be interested to learn of.

The Sales Manager called me to ask how my new car was performing, he happened to ask if I had noticed any differences from my previous Fabia 1.2 DSG SE L  Estate.

I said the only difference was that it had been set up for Variable Service Intervals and not Fixed Service as my previous Fabias.

He then said I was mistaken, as they had been told by Skoda UK, to set all new models to Fixed Service.

He was not able to give any reason why Skoda UK should have said this.

To cut a long story short I took the car into the garage this morning and the technician confirmed that  the car was set up for Variable Servicing, the original factory settings.

They did ask if I wanted it changed but I said no as they could not give me an explanation as to why it needed to be changed.

This of course makes me wonder if this is an attempt by Skoda UK to increase the service frequency in order to generate additional income.

I do wonder how many others have had this changed without being informed?

I might add that a different oil spec is required, dependent on the service set up, so had the service type been changed I would have asked them if they had also done an oil change.

John

Strange one, I bought my wife a new Polo 1.2TSI 110 SEL back in August 2015 and it came set for fixed servicing, which surprised me as her previous late 2002 Polo 1.4 16V came set for variable servicing and that looked like the way things were heading in general in the newer car scene. Only thing was that latest Polo was bought with a service package prepaid, though I think that I questioned the validity of selling me that if the car came set up with variable servicing.

 

For most people I'd think that this is all a bit of a "nothing/non event" in as much as if you use the car for lowish annual mileage then fixed servicing is what you need.

 

Different oils used depending on service regime - yes, originally, but I think that that caused too much confusion so they only use an oil that suits both regimes - which is more expensive as it can be used for "Long Service" - just another chance for VW Group agents to squeeze our wallets a bit harder?

Hi John, yes all Fabia's are altered to fixed service intervals as standard. However, if you do high miles per year (above average) you can safely use the variable service regime. No oil change would have been needed if your service regime had been changed. They all come with 'longlife' oil in the engines. The reason Skoda release the cars with fixed service regime is because in this country (UK) the average annual mileage is below the mileage for variable service intervals. So it makes sense. 

Edited 4 June, 20179 yr by Damo
Edited typo (see italic)

Not all Fabia were being changed to Fixed Servicing, Motability Finance leased to customer ones were not.

So when were 'All other Fabia Mk3 Fabia started to be changed to Fixed Servicing without asking the Keeper / Owner / Fleet Operator?

http://volkswagen.co.uk/owners/servicing/regimes 

Hi John,

 

Mine was set up for Variable Service Intervals, but I changed it to Fixed Service.

Collected the car 6th June 2016 new. 1st service already done.

 

Thanks AG Falco

 

Edited 4 June, 20179 yr by AGFalco

My 1.2 TSI came set for variable servicing (also checked this on the car's computer).  But as I do a low annual mileage and have 2 services included as part of the deal, I had it serviced at the 12 month stage and will continue to do so.

Maybe someone wants to ask SKODA UK Customer Services for the 'Official words'.

 

Are they telling Skoda UK Official Dealerships to set the Service Indicator to Fixed Servicing @ 9,400 miles / 372 days.

 

Because in the main owners / fleets operators want this due to being what the majority want, or for 'Service Plans', or because the cars are having issues with Variable / Flexible Servicing?

 

Or because some Technicians / Fitters are forgetting to even set them after delivery / transit and lots of drivers are getting 

Oil / Service Warnings early?

 

Or because VW Group lied and cheated on 11 million vehicles or more and there are lots of time being spent on 'Recalls / Service Actions', 

& 

Bumping profits of Skoda, VW, Audi. Seat Dealership workshops sounds like a good idea, 'Simply Clever'....?