I have a 65 plate Fabia DSG.  I'm retired now so don't do much mileage.  Usually short runs around town and suchlike with the occasional motorway trip.  My service regime is set to annual service, the next one being due around the end of September.  The car has a full service history from my localish Skoda main dealer.

 

My problem is that I know the upcoming service is a a big one and will therefore be expensive from a main dealer.  As the car has only just under 14,000 miles on the clock, I am reluctant to pay out the kind of money that the main dealer will want.  My view is that the spark plugs shouldn't need changing at such a low mileage and I am quite capable of changing the pollen filter and air filter myself if they need it (which they may not).  I am therefore toying with the idea of asking the dealer to do an oil and oil filter service only, my idea being that this should give me some form of protection should I need to seek any kind of goodwill contribution from Skoda if something serious should go wrong in the next year or so.  What do others on this forum think?

7 hours ago, nbramwel said:

I have a 65 plate Fabia DSG.  I'm retired now so don't do much mileage.  Usually short runs around town and suchlike with the occasional motorway trip.  My service regime is set to annual service, the next one being due around the end of September.  The car has a full service history from my localish Skoda main dealer.

 

My problem is that I know the upcoming service is a a big one and will therefore be expensive from a main dealer.  As the car has only just under 14,000 miles on the clock, I am reluctant to pay out the kind of money that the main dealer will want.  My view is that the spark plugs shouldn't need changing at such a low mileage and I am quite capable of changing the pollen filter and air filter myself if they need it (which they may not).  I am therefore toying with the idea of asking the dealer to do an oil and oil filter service only, my idea being that this should give me some form of protection should I need to seek any kind of goodwill contribution from Skoda if something serious should go wrong in the next year or so.  What do others on this forum think?

 

I wouldn't think they would do spark plugs at 14k miles, they may do the timing belt as that's a age based item, rather than mileage. Spark plugs are a mileage based item. You can always pop in and ask them and discuss what actually needs doing given it's mileage and age. Mines due its 50k service, but that's being held off until parts arrive to rebuild my gearbox (some diff/shaft bearing has failed and it feels like a helicopter's following me everywhere i go lol).

If you are only going for an oil change it should be possible to find someone cheaper than a main dealer as I have done as it is not rocket science. I would add there is another very important issue:- Brake fluids must be changed after the first three years then every two years as they deteriorate over time rather than over miles. I am another low mileage user and queried the filters and plugs issues at the main dealers after the first year. I was advised that plugs do 40,000 and air filters do 20,000 (unless the car is subject to a very dusty atmosphere, which is unlikely in the UK).

Taking your idea/plan to just get an oil/filter change in a bid to protect you from any possible goodwill in the nearish future - I'd think that Skoda UK will only be interested in one aspect of that car's servicing and that is "was it serviced as per the manufacturer's advice?" - if you just do an oil/filter change at year 4, which should be a major service, then the answer to the question is "NO!" so they could/would walk away from goodwill being considered.

 

I will certainly be replacing the spark plugs and air filter on my wife's 2015 Polo at its next service at end of July, its mileage will be almost 30K by then, but if it was more like your mileage, I'd still be changing these parts.

 

By the way, the cambelt does not need replacing until the 5 year mark.

@Eccles

Read the warranty T&C's.  

You say 'must be done'.

 

A Service Plan does not include Brake Fluid changed at 3 years and a Skoda Approved Car sold at 3 years with a 12 Month Warranty & FMDSH might not have had the Brake Fluid changed or the Air Filter.

 

It would be good if Skoda / VW did not say 'Manufacturers Recommendations'.

 

Skoda are who does not set out clearly in the UK / Europe / Globally what is a 'Recommendation',  a Service Schedule, a Guideline etc. 

 

Some Dealerships will tell you the Spark Plugs are good for 65,000 miles, but then 40,000 miles is the Recommendation.

Air Filter is 4 years / 40,000 miles or sooner, but then you need to look see to know.

A City behind busses might have a blocked / dirty air filter sooner than country roads lined with Oil Seed Rape.

Pollen / Cabin filter at 2 years.  Oil Seed Rape, Sea Air, wet winters might need a Pollen Filter changed annually.

Edited 27 May, 20197 yr by Skoffski

Search for independant Volkswagen mechanics in your area. There are some very good ones who do a much better job than a lot of main dealers do.

Some Skoda dealers do a low mileage service (but you need to phone them and ask, as have never seen it advertised)

 

Will separate into age related that need doing, and those that are mileage related.   A few items fall into condition related (eg wiper blades)

 

One thought, for a 3-4 year old car with 14000 miles get the wheels swapped front-back to even out tyre wear.  Those tyres will start cracking at 7+ years before you reach minimum tread depth.

 

 

Edited 1 June, 20197 yr by SurreyJohn

18 hours ago, SurreyJohn said:

Those tyres will start cracking at 7+ years before you reach minimum tread depth.

 

My 2015 car came with Bridgestones which became cracked and not so grippy after ~4.5 years / 50k miles. Still had 5mm tread left!

Those Bridgestones were horrible, mine were terrible in the wet after 30,000 but had tons of tread. My new Fabia has Khumo tyres, so far they are grippier and quiet.

8 hours ago, BarryG said:

Those Bridgestones were horrible, mine were terrible in the wet after 30,000 but had tons of tread. My new Fabia has Khumo tyres, so far they are grippier and quiet.

Are they the Ecowing tyres? My previous Roomster had Continental tyres but the ride was terrible but they were 16in and 45 so that was the main problem. Deliberately went for the SE Fabia to get 15in wheels and the Khumo tyres seem good for what I guess is a mid range tyre so far.

55 minutes ago, Harnser said:

Are they the Ecowing tyres? My previous Roomster had Continental tyres but the ride was terrible but they were 16in and 45 so that was the main problem. Deliberately went for the SE Fabia to get 15in wheels and the Khumo tyres seem good for what I guess is a mid range tyre so far.

 

I have 215/45R16 tyres, the bridgestones were pretty poor, the rears lasted ages, but became cracked and felt like they were losing grip after 50k miles and 4 years, despite still having 5mm tread left.

 

I then got a puncture on the front from a pothole, bridgestones came to the front and a new pair of Avon ZV7's on the rear, the rear felt much more planted, and much quieter too, the front end instantly felt awful, very under-steery. I then had one of the Bridgestones blow out after another pothole literally a week after the first, and had both replaced with Davanti DX390's, these are so far much better than the Bridgestones, less road noise and far grippier in the dry, still not great in the wet, but a huge improvement from the Bridgestones.

 

If i had a choice i would have put Avon ZV7's all round, they're very quiet and feel very grippy, even in the wet. Those bridgestones were easy to lock with a quick pull of the handbrake but those Avons just won't give, even since ive got new rear disks and pads!

 

I did have Falkens on the front before all the business with potholes, they lasted roughly 20k miles, they were maybe marginally more grippy than the davantis, but far louder. Not quite has good as the Avons in my opinion.

 

NB i run 2.0 bar all year round (30psi?) and don't seem to have any issue with parts wearing faster than others. Though i do get alignment done any time the tyres changed or anything done with suspension (bushes, wishbones etc)

13 hours ago, Harnser said:

Are they the Ecowing tyres? My previous Roomster had Continental tyres but the ride was terrible but they were 16in and 45 so that was the main problem. Deliberately went for the SE Fabia to get 15in wheels and the Khumo tyres seem good for what I guess is a mid range tyre so far.

They are Khumo Ecstas, apparently it's a new tyre from them. Great so far.

15 hours ago, FabiaGonzales said:

 

I have 215/45R16 tyres, the bridgestones were pretty poor, the rears lasted ages, but became cracked and felt like they were losing grip after 50k miles and 4 years, despite still having 5mm tread left.

 

I then got a puncture on the front from a pothole, bridgestones came to the front and a new pair of Avon ZV7's on the rear, the rear felt much more planted, and much quieter too, the front end instantly felt awful, very under-steery. I then had one of the Bridgestones blow out after another pothole literally a week after the first, and had both replaced with Davanti DX390's, these are so far much better than the Bridgestones, less road noise and far grippier in the dry, still not great in the wet, but a huge improvement from the Bridgestones.

 

If i had a choice i would have put Avon ZV7's all round, they're very quiet and feel very grippy, even in the wet. Those bridgestones were easy to lock with a quick pull of the handbrake but those Avons just won't give, even since ive got new rear disks and pads!

 

I did have Falkens on the front before all the business with potholes, they lasted roughly 20k miles, they were maybe marginally more grippy than the davantis, but far louder. Not quite has good as the Avons in my opinion.

 

NB i run 2.0 bar all year round (30psi?) and don't seem to have any issue with parts wearing faster than others. Though i do get alignment done any time the tyres changed or anything done with suspension (bushes, wishbones etc)

Ah yes! I did replace the Continentals as they were around 3mm with those same Avons. Much better but then I sold the Roomster within 6 months so cannot comment on their longevity.