Just 3 yrs old and now with 9000 miles on the clock I am now getting the oil change due in 900 miles reminder on the dashboard.

Im presuming that because the previous owner hardly did any miles ( I bought it in March with 1000 miles on the clock) he had got it serviced at one yr old and 2 yrs old so is the frequency now fixed ie every year or is it down to the mileage?

what sort of cost is an oil change at a dealer and do they do anything else?

its just been MOT’d with absolutely no issues in fact the emissions were to low to register which is good and all tyres perfectly even at 7mm across.

thanks

 

It will be due it’s third annual service by the looks of things then. Personally I think there would be no harm in giving it a full service. 

Might be good to change the brake fluid too. Can't imagine it's good for it when it's sitting for long periods of time. 

Thank you

just checked the service records

registered 30 July 2016

1st service 21 September 2017 at 182 miles cost £149.00

2nd service 24 September 2018 at 513 miles cost £279.00. (20k service - Inspection with oil change)

Im now at 9800 miles So Im presuming the next service will be what is called an interim service and Ill get the brake fluid changed as suggested since its 3 yrs old.

Since its now out of warranty  Dealer or independent - Does it matter?

Is the car on what is called a fixed schedule ie every year?  Sorry for the dumb questions as used to Ford in the past with service intervals of 18000 miles and never had a car older then 3 yrs as always been on a lease

 

 

Unless you have the print out or customer sheet from previous service, and know what was looked at, it’s probably best to get a full service done.  The simple reason that they probably did restricted service if only at 513 miles.

 

Your indicator is counting down to 10,000 miles since last service (it would also have counted down days if one year had come up first).  But as the one year is September would be due next month anyway.

 

If you have a full service, can ask to go to variable (18k miles or 2 years, whichever comes first).  However variable servicing is really for long distance drivers, it’s not recommended for urban driving, or lots of short journeys.   As it appears you are doing 10k miles per year, it’s better long term to do fixed services.   Some parts degrade over time, others through wear, and with your cars history going to be difficult to get the right things checked at minor or inspection service, as some things don’t get looked at in these.

 

There are those that say oil changes should be max 10-12k miles, otherwise comes back to bite you after about 5 years old in more worn parts to replace (not a problem if you lease it as not your problem by then).  Then there is argument that a service is better than breaking down at roadside.  

 

Unless there was any advisories when you had first MOT done few weeks ago, then shouldn’t need extra work over a standard service.

 

A good independent doing fixed services can be just as good (or better) than main dealer.  The only advantage of main dealer is if there are recalls or technical updates these will usually be done free at same time (although sometimes have to ask them to check when booking it in).

 

One final thought, normally a good idea to ask for wheels to be swapped front-back during the service, to even out tyre wear.   Always better to replace all 4 tyres together (especially on Haldex 4x4 cars).  But if yours are same tread depth you can skip this (although including the comment to remind others reading this)

 

 

Edited 8 August, 20196 yr by SurreyJohn

Thanks John,

That is very helpful.

I do have the  two customer print outs and receipts for the previous services (though not a service book. Easily rectified as I'm not far from the supplying dealer) 

The second service at 2 years at 513 miles was a 20k service.  The original owner was not a high mileage driver (obviously) but I will be as I expect to be doing 20 to 25k per annum with long journeys so in about another 4 yrs time the car will have done probably an average mileage. Though possibly in 3 yrs time I will be looking to sell anyway. A dealer stamped book will help that.

No advisories on the MOT. Tyres showing 7mm across all with no uneven wear.  Just a pity they are 19" (Pirelli P7  235,40,19W)  so certainly a noisier car then the Ford Mondeo Vignale I had the tech for this 16 model year knocks spots off the Ford. Though my friend did tick every box bar the pan roof and towbar.

I shall ignore the 'Change Oil Now' on the dashboard and book it in for mid September and ask them to change the service schedule to Variable. 

Cheers

Sounds like a decent plan. Outside warranty I would be looking to build a relationship with an Indy who knows VAG cars. That way you should be able to get software updates etc done at the same time as the service, without having to deal with Skoda's (overwhelmingly poor IMHO) dealers. But if you get on with your dealer, then by all means keep using them.

 

One other point. There is no service book any more (sadly). Dealers record the services electronically, and the record is supposed to be visible across the dealer network. I don't know if independents can hook into that or not, but best keep hold of all paperwork and receipts so you can show the service history when you are ready to move it on.

 

Enjoy!

Thanks Jeff.

Learning something new every day!  No Service books?   akin to getting rid of tax disks!

Thankfully yes all receipts and documentation accounted for- even the bill for the waxoyl underneath.

 

I haven't had any dealings with the Skoda main dealer yet closest to me, Used to be Alex Lawrie where it was purchased  which is now Johnsons Skoda.

 

Anyone recommend an Independent  30 miles radius of Liverpool?

 

many thanks in advance

 

Paul

1 hour ago, Mactab said:

 

- even the bill for the waxoyl underneath.

 

 

Tell me you're not joking.....

 

 should make the whole underbody plastic protection panels on your SEL nice and gooey.

 

What a waste of money

 

No Unfortunately I'm not joking.   It certainly isn't something I would have had done.  

My local MOT man did say he was getting dripped on from it !