service Word of Warning for Service Charges

[StemcellRob]

Not sure if i can name and shame, some will be able to work it out but word of warning.

 

My fabia requires a major service, i want to take it to dealer because of the warranty to the works they do plus they clean my car, and the right oils in the car..

 

I called up 2 Dealers, both within 15 Miles of each other. London (A406) gave a price of £424 for a major service, and that is nothing special! The 2nd London Dealer within the M25 gave me a price for £289 which is due to the fact they participate in the skoda fixed pricing scheme.

 

Thought i would chat with Skoda UK online about this, and they really kept quiet and straight to the facts and finished the chat early (No care to be honest). Seems a bit steep £135 difference on the SAME service, with no added value. Thought i would start booking via the Skoda UK online forms, can book most common services for a fixed price except a Major/Minor service...Even if us skoda owners go ahead with a service from this overpriced dealer, they could be up sold and the price could be staggering.

 

Love skoda's online service wording - 'Also, when it comes to that final detail―the price―there’s no nasty surprise'

[Confused_Cheese]

I know this stuff happens as I've experienced it, but just to make sure did you compare exactly what each dealership was going to do for that price? Some of the items and timing may be up for interpretation as I've experienced in the past. Just may not be apples for apples

[StemcellRob]

 

1 minute ago, Confused_Cheese said:

I know this stuff happens as I've experienced it, but just to make sure did you compare exactly what each dealership was going to do for that price? Some of the items and timing may be up for interpretation as I've experienced in the past. Just may not be apples for apples

 

Thanks, Quite interestingly both dealers website are very 'Vague' with the VW Service guidelines, Only the Skoda website details a little more upon the overall service but the price is right. I will make sure in am with the technician exactly what they are going to do, as i need new spark plugs as its over 40k since last change...I need everything and hope my fabia comes out alive as i've put it in with my local dealer i had issue before with my Octavia. Had all new tyres via ATS, they showed and explained my brake pads/discs and said they were fine...Will let you all know if i get up sold!

 

Need to read up on Brake fluid, £60 top up fee...

[Kobayashi]

2 hours ago, StemcellRob said:

 

 

Thanks, Quite interestingly both dealers website are very 'Vague' with the VW Service guidelines, Only the Skoda website details a little more upon the overall service but the price is right. I will make sure in am with the technician exactly what they are going to do, as i need new spark plugs as its over 40k since last change...I need everything and hope my fabia comes out alive as i've put it in with my local dealer i had issue before with my Octavia. Had all new tyres via ATS, they showed and explained my brake pads/discs and said they were fine...Will let you all know if i get up sold!

 

2 hours ago, StemcellRob said:

Need to read up on Brake fluid, £60 top up fee...

 

 

2L of this brake fluid will get you a full change (if that is needed), Certainly 1L is enough for a top up. MY local garage let me take own oil and fluids, but skoda dealers wont let you use own Engine oil (as it will invalidate the warranty on the service, blah blah )) so they always use 'longlife 3' and charge about £50 for 4.5L for that as well

[Ootohere]

The Brake Fluid change at Participating Dealers of Fixed Price Servicing & Maintenance is £60 during a service. 

That is not a Top up, that is a brake fluid change.

[Ootohere]

^^^ Prices have not half risen.

The price of them supplying and fitting Air Filters & Pollen Filters is crazy.

 

So 2020 brings changes from how Servicing was priced.

Start with a basic Oil & Filter / Inspection Service and add on the extras from there....

[StemcellRob]

Thanks all,

 

Will look into the brake fluid DIY option (if its required) which i feel after almost 4 years and 88K on the clock its gonna be presented.

 

I got my cousin (Ex Mech) to assist with my old octy oil change as he had limited tools, looked over the car for common fault prevention which is nice to get a 2nd opinion before splashing the cash.

 

I'm presuming, they just bleed the brake fluid from removing a wheel, then fill it back up. No flush. Sounds simple enough?!?

 

Has anyone got access to the Service Regime for a Fabia MK3 (2015+)? Searched the forum and found a general VW version. More and likely will be presented with a checklist tomorrow, but know i'm wondering if the service works are different between franchises. I don't want to walk in there tomorrow looking like an open wallet with no knowledge...

 

 

[Ootohere]

H20 content in the brake fluid can be tested and many mechanics or techs will test it.

The Recommendation / Schedule / Guidelines are a brake fluid change at 3 years then each 2 years.,   but check the H20 content before changing...

 

Ask a Dealership to send you a Schedule.

 

Basically Pollen filter every 2 years or sooner. Check every year or sooner.

Air Filter at 4 years / 40,000 miles or sooner. Check every year, Techs do not.

Brake Fluid at 3 years then each 2.

Spark Plugs at 40,000 miles / 4 years or sooner.   Some say 60,000 miles.   Well you need to be checking sooner than that, if removing them as well fitting new.

 

Virtually all cars are similar servicing.  Common sense, preventive maintenance.   The difference is if Petrol, Diesel, LPG, Hydrogen, EV, and where you are and how you use them.

 

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

Bottom,  see 'find out more about service checks'.

 

Edited 2 January, 2020 by Roottootemblowinootsoot

[Confused_Cheese]

Depends on engine/year of build for specifics. You can get access to the right details for your VIN here, 7 euros for 1 hours access for service schedules and a vast array of service documentation for pretty much all maintainence tasks and TPI's etc.: https://erwin.skoda-auto.cz/erwin/showHome.do

 

Genuine skoda service 👍 Grab a cuppa and print everything you're likely to ever need.

[StemcellRob]

2 minutes ago, Roottootemblowinootsoot said:

H20 content in the brake fluid can be tested and many mechanics or techs will test it.

The Recommendation / Schedule / Guidelines are a brake fluid change at 3 years then each 2 years.,   but check the H20 content before changing...

 

Ask a Dealership to send you a Schedule.

 

Basically Pollen filter every 2 years or sooner. Check every year or sooner.

Air Filter at 4 years / 40,000 miles or sooner. Check every year, Techs do not.

Brake Fluid at 3 years then each 2.

Spark Plugs at 40,000 miles / 4 years or sooner.   Some say 60,000 miles.   Well you need to be checking sooner than that, if removing them as well fitting new.

 

Virtually all cars are similar servicing.  Common sense, preventive maintenance.   The difference is if Petrol, Diesel, LPG, Hydrogen, EV, and where you are and how you use them.

 

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

Bottom,  see 'find out more about service checks'.

 

 

Thanks Roottootemblowinootsoot!

 

I managed to get the service history from the other franchise, This morning Skoda UK said my car had never had a Spark Plug change - now I've looked at the records it has. Worried me at First...

 

presume Air cleaner element is the Air Filter as that was done at 40k and 60k alongside Spark plugs - 40k. I'm at 88k now - Brake fluid looks like it never been done.

 

She runs and brakes beautifully, not as great MPG as first reading - (i do think my car is leaning to one side when i sit in it..Jokes)

 

Got all 4 identical new tires to actually see if that will make any difference, (EU A/C Grade). Pollen, air and Sparks should be done and i'm thinking about this upsale for the brake fluid - Is it worth £60? Presume it will be the same price if i came back at a later date. There is an ex-Technician skoda garage round the corner who i can always phone for a quick compare price, or DIY? As i said, i've done an oil chain, sump plug before so must be along the same lines - just no stamp or record.

 

Cheers for all the advice!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Aspman]

BMW discount for older cars as well. Phoned up to get quote for service then as soon as the guy found out that car was over 3yr old he knocked £100 off the price.