Dealer servicing costs

[ahenners]

Was looking at the fixed price servicing page on the Skoda site earlier, and it all appears to have changed with prices noticeably more expensive.

 

https://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/servicing-maintenance-fixed-price

 

No oil and filter service anymore

 

No major service at £280 which included all filters, plugs and checks

 

From what I can gather, and this seems the biggest change, a Major Service would now be an oil inspection service (£179), plus extended scope (£59), plus air filter (£45), plus pollen filter (£35), plus spark plugs (£99). So a major service where everything is due now costs £417 if I'm understanding correctly?

 

Good work Skoda, looks like I'll definitely be taking mine to a local independent now 🙄

 

 

Edited 4 January, 2020 by ahenners

[SashaGrace]

From comments around the place it seems a lot of dealers are no longer taking part in the fixed price scheme anyway. This is a shame as my car has a full Skoda history and I can pay €7 an hour to add the oil and filter service to the online service record and it has all Skoda invoices. I hope my relationship my dealer will help keep the prices down but that’s no help for anyone else’s situation. Skoda don’t have to compete much, other brands such as Nissan, Kia and Hyundai have expensive dealer service and the handful of people like us who would diy or use someone else if the price crept up aren’t a large enough population to be worth holding on to as most people will take the cars back every year for a dealer stamp by default.

[Ootohere]

This 'Menu Servicing' does not half add up quickly when having them do basic Servicing & Maintenance and look see and report.

 

There is the Oil & Inspection Service. 

 That is the Minor Service.  Fixed Service if you want it. Pay £59 more, get more things looked at. Maybe...

So you add the Extended Scope for something like was a Major, but you pay the extras supplied and fitted..  

 

Then the crazy price to have them supply and fit a Diesel, Air Filter or Pollen filter.   But the Extended Scope must mean they are checked, or does it?

£99 for the Spark Plugs.

 

So up to now someone with a 1 year old car or 2 year old even 3 year old is not being charged a Major Service while not getting the Air Filter, or Fuel Filter or Pollen Filter replaced.

That was crazy in the past paying for Services at Minor or Major regardless of if Parts were inspected, supplied and fitted, especially years 1,2 and 3 but even year 4.

 

They no longer have the Aircon Service at 2 prices by pre or post 2016.

Edited 4 January, 2020 by Roottootemblowinootsoot

[Stoofa]

Most dealerships seem to have their own pricing schemes and decision making on what parts will be replaced.

I took my 2yr old car in for a service in December - I wanted it moving from standard to variable and thus wanted effectively a long-life service completed.

They completed the full 20k service, with long-life oil etc. All filters (including air) and plugs were changed, along with the pollen filter - £245.

 

Gets me an official Skoda "stamp" in the log - something I always aim to get until the vehicle hits 5yrs old and the end of any goodwill should anything happen.

 

Obviously in 18+ months time when I'm due a next service, if the difference is £200+ to go independent, then I'll need to look into options.

[stubev156]

1 hour ago, ahenners said:

Was looking at the fixed price servicing page on the Skoda site earlier, and it all appears to have changed with prices noticeably more expensive.

 

https://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/servicing-maintenance-fixed-price

 

No oil and filter service anymore

 

No major service at £280 which included all filters, plugs and checks

 

From what I can gather, and this seems the biggest change, a Major Service would now be an oil inspection service (£179), plus extended scope (£59), plus air filter (£45), plus pollen filter (£35), plus spark plugs (£99). So a major service where everything is due now costs £417 if I'm understanding correctly?

 

Good work Skoda, looks like I'll definitely be taking mine to a local independent now 🙄

 

 

Yep, agreed, mine going to a local independent, who I can trust, on Wednesday....all done as per manufacturers specification....

[Ecomatt]

This is why I never buy a new car anymore. The manufacturers are just ripping us all off and they know that the majority of people will just pay the dealer to keep the warranty intact. I now buy cars out of 3 years so I can service it myself and keep the costs down. My last petrol octy VRS I changed the timing belt and water pump for £120 give or take using genuine parts from TPS and did it myself. Saved paying Skoda £399 (2010 prices) to do it.

Forgot to mention £99 for spark plugs.!! So thats about £45 for the plugs and the rest for 10 mins work fitting them.

Edited 4 January, 2020 by Ecomatt

[Ootohere]

Time yourself removing and fitting 4 spark plugs. See if it is only taking 10 minutes.

 

But then the Fixed Price Servicing and Maintenance does not give the price as 'When a service is being carried out',  like the £60 Brake Fluid Change.

 

So that £99 is arriving, handing over the keys, the Service person inspecting the car. The car going to the workshop.

The Free Health Checks they offer (each time a car is in a workshop),

Free brake check (inspection) they offer.

 

Bet that that will not be the case many places....

Edited 4 January, 2020 by Roottootemblowinootsoot

[Guest]

The price of everything ( including the car itself ) always goes up yet some people sound surprised? 

 

Bottom line is that if you can find the same service / work can be carried out locally using the same parts then Skoda / SEAT / VW / AUDI should all match it, if they won't then vote with your feet and take your business elsewhere.  I honestly can't work out what people have to moan about. 

 

 

 

 

[Alex-W]

You pay your money, you make your choice.

 

I wouldn't take mine to a dealer for anything I didn't have to.

Some people want to, and for whatever reason want to pay a premium...  Sometimes for the 'free' stuff (I would argue that it's not free and it's included in the overheads, which ultimately dictates the hourly rate).

 

For anything normal, ie mechanical servicing, repairs etc, brakes, suspension, filters etc etc I see no reason why your local garage can't handle it.  

For engine management stuff and electrical diagnostics, then go to a specialist.

 

Also bear in mind that the warranty is only 3 years which means you only need 1 dealer service within warranty on variable servicing.

[Phil245]

21 minutes ago, Alex-W said:

Also bear in mind that the warranty is only 3 years which means you only need 1 dealer service within warranty on variable servicing.

 

And I bought the service pack at the time of purchasing new, two services on interval servicing for £159. The third service, if I don't do it myself, would be at the dealer, for the "stamp", but a basic service, at 3 years and a day, to get the special price (£179).  I can then change an air & pollen filter myself with quality parts from Carparts4less for almost nothing!

 

That takes the car to four years old and I've spent £338 plus £26 (air & pollen priced today). Equals £364 in routine servicing in 4 years. I will sell it then with FSH (but a service due).

 

To me, it's a stunning bargain........?

 

.

Edited 4 January, 2020 by Phil245

[ahenners]

3 hours ago, Scot5 said:

The price of everything ( including the car itself ) always goes up yet some people sound surprised? 

 

 

If they'd added a tenner or so onto last year's prices to cover inflation, I'd think nothing of it. When a major service covering everything appears to be nearly 50% more expensive than previously, then it causes some alarm and surprise. I can't think of many things that routinely increase in price by such a proportion.

[Auric Goldfinger]

My 245 had it's first free service last Friday, All the Invoice says is " Oil Service Carried out "  At one time the Invoice Itemised all the parts/oil etc but no more. How do you actually know what's been done.?

[Octaviarse]

3 hours ago, Auric Goldfinger said:

My 245 had it's first free service last Friday, All the Invoice says is " Oil Service Carried out "  At one time the Invoice Itemised all the parts/oil etc but no more. How do you actually know what's been done.?

 

Others will probably know more but it's possible that the first service is literally just an oil and filter change anyway. Service manual or schedule is probably available somewhere and you could check that. Many dealers seem to do one of those 'free health checks' whenever your car is in with them where they measure tyre tread depth and wear left on brake pads and pads. You would usually get some sort of tick sheet or even a live video of this being done. Of course, best thing to do would be to ask the service person you dealt with at the dealer what's been done. 

[Auric Goldfinger]

^^^^^.   I'm more interested to see what Spec of oil they have used, It needs 0w-20w 508.00 not just any old rubbish they had in stock, ^^^^

[durhamfisher]

Says at the bottom the prices are the maximum and the dealers are free to charge less.

[Ootohere]

@Auric Goldfinger

You ask for an Invoice for the cars records.  Parts / Numbers / Quantity. 

Then the Health Check & Report on paper. Techs name etc.

 

The recommended oil is VW508/ 509 so the crappy overpriced 0w 20 FS IV.   The to get WLTP / RDE / RDE2 result oil.

 It will be interesting if they did use VW504 / 507, so 5w 30 FS III.

Edited 5 January, 2020 by Roottootemblowinootsoot

[Guest]

18 hours ago, ahenners said:

 

If they'd added a tenner or so onto last year's prices to cover inflation, I'd think nothing of it. When a major service covering everything appears to be nearly 50% more expensive than previously, then it causes some alarm and surprise. I can't think of many things that routinely increase in price by such a proportion.

 

Dear Everyone...    It's the same old wives tales that make forums such as this really annoying. Please can someone tell me where it mentions the price of a full service? Moreover can someone please explain how its increased by 50%.  Don't folk ever question things anymore - do people just treat what anyone says as gospel?

 

I don't know how much the full service cst is because the price list doesn't state how much the full service cost is. My guess is that's because they haven't printed the full price service.

 

Let's have a look at SEAT - Major service for car over 1yr old costs £295

Lets have a look at VW - Major service - £349

Lets have a look at Audi - Major £335 / £345.

 

But given Skoda hasn't given a price, someone speculates it's now £417.  What ever happened to common sense?

 

PS - And if it idid turn out to be £417 then go get your car servicd by SEAT, VW or Audi - same service same using same parts on same engine and you have a VAG dealer stamp.

Edited 5 January, 2020 by Guest

[Ootohere]

Pre this Fixed Price Servicing page. for @ participating dealers the 

'Major Service' on cars 3-10 years old was 

£289 having risen from £279, and the £99 Oil Service had gone..

That was regardless of the car getting a Fuel Filter or Air Filter pr Pollen Filter if a Diesel, and Air, Pollen or Spark Plugs if a petrol.

Also regardless of maybe just being a 3 cylinder petrol or diesel engine, so 3 spark plugs for the petrol and only 2.8-3.2 litres of oil.

Big difference in the RRP price of Plugs & Oil for the big capacity engines compared to the RRP of what the 3 cylinder cars required.

Edited 5 January, 2020 by Roottootemblowinootsoot

[ahenners]

36 minutes ago, Scot5 said:

 

Dear Everyone...    It's the same old wives tales that make forums such as this really annoying. Please can someone tell me where it mentions the price of a full service? Moreover can someone please explain how its increased by 50%.  Don't folk ever question things anymore - do people just treat what anyone says as gospel?

 

I don't know how much the full service cst is because the price list doesn't state how much the full service cost is. My guess is that's because they haven't printed the full price service.

 

Let's have a look at SEAT - Major service for car over 1yr old costs £295

Lets have a look at VW - Major service - £349

Lets have a look at Audi - Major £335 / £345.

 

But given Skoda hasn't given a price, someone speculates it's now £417.  What ever happened to common sense?

 

PS - And if it idid turn out to be £417 then go get your car servicd by SEAT, VW or Audi - same service same using same parts on same engine and you have a VAG dealer stamp.

 

That's the whole purpose of this thread and my original post. Major service cost has disappeared, so is a major service now all the items I listed at £417, or is it some unknown mythical price? If the former, then it has gone up by roughly 50% compared to the previous published price. Since you asked for the breakdown... Previously £280ish... 50% of 280 = 140. 280 + 140 = 420. Total itemised entries came to £417.

 

Of course this may not turn out to be the case, and at no point have I said this is definitely the case. It merely seems odd there is no longer a major service price explicitly listed. I've had dealers attempt to charge more than £280 for a major service previously before pointing them to the published price, so it's not entirely implausible.

 

As for questioning things... again that is the purpose of this thread. Better to get a consensus of a range of experiences across a number of dealerships from forum members up and down the country, before arguing it out with a local dealer.

[hatchy]

Nearest dealer to me say they will price match. Don't know how many others nation wide do the same. 

 

https://www.heritageskoda.co.uk/offers/servicing/

[Stoofa]

One of my local dealers still offering fixed price - major at £289

https://vindisgroup.com/service/skoda/fixed-price-servicing

 

I personally use Wings at Peterborough - my costs in the 4th post down, but they don't list pricing on their website. I just used the old fashioned phone and arranged it that way.

 

My mother in law is in Ipswich - her local dealer still showing fixed price servicing:

https://www.marriottmotorgroup.co.uk/skoda/aftersales/

Edited 5 January, 2020 by Stoofa

[Ootohere]

@Stoofa

They have the same website since 2019, but have you checked in the past week that they are not changing that?

They have the pricing that the Skoda UK site had 10 days back.

[alanOcty]

On 05/01/2020 at 18:26, Stoofa said:

One of my local dealers still offering fixed price - major at £289

https://vindisgroup.com/service/skoda/fixed-price-servicing

 

I personally use Wings at Peterborough - my costs in the 4th post down, but they don't list pricing on their website. I just used the old fashioned phone and arranged it that way.

 

My mother in law is in Ipswich - her local dealer still showing fixed price servicing:

https://www.marriottmotorgroup.co.uk/skoda/aftersales/

Thanks for the Ipswich link - my local dealer. I have just been quoted (by them) way more than standard pricing for Oil & Inspection + DSG oil change, plus a rear disc and pad replacement at nearly £400. It doesn't help that their phone system is broken, so won't take incoming calls ! Let's hope they come back with something which reflects the pricing they advertise, otherwise trading standards are going to be getting a call ! I don't mind paying the dealer rate, as I'm in the 5 year extended warranty,  but they should honour the prices they quote on the site.  

[SC03OTT]

16 minutes ago, alanOcty said:

Thanks for the Ipswich link - my local dealer. I have just been quoted (by them) way more than standard pricing for Oil & Inspection + DSG oil change, plus a rear disc and pad replacement at nearly £400. It doesn't help that their phone system is broken, so won't take incoming calls ! Let's hope they come back with something which reflects the pricing they advertise, otherwise trading standards are going to be getting a call ! I don't mind paying the dealer rate, as I'm in the 5 year extended warranty,  but they should honour the prices they quote on the site.  

Oil and Inspection = £179

DSG Oil Change = £199

Total = £378

 

Thats using the prices in that link and doesn’t include the rear brake change.  Unless I’m missing something, how are they mis-quoting?

[alanOcty]

They wanted £230 for the Oil and inspection service, and £230 for the DSG change. They quoted £210 for the rear brakes at the MOT in March, but didn't have the parts, so I delayed until the service was due. Now quoting me £379 - for doing the fronts, even though I asked them do quote for the rears!