Dealer servicing costs

[SC03OTT]

Your £230 for oil etc can be explained as £179 + £59 for ‘expanded scope’. That’s your ~£230. DSG, yeah can’t explain that one. 
 

Sounds like **** poor communication all round though. Not sure you’ll get anywhere trying to force them to ‘sell’ at a displayed price.  In the same way if you saw a car of theirs priced at £1,995 because the leading 1 had fallen off the price plate. 
 

For the record I’m not trying to defend them. Just playing devils advocate and trying to ascertain what’s happened. 

[Ootohere]

The Oil & Inspection service does not include parts other than the Oil, Filter and Sump Plug so parts are extra if that is a Pollen Filter, Air Filter, Fuel Filter or Spark Plugs.

Then the Extended Scope is the extended Inspection & 3 years or when you want it.

The Brake Fluid is extra again.

 

Best ask what they are doing, what parts they are fitting, and are they a Participating Skoda Fixed Price Servicing & Maintenance Dealership.

 

Then ask why they are not doing the DSG Oil Change at the Fixed price.

[Alex-W]

Dealers are expensive.  They have larger overheads and will always charge more.

That 'free' clean they do is not free, if it was they wouldn't do it, it's not how a business works....

 

If you want ease and to walk into a shiny showroom and have your car cleaned, go doa  dealer.  

If you want to just have what needs to be done, done, go to a independent (be it a specialist or a general garage with a decent rep).

 

I just had mine serviced with filters, spark plugs and inspection for under £200 from a well known specialist.  I even got a report, with photos, as well as the skoda digital record updated.

That wasn't including oil/filter as I changed that myself about 3k ago so the normal price is £275 I think.  Still, way better value than a dealer.  

[MeteorOcty]

My local, Marshall Northampton, is still offering the old scheme. So a 6 year service for £289 includes pollen, air and diesel fuel filter.....well happy with that!

[weyland]

I personally don't get why everyone is speculating on the price. You call your usual dealer, if not happy call your next closest. In my experience they will price match and they want your business to avoid the car going out of the network (this is a big problem for all manufacturers).

 

A basic price is on the website to give you an idea.

 

Also the suggestion that they might be servicing cars with inferior oil is nonsense. They would not risk their franchise over something like this.

[sgt1297]

I have a 2017 Octavia FL 1.6Tdi DSG on a fixed annual - mileage related service schedule. I wanted to know what the service schedule was for the car, what was changed and when, so emailed Skoda and asked. Apart from the oil and filter which is the simple one, every year or 10,000 miles everything else has some pretty scary mileage and time scale replacement periods compared to what I am used to.

All of them carrying the usual Stealership premium price for carrying it out.

Brake fluid change - 3 years then every 2 years.

Pollen filter - 4 years or 80,000 miles

Air filter - 6 years or 60,000 miles

Fuel filter - 6 years or 60,000 miles

Cam belt - 5 years or 140,000! Why there is such a difference in mileage and time for this is a mystery.

DSG. No service requirement at all.

So if you are buying a used Skoda, or at least an Octavia, between 4 and 6 years old, make sure that the extra items have been done or be prepared to pick up the tab for all the filters and cam belt replacements in the first year or two of ownership. 

[MeteorOcty]

There is a pdf on this page which is useful. Pollen filter is every 2 years.

 

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

[sgt1297]

I think Skoda make it up as they go along.

This link shows a list or service procedures including the most outrageous up selling item ever EXTENDED SCOPE.

https://az749841.vo.msecnd.net/sitesengb/alv1/d300a459-5ef6-433f-a49f-65f3638efaa1/national-price-servicing-min.63862747c3e6286ede19bc446a023030.pdf

Rip off.

[Ootohere]

The most outrageous ever has what has been doing for years before now.

 

There was Minor & Major Services about and at each Major Service there could be a pollen filter and at each 2nd Major Service maybe the Air Filter or the Fuel Filter or the Spark Plugs could be changed.

Maybe not, maybe not even looked at, but the £289 was being charged just the same if the parts were provided and fitted or not.

 

So now an 'Oil & Inspection Service'

and every 3rd year pay for the 'Extended Scope Inspection' if you want, and pay for parts being changed.

Then pay VAT on the Parts & Labour of parts actually fitted.

 

With the Fixed £289 Major Service sometimes the Parts were not Supplied, then HMRC never got VAT on the Parts.  Parts Suppliers supplied less parts. You were £289 less well off and the Dealership was happy as Larry.

Less labour time, less parts and the same price.

(Have a Citigo, less oil, 1 less sparkplug, and pay the same as those having a Superb Serviced and the oil quantity of that.)

 

They still are at it with the mark up on parts & fitting now while paying the Labour with the Service or Service with Extended Scope is Outrageous.

At least you can clearly see the prices.

Edited 10 September, 2020 by e-Roottoot

[Ootohere]

Very strange list, Extended Scope Inspection'. 

 

Are they really checking the lights and glass, tyres, fluid levels etc twice.

Once in the Service and then a 2nd time because you paid for the Extended Inspection.

Are they really removing wheels to check the brakes visually.

'All belts' do not get checked, just those they can see.

 

Maybe a good idea that a Master Tech re-checks the job the Tech or Fitter just did.

Edited 10 September, 2020 by e-Roottoot

[alanOcty]

2 hours ago, MeteorOcty said:

There is a pdf on this page which is useful. Pollen filter is every 2 years.

 

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

This really is an easy DIY job. I did mine at 4 years - about £15 for the filter from 'tinternet, and 10 mins. On the Superb, you need to slip the glovebox out, then it's right in front of you (I think there's a thread on the forum here somewhere). What I found surprised me, the filter that was "replaced" by the main dealer in 2018 was dated 2016... so either some very old stock on the shelf, or the work was not actually done. As I only discovered it 2 years later, it was too late to do anything about it. 

[alanOcty]

On 08/09/2020 at 11:46, 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.  

An update on this. After hearing nothing more back from them, I dropped an escalation into their customer service section yesterday (https://www.marriottmotorgroup.co.uk/customer-services/ - "We stride ourselves to deliver an unparalleled customer service and we really like to hear about your positive feedback.". <Stride ???> ) which I suspect was what triggered a new offer to honour the online pricing (for "Oil and inspection" and "DSG oil change" and the original brake price quote. Yes, I know I'm paying over the odds for main dealer servicing, but that will change next year once it's out of the 5 year extended warranty. 

 

Going further afield was not really an option, 'cos nobody seems to be offering courtesy cars at the moment because of Covid. 

[MeteorOcty]

42 minutes ago, alanOcty said:

This really is an easy DIY job. I did mine at 4 years - about £15 for the filter from 'tinternet, and 10 mins. On the Superb, you need to slip the glovebox out, then it's right in front of you (I think there's a thread on the forum here somewhere). What I found surprised me, the filter that was "replaced" by the main dealer in 2018 was dated 2016... so either some very old stock on the shelf, or the work was not actually done. As I only discovered it 2 years later, it was too late to do anything about it. 

Completely agree, if I wasn't getting the 'we'll include everything' for £289 6 year service I would definitely do it myself....

 

It was just for sgt1297 really who was told 4 years....

 

I agree they make it up half the time. I do find they get frustrated when you ask what you get for your money! They just expect you to pay what they say without questioning.....which I guess 90% of people do!

[Warrior193]

1 hour ago, alanOcty said:

This really is an easy DIY job. I did mine at 4 years - about £15 for the filter from 'tinternet, and 10 mins. On the Superb, you need to slip the glovebox out, then it's right in front of you (I think there's a thread on the forum here somewhere). What I found surprised me, the filter that was "replaced" by the main dealer in 2018 was dated 2016... so either some very old stock on the shelf, or the work was not actually done. As I only discovered it 2 years later, it was too late to do anything about it. 

The old pollen filter in my 2015 Octavia was dated the same year as the car when I changed it recently - was main dealer serviced for the first 3 years!   

[GlitchGolder]

The whole debate here about dealer servicing vs local servicing just makes me think of one thing... 

 

Domino's Pizza vs Supermarket Pizza... Massive price difference, very little difference to what you are actually paying for. 

[ahenners]

5 hours ago, GlitchGolder said:

The whole debate here about dealer servicing vs local servicing just makes me think of one thing... 

 

Domino's Pizza vs Supermarket Pizza... Massive price difference, very little difference to what you are actually paying for. 

 

I've never had a supermarket pizza (and I've tasted most) which comes anywhere close to the satisfaction of a Dominos.

[Alex-W]

If I could get an Asda Create you Own pizza delivered to my door I'd have that.  I prefer them.

Quite similarly, you're paying for the non tangible convenience and dealer stamp in a dealer service, not anything actually better.

[Ootohere]

OT but if talking Pizza'a they were on the Channel 4 programme Food Unwrapped this week. 

It should be repeated or available on catch up.

They were in a Pizza Factory in Scotland which manufacture Pizza's for the Chilled Cabinets and also Frozen Pizzas.

Same bases and toppings.

Difference in the MRRP is they are more expensive in the Chiller Cabinet because of the self life and more waste than those that are in the freezer.

 

Full Main Dealer Servicing could be worth the Extra Expense if you could trust that Servicing and maintenance was carried out as required competently and you were being treated with honesty on the advice given on requirements.

Sadly Full Main Dealer Servicing Histories often just show how little gets done.

Anyone that has to make a Warranty Claim on Paint or Corrosion then get told that body inspections were not done yet they have FMDSH on the car then know that the Employees were not doing part of the job that was being paid for.

[GlitchGolder]

13 hours ago, ahenners said:

 

I've never had a supermarket pizza (and I've tasted most) which comes anywhere close to the satisfaction of a Dominos.

Domino's has to be the most overrated and over priced of any takeaway. A kebab shop pizza is still half the price of Dominos and you get burger sauce (win win). As for shop bought pizza there are plenty of options that come close for me at near 10% the price of Dominos. 

 

What I'm basically saying is you are paying for the name, not the product or service. Much like the dealership service over a local service. The burger sauce has no place in this metaphor... I just bloody love the stuff. 

Edited 11 September, 2020 by GlitchGolder

[ahenners]

20 minutes ago, GlitchGolder said:

Domino's has to be the most overrated and over priced of any takeaway. A kebab shop pizza is still half the price of Dominos and you get burger sauce (win win). As for shop bought pizza there are plenty of options that come close for me at near 10% the price of Dominos. 

 

What I'm basically saying is you are paying for the name, not the product or service. Much like the dealership service over a local service. The burger sauce has no place in this metaphor... I just bloody love the stuff. 

 

On price, I agree. Even if I have Dominos at half price I still think it is expensive for what it is. But there is something about it which is good. As with any food there is an element of personal preference and subjectivity but personally I really enjoy a dominos as an occasional treat and supermarket pizza doesn't provide the same level of satisfaction. Each to their own.

 

I'm not sure the pizza metaphor really works either unless you know of some crazy cheap independent. I'd love to know where I could get a supermarket pizza price service for my car instead of a dominos price, but be done to the same dominos standard in ingredients and work.

 

My local VAG independent charges £100 per hour Inc vat labour and my VRS takes nearly 6 litres of oil. I haven't found any decent independent VW specialist garage that will do a service significantly cheaper than a dealer to make it worthwhile. I think I paid £120 for my last main dealer oil change earlier this year. It's not like an independent is going to charge me half of that given the labour rate + materials and vat.

[edbostan]

Cars have become like ink-jet printers. Dealers don't make money on the selling of the vehicle but recoup profits on the servicing costs. I use an independent now as they told me off for using a dealer when I had a PCV valve fitted. The independent uses VW parts and approved oil spec so is a no brainer. I replaced the pollen filter myself and the filter I took out was a bog standard paper element fitted by the dealer. From the local car spares the replacement cost £18. How can Skoda charge £35. Rip off.

Edited 11 September, 2020 by edbostan

[SC03OTT]

Overheads. There is no mystery here. 

[sgt1297]

My local dealer, and I suspect most others will price match! However  A genuine quotation must be presented for price match, within a 5 mile radius.

 

If you ask for a written quote from a garage they know what it is for. The dealer knows you are unlikely to go to that length.

For me, the dealerships rely on loyal customers and the promise of something special from a dealer who "knows your car".

They regularly fall short on customer service with SKODA UK and the Dealer having different views and interpretations of customer service.

I was quoted the replacement times and schedules by SKODA UK customer service. However on looking back at my invoices they have carried out service not required in the timescale.

I recently looked into extending my warranty. One of the cover conditions is SUDDEN FAILURE of a component! You have to read the small print! I asked them to explain what would happen if I reported that a wheel bearing was noisy and in effect failing but not subject of sudden failure. Would that be covered under the warranty?

Skoda customer service response was "Should you have any issues with the car we would advise that you take this to a dealership to diagnose to see if this would be covered."

Not a great response. It is not the dealer that provides the additional warranty. They just report the fault.

Skoda is not alone in this, every manufacturer is the same.

However I do like my Skoda