This has probably been asked before, so bare with me.

I have a Karoq from new set on flexible service. 2 years or 18,000 miles. After 1 year I had a inspection service, lights work, bodywork OK, in other words just looked around it, £60.

I asked the dealer, can I buy a service plan, and was told no, because it is set on flexible servicing, they tried their best to get it put on every year, or 10,000 miles.

Does anyone know if that is correct that I cannot have a service plan, and what would be the reason.

 

Look forward to your helpful replies.

I'm confused... if your car was set to the flexible service regime, then there was no need for a 1 year inspection service. The car would have been quite happy waiting for it to determine that it needed a service at any time up to 2 years or 18,000 miles (depending on how it had been driven during that time. 

 

But if you felt you wanted a 1 year inspection service, you should have asked the dealer to reset the be on the fixed service regime instead of the flexible one. 

 

In any case, I've just looked on the Skoda UK website, and the Online Service Plans (service-plans.io) page doesn't mention any restrictions on which service regime the car is on. It just offers 2 services 1 Oil Service/Change and 1 Oil & Inspection, with no requirement for them to be used within any particular timespan. It does say there's a 20% discount for the month of July too.

 

Chris

My 2018 registered Karoq was on the 2 year service plan but after its first 2 year service  I asked my local dealer to change it to yearly. As CJJE has said it is simply a software update.

I presume you took it to a Skoda main dealer? 

Thank you guys for your input.

 

CJJE.

I want to keep the flexible 2 year service. It was the dealer who said I must have a inspection every year. Even called Skoda, they were no help. Kept advising to speak to a main dealer. One just ends up going round in circles.

Dealer said they can't predict what's needed on a flexible service, as it is very awkward to price.

 

Edited 24 July, 20214 yr by Edd156
Line added

The whole point of the flexible service regime in my opinion is that you only get the car serviced when it has determined it needs one. (You can see how many miles are left before its due, or the time left, on the infosystem menu.) The length will vary depending on whether you make lots of short trips, or lots of long motorway journeys. 

 

I had an Octavia on that setting many years ago, when I was driving many more miles each year, and only needed an oil change etc every 18 months or so. But this then conflicted with the need for MOT's, brake fluid changes, etc which were still required on a fixed interval basis. 

 

But I agree that it's difficult to find out what the costs are as the Skoda UK website only talks about fixed servicing costs! The VW website explains the differences at Service schedules | Volkswagen UK but only implies that you get the same work done when it's serviced! 

 

Chris

If, as some have stated, the garage uses 504/507 or 508/509 oils as standard (dependent on engine and year) then the only difference between a variable interval service and a fixed interval service is the button they press on the diagnostic computer plugged into your car.

 

However the buttons are different prices.

 

 

Hi Chris,

Thank you for the information you provided, the VW site gave a better indication of what is needed. I think when I have my 1st Flexible service, I will get it changed to Fixed.  9,300 miles between services seem very short periods. If I have to go to the dealer for inspections once a year, no point in having flexible. Just wish they would publish like other companies, and have a chart from 1st service to service 6th would make life a bit easier.

 

 

XMAN, You are right about price because of the difference in long life oils. Thanks

4 minutes ago, Edd156 said:

 

XMAN, You are right about price because of the difference in long life oils. Thanks

I think you miss my point, the oils they (with the possible exception of my dealer) use in either regime are all long-life oils suitable for variable regime. So its down to how they reset your indicator.

 

Price difference between 502.00/505.01 oil and 504/507 oil is no more than £5 at trade level. 508/509 oil might be £5 more again.

Thanks Xman, Some say on flexible you have the inspection service every 24 months. Dealers say you have them every 12 months.  I will get it put on fixed whilst its in warranty. After that I'll get my local mechanic to service it and change the filters when needed, most dealers don't change them anyway. I can see when the breaks are warn.  I used to service my own cars, but they have made that awkward now. Have a good day mate.

I might be wrong but isn't

 

Fixed =  Y1.Oil Change - Y2.Oil Change with Inspection - Y3.Oil Change - Y4.Oil Change with Inspection

Variable = Oil change with Inspection each time (around every 2 years if you are not v high milage user but around 12000-16000 if you do a ton of miles annually).

 

Variable is meant to be for folk who do over 10000-12000 miles per year mainly motorway cruising and not a bunch of shorter journeys I think.

 

If the garage used the same oil for each then, if you don't care about oil every 12 months then its cheaper for sure but most of use here (I think) might prefer fresh oil annually. I had variable on an old Tiguan I had and I only every did about 5000 per year and I feel it was not serviced enough.  I re-evaluated when I got the Karoq - I moved over to fixed when I purchased it as a 6 month old / 1500 Miles on the clock. It was set to Variable by Skoda UK (as it was one of their fleet cars so I am led to believe). I also purched at that point (within 2 weeks of car purchase) a fixed service plan for 2 years. 

 

Once you have the first service done I think its too late to swap over to a plan but you are entitled to swap over regime any time you like if you are paying at the time of service. I don't believe you can have a service plan on Variable and you have to purchase any plan like that before the 1st service and swap to fixed at the same time (I think but I may be wrong).

 

Cheers,

Paul

 

 

 

Edited 24 July, 20214 yr by smipx

Thanks Paul.....It seems a bit of a minefield. Got the car 16 months ago, was never offered a plan when new. Because it was set to Flexible they just said see you in two years. Then got a email saying my service was overdue. All I've had is an Inspection service this month. I have asked if I can go on fixed, and buy a plan.  Now waiting to see what Skoda say.

Cheers for your informative post.

It used to be if Fixed. 

Minor / Interim & then Major services.

 

If it was Variable / Flexible it was Major @ 24 months / 18,000-20,000 miles or sooner if you wanted.

 

The 'Inspection Service' was a Nothing, just what they had showing between Majors.

 

Now it is Oil & Inspection Services if on Fixed Services and then each 3 years the Extended Scope.

 

Each and ever Service should have then check the Body for the Paint & Corrosion Warranty, Skoda say that that is not done if you claim.  They know who never did it then.

 

The pricing is on Fixed Servicing 3-10 year old cars.

For Variable they can take the Michael what they say and what they charge.

 

Edited 24 July, 20214 yr by e-Roottoot

1 minute ago, e-Roottoot said:

It used to be if Fixed. 

Minor / Interim & then Major services.

 

If it was Variable / Flexible it was Major @ 24 months / 18,000-20,000 miles or sooner if you wanted.

 

The 'Inspection Service' was a Nothing, just what they had showing between Majors.

 

Now it is Oil & Inspection Services if on Fixed Services and then each 3 years the Extended Scope.

 

Each and ever Service should have then check the Body for the Paint & Corrosion Warranty, Skoda say that that is not done if you claim.  They know who never did it then.

 

I knew e-roottoot would know for sure :-)

In the good old days of a Service Book that showed each years Service Items there was a page after the 'Major Services' for the Body Inspection for the Warranty on Paint & Corrosion.

Then that went on a Hand Held.

 

If you did not use the Dealership Network for Servicing you could still put a vehicle in each 2 years for an Inspection.

That used to be £69 then got to £99.

That meant you were meeting the T&C's for the Paint & Corrosion Warranty.   There are no T&C's for an Inspection now, if you have a claim the T&C's say report to a Authorised Repairer.

Yet Skoda / VW will still say there is no Record of an Inspection.   They are taking the Micheal.

Don't know where you get your inspection service but mine is not going to be £99 in 2 weeks!!  More like:

 

 

 

That's my second service (the inspection service). Even without the Oil and Pollen filter that's £200 odd.

 

:-)

 

 

Edited 24 July, 20214 yr by smipx

This is the official view, copied from the servicing section towards the end of Karoq brochure.  Variable is 9000-20000 miles and per last statement is for those driving at least 25 miles daily, then driving gently like their granny

 

Quote

 

Service intervals
When you order your KAROQ, you can choose whether your car is on a fixed or a flexible service regime. Your ŠKODA retailer will help you decide which regime suits how your car will be driven, enabling your car to stay in the best possible shape.

Fixed regime: service every 10,000 miles or one year (whichever comes first).
This is recommended if the vehicle is likely to be used in the following way:

> Driven fewer than 10,000 miles per annum.
> Mainly short journeys, driven mostly in towns or cities.
> High vehicle loading/towing and frequent hill climbs.
> Heavy accelerating and braking, using high revs.

Flexible regime: Sensors in the engine detect when a service is needed. A service light will show between 9,000 and 20,000 miles or up to 24 months (whichever comes first).
The flexible service regime is recommended for vehicles with a daily mileage of more than 25 miles where the vehicle is driven regularly and mainly at a constant speed with minimum vehicle and engine loading, minimal towing and driven in an economical manner

 

Unquote

.

@smipx  The 'Inspection' i speak of was if the car needed 'Inspected' for the sake of paint & Corrosion.  That was a pith take by Dealership.

 

Up to 2020 the Skoda Servicing had a £99 Oil Service offer on 3-10 year old cars.

 

Your 2nd service obviously includes Oil & Filter. 

 

This week a member spoke of the£60 for a look around and see 'Inspection', 

 No Servicing or oil change.

 

The OP

Edited 25 July, 20214 yr by e-Roottoot

This was the Fixed Price Skoda Menu up to the end 2019 for fixed servicing 3-10 year old cars at Participating Dealerships.

Some dealerships continued this later than Jan 2020.

 

Skoda UK changed to 'Oi & Inspection Service's & the each 3rd year 'Extended Scope' from Jan 2020.

 

Edited 25 July, 20214 yr by e-Roottoot

That was the "old world" though.  We have had a global pandemic and Brexit since then.  Don't forget that the EU are going to be making an example of the UK to the rest of the EU to make sure no other country in the EU tries to do the same thing.  Many things have increased massively (and even doubled in price in some cases) in the UK since. Just look at wood for example for building projects and the price of 2nd hand cars. Good luck trying to get your usual EU mix of lovelies from the likes of Aldi and Lidl too (XXL Snitzel packs at Lidl being a long distant happy memory).  

 

We can (at the end of year 3) all vote with our feet I guess and use the indy network but now they are making it almost impossible to use them too because of the cost of VAS alternatives and the locking down of the controllers.

 

Welcome to 2021/22 :-(

Edited 25 July, 20214 yr by smipx

£105 for spark plugs is extortionate. They are £16 each at my local motor factors for iridium tip and platinum core

Edited 25 July, 20214 yr by edbostan

£35 for a pollen filter isn't exactly cheap either.  I can get a Mann Frecious Plus filter for the Karoq for £20 and it takes 1 minute to fit.

This is "main dealer" rip off - it's always been that way.  It is the purposeful blocking of independent garages working on the modern cars that is the real issue going forward. Its then a cartel.

3 minutes ago, smipx said:

£35 for a pollen filter isn't exactly cheap either.  I can get a Mann Frecious Plus filter for the Karoq for £20 and it takes 1 minute to fit.

This is "main dealer" rip off - it's always been that way.  It is the purposeful blocking of independent garages working on the modern cars that is the real issue going forward. Its then a cartel.

I bought a Mahle pollen filter for £15

8 hours ago, edbostan said:

I bought a Mahle pollen filter for £15

:-)  The mann frecious plus has a special coating that traps/kills bacteria and moulds (meant to keep the AC smelling better for longer amongst other things) :-) 

Edited 25 July, 20214 yr by smipx

@smipx  The prices were set Pre-pandemic. Pre a hint of lockdowns, furlow etc.

So post VW Group cheating with defeat devices and then caught cheating again after 2015 with more implausible C02 g/km in testing. 

then unprepared for WLTP / RDE 2 and having to bunker cars for months.

 

So unless as usual they had commissioned Derren Brown they were already to set the new Serving pricing.   

That does not excuse the total lack of understanding of Recommendation at Dealerships as VW Group do not use the term 'Service Schedules'.

I agree!

 

We all know they are a bit of a rip-off but a few people on here venting their displeasure is not going to change things.  Only Government legislation can do that so writing to an organisation like Which? is really the only viable option to get change at this level. If enough people complain to people like Which? they will investigate and hilight it in a way that might make a small difference in direction and policy that will (might) eventually lead to a change in the Cartel squashing laws that might make VAG change how they operate.

 

Don't hold your breath on that one though :-)

You already know all of that anyway