Hi all, I have a 59 Skoda Fabia automatic, which I use very sparingly - only around 2-3k miles each year.   It was last serviced at F1 autocentres in 2019.  I then got just the oil and filter change done in 2020 at a Skoda dealership, where I had to go, because it also needed a seat belt replaced.  Considering my low mileage, could I skip the oil and filter change this year and just do a proper service next year instead?  I am spending a fair amount this year on repairs - tyres, new front brake discs, front and rear brake pads, wheel alignment and brake fluid change - and could do with saving some money.   Any advice welcome.  

In one word no if you check Skoda UK it states 12 months or 20.000  miles which ever comes first, you could loose your warranty by skipping this service, we just booked our 2019 Fabia in for it's second service oil filter. oil and pollen filter even though we have only done 9000 miles in 2 years, just a tip shop around and try and find an independent Skoda service garage as we were quoted for the second service an eye watering £373.26 just for oil filter oil and pollen filter, we found another garage that was Skoda service registered and same work cost us £225.79 still a bit expensive in terms of work carried out but a lot cheaper and keeps warranty up to date, next year I'll be doing this work myself so will only cost the parts a lot cheaper again

'Warranty' ?

It is a car over 11 years old. 

It did not come with a code for variable serving (Oil & Filter Changes) in 2009.  They were Fixed Service Interval.

 

@springdove

So if you want the oil to last 2 years with such a low mileage and maybe short trips and never burning off condensation then that is a choice, 

but not a good one really as the car is a keeper and had money spent on it.

 

 

If you can not change the oil and filter then a local garage might at a reasonable cost, and also check other things you might not be checking

but best be checked on a ramp / pre MOT's.

??

What oil was used the last time that it was changed?

Edited 10 August, 20214 yr by e-Roottoot

@e-Roottoot I went to a Skoda dealer last year, so I'd like to think they used the right / the best oil.  My logic is simply that if I don't drive so often, then the oil might last longer, and so why don't I skip a year and simply get it done next year.  If there is any fatal flaw here, please let me know.  I'm not an expert at all with these things, happy to listen to good advice. 

The flaw is that the engine / engine oil is getting condensation in it.

& on short journeys not being burned off.  Not really burned as it is water, turned to steam and leaving the engine.

 

But maybe you are someplace with not too much cold days and nights over a winter. 

 

They will have used the correct oil hopefully, not sure if they used 'Long Life oil' for variable servicing since your engine was never one that was showing as suitable for variable only fixed but they might have done as most dealerships  only use long  life oil.    (Some that do 'Special offers ' might not.

 

But still even with Long Life oil that does not mean that leaving that oil 2 years and doing a low mileage is simply clever.

http://volkswagen.co.uk/owners-and-drivers/servicing/service-plans/service-schedules

 

It will not kill your engine.     

 

I take it your Tiptronic Gearbox has never had an oil change, but then VW never gave them a Service Schedule / Recommendation.

 

Edited 10 August, 20214 yr by e-Roottoot

@e-Roottoot  Thanks. 

 

I don't understand your point about the gearbox oil change.  Is that different to an engine oil change?  I guess it is.  I don't know, I haven't specifically done this.  I have done my usual services at F1 Autocentres, not sure if they change the oil in the gearbox.  

 

We're in Hampshire.  Relatively cold but certainly not as much as in Scotland!  

 

My journeys are short-ish (3-5 miles one way) most times, but also a few occasional long drives.   

 

 

Yes it is but sealed for life, so OK if OK. 

But sealed for life is a term that after 10 years some start to consider is it worth maybe having the oil (transmission fluid) changed.

?

How many miles has the car done?

 

?

Does the F1 Autocentre invoice show what engine oil (Spec of oil) they used at Services?

Edited 10 August, 20214 yr by e-Roottoot

around 65,000.  I must have only driven it some 10-11,000 miles in the 5 years I've owned it.  

 

F1 autocentre always used some sort of synthetic oil for which they charged me extra, over their advertised service cost.  Apparently the VW engines need these. 

It does require Full Synthetic oil but not Full Synthetic Long Life oil.

I hope they are not charging that much more than if it was an engine that just uses Semi Synthetic.

 

 

Who cares, the guy doesn't drive it 🙄 

 

Hampshire's only cold if you're a nudist.

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