My car is due the cam belt/water pump and DSG oil change at its next service (5 year point - currently with around 25k miles on the clock). Whilst it’s having this done I’ll probably get them to fit a new expansion tank minus the silicone - an issue the dealership I use for services hasn’t heard of.

 

I bought the car as an approved used from a main dealer and paid £179 for a service plan to include 2 servings of which I’ve used 1.

 

Should I use a main dealer and keep the servicings with the manufacturer or take it to a VAG specialist which would be cheaper than using a main dealer even with my remaining service plan service?

 

I’ve read some good things about Unit18 in Milton Keynes. They are around the corner from Racingline HQ and are a supplier of their products. I’m also thinking of a remap so I could kill 2 birds with one stone here.

 

Thoughts on this, plus a rough cost comparison from people’s experiences would be most welcome.

I think it entirely depends on how good you feel the main dealer is and whether you have a local independent/specialist nearby with a good rep to go to. 

Nothing to stop you just getting the basic oil change service that your plan will cover done at the dealer, and getting the cam belt and DSG etc done elsewhere.

I've just been through the same decision. Tbh there wasn't a huge variation in cost but one of the vag specialist included the auxiliary belt in the price and they changed the expansion tank at cost for the part only. Turned out they were the cheapest anyway so went with them. 

1 hour ago, CookieMonster87 said:

some good things about Unit18 in Milton Keynes

And the best you can do with a main stealer tends to be "they're ok". I'd go with Unit 18 over a serial issue denier every time.

Dsg service is normally 40k is it not? Newer boxes may be different but I thought the mileage was longer not shorter. Who told you the dsg was due?

@MarkyG82 I got it from this however I think the pricing may be out of date now as I’ve seen a similar layout in blue that was a bit more expensive (couldn’t relocate it though).

 

 

So that day 4yrs/40k for dsg. Pretty sure it's the 40k.

 

 

@MarkyG82 the car is coming up to 5 years old. They never mentioned anything about the DSG at the 4 year point.

 

I know that the cam belt is due at 5 years/50k however most people seem to get it done at the 5 year point regardless of the mileage.

 

Can the same not be said of the DSG oil service? 

Belt materials tend to age more than wear. Oils tend not to age in the same way so it's more common for any oil changes to be usage rated. Although I do contradict my statement above and get my engine oil changed anually. 

I'd get my money put of the service plan and get done whatever they will do that is covered by it.

The decision to go outside the the dealer network is normally driven by the cost of work being done by the dealer, disproportionate to the quality of the work done at the dealer.

 

So for me, the drivers are higher quality at the same or less cost, or the same quality at substantively less cost, bearing in mind the loss of the claim to "Full Skoda Service History".

Right now, the FSSH is still a driver for me, and also I've been happy with the cost/quality balance of the work I've had at Listers Coventry. So far.

45 minutes ago, CookieMonster87 said:

@MarkyG82 the car is coming up to 5 years old. They never mentioned anything about the DSG at the 4 year point.

 

I know that the cam belt is due at 5 years/50k however most people seem to get it done at the 5 year point regardless of the mileage.

 

Can the same not be said of the DSG oil service? 

Certainly engine oils have additives that age and reduce in their effectiveness.

Pulling a guess out of thin air, I'd assume the DSG oil is similar, though I'd expect there to be a safety margin.

As I understand it, the recommendation is 4 years or 40k, whichever comes first.

At 5 years, I'd definitely be changing my DSG oil, and will almost certainly be changing it at 4 years, even though it's unlikely to have reached 20K miles by that time.

 

If anyone has some evidence to suggest that 4 year DSG oil change is unnecessary, I'd love to hear it, as I would rather not waste money on servicing that is really not required.

@EnterName that’s good to hear, I bought my car from them and I have to say it was a great experience.

 

Shame I’m too far away from them to have continued to give them my business as the car was an employees and was registered/maintained there previously.

2 minutes ago, EnterName said:

As I understand it, the recommendation is 4 years or 40k, whichever comes first.

I wonder why the dealership didn’t mention a requirement for this then when it was in for its 4 year service.

Just now, CookieMonster87 said:

@EnterName that’s good to hear, I bought my car from them and I have to say it was a great experience.

 

Shame I’m too far away from them to have continued to give them my business as the car was an employees and was registered/maintained there previously.

My car is ex-Listers too.

The salesman who helped me was exceptional, very helpful and patient. I'm pretty happy with them, all things considered.

Just now, CookieMonster87 said:

I wonder why the dealership didn’t mention a requirement for this then when it was in for its 4 year service.

I don't think they have a very joined-up service program.

I had my car serviced at Listers, then 2 days later they contacted me about getting my air conditioning serviced.

It was a "long" service I had too, with the long-life oil.

Quite vexing, but I'll get it done next year at the inspection service, and get my coolant changed from G13 (now sans silikat) to G12evo.

I’ve queried the as to why the DSG service was never offered by the dealership with Skoda (it wasn’t Listers by the way).

 

My only concern is invalidating my used car warranty by not having had it done.

6 hours ago, Kenny R said:

Nothing to stop you just getting the basic oil change service that your plan will cover done at the dealer, and getting the cam belt and DSG etc done elsewhere.

This is a good shout and probably the route I’m going to end up taking.

 

Thanks.

4 hours ago, CookieMonster87 said:

I wonder why the dealership didn’t mention a requirement for this then when it was in for its 4 year service.

 

Probably because most people use the 40k servicing. It certainly does seem prudent to get done at 4yrs regardless of mileage. Mine has just hit 40k in less than 4yrs so it's going in soon for the work. Should have been done the other week but the garage slotted me in at the last minute and ran out of time.

@MarkyG82 thanks for your replies.

 

What you say makes complete sense however it’s bad that dealerships don’t advise that by not following the service schedule may invalidate warranty.

 

I’ll report back what Skoda say next week.