Hi All

My 21 plate karoq is due a service and MOT in September.

I have been told by the dealer that they recommend changing the spark plugs as this is suggested every 4 years.

I was astounded by the cost £175.92.

Now given that a set of plugs are at most £20 to me, I am strugglinbg to see where £150 worth of labour comes from.

Is it really that difficult?

I am from the generation, where changing plugs and points and all other ignition related tasks were like second nature.

Your thoughts please

I think a set of the plugs required will cost quite a bit more than £20, I think I've seen prices quoted of around that - EACH!

Older engines certainly will take a set of plugs around that price, however modern, high efficiency, turbocharger engines won't.

Looking at doing the plugs on our Suzuki, and the long-life plugs are at least £26 each, fortunately there's only 3.

They aren't a simple fit either, and even with 40+ yrs servicing, and building engines, including performance (buold) tuning (not the mapping B.S.), it's still a challenge I'm not relishing.

31 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

I think a set of the plugs required will cost quite a bit more than £20, I think I've seen prices quoted of around that - EACH!

Yep, currently £21.65 plus VAT each. That's based on the part number 05E 905 602.

Iridium, which is one of the materials along with platinum that is commonly used in modern spark plugs, costs £3,331 per troy ounce at present.

Had this the other day on ours - same cost. It only came up as the 1st service was done at 16mths as a longlife service, then we bought it and had two annual services done free on the Approved Used servicing plan.

So at the 2nd one, the car was 3yrs 4mths old, so the plug change come up as the car will pass 4yrs before its next service. It's done 12K miles.

I refused it and, to be fair, the dealer didn't kick off about it. But the most annoying thing is how an earth can a service plan not include spark plugs if they're required? Mind you, it's always annoyed me with VW Group cars that they don't include the brake fuild change in service plans, which the dealer will tell you in their best serious voice is "mandatory".

Edited 30 July, 202530 Jul by Rory

The cost at services was £100 back in 2020 regardless of 3 or 4 plugs, went to £115, then £125. Now a quote of £175.92 is taking the pith in 2025. That was Skoda Fixed price servicing at participating dealers cars 3 to 10 year old..

Edited 30 July, 202530 Jul by Ootohere

Had the (4) spark plugs replaced on our 1.2 TSI Fabia in May, Plugs £18.05 +vat, coil pack connectors (4) £14.35 +vat. - so £129.60 +vat for parts - this was my independent who Ive used for 20 years. Maybe they have included the cost of new coil pack extenders with labour ite cost at a dealer could easily be £170 +

ah, yes. Despite putting my car details into google and searching for spark plugs, the ones that were found were NOT for my engine!.

I then went and looked at a YT video of how to change the plugs (which I should have done before posting....) and quickly learned it's not a simple job.

1 hour ago, vegit8 said:

ah, yes. Despite putting my car details into google and searching for spark plugs, the ones that were found were NOT for my engine!.

I then went and looked at a YT video of how to change the plugs (which I should have done before posting....) and quickly learned it's not a simple job.

At the very least, the special tool for removing coil packs without damaging them is strongly recommended.

And that tool only works if the coil pack rubber/plastic material hasn't attached itself limpet like to the plugs which is what happened with ours.