Hi all, I’m looking for some advice.

I have a 2019 Kodiaq, which is in its second year of an All-In Skoda service plan. Prior to that it was serviced by an independent local garage. The plan includes one standard service and one extended service, to include one change of pollen filter and spark plugs.

I took it to my local dealer for its first Skoda service and MOT last year, and they claimed for the extended service. It was 6 years old and had done 43000 miles.

It was booked in with the same garage this year for it’s scheduled service and MOT but they cancelled 3 days before the MOT due date, so I had to take it to another Skoda dealership (not under the same ownership).

This dealership conducted the standard service and MOT and advised that the spark plugs had to be changed, due to them having no record of them being done previously. I believe spark plugs are due at 4 years or 40,000 miles. They advised that the first garage should have changed them at the extended service the previous year, when the car was at 40,000 miles but they didn’t.

As they weren’t able to claim the cost for an extended service (due to the first garage having already claimed it), I have had to pay £173 for a change of spark plugs!

I have visited the first garage to question why the spark plugs were not changed at the extended service. They have said they performed the six year service, as that was the age of the car and the spark plugs are not due at the six year service. The pollen filters are due at that point and that is why they claimed the extended service fee.

I am of the opinion that the spark plugs also should have been changed at last year’s service. The garage still claimed the full value of an extended service from VWFS (the service provider). They have no official record of the spark plugs having ever been changed, as it was not under a Skoda garage prior to last year. Plus it had done 43,000 miles at the time of last year’s service.

Keen to get others opinions and advice on next actions. Thanks

Edited 3 February3 Feb by JB88

Hi,

Sorry, I'm a TDI owner since 2004 (with 5 different VAG models in the family). I can't be 100% sure, but I think you could be right.

As far as I can remember, spark plugs replacement is due @ 40000 miles or 4 years on TSI engines.

This need to be checked. I let other TSI owners answer you.

Regarding the 1st dealer, it seems they tried to get max amount of money, when claiming the full value of an extended service from VWFS (the service provider). But not doing all operations listed on the service plan is fooling the customer. If the spark plugs are actually due at 40000, I would strongly insist to have them doing it.

Arguing your Kodiaq was 43000 and they don't know if it was already done is bul***it. If they just remove the 4 spark plugs they should easily see whether they have actually 43000 miles or less than 3-4000 miles.

Whatever the way you will solve this point, I would blacklist the 1st dealer and make next services by the 2nd one. I couldn't trust a dealer who tries to fool me...

Thank you, that’s confirmed what I thought. I’ve contacted VWFS for advice on next actions…

For more than a decade and a half and even much longer, so 2 decades it was Minor / Major Servicing, then Interim and Major Skoda / VW Group UK showed Spark Plugs as 4 years / 40,000 miles. Pollen at 2 years, Air Filter at 4 years / 40,000. Then about 2018 they showed Air Filter @ 6 years / 60,000 miles. Then 2019 they Go Oil & Inspection Service fixed and at 3 years Extended Scope the Extended Scope each 2 years,. Never has any SKODA UK Servicing recommendations, advice, regimes or Schedules ever shown SPARK PLUGS @ 6 Years / 60,000 miles. There have been Dealership staff that said as an Excuse. They are Long Life Plugs, special and are good for 65,000 miles. Pure guff. as is the Cost of replacing 4 spark plugs as shown in the OP.

Edited 5 February5 Feb by Evolution13