My dad (72) has just bought a new Octavia 2.0 Tdi and despite my advice to him the local dealership (Deans in Dumfries) have advised him that he requires variable servicing ( service every 2 years or when indicated on display). He will only cover around 8 to 10000m per year surely he should be on a fixed service schedule??

He is a bit dottery being old an that has he been badly advised?

On that mileage variable would make sense, one service every 2 years.

I agree, and you will save money too.

I would say not, I would go for a fixed regime personally, I would expect from that mileage a lot of cold starts and short journeys.

I'd agree that the dealer has advised correctly. Long life oils will see him good and the fact that the dealer would get more business from him in terms of services if they had advised him otherwise would also point to there being nothing in it for them to say "variable" unless it was the best option.

I would say not, I would go for a fixed regime personally, I would expect from that mileage a lot of cold starts and short journeys.

But the longlife oil is designed for this, and sensors in the engine monitor the oils condition. If the oil starts to degrade then the service indication is triggered.