hi all, my vrs is about 200 miles short of its first service, the skoda dealership where i bought it want nigh on £200 for the service, i know it doesnt have to be done at skoda to maintain the 3 year warranty. Where exactly can i take it and hence reduce the servicing costs? i thought maybe trying vw/seat/audi? i live in Grimsby so if anyone can reccommend somewhere nearby that would be cool, cheers

If you're doing 20k miles a year you can just get a "lube" service done at 10k which is an oil and filter and should be £80-£100. I suspect the 10k you've been quoted for includes the annual inspection.

I'd be impressed if you got it cheaper at VW/Audi/Seat so you'll be looking at VAG specialist independents otherwise

Chris

i believe its the standard first/10k service, still seems a bit steep tho

If it's a "standard" 10k service then it will include the inspection....

Chris

any more service tips? im sure not everyone gets it done at skoda?

I did

But only 'cause some warranty work was required.

I wept like a little girl when presented with the bill.

Depends where you are in the country. I paid 150£ (I think) which is about average.

Edit: Grimsby

If you just want to save money, I believe up round about Sunderland the labour costs for main dealers are very low, plus you will manage to sort out that 200 miles shortage, it should be just about bang on!?!

if i was to take it to JKM or another garage mentioned on here would the warranty still be valid, if so what guarantee would i have?

Yep the law changed a few years back so that as servicing is done to the manufacturer's spec and schedule, using OEM or better parts, by a VAT-registered business then the warranty remains in tact.

Chris

so technically i could source the parts/lubes and do it myself?

wouldn't risk it, You can source the parts required youself, i.e. Dealer or factor. Just keep receipts. And get a mechanic to do work (VAT reg'd). Unless you work for/own you own VAT reg'd garage

so technically i could source the parts/lubes and do it myself?

If you're VAT registered, yes. Just need to make sure you invoice yourself so there is a paper trail to prove the work was done.

Chris

i dont have my own garage but do have all the prerequisite qualifications to do so, city and guilds/NVQ/advanced modern apprenticeship. looks like its gonna have to be a garage tho to be safe!

Had mine done at the local VAG specialist (literally over the road from me) for £68 including setting up the anti-hijack locking.

Have done over 12000 miles in 11 months so just had the oil and filters changed.

You could arrange with the servicing dealer to supply your own engine oil, buy some millers xfe-pd oil , i did this the dealer charged me £110 for the service and annual inspection

RESULT! i got a quote for £111 from a garage 800 yards from the dealership, went to the dealership and after a 2min chat with the service desk he said they would do the 10k service and inspection for the same price, makes me wonder how they charge £198 in the first place!

RESULT! i got a quote for £111 from a garage 800 yards from the dealership, went to the dealership and after a 2min chat with the service desk he said they would do the 10k service and inspection for the same price, makes me wonder how they charge £198 in the first place!

I do not know, if they meet the price what they are not going to do

Meet the price, but do not replace the filters (how would you know)

How would you know the other garage would have done everything ?

Servicing is a matter of "trust", and it only comes to light when those more knowledgable than ourselves point it out

I suppose the only way is to mark things pre service then have the balls to point it out after the event, that is if you know what to mark in the first ruddy place

So really we are at the mercy and trust of a garage

I honestly do not know, the owner of my local, is a gentleman, as for the staff I have no idea, though from what has happened I am led to believe they are less than honest acting on his behalf to make money, or I am just unlucky

Anyway I am just about to give a site sponsor a new year payment of £1000 cash intially then probably another £300 in Feb, just to keep Furby running

Then I have tax Mot and insurance :-(

I have the ability I am sure, to do the work myself for around £400 total but I do not have the premises,time, or equipment other than tools to do the job

On hindsight, do not buy a car over three years old and under five, that is the cost money period

Under three and it is warranty work over five and the repairs have been done or reflected in the price

You live and learn , Still learning and I am sixty

Oh sorry went off on a rant in your thread there apologies!

Regards Jimbo aka National