VW Dealer Servicing

[Robertadam]

What are people's view on servicing by main dealer? Mines booked in for the first service but are there items where they start charging for extras? It's a T5 4 motion btw.

Thanks Adam

 

[Meoncoast]

For me it is about finding a van centre you TRUST.
VW commercial website list what is covered as part of service and costs for things like brake pad changes.When I buy a new car or van I look at these costs at purchase.

to the forum

 

[WelshGas]

What are people's view on servicing by main dealer? Mines booked in for the first service but are there items where they start charging for extras? It's a T5 4 motion btw.

Thanks Adam

Whilst under Warranty - VW, as it makes for less hassle if you have to make a warranty claim. If the milage is less than 20,000 miles then it should be just engine oil and filters.
I've done 40,0000 miles in 2 years and the brake pads still have over 50% left.

 

[DM]

Does having a full VW service history have an impact upon future value? I’m not asking about quality of work. I have a fantastic local garage and I have no concerns about their competence or the quality of parts they use.

I will still get the van serviced regularly but not by VW. Will I regret that when I come to sell - bearing in mind my current intention is to keep it 10 years.

Cost impact is significant. Just had 4 year service. Chargeable work quoted as £570 from VW or £300 from my local garage.

 

[Meoncoast]

Personally if you planning to keep for 10 years I would go local if happy with service you are happy with their ability and parts used.

 

[WelshGas]

Does having a full VW service history have an impact upon future value? I’m not asking about quality of work. I have a fantastic local garage and I have no concerns about their competence or the quality of parts they use.

I will still get the van serviced regularly but not by VW. Will I regret that when I come to sell - bearing in mind my current intention is to keep it 10 years.

Cost impact is significant. Just had 4 year service. Chargeable work quoted as £570 from VW or £300 from my local garage.

VW keep an electronic record of all services etc and anything else done. Also VW warranty all parts for 2 yrs against failure or faulty workmanship. You will miss out on any software updates, which could be a good or a bad thing..
So any prospective buyer can check up on the vehicle. Having it serviced by a good Independant means the buyer relies totally on the information you supply.
So, yes it will impact the resale price BUT you will have saved on servicing and repair costs during the period of ownership. Whether the savings equate to the loss in resale value? A difficult one. I don’t know I’m afraid.

 

[briwy]

Perhaps split it. General serice by VW then as WG says you get the history and updates. Brakes etc by someone else as VW costs are horrendous in my opinion for work like that.

 

[ArunAlec]

Perhaps split it. General serice by VW then as WG says you get the history and updates. Brakes etc by someone else as VW costs are horrendous in my opinion for work like that.

I think you're right. I get my servicing and MOT done by VW and following a less than inspiring experience I will now be getting most other work done by a very helpful and experienced independent VW specialist.
Apart from the silly prices it's difficult to actually communicate the the VW technician/mechanic other than via the receptionist. At a routine service I asked VW to give me an idea whats causing a suspension knock ( I'm 90% sure I know). On collection, the report back " confirm there is a knock coming from suspension". Down the road to independent, drive him round the block and he confirms my thoughts and gets the job. So much less pain!

 

[Porker993]

Indi every Time . I’ve have multiple vw vans and none have ever been back to a dealer For a service or any warranty work , why? I don’t trust the dealer system at all!
Yes I’ve had a few things go wrong while under warranty and I’ve just paid to have them fixed myself .
Technicians on bonus , service desk on bonus how can that be good !
Dealers will even do software updates without you even asking for it sometimes these result in negative effects MPG .
Find a good independant using Autologic diagnostic equipment .

 

[Neilos]

Thanks for the opinions all. I think I may give VW a go for the first service at least as WG says it’s only an oil change basically. Also get them to check the roof for corrosion. Certainly once warranty is gone then it’s indi I think. Recently had a major service on my golf, AC recharge, rear brakes etc. Cost saving was over £100 against VW price. Not to be sniffed at especially when you get good service and trust the people I’ve been using them for about ten years now. That’s Buckingham Stanley in Cambridge if anyone wants a good garage Cambridge way.


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[Duxdeluxe]

I’ve used Central VW (Ellesmere Port) an independent VW & Audi specialist for the past 20 odd years, can’t fault them

 

[Alan Andrews]

Don't forget that via the VIP membership here, there are many VW centres that are providing a discount on servicing costs.

From experience. I always have had Audi's.

The first couple all had regular Audi servicing. When I came to sell, I consider I got a very good trade in price because of the servicing record.

The 2nd to last Audi, I had the first service by Audi Derby (5 mins from office so ultra convenient) but had a terrible experience. So thereafter, I used a VW/Audi specialist for all servicing.

When I came to trade in for my wife's Audi A1, I knew the market values but had around £2000 knocked off the value because independent servicing. I got the same responses from other non Audi garages when I tried to see privately.

So for me one of the considerations is whether you plan to trade up to a similar vehicle with same manufacturer in coming years?

I've just bought an extended non VW extended +3 year warranty. This will cover VW labour prices, and the VW Birmingham Van Centre (whom I use and trust them) are a registered garage for the warranty.

Having paid north of £50k for the Cali I see no point in economising.

 

[Porker993]

I don’t feel at all that I am economising with indi servicing at all, in fact I think I am getting a better quality job done for around the same money , I dont think my indi servicing is any cheaper it’s just a better job .
Try to get your alloy wheels off after a few years of dealer servicing.
As for trade in values when your interested in changing up if you don’t get the price your after go elsewhere car sales is and always has been a very competitive market and after all if we do really go electric all the vehicles we own right now are going to be worthless anyway.
Ask your main dealer if they use engine flush ?
Detergent based (Not Solvent) is good and It’s around £7 -£10 a pop and it seriously looks after the inside of your engine . I’ve seen many dealer service invoices and never seen it used . They don’t want your car to last too long , why would they?
Most indi garages would recommend flush and quite often it’s used every service as they do want your car to last.

I have motorbikes too and last time me and my wife used our local main agent dealers my bike went for a clutch recall which involved fitting a new clutch master cylinder assy , anyway I collected it and after 20 miles the complete clutch lever/ master cylinder, indicator and mirror fell off dangling on the pipes and wires while riding along. They even had the cheek to try to denigh it was them and never offered an apology .
My wife’s first service on a different bike she got home and found the number plate had melted due to poor exhaust alignment and they blamed her for leaning it against something .
Anyway I could rant all day about main dealers and as you’ve guessed Obviously I am not using dealers for my bikes either now .
Have a look on recent posts On here , I’ve noticed some one else has got MPG issues after a service , guess what it seems the dealer has done a software update .
Lastly , service plans ! WTF who would pay for a service 2,3& 4 years before they need it ! You are paying a dealer not the manufacturer. Ever wondered what happens if they went bust or lost the franchise . It happens and has recently in Norwich with Hyundai .

 

[DM]

Try to get your alloy wheels off after a few years of dealer servicing.

Haha - reminds me of a wet Easter Sunday with a puncture in a NT car park on Box Hill whilst an AA patrol spent over an hour getting the wheel off. Full marks to the guy - he was persistent. I make sure they come off at least once a year now.

 

[DM]

I don’t feel at all that I am economising with indi servicing at all, in fact I think I am getting a better quality job done for around the same money , I dont think my indi servicing is any cheaper it’s just a better job .

Totally agree. I'm in no doubt that my local independent will do a better job. I keep all my servicing paperwork so there will be a full record. But I acknowledge that some people and dealers will knock the resale price down if its not all VW. Pure laziness.

 

[steve_b]

VW keep an electronic record of all services etc and anything else done.

I tried to get this from VW Breeze and they said they didn't have any information post the last time it was with them in 2012 - but it's been VW serviced in Zurich since that point. Maybe I just got the wrong person but it wasn't volunteered to me which is a shame.

 

[WelshGas]

I tried to get this from VW Breeze and they said they didn't have any information post the last time it was with them in 2012 - but it's been VW serviced in Zurich since that point. Maybe I just got the wrong person but it wasn't volunteered to me which is a shame.

Maybe it’s VWUK specific and if serviced in another region another database has to be queried.
Did they use the Registration Number or VIN number?

 

[steve_b]

not sure what they did but I gave them both as I was aware that the UK registration wouldn't work.

I might go back and explicitly ask them again to check, see what they say