main dealer servicing

[David Eccles]

Just had my Cali MOT'd (all fine) and then told I needed a service - oil change, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter ...over £300 for this GULP! Apparently the oil alone is £100!!!!
I can't be bothered with looking elsewhere at the moment with all these Covid restrictions etc so did it - otherwise warning light would also come on next week telling me to do it!!! Another hassle. Bus has only done 3000 miles since service 2 years back....
This seems a lot of money especially the oil...is it? Should I be looking in future for a local cheaper garage to do stuff like this....and what might be an issue if I do?

 

[andyinluton]

I did post on here a week or two ago, VW were doing 2 services (that's 4 years worth) for £338 under a special offer. I can't see if its still that price as you need to enter a Reg number & the system shows Ive already got a plan in place. Sorry correction £382 inc VAT

 

[David Eccles]

How did you hear about this? The dealership never mentioned it!!!! It'll be too late for me now though as I have paid them but if it is still right I can at least have a grizzle to them

 

[Velma's Dad]

I wouldn't go near the main dealers for basic servicing - or for much else actually TBH. They're probably okay if you can get a special deal package but I just want to pay sensible prices every time the van needs to go in for something.

I use a VW/Audi specialist independent, about 10 mins from home - we have three VAG vehicles and they all go there. This year (major service) was £275 +VAT. Last year (intermediate service) £156+VAT.

Oil (fully synthetic, 7 litres): £52.50+VAT.

 

[David Eccles]

and I have just seen on VW Commercial website you can get two services for £399 prebooked
They did not suggest that even when I was grizzling on phone about cost of just one!
I am going to search locally for someone like you mention!

 

[Lightning]

and I have just seen on VW Commercial website you can get two services for £399 prebooked
They did not suggest that even when I was grizzling on phone about cost of just one!
I am going to search locally for someone like you mention!

This shows that the VW Black Friday deal of 20% off 2 services was actually based upon an artificially inflated pre deal price.

 

[andyinluton]

This shows that the VW Black Friday deal of 20% off 2 services was actually based upon an artificially inflated pre deal price.

No, the £399 currently is plus VAT, or it was when I looked before, so £480, which was still cheaper than booking two separate services , ( & still a lot cheaper than Velmas dads independent garage)

The Black Friday deal was £382 including VAT

 

[GSX1300R]

Everyone is different when it comes to having their vehicles serviced. I prefer to do it myself that’s not just to save money but to make sure everything has been done correctly. Not everyone has the tools or know how to do it so obviously taking to a garage is the only option. Obviously if your vehicle is under warranty you have no choice but you don’t need to take it to a main dealer as long as the oil and parts are to manufacturers spec. Main dealers charge £100 + per hour local garages are half that. After all it’s a VW transporter not Bugatti Veyron.

 

[Velma's Dad]

As Andy's posts observe, it can be cost effective to use a main dealer if you can find a good 'bogof' or similar offer. But of course we know that's the honey trap: any add-on work, eg brakes, is going to cost you top dollar. That's why I go to an independent, where I know everything will be realistically priced.

Nearly all brand-specific indies are run by time-served technicians trained originally by the dealerships. They're likely to have much more experience with your vehicle than some apprentice at the dealer's workshop. Although as Peter says, dropping the oil and unscrewing the filters is hardly rocket science anyway.

 

[andyinluton]

The main dealer would never try it on would they?

Mines in being serviced now, been offered new rear brake pads at £181 - they have only been on for 12k and the last set managed 46k (I’ll whip a wheel off at the weekend to check)

Best offer has to be removing leaves from the top of the scuttle- £45

Tracking £99

Air con service £139

Declined the lot.....

 

[andyinluton]

Also don't understand why there's a £5 supplement for covid PPE , when there's no reduction for not washing the van due to Covid.....

 

[GSX1300R]

The main dealer would never try it on would they?

Mines in being serviced now, been offered new rear brake pads at £181 - they have only been on for 12k and the last set managed 46k (I’ll whip a wheel off at the weekend to check)

Best offer has to be removing leaves from the top of the scuttle- £45

Tracking £99

Air con service £139

Declined the lot.....

Removing leaves is surely best left to the expert main dealers...

 

[Velma's Dad]

Removing leaves is surely best left to the expert main dealers...

Absolutely. Last time I botched a DIY leaf clearance procedure I ended up a pursed-lipped VW technician muttering "You've had the cowboys in here, haven't you sir?". Lesson learnt.

 

[andyinluton]

Another recommendation was cleaning the throttle body - £157+vat so in total about £700 of unneeded work recommended. I did however add on an MOT and brake fluid change.

They also did the roof recall & applied the tape. Absolutely no corrosion present.

Now have a nice clean strip around van where they have cleaned it to do the roof seal, but because of covid were unable to clean the rest of the van.

 

[WelshGas]

My Main Dealer has only done whats requested at service, but then I do clock up the miles.
I do like the Mercedes service for our Smart Car. £50 voucher towards repairs or accessories for 1 Yr and 1 yrs membership of Mercedes Assist.
VW could do the same for VW Assistance.

 

[andyinluton]

Our previous ford transit based motorhome used to get free European breakdown & recovery as long as it was serviced by Ford, £130 for an annual service - cheaper than paying for AA cover.

 

[David Eccles]

Right guys...after reading all this I did some local research (Leics) into VAG/Audi specialists and discovered the Lion Garage. Back in the 80s/90s I used to take my air cooled beetle to them when they were a backstreet air cooled specialist garage how they have grown! So I will be trying them out for future work like an exhaust which I know is going to need sorting sometime and anything else.

 

[Paulro]

David, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts? I’m in a similar situation. VW history from new but more recently some really poor experiences and big bills to accompany them! I’m considering a Vw independent in Bristol.