Servicing confusion - Vehicle <3 years old

[Mr T]

VW California Ocean 150 DSG 2019.

First query, why is there no "fixed price servicing" on vehicles less than 3 years old? (VW Transporter/Cali)

Second query, my Cali is 2 years old, done 12300 miles and needs it's first insp+oil service.
I would like to change the service interval to 12months/10000miles, that's a given, due to low mileage, and often shorter journeys.

So does it need an Interim or Full service?
Local(ish) VW Dealer say interim, with pollen filter. Price £348 all inclusive(!) Seems expensive for an interim?
They then say given my mileage, next year would also be an interim, then a full service the year after that ( so now 4 years old before first full service).
Obviously that suggests to me they are still kind of following the LL service plan rather then TD?

I don't have a service plan, but tempted to buy one (for 2 services) but if I do that and they do Interim, and Interim, I won't get a full service in on the plan.
Seems wrong somewhere to me.

Anyone have any guidance/words of wisdom?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

The servicing is 2 years or at a certain mileage - Whichever comes first. It’s a commercial vehicle so designed for longer service intervals.

Some choose to have their oil changed every 12 months usually by an independent garage (but still retain the interval based service at the VW to keep the service book up to date).

We just stick to the manufacturers intervals & purchased a 2 service package last year as VW had a Black Friday deal on.

 

[andyinluton]

There is Fixed price servicing for vans under 3 years.

Looks like they are trying to charge you the full service price for an interim service.

I would suggest you need just an interim service, especially if you are then going to change to yearly services. The oil change is the important bit, leaving a pollen filter another 5k miles ( based on your 5k a year) is going to make naff all difference to the health of your van.

In case you havn't seen it below is a list of what you get in each service.


Transporter T6 :

Interim service - £145+vat (oil/filter/Health check)

Interim service
We'll make sure to check the:

Wipers, washers and fluid level
Horn
Lights
Condition of the front and rear lamps
Instruments
Battery 'magic eye'
Coolant level and anti-freeze strength
Condition of visible drive belts
Brake fluid level
Power-assisted steering wheel
Saturation indicator on the air filter (if fitted)
Tyre condition, wear patterns and tread depths
Tyre pressures and correct them if necessary
Brake system for leaks and damage
Thickness of the front and rear brake pads/linings
Steering and suspension for wear and leaks
Drive shafts
Condition of the exhaust system
Change the engine oil and filter
Reset the service interval delay

**************************************************************************************************

Full service - £295+vat (oil/filter/Health check/as per service schedule)

Full Service
We'll make sure to check the:

Lights
Horn
Instruments
Washers and wipers and top-up fluid
Tyre condition and tread depths
Tyre pressures and correct them if needed
Airbags for visible damage
Sunroof
Tipper system and change the oil if necessary
Paint and bodywork for damage and corrosion
Expiry date on breakdown set
Engine and engine compartment for leaks
Condition of visible drive belts
Gearbox, final drive and rear axle for leaks and damage
Manual gearbox oil level
Final drive oil level
Brake system for leaks and damage
Thickness of the front and rear brake pads/linings
ABS sensor and cables
Underbody sealant and panels for damage
Supplementary rubber rings
Condition of the exhaust system
Steering joints and boot for wear and damage
Coolant levels and anti-freeze strength
Condition of the camshaft drive toothed belt
Power-assisted steering oil level
Brake fluid level and condition
ATF level (automatic)
Battery
Idle speed
Adjustment of headlights
Drive shaft
And we'll also:

Run a vehicle systems test and read fault memories
Grease the front door check-strap and hinges
Grease the trailer coupling
Change the engine oil and filter
Change the gearbox oil if necessary
Change rear axle oil if necessary
Renew the air filter
Renew the pollen filter
Renew the fuel filter
Perform engine basic settings
Perform a road test

 

[Mr T]

There is Fixed price servicing for vans under 3 years.

Thanks for the info. On the VW Commercial website it says fixed price servicing (for vehicles over 3 years old) for vehicles less than 3 years old - contact your van centre.

 

[Mr T]

Hi @andyinluton where are you getting those prices from please?

 

[andyinluton]

Hi @andyinluton where are you getting those prices from please?

Sorry they were 2020 prices but don't think its much different now. Doesn't the online booking system with VW give you a price for your van? It should be the same nationally. I can't check mine as there is a service pack already in place.

I think when I was looking & comparing the Black Friday deal before xmas it was £180 for the minor & £360 for the full service inc VAT.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Sorry they were 2000 prices but don't think its much different now. Doesn't the online booking system with VW give you a price for your van? It should be the same nationally. I can't check mine as there is a service pack already in place.

I think when I was looking & comparing the Black Friday deal before xmas it was £180 for the minor & £360 for the full service inc VAT.

Black Friday Service deal was £382.80 (covers next 2 scheduled services)

 

[Mr T]

Sorry they were 2000 prices but don't think its much different now. Doesn't the online booking system with VW give you a price for your van? It should be the same nationally. I can't check mine as there is a service pack already in place.

I think when I was looking & comparing the Black Friday deal before xmas it was £180 for the minor & £360 for the full service inc VAT.

Online there are no prices for a vehicle under 3 years old, even if you fill in an online service booking form. It states you need to contact your local Van Centre for servicing pricing on vehicles under 3 years old!
I will phone a different dealership later and see what they say, just thought someone on here may have done something recently that could at least give me an idea if the £348 cost for an interim was normal on a vehicle les than 3 years old.

 

[Perfectos]

As Andy says circa £180 inc vat for the interim oil service.
You are being quoted the wrong price by the dealer, for the interim
find another dealer if they insit the price is correct

 

[Mr T]

Thanks. Have phoned another dealer and they have quoted £180 for interim service.
Phoned original (local-ish) dealer back to discuss this anomaly and they are saying the guidelines from VW are that vehicles under 3 years old do not get the fixed price servicing, and they are following the guidance issued by VW.
This also makes sense with what is on the VW Commercial website.

So I am going to buy online the 2 service pack deal and take it to my local-ish dealer for servicing.

 

[trev0rk]

When my camper was 18 months old and probably coming up to its first service, I went onto the VW Commercial Site looking for options, I put in my Reg number and was recommended the 2 service fixed price deal. I purchased this online and my local dealer never queried it.
Saved quite a bit on local dealer's prices.

 

[SiCalist]

Mine's also booked in for it's first 2 year service (6.5k mi) at £260 inc VAT for "inspection, oil change service with an additional pollen filter."
I appreciate it probably warrants a few more checks after 2 years than the interim service but apart from the pollen filter it's not clear what the extra £80 covers, will call and check tomorrow. I have a sneaking suspicion it's "campervan premium" vs tradesman prices...

 

[Mr T]

Mine's also booked in for it's first 2 year service (6.5k mi) at £260 inc VAT for "inspection, oil change service with an additional pollen filter."
I appreciate it probably warrants a few more checks after 2 years than the interim service but apart from the pollen filter it's not clear what the extra £80 covers, will call and check tomorrow. I have a sneaking suspicion it's "campervan premium" vs tradesman prices...

Yep it would appear if you have a Cali less than 3 years old VW can charge whatever they like, and it appears to be random too!
Might be worth you paying for 2 services like I just did, needs to be purchased minimum 48 hours before the service is done though.

 

[Scoobz1]

Looking at the options for my ocean (only done 500 miles and had it a year because of Covid) I get the following coming up :

£478.80 for 2 services
x 1 interim x1 major

£958.80
x 2 interim x2 major +MOT

VW Commercial Vehicles Service Plans | Buy your Service Plan online

It's good to be prepared with VW Commercial Vehicles Service Plans. Our plans mean you can avoid unexpected car service bills, helping you budget.

vwvans.service-plans.io

Do these represent a saving over what VW typically charge and are they worth taken out ? I notice they aren't refundable but are transferable to a new owner of the the vehicle. Any other cons or pros to be aware of ?

Thanks

Scoobz

 

[Scoobz1]

Reading through the thread in more detail if the cost of an interim is £180 and the cost of full service is £360 and a MOT is £55 then there is a potential saving of £176 on the 4 service deal costing £958.80 .... not a lot to get excited about over such a long period of time if only doing circa 10k miles per annum .... Do they ever do nay promotional deals for vehicles over 1 year old and still within their warranty period ?

 

[Mr T]

Reading through the thread in more detail if the cost of an interim is £180 and the cost of full service is £360 and a MOT is £55 then there is a potential saving of £176 on the 4 service deal costing £958.80 .... not a lot to get excited about over such a long period of time if only doing circa 10k miles per annum .... Do they ever do nay promotional deals for vehicles over 1 year old and still within their warranty period ?

The only recent promotion I am aware of was the Black Friday Sale last November, where they offered the 2 or 4+MOT service plans for a 20%(?) discount or something around that.

Looking at the options for my ocean (only done 500 miles and had it a year because of Covid) I get the following coming up :

£478.80 for 2 services
x 1 interim x1 major

£958.80
x 2 interim x2 major +MOT

VW Commercial Vehicles Service Plans | Buy your Service Plan online

It's good to be prepared with VW Commercial Vehicles Service Plans. Our plans mean you can avoid unexpected car service bills, helping you budget.

vwvans.service-plans.io

Do these represent a saving over what VW typically charge and are they worth taken out ? I notice they aren't refundable but are transferable to a new owner of the the vehicle. Any other cons or pros to be aware of ?

Thanks

Scoobz

Yes, if you are lucky enough to be quoted the "fixed price" servicing for a vehicle less than 3 years old (which according to VW you shouldn't be) it would cost £180 interim, and £354ish for Full, so that is £534 total. The 2 plan deal is £478.80.
However I was quoted £348 for interim service and pollen filter, as my vehicle is less than 3 years old. They actually called the 3 year plus fixed pricing a loyalty price on the phone, I explained that I sold my 4 year old Cali and bought a new one, so I am loyal, but alas not in VW's eyes.

 

[Perfectos]

How can the age of the vehicle affect the labour rates or indeed the cost of parts / consumable?

a vehicle 3 years or older poses no less work than a vehicle less than three years !

can VW honestly justify the additional cost quoted for servicing a newer vehicle?

how can it be an incentive to buy a new vehicle from VW, then be presented with higher costs for the exact same service that is applied to an older vehicle,
maybe VW realise they have a poor reputation.
similarly Vw may realise the majority of owners, whom are outside warranty, would probably prefer to entrust their vehicle to a trusted independent garage, therefore VW have to invent an incentive at the cost of the existing “hooked” customers who need to maintain the factory warranty!

yet another layer of smoke and mirrors, specifically designed to allow local differences to be applied at the cost of the consumer?

 

[Mr T]

How can the age of the vehicle affect the labour rates or indeed the cost of parts / consumable?

a vehicle 3 years or older poses no less work than a vehicle less than three years !

can VW honestly justify the additional cost quoted for servicing a newer vehicle?

how can it be an incentive to buy a new vehicle from VW, then be presented with higher costs for the exact same service that is applied to an older vehicle,
maybe VW realise they have a poor reputation.
similarly Vw may realise the majority of owners, whom are outside warranty, would probably prefer to entrust their vehicle to a trusted independent garage, therefore VW have to invent an incentive at the cost of the existing “hooked” customers who need to maintain the factory warranty!

yet another layer of smoke and mirrors, specifically designed to allow local differences to be applied at the cost of the consumer?

I can only think that many new Cali purchases include service packs and are typically on finance too, so the odd “punter” like me who does not have such a bundle is paying full rate, or actually whatever the delearship can get away with charging.
I was told very clearly that the fixed price servicing for vehicles over 3 years old is “heavily discounted” and that this was to reward “customer loyalty”
As a vehicle over 3 years old is often out of warranty I think people are more likely to go independent garages for service work unless VW do something with their pricing to compete.

 

[chris151151]

VW California Ocean 150 DSG 2019.

First query, why is there no "fixed price servicing" on vehicles less than 3 years old? (VW Transporter/Cali)

Second query, my Cali is 2 years old, done 12300 miles and needs it's first insp+oil service.
I would like to change the service interval to 12months/10000miles, that's a given, due to low mileage, and often shorter journeys.

So does it need an Interim or Full service?
Local(ish) VW Dealer say interim, with pollen filter. Price £348 all inclusive(!) Seems expensive for an interim?
They then say given my mileage, next year would also be an interim, then a full service the year after that ( so now 4 years old before first full service).
Obviously that suggests to me they are still kind of following the LL service plan rather then TD?

I don't have a service plan, but tempted to buy one (for 2 services) but if I do that and they do Interim, and Interim, I won't get a full service in on the plan.
Seems wrong somewhere to me.

Anyone have any guidance/words of wisdom?

Hi. I've had my Cali 9 months/9500 miles mainly long trips. The spanner warning came up needing an oil change - which I thought was a bit soon. Phoned dealer, they said 2 years/20k was normal. If I call in they will reset it for me. Hope this helps - need to spin out those inclusive services.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi. I've had my Cali 9 months/9500 miles mainly long trips. The spanner warning came up needing an oil change - which I thought was a bit soon. Phoned dealer, they said 2 years/20k was normal. If I call in they will reset it for me. Hope this helps - need to spin out those inclusive services.

Some would argue that on low milage vehicles timed oil changes are more important. Oil degrades over time and absorbs moisture from the air. Regular use helps to maintain its lubrication function.

 

[Kemper-van]

Hi. I've had my Cali 9 months/9500 miles mainly long trips. The spanner warning came up needing an oil change - which I thought was a bit soon. Phoned dealer, they said 2 years/20k was normal. If I call in they will reset it for me. Hope this helps - need to spin out those inclusive services.

Had exactly the same: 15k km, only about 8 months old, phonecall to dealer to get it looked at. They came back to me and said “no service needed, should have been coded 30k km for oil service / 40k km for regular maintenance. We get this ‘error’ all the time.”

Hope dealer is correct on this!!
(Is in Belgium, fyi)

 

[two-saabs]

"Oil is cheap, engines are expensive"

 

[WelshGas]

Fortunately I don't have this problem as I was covering 20,000 miles/Yr so annual oil and filters. Since Covid much less but I have still changed the oil every year . Less miles more degradation of the oil.
If you plan on keeping longterm I would treat it to an oil change.

 

[Christine Kirk]

Ours had a 2 service plan included with the purchase deal which we have used. The California has done 30K in 30 months which is, we are told, high for a California Ocean. We have done a trip down to Spain, the NC 500, and various UK based camping weekends. no issue with the service which is what VW recommend, and happy with the service at Sheffield except they are so busy we had to wait to get it in for the work to be done.
The rear tyres had to be changed a couple of weeks ago and the workshop fitting the new ones commented on how dirty the rear hubs and brake mechanism were; they thought that at 30 months old the wheels should really be taken off and the brakes cleaned and greased, since it is likely to only be done at the next big service which is likely to be when they will be stripped down. Possibly this will be when the California has done 60K! Are we to get it done sooner at an independent workshop? any thoughts on this?

 

[soulstyledevon]

Just find a local greasy monkey with a couple of adjustable spanner’s.
Give him some filters and oil and one of those notes with the red on and job done…