Just saved £500

[Johnboy]

My Cali (2017) has been flashing "Oil change and inspect" for a while now. So I thought I would book it in for an oil change at our local VW van center because I knew it was due some tlc.

I was staggered that the "small" service was £300 (oil plus filter)
and the "big" service was £600 !!! (as above plus pollen, fuel and air filter) - strewth !!

My mate bought me all the bits (genuine VW parts) at £105 inc VAT.

We then did the service, it took an hour and a half at a leisurely pace. He then checked all the vehicle fault codes - all clear.

I will keep the receipt for all the genuine parts and cross reference it in my entry in the service book.

Next job is to replace the Discovery media screen .......... that will probably be another £500 saved also

 

[mattpartridge]

My Cali (2017) has been flashing "Oil change and inspect" for a while now. So I thought I would book it in for an oil change at our local VW van center because I knew it was due some tlc.

I was staggered that the "small" service was £300 (oil plus filter)
and the "big" service was £600 !!! (as above plus pollen, fuel and air filter) - strewth !!

My mate bought me all the bits (genuine VW parts) at £105 inc VAT.

We then did the service, it took an hour and a half at a leisurely pace. He then checked all the vehicle fault codes - all clear.

I will keep the receipt for all the genuine parts and cross reference it in my entry in the service book.

Next job is to replace the Discovery media screen .......... that will probably be another £500 saved also

I have decided to stop using VW Van Centres, they aren’t honest in what they say needs doing. Birmingham Van Centre told me last week that the rear calpiers needed to be replaced at over £700. Took the van to a local VW van specialist who said the calipers were fine! In total the van centre tried to persuade me to spend £2800 on extra work. I paid the £390 for the full inspection service and decided never to return!

 

[Wannabecamperman]

I have decided to stop using VW Van Centres, they aren’t honest in what they say needs doing. Birmingham Van Centre told me last week that the rear calpiers needed to be replaced at over £700. Took the van to a local VW van specialist who said the calipers were fine! In total the van centre tried to persuade me to spend £2800 on extra work. I paid the £390 for the full inspection service and decided never to return!

That's called deception and technically, theft. Disgusting.

 

[pchmlk]

That's called deception and technically, theft. Disgusting.

It’s definitely not theft! Nasty, common tactic though. Had the same with Audi with my old Q7.

It’s even cheaper if you start doing it yourself…

 

[Oscarthebeddie]

Until VW stop paying master techs a bonus on the parts they upsell this practice will continue, yes it is fraud if the part is not required but is fitted.
My advice is vote with your feet, find a reliable specialist who you can get to know and stick with them.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

They don’t even do a good job. I stopped using them in 2011 after 2 years of crappy SMG.

 

[pjm-84]

Arghhh SMG.....bent my drop rod when installing the lower coil springs. Apparently it could have been a pot hole..... only if the van was going down the road at 90 degrees and ripped out and reinstalled the bottom ball joint.

Lets not talk about the sportline valence they fitted and I refitted. Missing fixings / poor alignment over the parking sensors causing a sensor issue / insufficient adhesive...

 

[pjm-84]

It’s definitely not theft! Nasty, common tactic though. Had the same with Audi with my old Q7.

It’s even cheaper if you start doing it yourself…

Had similar on a VW Up pool car....was told all these items needed to be done...red / dangerous.....fine, crack on , it has a full maintenance pack.......arghhh, they are now all amber, and VW will not do them...

 

[sidepod]

Just playing Devil’s Avacado for a moment, don’t hate the player, as they say.

People, and that’s 90% of the punters here, are utterly useless when it comes to doing anything techy or manual. It’s no wonder the Main Steelers get away with telling you whatever they want.

Perhaps it’s time to roll up the sleeves and learn something useful?