Servicing

[Brianandjoy]

We’ve just bought a California,it’s done 8000 miles,we’ve just had a letter from a vw van centre saying our service is due,can we have the service done at our local car garage or is it better to go to a proper vow van centre which will be more expensive

 

[Borris]

How old is it? Certain servicing issues are time specific i.e brake fluid and timing belt replacement. However, if it's nearly new then it may only need an inspection service and/or an oil and filter service.

Either could easily be done by any independant garage however if your vehicle is still within warrantee then I'd pay the extra and get VW to do it. They may not be any more exensive in the end.

 

[WelshGas]

We’ve just bought a California,it’s done 8000 miles,we’ve just had a letter from a vw van centre saying our service is due,can we have the service done at our local car garage or is it better to go to a proper vow van centre which will be more expensive

Hi, it would be more helpful if you posted your vehicle details either in your post or fill in your vehicle details in your profile.
Your vehicle might have done 8000 miles, but if it is 2 yrs old it requires a service, engine oil, gearbox, Haldex if a 4Motion, AirCon + filters etc:.
If it is 4 yrs old then all the above + Cambelt and Water Pump etc:.
You can have this done in a local garage using genuine VW parts, BUT VW could make it difficult if you have to make a Warranty Claim.
Also, if you plan on selling at some point, a Non VW service history would reduce the selling price compared with having a VW service record.

 

[Meoncoast]

And if you just bought it from a VW dealer I would have them (expected them) to service it as part of the deal.

 

[Elmo3]

If it’s a fairly new vehicle, I’d be surprised if it didn’t have a service pack on it.

 

[Dave Lowe]

We all need to know age of vehicle ?

 

[Meoncoast]

2016 Ocean looking at some OP other posts

 

[Rhic]

Very slightly off topic but for a first year service would anyone recommend a California specialist vw dealer or would a regular commercial van centre be ok? Our local is very close (10 Miles) but van centre is 50.

Thanks

 

[WelshGas]

Very slightly off topic but for a first year service would anyone recommend a California specialist vw dealer or would a regular commercial van centre be ok? Our local is very close (10 Miles) but van centre is 50.

Thanks

Depends how you treat your vehicle.
As a van - Van Centre
As a Campervan - Someone who sells Californias.

 

[motacyclist]

VW dealer is not always more expensive, we paid about £160 at 10k; whereas on a prior van when we took it to a local Skoda garage it cost over £400!

 

[Julie and Archie]

On topic but about me. My van is 150 dsg 2012. I bought it October 2016 with 9k on clock and it had had a service. The mot was accompanied with signal to service which garage said it didn’t need and to come back later but they wouldn’t reset the service interval. They told me to come back at a later date. I’ve now 24k on clock. I think they said come back in 20k but have forgotten. I use it for little runs to station (15mins) 3 x week, the odd one hour commute and camping trips (1 1/2 hour away at least) at least once a month. When should I get a service? Advice please

 

[WelshGas]

I

On topic but about me. My van is 150 dsg 2012. I bought it October 2016 with 9k on clock and it had had a service. The mot was accompanied with signal to service which garage said it didn’t need and to come back later but they wouldn’t reset the service interval. They told me to come back at a later date. I’ve now 24k on clock. I think they said come back in 20k but have forgotten. I use it for little runs to station (15mins) 3 x week, the odd one hour commute and camping trips (1 1/2 hour away at least) at least once a month. When should I get a service? Advice please

I presume when you bought it the vehicle had had the Cambelt and Water Pump changed? Recommended at 80,000 miles OR 4 years whichever is first.
With your type of trips it should be done annually, never mind the milage.

 

[Julie and Archie]

I

I presume when you bought it the vehicle had had the Cambelt and Water Pump changed? Recommended at 80,000 miles OR 4 years whichever is first.
With your type of trips it should be done annually, never mind the milage.

Thanks. Better get cheque book out then

 

[Fast Freddie]

Call the VW centre and get a quote - my 2 year service was a fixed price of £220 which I did not think was bad. Had it done - no problems.