My VW Golf 1.8T is nearly 4 years old and has done 31k miles. Booked it in for a service to the local VW dealer (where I have taken it every year since new) and was asked if i'd like the 30k or 40k service. I didn't know as I thought it all depended on age.
Apparently not - as the car should have done 40k over 4yrs that would be the 'standard' service to get. However I would be able to have a 30k service as have completed fewer miles. The 40k service costs £270 and 30k £180. The difference is for plugs, air filter and fuel filter (sounds not much for £90!).
I am a bit worried about going for the cheaper option as it means the plugs will not be changed until the car is 5yrs old.
Any opinions - am I about to be ripped off - it is currently booked in for the 40k.
Thanks
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Find an independent sole trader who specialises in VW.
I too have been a victim of dealer servicing, vastly overpriced and no better than any trained mechanic could do.
£90 for three things that collectively would cost you about £30 max in a shop is extortion. To change all 3 takes about 15 mins and u r paying £60 labour for that!!
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A clear case of a dealer ripping you off. I tend to buy service parts necessary myself from an auto parts store so I am never overcharged. It also shows to the garage you know what you are talking about and less likely to rip you off in my opinion. If they oppose this, then there is something wrong.
Also, whenever I have a service, I make a list of items to include that they always miss out e.g. lubricate all moving parts like door hinges. These simple lists mean you can ensure that the car is serviced properly and benefit you. Also, whenever I go to a new garage, I can check that items are actually not missed and I am not being ripped off. For example, I undo the air filter container, loosen the battery connectors, loosen one wheel nut etc etc.
This way you know the job has been done, and you can also get a thorough mechanic. I went to about three garages before I found one who did everything indicated in the service shedule, and he was actually the cheapest. Once, I put an old air filter in my car to see if it would be changed as it is serviced. Guess what, it wasn?t even touched!
I know I am very cautious, but I really dislike being ripped off by mechanics. If they want to charge high rates for labour, they should do a good job. In most cases, the high labour rates do not give you a great service for your car but the cost of furnishing the service room and wages for secretaries, managers, senior managers etc etc.
In fact, in my experience when I have any problems with my vehicle the authorised dealers always seem to give a lesser service. For example, I described symptoms of a problem to the main dealers and they reply with ?needs a new gearbox?, or ?that is how all of them are?. The independent ones are more likely to test the vehicle there and then, look into it and find it simply was that the clutch plates needed to be cleaned. Dealers are great if you can find a good one, but they are also usually the greedy ones who would want you to re-mortgage your house for them to line their pockets. Unfortunately, this seems to be the case with exceptional circumstances.
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