When you change it to fixed interval last year did it get a major service done? This would mean that as well as a oil change they would change various filters. Have a look in your service book and it should tell you. You could also phone the last dealer who serviced it for you and they will tell you.
They are definetly trying it on.
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It's absolute cobblers, they have a computer system called ELSAWIN which gives them a list of jobs to do and how long it will take, based on your mileage and VIN number and previous history.
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Is it petrol or diesel? the oil & filter should be changed annually or every10k for petrol,5k or6 months for diesel. Spark plugs, air filter every 40k etc only have things renewed at the recommended intervals if it ain't broke don't fix it! Use a small independant not a main agent, preferably one that's been recommended.
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I guess the latest diagnostic equipment is the main dealer's principal means of holding on to their highly profitable servicing business. I don't know whether it's all necessary, but if I were you I would find an independent VW specialist. He may have all the kit and, if he doesn't, he will know what he can't do without it.
If you are concerned about full main-dealer service history, I'd suggest that the stamp of a good independent on a mature car is worth as much if not more than that of a main dealer. But I speak as the owner of several cars much older than yours (ex-owner of a VR6 from new too), and I'm glad they don't need all the diagnostic treatment.
I found VW specialists locally by having a chat with the proprietor of a VW/Audi spares & accessories shop.
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Thanks for all the advice everyone. It seems the unanimous opinion is that my local VW dealer is trying it on by claiming not to be able to give a price for a service before carrying out the work. This makes me wonder about how good the quality of their workmanship would be (and if I could believe them if they tell me something needs replacing) if they are telling lies right from the start.
As I live in North Yorkshire there is not another convenient VW dealer or even VW specialist locally although based on the above feedback I think I will use a local garage for the 10k mile service and then go to my nearest independent VW specialist for a major service every 20k.
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Not a VW but a few weeks ago I got variations from £217 to £146 for a 1st Service on a Nissan.
The least expensive is also the nearest so no problem.
Phoned yesterday to book it in - How much?
£155 was the reply - That is more than quoted 2 weeks ago - OK make it £140 inc VAT.
It confirms my opinion that the cost of a service is "How much can I get away with?"
Co Cars they are likely to get the business if the quote high but not astronomically hence the variation is £140 + up to 55% if you go to the most expensive in the Edinburgh area.
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I recently took my 53 regd Golf V6 4Motion in for a service and got a call sayiing it needed 4 new pads and discs, as a cost of of £550 (on top of the £380 for the service) I declined knowing that our local garage would do i for a fraction of the cost, and prob do a far better job. One phone call to said local garage resulted in a quote of £280, maximum, depending on what the diameter of the discs was (?).
So next day, off i trot to have it done. TEN minutes after dropping it off they ring me to say, not only do none of them need doing, but that I have circa 20k miles left! All that is wrong is a tiny amount of corrosion that a bit of enthusiastic braking would clear in no time.
One call to the service manager and another to trading standards later im waiting to hear back from them.
Just an example of how somebody with no knowledge of cars could be fleeced.
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>>So next day, off i trot to have it done. TEN minutes after dropping it off they ring me to say, not only do none of them need doing, but that I have circa 20k miles left!
Almost exactly what happened to me and my Passat several years ago. I too declined and went out and found a local independent who has had all my VW work and most of the company's 3 VAG cars, the rest being done by a very competent and local Skoda dealer.
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It confirms my opinion that the cost of a service is "How much can I get away with?"
Not VW either, but I booked daughter's Mitsubishi Colt in for service recently. The dealer had called to say it was due soon, I asked the price and was told £125 + VAT (annoyed to be quoted ex-VAT). Rang to book it and different receptionist said £125-£130 + VAT.
Bill cheerfully presented after service for total of £199!! Heated discussion ensued and they did a good job of seeming completely baffled as the where the lower figures could possibly have come from. It's really nothing short of deception (attempted in my case, but I wonder how many people would have paid up?).
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Bill Payer - always confirm phone quote when dropping it off, it stops nasty surprises like you experienced.
I've noticed my dealer makes a note of the agreed verbal quote next to the booking in the diary.
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Bill Payer - always confirm phone quote when dropping it off it stops nasty surprises like you experienced.
Sometimes you can ask too many questions though - I'd far rather get the job done and pay the lower price. If you ask when dropping off then you're a bit stuffed if they quote higher and effectively say "take it or leave it".
Golden rule is always get the name of the person who gives you the quote.
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Our Renault dealer were very careful about quoting a price. When I rang them to book the Scenic in for its 36k service, they asked for reg no, saying that the price depends on the chassis number of the vehicle, and therefore what needs doing. they had a computer problem and said they'd need to call back. Which they did a few hours later with a price of £230.16, "plus any additional work which we would authorise with you over the phone first anyway".
The final bill? £230.16 as promised. No additional work found apart from front pads which would need doing "in about 10,000 miles".
Based on the service we've had so far from these guys, I'd pay whatever they asked within reason anyway, and certainly wouldn't chance it elsewhere to save 20 quid or so.
Cheers
DP
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I know well, have used and have recommended to various VW owners a small independent VW/Audi/Porsche specialist in Kilburn. It used to be run by a VW-trained Czech, who passed it on to his British right-hand man on his retirement.
They aren't super-cheap, but they are of course cheaper than a main dealer, and no one has ever complained about their work. They have fixed prices for 'small' and 'big' services, and talk sense to owners (always the sign of a decent garage: any suggestion of gibberish or trying to blind the stupid punter with science and I walk away in disgust).
There's a very good body shop in the next railway arch too, quite useful to my daughter who is the roughest and most careless Golf driver I know.
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Spot on, Lud: it's the independent experienced specialist whose price is not rock bottom and who will take the time to talk through problems and issues. You build a trusting relationship with them and have no discomfort with their bills, because of the quality of the work and your involvement with it. Beats main-dealer experience hands down. It's "Well, you could leave that for another six months, but if I were you I wouldn't because . . ." rather than "Hello, Service reception here. You need new disks and pads . . . No, sorry, I can't connect you with the mechanic . . .".
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