Skoda Servicing

[WyrleyD]

My 3 year old Karoq is on a service plan and the next service is a major one, just wanted to know if they are going to try and rip me off on extras, the last service they wanted to charge me £65 to add a pollen filter change but I declined and did it myself for £24 using a Bosch filter. I did phone and ask what a 3 year major service would be and was told it as £625 including car check, all filters, oil, spark plugs (the filters include the pollen filter). Not clear if they will try it on as it's on a service plan. This will be the last main dealer service as the warranty expires in November, after that it will go to a local indie for servicing.

[missing the VR6]

I'd have a look at Skoda's All-in if you're nearly out of warranty. Fantastic value for money.

[CardinalBlue]

WyrleyD said:

My 3 year old Karoq is on a service plan and the next service is a major one, just wanted to know if they are going to try and rip me off on extras, the last service they wanted to charge me £65 to add a pollen filter change but I declined and did it myself for £24 using a Bosch filter. I did phone and ask what a 3 year major service would be and was told it as £625 including car check, all filters, oil, spark plugs (the filters include the pollen filter). Not clear if they will try it on as it's on a service plan. This will be the last main dealer service as the warranty expires in November, after that it will go to a local indie for servicing.

£625 is the ball park I paid for my main dealer three year service for my Karoq. I don't recall any upselling of any kind, and have since bought a second car from the same dealer so am overall, pretty happy with them. Although doing things yourself will always be cheaper, as you are not paying for labour.

[WyrleyD]

Thanks both. Glad it's not over the top cost wise, very happy with the car and will look into the suggestions.

[Sheepshanks]

Bearing in mind you can buy two years "All In" for £600 right now as it's currently 20% off, £600+ for one service is beyond mental - what the heck are they doing for that?

It's only a couple of years ago that fixed price major service on VW Group cars was around £375, and they only changed the spark plugs or fuel filter every 4yrs.. OK, they bump that up by outrageously charging extra for brake fluid, and you probably have an MOT at the same time, but how on earth has that got to over £600? Are you having the a/c "serviced" too? Sunroof? Haldex? ATF?

I think these garages are having a last hurrah before everyone switches to EVs and realises that they don't really need servicing.

[missing the VR6]

All-in includes, 2 years, warranty, 2 years roadside assistance, 2MOT test and 2 services, it's a bargain!

[Dr G]

The work you describe in first post is due at 40k. What's the mileage on your car?

[Sheepshanks]

They seem to constantly tinker with what needs doing and, on our VW and, even worse, our SEAT, I usually had to tell the dealer as they didn't know. Of course they probably don't do the things you pay for, but hopefully they at least change change the oil. You don't even get a service book to stamp now and it seems it's not unusual that they either forget to update the online system, or they tell it the wrong thing.

Just had the 2yr service done on wife's Karog under a service plan and the dealer was adamant that it was just an oil and filter change, wouldn't even change the pollen filter as they said it had been done previously? However VW Group have pulled in the first brake fluid change from 3yrs to 2yrs - of course even though this is a scheduled service item it's not included in the service plan so the dealer wanted me to pay for it. I grumbled and they said they'd do it FOC, but they probably didn't change it, there's nothing on the paperwork to say it's been done..

There's a costed Skoda schedule here: https://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/servicing-maintenan...

[FMOB]

Don't forget the 'end of warranty snag list'.

[WyrleyD]

Sheepshanks said:

Bearing in mind you can buy two years "All In" for £600 right now as it's currently 20% off, £600+ for one service is beyond mental - what the heck are they doing for that?

It's only a couple of years ago that fixed price major service on VW Group cars was around £375, and they only changed the spark plugs or fuel filter every 4yrs.. OK, they bump that up by outrageously charging extra for brake fluid, and you probably have an MOT at the same time, but how on earth has that got to over £600? Are you having the a/c "serviced" too? Sunroof? Haldex? ATF?

I think these garages are having a last hurrah before everyone switches to EVs and realises that they don't really need servicing.

Had a look at this whilst at the dealer yesterday for the service, the price is £1485 for "All-in" now and includes 2 years warranty, 2 minor services, 2 MOTs. My car is on the Plus Plan which was just over £500 (instead of £685) and that includes one major and one minor service. I think "Last Hurrah" is about right.

[Sheepshanks]

WyrleyD said:

Had a look at this whilst at the dealer yesterday for the service, the price is £1485 for "All-in" now and includes 2 years warranty, 2 minor services, 2 MOTs. My car is on the Plus Plan which was just over £500 (instead of £685) and that includes one major and one minor service. I think "Last Hurrah" is about right.

Is £1485 is the “value” of the package?

It’s £30/mth for 24mths - so £720. I said £600 above - I was thinking it was £25/mth at the moment.

Edited by Sheepshanks on Wednesday 4th September 09:02

[WrekinCrew]

Are they likely to repeat the All-in discount deal in November / Black Friday?

I can wait until December for a service, MOT and recovery renewal.

[Dr G]

Sheepshanks said:

They seem to constantly tinker with what needs doing

The correct, factory service schedule (called a maintenance table) is on erwin and changes very little if at all.

Sheepshanks said:

it's not unusual that they either forget to update the online system, or they tell it the wrong thing.

True. They are supposed to give you a printed copy of the digital service entry. It can be edited for mistakes within 10 days.

Sheepshanks said:

However VW Group have pulled in the first brake fluid change from 3yrs to 2yrs

Changed in 2019.

Sheepshanks said:

of course even though this is a scheduled service item it's not included in the service plan

Sales staff, lease companies etc. never mention how narrow the scope of these plans are, but are very keen to sell them. They are rarely good value or fit for purpose.

Sheepshanks said:

There's a costed Skoda schedule here: https://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/servicing-maintenan...

At least one mistake spotted straight away on that link. The only formal schedule is on erwin.

[WyrleyD]

Sheepshanks said:

WyrleyD said:

Had a look at this whilst at the dealer yesterday for the service, the price is £1485 for "All-in" now and includes 2 years warranty, 2 minor services, 2 MOTs. My car is on the Plus Plan which was just over £500 (instead of £685) and that includes one major and one minor service. I think "Last Hurrah" is about right.

Is £1485 is the “value” of the package?

It’s £30/mth for 24mths - so £720. I said £600 above - I was thinking it was £25/mth at the moment.

Edited by Sheepshanks on Wednesday 4th September 09:02

My mistake, you are correct in that it is the "value", package at this dealer is £720 in the sale they have on

[Sheepshanks]

Dr G said:

Sheepshanks said:

of course even though this is a scheduled service item it's not included in the service plan

Sales staff, lease companies etc. never mention how narrow the scope of these plans are, but are very keen to sell them. They are rarely good value or fit for purpose.

I suppose with All In it depends on how many elements of the package are useful. OK, servicing is likely (but not always) to be cheaper at an indie or general purpose garage or you DIY), but you're still going to have to pay something for MOT.

If you have roadside cover some other way, or don't bother with it, then that's wasted.

Warranty is the big thing - again, I suppose many don't bother but almost the slightest things could produce a hefty bill. The big thing would be if the car has a DSG - can fail out-of-the-blue and it seems to be £2-3K as a minimum.

I think it's more questionable as VW Group has gradually increased the price to £37.50/mth, but they often discount by 20% (but at different times, and not across all marques). I'm sure the first one we got was £25 discounted to £20.

Edited by Sheepshanks on Sunday 8th September 23:20

[RSstuff]

Sheepshanks said:

Sales staff, lease companies etc. never mention how narrow the scope of these plans are, but are very keen to sell them. They are rarely good value or fit for purpose.

I suppose with All In it depends on how many elements of the package are useful. OK, servicing is likely (but not always) to be cheaper at an indie or general purpose garage or you DIY), but you're still going to have to pay something for MOT.

If you have roadside cover some other way, or don't bother with it, then that's wasted.

Warranty is the big thing - again, I suppose many don't bother but almost the slightest things could produce a hefty bill. The big thing would be if the car has a DSG - can fail out-of-the-blue and it seems to be £2-3K as a minimum.

I think it's more questionable as VW Group has gradually increased the price to £37.50/mth, but they often discount by 20% (but at different times, and not across all marques). I'm sure the first one we got was £25 discounted to £20.

SEAT are doing the 'All In' offer for £30 a month at the moment, for up to 2.0 and up to 6 year old cars. But it ends shortly. If the car hasn't been under the warranty recently, cover doesn't commence for the first 30 days, meaning you only get 23 months cover. Don't think the servicing covers DSG or Haldex oil changes, so if your car has those you may want to find a good Indie.