[fabia55]

I've just got a quote from my local dealer and it's £216, doesn't include air filter, doesn't include spark plugs (it says these are 4 years or 40K), doesn't include air con service, but it just says 20K mile service and brake fluid change. It only states that oil and pollen filter will be changed.

does anyone know what I am paying for?

[lemonvrs]

You need to shop around, obviously they will be hopefully doing an inspection as well but just ring some other dealers. I got my first service cost nearly halved by asking around and on my wifes car had it more than halved!

[fabia55]

lemonvrs, on 31 March 2010 - 09:26, said:

You need to shop around, obviously they will be hopefully doing an inspection as well but just ring some other dealers. I got my first service cost nearly halved by asking around and on my wifes car had it more than halved!

was it for 20K service, how much did you pay and which dealers?

[hot rod]

I got the same problem..wifes 08 fabia 1.2 done 19k miles..just gone two years old. supplying dealer wants nearly £200 for two year service:
turns out its basically an oil change and a new pollen filter...am I missing something here? they dont even bother changing the brake fluid (although it states in the service book its due at 2 years) but leave it as a "customer option".

the words "rip off" and sharp practise" come to mind.
Im not bloody stuipid..an oil change using the best oil is going to cost me about £45...a pollen filter is £6.77 from eurocar parts so what exactly am I paying for here?

the dealer ratled on about the "lengthy inspection" and the importance of the computer hook up..oh come on...they dont even take of the wheels for a propper inspection!

Im really unsure what to do about this..its my intention to keep the car a number of years but would have liked to retain it full main dealer service history. money is in short supply just now (who isnt?) so I need some input on this one!

[fabia55]

hot rod, on 04 April 2010 - 12:06, said:

I got the same problem..wifes 08 fabia 1.2 done 19k miles..just gone two years old. supplying dealer wants nearly £200 for two year service:
turns out its basically an oil change and a new pollen filter...am I missing something here? they dont even bother changing the brake fluid (although it states in the service book its due at 2 years) but leave it as a "customer option".

the words "rip off" and sharp practise" come to mind.
Im not bloody stuipid..an oil change using the best oil is going to cost me about £45...a pollen filter is £6.77 from eurocar parts so what exactly am I paying for here?

the dealer ratled on about the "lengthy inspection" and the importance of the computer hook up..oh come on...they dont even take of the wheels for a propper inspection!

Im really unsure what to do about this..its my intention to keep the car a number of years but would have liked to retain it full main dealer service history. money is in short supply just now (who isnt?) so I need some input on this one!

My quote of £216 was for pollen filter and oil change as far as the quote sheet was concerned although it did include the brake fluid change, but that's still expensive.

I was told by the dealer that the brake fluid needs to be changed to retain the warranty. They should have changed it for you, complain.

[hot rod]

Ive not actualy taken it in for service yet.
Theres no way I'm paying that amount for a small service. its looking like vat registerd non franchise at less than half the quoted amount. (to keep the warranty)

MY original question about the computer updates being critical is still a concern..I guess only skoda agents can do this?
is it really that important?

[Dmac1969]

fabia55, on 30 March 2010 - 22:17, said:

I've just got a quote from my local dealer and it's £216, doesn't include air filter, doesn't include spark plugs (it says these are 4 years or 40K), doesn't include air con service, but it just says 20K mile service and brake fluid change. It only states that oil and pollen filter will be changed.

does anyone know what I am paying for?

Well I just paid £220.17 for my (mark 1 MPI) annual service at an Ex-Skoda dealer that still specialise in the marque and use OEM parts (from Silbury Skoda) , and that included a brake fluid change , the oil change service , 2 new OEM wiper blades and a strip down and adjustment of the rear drum brakes. The brakes now feel much better and the car is running really well , so I am a happy bunny.

[Timelord1.9Tdi]

Hello

I payed £191.43 for me 20,000 miles service, have been quoted £100 for the 30,000 service due soonish

regards

Timelord

[davepartridge]

lemonvrs, on 28 March 2010 - 08:04, said:

Mine will be due its first service in a couple of months... emailed 5 dealers for costs and three didnt bother replying and the others quoted £119 and £133 respectively. I think thats not too bad but we only got chargd £100 for my wifes Pug 107 at a Toyota dealer and the labour was just £34 for a first 10k service. They were very good, I hope Skoda manage to be as decent.

It's probably too late but Preston's Garages in Chelmsford, Essex (a Skoda authorised repairer), only charged £65 for the 1 year 10,000 mile service of my 08 Fabia 2 1.2. And for that price they dropped me in to the town centre. They don't really do a lot for the first service other than have a bit of a look so I wouldn't want to pay too much for it!

The 2 year 20,000 mile service cost me £217.60 and they lent me a courtesy car (which I had to organise insurance on, costing about £7.50). That price also included a brake fluid change.

This post has been edited by davepartridge: 13 April 2010 - 06:06

[fabia55]

davepartridge, on 13 April 2010 - 06:05, said:

It's probably too late but Preston's Garages in Chelmsford, Essex (a Skoda authorised repairer), only charged £65 for the 1 year 10,000 mile service of my 08 Fabia 2 1.2. And for that price they dropped me in to the town centre. They don't really do a lot for the first service other than have a bit of a look so I wouldn't want to pay too much for it!

The 2 year 20,000 mile service cost me £217.60 and they lent me a courtesy car (which I had to organise insurance on, costing about £7.50). That price also included a brake fluid change.

that's still expensive. £217 for just a pollen filter and oil change.

it doesn't need air filter change until 4 years or 40K according to the dealer.

This is almost daylight robbery.

[kingsize]

Service Cost for Octavia TDI:
£238.97
20k Service.
£70 for Oil/filters/screenwash/brake fluid (consumables).
West Sussex Skoda.

[fabia55]

there is actually a lot of these 'checks' you can do yourself. checking all 4 tyres for wear in the outside, middle and inside. checking to see if all the lights work, refilling the water tank would save £2.50 or so.

[Estate Man]

fabia55, on 13 April 2010 - 21:02, said:

that's still expensive. £217 for just a pollen filter and oil change.

it doesn't need air filter change until 4 years or 40K according to the dealer.

This is almost daylight robbery.

Actually Fab55, that's just about right in the target zone for the dealer, and it isn't daylight robbery at all. I'm not sure where you get that rather simplistic approach to car servicing, and why you think everyone is out to rob you. I think you should read the service schedule for the Fabia at 20,000miles. There is quite a bit to do, in fact the list is huge! Remember, when something has to be checked it has to be done properly, then adjusted if required, or replaced. Most people who are not professionals would struggle to do it in a morning even if working quite fast, and even then it would mostly not be done properly. And remember, the dealer is accountable for anything he does and has to warrant the job. And that £217 included a full brake service with fluid. I'm not saying you couldn't get it done for a bit less at another Skoda dealer, but for what appears to have been done, that's an excellent real world price. Most dealers operate professionally and ethically and want to please you. Their livelihoods depend on it.

[fabia55]

Estate Man, on 05 August 2010 - 20:57, said:

Actually Fab55, that's just about right in the target zone for the dealer, and it isn't daylight robbery at all. I'm not sure where you get that rather simplistic approach to car servicing, and why you think everyone is out to rob you. I think you should read the service schedule for the Fabia at 20,000miles. There is quite a bit to do, in fact the list is huge! Remember, when something has to be checked it has to be done properly, then adjusted if required, or replaced. Most people who are not professionals would struggle to do it in a morning even if working quite fast, and even then it would mostly not be done properly. And remember, the dealer is accountable for anything he does and has to warrant the job. And that £217 included a full brake service with fluid. I'm not saying you couldn't get it done for a bit less at another Skoda dealer, but for what appears to have been done, that's an excellent real world price. Most dealers operate professionally and ethically and want to please you. Their livelihoods depend on it.

Paying well over £200 I expect decent oil, not cheap 15-40 unknown brand. I've looked at the piece of paper they gave me at the end. The cost of the parts is only a small percentage of the total cost. I reckon over half is labour.

[Estate Man]

hot rod, on 04 April 2010 - 13:08, said:

Ive not actualy taken it in for service yet.
Theres no way I'm paying that amount for a small service. its looking like vat registerd non franchise at less than half the quoted amount. (to keep the warranty)

MY original question about the computer updates being critical is still a concern..I guess only skoda agents can do this?
is it really that important?

Hot rod, regarding your software updates...they can be very important depending what the update is supposed to fix or which feature it supports and improves. For example...a particular car/engine in the range may develop a slightly jerky throttle on and off problem at light throttle settings. This can often be cured with a small subroutine added to the ECU to enable smoother operation. As soon as Skoda has the fix it is passed to the dealers. Other sofware updates can improve engine smoothness, economy etc etc. Independent specialists can still do the updates in most cases for some things, but they have to pay for the updates and therefore you get charged quite a bit of money for the privilege. Your Skoda dealer will not charge you for the updates in virtually all cases, especially whilst it is in warranty and if you have developed a relationship with your main dealer, usually not even out of warranty. A two year service is labour intensive (I speak as an ex-tech) and £200 is in the ball park from a franchised dealer. Some independents charge more and in some cases don't even check the right things! And no...I am not anti-independent specialists.

Fabia55, what oil did your dealer use? If it is a main franchised dealer the oil in your car will have been purchased in bulk and will be of top quality, it has to be to maintain there Skoda franchise. The question to ask is...'is the grade and VWspec correct for my engine'? If you have any doubts you must double check with the dealer, they will tell you. If you re-check your invoice it will tell you exactly how much labour you have paid. Since the 20k service is labour intensive (and no, the tech doesn't just wander around looking at everything and kick the tyres, they actually have to get in there and use complicated equipment too) I would hope the labour is at least half of the bill. It means the job has been done correctly. Or would the owner of the car prefer his vehicle to 'just have an oil and filter change, pollen filter etc and the windscreen washers topped up and then be told that's £200 mate, "she's fine"! How would he or she know it's fine? The car could then not be guaranteed to be safe either...so obviously not. I think much of the sceptiscism about dealers is unwarranted and brought about by customers not really understanding what has to be done to their vehicles and how the garages have to work. This could largely be addressed by reading the car's service schedule in the manual. It tells you exactly what has to be done. At my last dealership I worked for we had a rest room overlooking the workshop. Customers were invited to watch their vehicles being services whilst drinking a cup of coffee (errr...no not the technician drinking coffee, the customer!). This often caused considerable interest from customers as they had really no idea what technicians actually had to do to there cars. As a result, we had happy customers who could see what we were doing for them and what they were paying for. The dealers have a duty of care to you to make sure your vehicle is safe. People also forget dealers have to make a profit (that's not a dirty word) otherwise they will not be there next year to support you with any problems and look after your car.

This is not a rant in support of dealers inspite of how it may read, but come on guys you have to be realistic. Read your manual for your car...it tells you alot and will help you understand what gives! If you are not sure about something, ask you dealer to explain it. They will and will be pleased to do so. And don't forget the technician looking after your car at a main dealer is a trained professional who has (at great expense) over many years learned to do his or her job to a very high standard and has completed all the factory courses for your car. He knows it better than anyone.

This post has been edited by Estate Man: 06 August 2010 - 10:15

[fabia55]

doesn't a vag specialist do all the checks on the checklist for less money.

from memory i don't think the piece of paper says what brand the oil was, just said something like 15-40 multi-grade. I would have prefered 10-40, obviouslty the 15-40 is cheaper and therefore saving the dealer money.

This post has been edited by fabia55: 06 August 2010 - 21:50

[Estate Man]

fabia55, on 06 August 2010 - 21:49, said:

doesn't a vag specialist do all the checks on the checklist for less money.

from memory i don't think the piece of paper says what brand the oil was, just said something like 15-40 multi-grade. I would have prefered 10-40, obviouslty the 15-40 is cheaper and therefore saving the dealer money.

You would think so wouldn't you, but my own personal experience is that when I've phoned or popped in for a quote on any service I have required, the independent has usually been more money and has wanted to do less work on the car (eg. much less than the service manual tells you needs to be done). Others on this board have also experienced this at independents. I'm not saying you can't get a good independent VAG specialist to do the work for a good price and also to get the work right, but that certainly hasn't been my experience for any car I have owned and certainly not with my Skoda either. The main Skoda dealer has always been less money and always done the work that has been required. They always give me a FREE courtesy car with no charge for insurance or anything else.

Regards you oil, why don't you ask your dealer about the brand and type of oil you've paid for. Independents often use a cheap oil but not a main dealer for your car. I doubt a 15-40 has been used. It's almost certainly a typo on the invoice. But check it out.

[fabia55]

Estate Man, on 07 August 2010 - 16:44, said:

You would think so wouldn't you, but my own personal experience is that when I've phoned or popped in for a quote on any service I have required, the independent has usually been more money and has wanted to do less work on the car (eg. much less than the service manual tells you needs to be done). Others on this board have also experienced this at independents. I'm not saying you can't get a good independent VAG specialist to do the work for a good price and also to get the work right, but that certainly hasn't been my experience for any car I have owned and certainly not with my Skoda either. The main Skoda dealer has always been less money and always done the work that has been required. They always give me a FREE courtesy car with no charge for insurance or anything else.

Regards you oil, why don't you ask your dealer about the brand and type of oil you've paid for. Independents often use a cheap oil but not a main dealer for your car. I doubt a 15-40 has been used. It's almost certainly a typo on the invoice. But check it out.

it's definately not a typo, i asked the dealer but they couldn't (or didn't want) to tell me, they just said multi grade when i asked. they couldn't tell me what brand it was.

as for vag specialist i've only asked for one quote and they were cheaper, they told me they used the same approved oil as the dealer and it is 5-30. they also said they do all the same checks but a few more things which the dealer skimp on.

[Estate Man]

Fab...give them a try if you are at all unhappy with your main dealer. I personally would have made them check the make of oil and tell me what I wanted to know, after all you've paid for it. Sounds as if they couldn't be bothered. They have a duty to be open about that sort of thing so you can buy the right stuff to top up if you need to (although for top up purposes you can use virtually anything these days if you wanted to).

[lemonvrs]

I too have a dealer that wont say what oil they use :thumbdown: they just say its to VAG spec and they buy in bulk and its as good as any other oil.
In my experience of all main dealers you find the person doing your basic service is an apprentice and a non too bright one either!

Over the years Ive had engines overfilled with oil, been charged for screenwash over and over when Ive topped it up the day before, had items not replaced, service indicators left on after the service, books not stamped, parts damaged during servicing, paint damaged wrong oils used and more.

Non of the above has been with Skoda and I hope that continues as Im very happy with my car, but talk to others and they have very similar stories. It would be great if main dealers were the Utopia mentioned in this thread but on the whole... they are not.