Hi guys,

Have read various things online, unfortunately some of the information is conflicting. My Octavia has the QI6 code on its spec plate.

It was last serviced in July, by a Skoda dealer. The service indicator, however, shows a service required within 10,000m / 365 days of that date, along with an oil service required within 8,000 miles of that date?

 

Should the car be subject to the 2 year / specific miles servicing schedule, or does it need to be done annually? With the oil change date/mileage i'm going to end up changing the oil twice yearly as I do approximately 11,000 miles per year (best do that myself for the first time then eh!).

I have also reached out to Skoda customer services, however that was over a week ago and I have had no response whatsoever.

Your car would have left the factory with Long Life oil and the computer set to 18,800 miles (30,000km) service interval or 724 days whichever arrives first. So in 2018 it should have had the first service and second one in 2020. However dealers like customers coming back more often to keep the service department busy. They have set it up as 9,400 mile or 372 days which is ok for town drivers or low mileage but you can insist they put it back on 2 year intervals which will save you money.

It has got messy due to out of control dealers changing servicing regimes without asking customers, some seem to have decided that it is a sneaky way to get customers to come back earlier.  Skoda hasn’t chosen to clamp down on this change without telling customer by it’s franchises.

 

One problem is that at last service might have used the ordinary oil, not the long life oil so just getting them to alter it retrospectively could be difficult 

 

Only you know your mix of town and short drives vs long distance motorway type but at 11000 miles per year probably sensible to have long life oil, but not wait the full 18000 miles.  That gives you the freedom to service every 12-14 months.   Once out of warranty can be serviced anywhere.

 

 

I think it specified Long life on the previous service invoice iirc. Does the car need an oil change between services if being long life serviced? Ford had this info available online - their "Service Schedules" - complete with the health check checklists.

It would probably still be serviced every 12 months, I like to keep the servicing and MOT together as it reduces downtime - previous car was serviced at a main dealer (latterly using their £149 service, as they offered free AA breakdown cover with it) as I was under the impression it improved resale value. On hearing my part ex value, and the actual valuation of my car, it appeared to make no difference... Having done front brakes, timing belt, rear brake drums clean and various other little bits (front wishbones/arb links/engine mounts) on my previous car I would say i'm capable enough to service it myself, but it is nice to have someone else look over it and give me some peace of mind.

On 08/10/2019 at 07:01, SurreyJohn said:

It has got messy due to out of control dealers changing servicing regimes without asking customers, some seem to have decided that it is a sneaky way to get customers to come back earlier.

 

One problem is that at last service might have used the ordinary oil, not the long life oil so just getting them to alter it retrospectively could be difficult.

 

Agree with the first sentance but not the 2nd.

 

Bottom line is VW dealers will use one oil type to service your car - longlife.  Doesn't matter if you change it after one month, 12 months or 24 months, longlife will be appropriate.

 

Why would they go to the trouble of buying in two different oils when they can buy just one in bulk? Because of it's popularity, Longlife oil is now either the same price or cheaper than std life oil so there's no price advantage. And as long as the oil conforms to the appropriate VW specifications for your engine, it doesn't matter if it's branded Castrol, Mobil or Halfords.

 

There's no cloak and daggers, it all really very simple really. Well until deciding on what service interval is best -  now that's where the confusion begins.

32 minutes ago, Scot5 said:

 

Agree with the first sentance but not the 2nd.

 

Bottom line is VW dealers will use one oil type to service your car - longlife.  Doesn't matter if you change it after one month, 12 months or 24 months, longlife will be appropriate.

 

Why would they go to the trouble of buying in two different oils when they can buy just one in bulk? Because of it's popularity, Longlife oil is now either the same price or cheaper than std life oil so there's no price advantage. And as long as the oil conforms to the appropriate VW specifications for your engine, it doesn't matter if it's branded Castrol, Mobil or Halfords.

 

There's no cloak and daggers, it all really very simple really. Well until deciding on what service interval is best -  now that's where the confusion begins.

 

The problem is there are multiple longlife oils, so one bulk spec doesn't suit all

 

VW503 for petrol 5W-30

VW504 for high powered petrol

VW506 for diesel engines 0W-30

VW507 for older diesel engines 

VW508 for petrol engines with GPF 0W-20

VW509 for diesel engines with DPF and to WLTP

 

Confusion begins because there is Fixed Servicing intervals or Flexible / Variable,  and yet this 'Inspection Service' can show when cars are on 'Fexible / Variable'.

 

Then there is 'Interim Servicing showing',  Which is when the cars were on Fixed Servicing and year about it was Inspection / Minor Service and Major Service Time about, 

yet Body Inspections were at the Major Services for Paint and Corrosion Warranties.

 

Dealer take advantage of the confusions, the ones they often cause changing Factory set Flexible / Variable servicing, or leaving it and still having an 'Inspection Service' showing annually.

 

http://volkswagen.co.uk/owners/servicing/regimes

 

Offer on cars 3-10 years old on Fixed Service Intervals, at participating dealers, and these can cost less for the same or more done at non participating / p!ss taking dealerships.

 

Edited 9 October, 20196 yr by Roottootemoot

On every vehicle I've ever owned, regardless to what the manufacturer says (including Skoda), I've ensured the oil has been changed every year.

 

On my last minor service, it worked out about £75 ish more. I know modern oil is designed to last that bit longer, but I'm happy to go for the belt and braces approach.

On 08/10/2019 at 01:52, shyVRS245 said:

Your car would have left the factory with Long Life oil and the computer set to 18,800 miles (30,000km) service interval or 724 days whichever arrives first. So in 2018 it should have had the first service and second one in 2020. However dealers like customers coming back more often to keep the service department busy. They have set it up as 9,400 mile or 372 days which is ok for town drivers or low mileage but you can insist they put it back on 2 year intervals which will save you money.

 

Yep, looking at the DSR it shows the previous owner had it serviced every 10k miles (the first service only 8 months after registration). Skoda did get back to me eventually, it was put on fixed servicing on the last service so is due 10k miles from the last service - i'll check the physical invoice for type of oil used and make a decision whether I service it after 10k (probably june/july next year), or let it go the full 11k~/365 days.

 

What are peoples thoughts on DIY servicing vs independent garage vs dealer servicing? I may look to sell the car / part-ex in approx 5 years time or so, or I may keep it - it all depends what happens between then and now! My last car left with a ton of part invoices/hand written notes in the service book of jobs i had done myself, plus the dealer/franchise servicing. Don't have a Skoda dealer in my home town (we have a VW/Seat dealer though), so would have to travel if they would not do the Skoda servicing.

On 09/10/2019 at 10:40, SurreyJohn said:

 

The problem is there are multiple longlife oils, so one bulk spec doesn't suit all

 

VW503 for petrol 5W-30

VW504 for high powered petrol

VW506 for diesel engines 0W-30

VW507 for older diesel engines 

VW508 for petrol engines with GPF 0W-20

VW509 for diesel engines with DPF and to WLTP

 

 

Not sure on your source, but almost all UK franchised Skoda dealers are using VW 507.00 for all engines, petrol diesel, and both service intervals (fixed or variable).

 

VW 507.00 definitely isn't for "older diesel engines". It is a low ash long life 5W-30 oil.

 

Some of the very latest models leave the factory with VW 508.00 (0W-20), purely to meet strict emissions testing, but at their first service it is replaced with VW 507.00.

 

You'll find either Castrol Edge or Quantum III (Fuchs) in main dealers.

 

5 litres of Quantum delivered direct to your door from a Skoda main dealer for less than £24...