Hi all,

 

Just got around to looking at the service indicator on my July 2019 Karoq 1.5TSI SEL DSG (with 3400 miles on the clock) and it is indicating:

 

"Inspection in 16500 miles or 509 days"

"Oil change Service in 12300 miles or 393 days"

 

I have assumed that this means it is on the variable service regime and must have been set this way by Skoda UK (Original owner of the car).

 

I am in a bit of a quandary.  My driving patterns are "rural driving and commuting - not a lot of standing traffic" with 20 mile trips every 3 days or so. In addition a 100 mile trip every 3 weeks or so and some 300-400 mile trips 3 times per year.

I do around 7000 - 8000 miles per year.

 

This would suggest that, if I was buying the car from new, I would ask the garage to setup the car on "Fixed Service- Time and distance"

 

The question is..... should I leave as it is (bear in mind I had a 10 year old Tiguan 2.0 TDi 4WD on Variable service regime and had very very few issues with it)

Should I get it swapped over to Time and distance now - before its first service window (on that regime) which would be in July.

 

From a financial perspective I "think" I would prefer to leave well alone as my logic tells me the service costs over the next 10 years will be less that if I switch but I don't want to compromise the engine/gearbox by being a skinflint 🙂

 

Any advice gratefully received.

 

I "think" my car has the DQ200 gearbox (from what I can surmise from other forum posts and the fact that my engine is a 150bhp model) and is 2WD so no haldex or gearbox oil changes in-between I assume.  I assume the only other extra is a Cambelt/waterpump change at 3 or 4 year intervals.  I will happily pop it in to the Skoda service centre in-between to check for ECU updates and such.

 

thanks

 

Paul

 

@smipx - Or keep an eye on it for now, and take it in in July (when a fixed service is due on time) and specify that you want to switch from variable to fixed service as more relevant to your driving pattern. It's your choice, but that's what I'd do.

Interesting to see what the consensus it.  I think you are right.  I will leave it for now (until July) and 

 

a) wait to see the wider consensus is here

b) I can do some more research on the overall cost of servicing over, say, a 10 year period Variable versus Fixed

 

Has anyone done a comparison of costs over the "lifetime" of the car (in their hands)  say 5 years or 10 years?

It seems that it is trick to do without calling the dealer for costings 😞 

 

It seems there are two considerations to balance

 

1) what is best on the wallet vs 2) what is safe /good for the car engine

 

Cheers,

Paul

 

Our 1.5TSi SEL manual is now almost 26 months old and coming upto 24,000 miles and had the first of 2 free services last October at 18,700 miles. The second Inspection service is due in 500 days or 15,000 miles and it will get booked in when when the computer says it's time. Paying for 1 service every 12 months is fine for those that can afford but variable servicing is cheaper over say a 10 year period.

In all my experience of variable or longlife or flexible or whatever the manufacturer wishes to call it, never once have I read that a car has proven to be less reliable because it adhered to that service regime. Not once, and I challenge anyone to provide the evidence that a longlife service regime makes the car less reliable.

 

Oh those armchair experts will flood you with their theories of why fixed is better but not a single one of them will provide any evidence that it is.

 

All my cars I've owned that could be on longlife service have been on longlife service, the only exception is the car the family use for around town which is subjected to short distances of a few miles. At present that car is on fixed services but it's predecessors was on variable (I had an indi change the oil/filter/sump plug at 12mth ).

 

My BMW's were all variable - not even sure if fixed was an option with them? Same goes for Merc ( although my Merc requested it's services at 14mth ). Not many people realise that despite Renault having it's first service at 12mth / 10,000 miles whichever is sooner, there's no oil change required! Yet their engines suffer because of that? I don't think so.

 

If you're giving the car a good run, not subjecting it to stop/start driving and not driving it like Lewis Hamilton, then if I were you I'd stick to variable servicing.

Edited 13 March, 20206 yr by Guest

1 hour ago, Scot5 said:

In all my experience of variable or longlife or flexible or whatever the manufacturer wishes to call it, never once have I read that a car has proven to be less reliable because it adhered to that service regime. Not once, and I challenge anyone to provide the evidence that a longlife service regime makes the car less reliable

Well, I challenge you to prove that running variable service does not either make the car less reliable in the medium term, or reduce engine life in the long term.

 

Yeah, that's what I thought!

If you have variable then you do not have to wait until car says service me

Nothing to stop you deciding to get it done at say 14000 miles and 18 months

effectively a half way house between the 2 regimes

 

Although I can offer no evidence that variable causes more problems later, one thing is for certain, if you ever look at cars that have broken down on the motorway, on hard shoulder, you will find a disproportionate number of them are 1-2 years old.  I would hazard a guess most of those didn't get a service at 12 months.   

 

Personally I would rather not break down (especially in a live lane on smart motorway) so consider the extra servicing cost of annual worthwhile.   Since we adopted annual servicing on both our cars, never had a breakdown or been left stranded by being unable to start.   Save money on servicing if you want, but don't then complain if you get unscheduled problem or failure later.

 

 

What confused me completely is that the 1st Oil change service is indicated in 393 days from now then (if I am reading the data right) an inspection service at 509 days from now.  The gap between the oil service and the inspection service is only 116 days (less than 4 months later).

 

 

Doesn't make sense to me.   The 509 days - that would make it 2 years from 1st registration for the Inspection service - I kind of get that but I don't really get the 393 days to the oil change though (making it around 645 days from 1st registration)

 

Paul

 

 

 

http://www.warrantywise.co.uk/blog/warrantywise-data-german-car-brands-reliability#

It was from old date back with Euro 5 and older German Manufacturers Cars. 

 

 

 

Edited 13 March, 20206 yr by Roottootemblowinootsoot

Oil service will be the first one due at 15,700 miles according to your car, then dealer should reset it and your next service will then be an Inspection service probably around 31,000 miles in your case.

1 hour ago, shyVRS245 said:

Oil service will be the first one due at 15,700 miles according to your car, then dealer should reset it and your next service will then be an Inspection service probably around 31,000 miles in your case.

 

Hi,

 

Confused dot com

 

How does that relate to me as I will never reach those mileages so mine will be based on time and its telling me that an oil change is in 393 days from today and then an inspection is due 509 days from today.  Sorry to be so thick.

It is the car that is Lost in translation.   German to Spanish to Czech to English.

 

It use to be services time about.

Inspection / Minor the Major (where the body was inspected)

Then they went.

Interim  and Major time about.

Now in the UK, 

They are calling them Oil Service / Inspection Services and then adding Extended Scope.

 

So basically All are Oil & Filter service.  Be that on Fixed Servicing and every 9,600 miles / 372 days, or on Variable / Flexible, 18,000-20,000 / 24 months or sooner.

 

At each service the body inspection should be done.  There are not really 'Inspection Services' without the Oil & Filter change.

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

 

 

 

Edited 13 March, 20206 yr by Roottootemblowinootsoot

4 hours ago, Scot5 said:

 

Oh those armchair experts will flood you with their theories of why fixed is better but not a single one of them will provide any evidence that it is.

 

 

IMO For latest VAG engines with cambelts, variable is generally ok.

 

But Camchain engines, EA111, EA888, BMW engines too, particularly the ones with rear mounted chains, often fail much sooner due to chain and sprocket wear exasperated by oil loaded with contaminants. In those cases it is essential to change oil more regularly or risk catastrophic failure. You may or may not get warning of an imminent failure (chain rattle on start up or when running).

 

Many examples documented on Briskoda, 1.2tsi, 1.8tsi, 2.0 tsi

 

Essential the correct oil is used for variable.

 

Essential the correct oil is used if on fixed as well.  (Fixed servicing of a TSI does not require long life oil, just the correct spec)

Among the Euro 5 engines and also before that Euro 4 were 1.4 TSI that could have issues, particularly Twinchargers, but not exclusively.

http://www.adamlewin.co.uk/vw-mk5-golf-tsi-engine-timing-chain-problem

 

Edited 13 March, 20206 yr by Roottootemblowinootsoot

Hi,

 

But this still doesn't really tell me why an oil change is due in 393 days from today and then an inspection is due 509 days from today. If the inspection also includes an oil change then that is two complete oil changes in 116 days (less than 4 months).  Unless there is an inspection due that does not include oil.

 

Is this telling me to go onto annual fixed as it will work out cheaper perhaps (for someone who covers 8000 mile per year)? 

 

Its really unclear for the average Joe. Especially when they just give you the car on Variable and don't even bother to ask (when buying approved used). 

 

All I really want is to:

 

1) maintain warranty (and extra "good will" that should come with servicing it at VAG)

2) Keep the car in good shape for my intention to keep for at least 7-9 years

3) Minimise the costs of the 1st 3 years of servicing at the stealer (after this time I will use a good local indy - the same one that looked after my Tiguan).

 

My plan is "possibly" going to be to wait until 3 weeks prior to the car's annual anniversary and go and discuss the options and cost differences with the service manager - good luck with that I hear you say.

I just want to make sure I get to the "truth" before I am under time pressure and the clock starts ticking down to the limit.

I assume If I did go in at that point I could insist they do a fixed time service and ask them to put the car on to fixed rather than variable?

 

 

Cheers,

Paul

 

Edited 13 March, 20206 yr by smipx

1 hour ago, smipx said:

 

Hi,

 

Confused dot com

 

How does that relate to me as I will never reach those mileages so mine will be based on time and its telling me that an oil change is in 393 days from today and then an inspection is due 509 days from today.  Sorry to be so thick.

After the first service whenever it is carried out the computer will be reset and these days that you see now will alter to new numbers showing a maximum of 2 years from the first oil service until the inspection service is due. Agree your mileage is so low it will be time based servicing.

Ahhh   Now I understand better.  So I will get the car done in 393 days (oil service) and the 509 days figure will then reset to 730 at that point - Is that correct?  Don't really get why they have two numbers in that case.  In the Tig it was just one number (730) - mind you that was 10 year old and things have progressed regressed since then I guess.

3 minutes ago, smipx said:

Ahhh   Now I understand better.  So I will get the car done in 393 days (oil service) and the 509 days figure will then reset to 730 at that point - Is that correct?  Don't really get why they have two numbers in that case.  In the Tig it was just one number (730) - mind you that was 10 year old and things have progressed regressed since then I guess.

Yes I know it makes no sense unless you are aware which service is due next. For example for a high mileage driver.

1st oil service at 18,500 miles.

1st Inspection service at 37,000 miles.

2nd oil service at 55,500 miles.

2nd Inspection service at 74,000 miles.

Variable servicing is for fleet managers, lease cars, an annual mileage close to 20,000 miles or those who don't care about engine and turbo longevity.

 

Everyone else will benefit from being on fixed intervals i.e. fresh oil once a year.

 

As for asking for evidence of whether variable servicing makes a car less reliable, you've got more chance of winning the lottery. How often to people run two identical cars in the exact same conditions for 10 years / 200,000 miles to be able to compare?

 

You don't need a degree in mechanical engineering to know that replacing the oil more regularly is better for reducing component wear.

 

Anyone who bangs on about there being no disadvantage to running a car for two years on the same oil and that anybody daring to offer a difference of opinion is an armchair expert, is deluded.

 

With a 7,000 mile annual mileage the fixed service interval is for you, unless the car is leased or on a PCP and you have no intention of keeping it beyond the manufacturer's warranty, or you have no concern over medium to long term reliability.

 

Go take a look over on the older model forums, such as the MkII Octavia, MkII Superb and Yeti and scroll through the recent threads. They're largely related to help diagnosing faults, a lot of which include DPF's, EGR's and turbo's, components which all benefit from fresh oil more often.

 

The car costs between £20,000 and £30,000, an oil change is around £150, once a year, which for most is less than the cost to insure it.

 

Edited 13 March, 20206 yr by silver1011

1 hour ago, smipx said:

Ahhh   Now I understand better.  So I will get the car done in 393 days (oil service) and the 509 days figure will then reset to 730 at that point - Is that correct?  Don't really get why they have two numbers in that case.  In the Tig it was just one number (730) - mind you that was 10 year old and things have progressed regressed since then I guess.

Yes, system is bit stupid showing an inspection service, when a full service is due earlier, it’s a bit like someone offering you a refill of drink, before the initial cup has been poured.  
 

Only logical to display both when the lighter service is earlier

Most dealers would agree, that is why the majority of them advise owners to ignore the 'inspection service' reminders.

 

They are just that, a visual inspection and a largely pointless exercise.

Hi,

 

Okay - thanks to all for that.  I think its a bit clearer now 🙂

 

An annual oil change doe make the most sense for me.  

 

I will still go into the dealer in July and ask them what they suggest. At least I am forewarned now though.

The fixed interval is 15,000km (9,320 miles) or 12 months, whichever is reached first.

 

Even though you're on variable now there is nothing stopping you booking it in in 5,920 miles, or as you say at the cars 1st birthday in July.

I've just traded in my near 10 year old and 110k Octavia Scout.

 

Sometimes my annual mileage could be nearly 26k and other times as low as 6.5k.

 

One advantage of annual servicing that gets over looked is you know roughly when it is going to happen so you can prep for it; every 12 months or 9400 miles, whatever it reaches first.

 

My vehicle came from the factory on variable which suited me fine as my commute was 50 miles each way with regular journeys of 475 miles each way for courses.

 

Unfortunately the vehicle threw a spanner in the works as it stated I required a service at just over 13k, and not the 18k I was expecting. Not good when at that time I was working 7 days on, 7 days off. 

 

I got it changed to annual after that.

 

If servicing cost are of concern, you could always enquire if any of your local Skoda dealers offer reduced cost  servicing for older vehicles like mine did. I paid £109 for a Minor Service and £159 for a Major Service.  Still carried out by Skoda 'techs', still to the same 'ahem' standards or quality as OE, still got software updates, and all on the same Skoda branded receipts that apparently impresses at trade in time.

 

For the last four years my daily commute was approximately 3 miles each way in 30 and 40moh zones. Despite all that, never got any pick up points for emissions either during 7 MOT's or any of its services.

 

Just so I don't upset anyone, and for clarification, I'm currently sat on my sofa whilst I swype this!

 

 

 

 

 

🙂