Car Servicing Advice

chaotic_j

Hi,

I haven't had a car before.

I bought one about a year ago from the dealership, it was an ex demo. It came with a 3 year warranty, so 2 years were remaining. I now have 1 year left.

It is due a service and brake fluid change in Nov 2008 and they called me up this week to sort it out. I have called back today and they have quoted £190 for the service and £55 for changing the brake fluid.

This seems extremely steep. I have probably only done about 600-700 miles in it. They mentioned something about all of the filters being changed, but they didn't ask how many miles I'd done. Is this unecessary?

Can I actually get this done elsewhere thereby saving quite a bit of money? Not really keen on paying out loads..

Also I have checked my documentation and I have some vouchers for "Winter Service Check" - Free and "Summer Service Check" - Free. I don't know if this is the same kind of service? Confused.

Thanks in advance.

molerat

Servicing is due usually on a time or mileage basis, whichever comes first. You can get the service done wherever you wish, as long as it is done to manufacturers spec with oem parts, and still maintain the warranty but it must be done within the specified time / mileage allowances. The vouchers are for checks and not servicing. The question must be if you are doing only that sort of mileage do you really need a car ?

TiTheRev

What car is it?

chaotic_j

Thanks for advice.

It is a VW Fox.

Called some other places, a Vauxhall dealership has said they will service using VW Parts for £170 inc changing brake fluid, that is £65 cheaper!

Have rung VW again and they can't really break down the cost they want.

My dad has a Vauxhaull Vectra and the service doesn't cost as much as what VW want for my Fox..

Should be doing more miles in the future, besides, building up NCB.

TiTheRev

Thought it was a VW, sounded like it!

The service schedule at 2years old is only an oil and pollen filter (if it even has one?), but the brake fluid does need doing. I would check they've quoted you for the right service, as some other cars 2nd service is all the filters and would cost more. An oil filter change at our (VW) garage is £99 and £55 for brake fluid.

chaotic_j

Now they are quoting £170 all in I believe.. so think I will have it done at VW.. £65 is £65!

:money:

TiTheRev

Glad you got it sorted

plane_boy2000

Have found with main dealers before that if you question the price it can be cheaper.......When they give you a quote say really! thats a lot more than X quoted me, and quite often they have some discression in the price.

DCFC79

Remember when the next service is due you dont need to go back to the dealer, you can go to an independant 1

TiTheRev

DCFC79 wrote: »

Remember when the next service is due you dont need to go back to the dealer, you can go to an independant 1

But where I work we are doing a price match scheme where possible, so why get a grease monkey to do it when you can keep the genuine service history up and get a 2yr warrenty on parts and labour, for the same price?

chaotic_j

Some good tips here thanks.

Yeah I guess the dealers rely on people not bothering to ask anywhere else for prices..

Best getting it done at the main dealership, might want to change it for something a bit better this time next year - something a bit faster