Fixed Price Servicing Plan Mileage Overestimated

grovej

Hi

When we purchased a new car 2.5 years ago we took out the fixed price servicing plan for 3 years. We estimated the mileage to be a lot higher than it has actually been due to a change in circumstances. In effect the cost paid over the three years should allow for three services, but we will only get 2 due to the lower mileage. Is there any way that we can claim back the overpayment or ensure that the third service is provided beyond the 3 years of the plan?

Cheers

John

Inactive

Surely most services are by mileage/date ie; 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes soonest.

grovej

Indeed they are.

With a fixed price plan you estimate the mileage you will drive over three years then pay for the services that you would need for the estimated mileage over a three year period. So if based on the estimated mileage you need three services at at total cost of £800 you would pay (£800 / 36) £22 per month. Works out great if you do the estimated mileage in our instance we will not, and therefore not need the number of services that were estimated as there will be more than required. However we will have paid for them, so I suppose my question is can the additional service be taken after the three period or can a refund be claimed.


JOHN

Kilty_2

Does the car have 12 month service intervals or is it on 24 month "please the big fleets" servicing?

If it's 12 month then get it serviced every year regardless of mileage - problem solved. Otherwise, speak to the place you bought the car....

grovej

Kilty

Volkswagen have this damm clever servicing schedule that is flexible based on mileage/time, the engine decides when it wants to be looked at. On this servicing schedule it is at least every 2 years or about 18,000 miles if it is mostly motorway driving, if harsh driving in town the mileage comes down. Our car is just about a 1000 miles away from asking for it's second service the computer tells you, we estimated 60,000 but it will have only completed about 40,000 by the time the agreement is up so there should have been another service allowed for and quite an expensive one at that.

John

Kilty_2

I'd speak to the dealer and see if they can at least let you use a portion of the prepayment against the 3rd service when it's due (obviously try to push them into letting you use all of it).

Quite long service intervals those :eek:.

grovej

Thanks Kilty

It's VW finance who administer the plan, so you can go to any dealer for the service. I am in the middle of writing to them to see what they will say about the matter. I would imagine it's a common occurrence and they have a standard answer which is tough! We shall see what happens.

John

harveybobbles

You pre paid for a product that you havent used due to circumstances. I don't think you can claim back the money you over paid.

We had a BMW at work with Service Inclusive Package, but the 3rd service hadnt been carried out, even tho it was within the time limit. We asked if the servie could be carried out as it had already been paid for, but BMW didnt want to know.

If you paid for your car insurance in one lump sum, but after 12 months you hadnt had a claim - do you think you'd be able to get money back?

harveybobbles

Kilty wrote: »

Quite long service intervals those :eek:.

i've seem some intervals stretch to 30,000 BETWEEN services - thats scary! Even if 5/30 oil is used...

grovej

I would disagree as if you go over the estimated mileage there is a contractual rate they charge per mile over the estimate. It is a finance agreement based on a service they are offering so I am not sure how clear the position will be. With insurance you are covering a risk so I wouldn't expect any money back, however if I didnt want the cover for the full 12 months I would expect to get something back for the unused portion.

John