Halfords or Skoda for oil+filter change

bluedrop

Hi all,

My 4 year old skoda Octavia is due for a minor service. I can see on skoda website that its just the oil and filter change they do. They want £140 for that. Same thing is available at Halfords for £70 !

Is it a no brainer to get it done at my local Halfords or am I missing something?

THanks
Bluedrop

martinthebandit

The correct answer is neither.

The best solution is 'find a good local independent'

debtdebt

IF you're going to go cheap, don't go to Halfords. Go to National Tyres instead. They'll quote on their website if you put your reg number in.

bluedrop

TBH, I'm not looking at the cheapest deal. I want a good product.

I thought I might as well go for Halfords if they do the same thing as skoda at half the price.

Will oil + filter be different everywhere or is it a standard thing. Forgive my ignorance please!

bluedrop

martinthebandit wrote: »

The correct answer is neither.

The best solution is 'find a good local independent'

Ideally yes, I'd love to. It takes time and effort. I have neither. (busy working mum with 2 kids and a lazy husband)

Long shot, but still trying : Anyone here who can recommend a good independent garage near Beckenham (SE London) ?

cajef

bluedrop wrote: »

Will oil + filter be different everywhere or is it a standard thing. Forgive my ignorance please!

Depends on the oil that Halfrauds use, probably the cheapest and low quality, personally I would not trust them to lift the bonnet of my car, but you get what you pay for.

waamo

If you go to Halfords they will find so many issues that need urgent attention your jaw will drop.

They will discover you are driving a death trap that needs hundreds of pounds of work to fix before you go on your merry way.

martinthebandit

bluedrop wrote: »

Ideally yes, I'd love to. It takes time and effort. I have neither. (busy working mum with 2 kids and a lazy husband)

Long shot, but still trying : Anyone here who can recommend a good independent garage near Beckenham (SE London) ?

Hmmmm best bet is probably to change the husband then.

In all seriousness it is worth making the effort with small jobs like oil changes etc to find a good local independent then, when (or if) the big urgent job arrives, you know where to take it.

Tiexen

For peace of mind I'd stick with Skoda.

and they do more than oil+Filter.

Oil & filter change (fully synthetic oil)
Vehicle inspection test and report*
Full vehicle road test**
Vehicle & software enhancements from ŠKODA’s database
Replacement pollen filter †
Diagnostic check including report
Re-set service interval display
Wash and vacuum
ŠKODA stamp in service book

* Vehicle inspection: inspection of all lights, instruments, bodywork, glass, locks, battery, drive belts, suspension, steering, fuel lines, brake pads/shoes/discs, hoses, wash/wipe system, exhaust system, engine components, fluid levels and tyres.

** Vehicle road test: includes checking steering alignment, clutch and braking operation, engine performance, suspension noise and driving control

Clive_Woody

When my Octavia was 4 yrs old one of the sensors in the engine died. As I had always had my car serviced at Skoda I managed to persuade them to replace the sensor for free as a good will gesture. They are not the cheapest, but then my wife has a golf and I think VW charge £20 more for each level of servicing.

There is the perception on here that local independents are all more honest, trustworthy and competent, sadly this is not necessarily the case. Similarly not all Halfords are determined to rip you off.