Car dealer sold me a service plan but now 3 weeks later says its not applicable

takman

liveo wrote: »

My thoughts exactly.

I have also found out they have changed the service type of my vehicle from "Long life - Variable" (Decided by the vehicle itself - Up to 18 months depending on depending on driving style) to a fixed 12 months schedule so I now potentially have to have my car serviced more often as I was getting away with nearly 18 months between services before!
He says the type of service I asked for automatically changes the service from Long Life to fixed one. I wasn't told that either before it was done.

Not happy at all.

I don't think this is bad thing. Personally i think all cars should be serviced every 12 months/15,000 miles as a minimum (more often if your doing very low mileage). If I saw a car for sale (especially a performance version) It would put me off if it had an extended service schedule, even if it was approved by the manufacturer. It doesn't have to be a full service an oil and filter change is all that's needed. Only servicing it every 18 months does make it look like you do the bare minimum to maintain the car.

liveo

I understand what your saying but the oil and filter specified by vag is designed to easily last well in excess of 18 months and the point is more principle that I wasn't asked or informed of the fact they changed it to a fixed schedule. Servicing in excess of the manufacturer recommendation is simply a money earner for them.

takman

liveo wrote: »

I understand what your saying but the oil and filter specified by vag is designed to easily last well in excess of 18 months and the point is more principle that I wasn't asked or informed of the fact they changed it to a fixed schedule. Servicing in excess of the manufacturer recommendation is simply a money earner for them.

It's more to do with the way the car is driven, what kind of journeys and how many miles you are doing a year than just a time period alone.
Manufacturers are more likely to state more extended servicing schedules because it's a good selling point for the car and also they aren't really concerned about the car's engine performing as best it can past 100,000 miles or 10 years. i'm sure your not concerned about this either as your looking to sell the car and it still sounds like it's relatively new. But to someone who is looking to buy the car and knows what they are talking about it may put them off.
I can't imagine any kind of use of a car that could justify an 18 month period between oil and filter changes.

But i cant understand why you would be annoyed that they changed the service schedule on your car's ECU.

liveo

takman wrote: »

It's more to do with the way the car is driven, what kind of journeys and how many miles you are doing a year than just a time period alone.
Manufacturers are more likely to state more extended servicing schedules because it's a good selling point for the car and also they aren't really concerned about the car's engine performing as best it can past 100,000 miles or 10 years. i'm sure your not concerned about this either as your looking to sell the car and it still sounds like it's relatively new. But to someone who is looking to buy the car and knows what they are talking about it may put them off.
I can't imagine any kind of use of a car that could justify an 18 month period between oil and filter changes.

But i cant understand why you would be annoyed that they changed the service schedule on your car's ECU.

Cars are intelligent these days and they look every aspect of your driving style, conditions & journey types when calculating when a service is due. The Longlife Oil that is used is designed to last ages. It costs a fortune to service the car anyway with all of the additional "service items" they insist on such as Pollen Filter, which costs less than £10 and takes 5 minutes to fit but they charge nearly £50!
Luckily, my annual mileage has dropped below 10k and there is a section of the Audi website which suggests a fixed schedule for less than 10k so I will leave it on fixed but yes its the fact it was changed without my permission or even consulting me!


Anyway I have sought legal advice on the mis-selling of the service plan and they have advised me on a course of action now involving an official complaint and the misrepresentation act of 1967 so I will follow that and see how I get on.
I was going to drop it but the manager has been totally unhelpful and not even had the courtesy to call back when he said he would. Shocking service.

liveo

Finally a breakthrough. He has now managed to put it through and I have my service plan! They have redeemed themselves.