On PCP- Cam Belt & Water Pump £745 - Oil change £190- Audi A3

Shafski

Hi, I'm on a PCP for an Audi A3 1.4 TFSI and had a call from audi to say the car is due a cam belt replacement + water pump. Its also due its oil change soon. They said they can book this in for me with prices £745 for the cam belt and water pump with a free MOT since thats due soon too, and the oil change £190
I got the car at 23k miles, I've done 20k miles a yearover 3 years so im on 83k miles now. Its a 2015 plate. I'll probably do just about 20k miles for the last year. I'm on a 10k mile PCP and unfortunately changes situations 7-8 months after getting the car so had no choice with the excess mileage- so it works out best for me to buy the car at the end I think.


This is my first car tbh only been driving since I got this car but I didn't expect such a costly maintenance repair!
- Is this pricing correct?
- On PCP do I have to have this done with them? Is it best for me to do this with them regardless of price? I'm planning on most likely buying the car at the end as I've done a lot of excess mileage, unless they can offer me a good trade deal.

molerat

If you are definitely going to keep the car or trade it in then you can get what needs doing at any independent garage so will be cheaper than dealer prices.  An Audi independent specialist would be a good middle option as they will use original parts. Not having a full dealer service history may affect the trade in price though and lose any manufacturer good will but could also attract charges if handing back.

AdrianC

Is the PCP from Audi? If so, does it say the work has to be done by an Audi dealer?

Even if it does, that's only an issue if you hand the car back. If you're buying it (and with 40k excess mileage, I suspect that's a no-brainer), then it's not a prob.

That apart, yes, the cam belt needs doing. Yes, it's a big job. Main dealer price is going to be HIGH, though...

CasualBagger

The cost for the timing belt replacement seems correct for a main dealer. I think the PCP will require you to do it with them unless you're certain you want to buy the car out. The mileage is also about right for replacing it. 

I think (though don't quote me) the layout of the TFSI engine in the VAG cars is such that if you are doing work to the belts then you might as well change the water pump while you're down there. If you don't do it and it fails then you have to have at least the accessory belt off again so basically what I'm saying is the water pump is an understandable add-on. 

Next time you buy a new car think about looking for one with a drive CHAIN rather than a belt - this will outlast the engine most likely and won't need replacement. 

Robbo66

£745 for a cam belt and water pump or £3 - 5000 for a new engine if belt breaks. Not a hard choice to make

oh_really

Go and speak with the dealer, I got a belt and pump changed by VAG workshop for £400 odd last year, they said it was a pricing offer but nothing on the website or in the dealers service dept informed of this. It is quiet a big job on the car, normally I would've done it myself, I'm glad I handed it over.

Goudy

£190 for an oil change. What they changing the oil for, Balvenie 50 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky?
A rough calculation and I reckon they're charging you at least £100 +Vat for labour on those jobs.
(oil filter, even from Audi is around £17 and a few litres of oil around £45 with Vat, both the water pump and cam belt kit are around £125 a piece)

You might as well face facts now, Audi are going to sting you something in the region of 7.2p per mile excess mileage charges, that's nearly £3k for 40,000 miles.
Find an VAG independent, there's bound to be one local and ask them for a quote on the jobs with genuine parts.

Then when your contract is up either settle the GFV or trade it in and bite a smaller bullet (difference between the GFV and what it's worth trade in) than the £3k excess mileage plus the £935 for the expensive service.

jellie

Shafski said:

This is my first car tbh only been driving since I got this car but I didn't expect such a costly maintenance repair!
- Is this pricing correct?

Audi show the cost of routine maintenance jobs on their website, including cambelt and oil changes.

Shafski

Goudy said:

£190 for an oil change. What they changing the oil for, Balvenie 50 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky?
A rough calculation and I reckon they're charging you at least £100 +Vat for labour on those jobs.
(oil filter, even from Audi is around £17 and a few litres of oil around £45 with Vat, both the water pump and cam belt kit are around £125 a piece)

You might as well face facts now, Audi are going to sting you something in the region of 7.2p per mile excess mileage charges, that's nearly £3k for 40,000 miles.
Find an VAG independent, there's bound to be one local and ask them for a quote on the jobs with genuine parts.

Then when your contract is up either settle the GFV or trade it in and bite a smaller bullet (difference between the GFV and what it's worth trade in) than the £3k excess mileage plus the £935 for the expensive service.

I'm happy to settle it in tbh, the MGFV is like £6k which I can always settle and resell the car with a bit of a hit if needed or carry on using it till its death which IDM either. Just to check, If I'm buying the car at the end of the MFGV regardless of my mileage that MGFV is set right? They can't increase it? I'm confused by the MFGV and when does the value change? In terms of like negative equity etc, is that all affected by mileage?

molerat said:

If you are definitely going to keep the car or trade it in then you can get what needs doing at any independent garage so will be cheaper than dealer prices.  An Audi independent specialist would be a good middle option as they will use original parts. Not having a full dealer service history may affect the trade in price though and lose any manufacturer good will but could also attract charges if handing back.

Does this "full dealer service" include oil change services? They're charging so much for the oil change compared to what I've seen elsewhere though. If I'm going to lose the difference I'll pay for going elsewhere in the trade in price due to this then I'd pay the extra.

AdrianC said:

Is the PCP from Audi? If so, does it say the work has to be done by an Audi dealer?

Even if it does, that's only an issue if you hand the car back. If you're buying it (and with 40k excess mileage, I suspect that's a no-brainer), then it's not a prob.

That apart, yes, the cam belt needs doing. Yes, it's a big job. Main dealer price is going to be HIGH, though...

It doesn't say so in the contract and I asked one of the salesman I was chatting to when I went there for a service last time if I had to get a scratch I had repaired by audi etc and he just casually said no, but he seemed really casual about everything I asked...

molerat

Looking at the price menu a minor service is £180, not just an oil change.

MinuteNoodles

Yes the pricing is correct. Whether or not you have to have it done with Audi will be stated in your PCP contract or paperwork however even if you can go elsewhere it'll need to be serviced to Audi specs using genuine Audi parts so my advice is find an independent Audi specialist. If you are definitely going to keep it then go elsewhere, if there's a doubt whether you will then get it done as per the PCP agreement because they can use the fact you haven't as evidence you've not looked after it as per the agreement and bill you for that.