BMW not straight on charges

Photohonesty

I booked my car in for service in the way I have done for years.  I gave my registration and mileage and was told the car needed an oil service £90 plus VAT.  Dropped the car off and got a call ten minutes later to say it needed a full service and including MOT £680 !!! I complained but was told until they scanned the key they could not tell what was needed.  This feels like sharp practice to me.  If I had been told the higher price I would have shopped around and of course with the car in the garage it was difficult for me to take it back.  Can any anyone validate what I have been told and is there a case for complaining to BMW uk?  Thanks 

burlingtonfl6

You aren't being forced to have the full £680 service. Go and collect if if you're not happy

Photohonesty

burlingtonfl6 said:

You aren't being forced to have the full £680 service. Go and collect if if you're not happy

Its not really a reply to the question I asked but thanks anyway 

CasualBagger

Photohonesty said:

burlingtonfl6 said:

You aren't being forced to have the full £680 service. Go and collect if if you're not happy

Its not really a reply to the question I asked but thanks anyway 

You haven't given enough information for people to help you out. 

When was it last serviced? What is the mileage of the car? What is the service schedule?

How can anyone tell you whether or not the car needs a full service unless we can verify if it needs a full service? 

Hasbeen

Photohonesty said:

I booked my car in for service in the way I have done for years.  I gave my registration and mileage and was told the car needed an oil service £90 plus VAT.  Dropped the car off and got a call ten minutes later to say it needed a full service and including MOT £680 !!! I complained but was told until they scanned the key they could not tell what was needed.  This feels like sharp practice to me.  If I had been told the higher price I would have shopped around and of course with the car in the garage it was difficult for me to take it back.  Can any anyone validate what I have been told and is there a case for complaining to BMW uk?  Thanks 

So you booked the car in for a yearly service. But once there BMW checked "milage"? and found it actually was time for a full service, plus car needed an MOT.

They then called you with a quote. That was the time to say no thankyou, just do the agreed service. You then had to collect car. And decide what to do next.

If modern car with inbuilt service history, they would have to scan the car for individual parts. But if due full service they would not do this, as all needs replaced and the service history is reset.

You can complain to BMW but at this moment nothing to complain about.

Photohonesty

Sorry buy I think you are missing the point.  I'm not asking if the car needed a full service, my question was around BMW's approach.  

Photohonesty

Just for clarity my question is.  Is what BMW told me, that they cannot tell what service is required from mileage alone and that they have to scan the key true?  I agree with CasualBagger that for every service I have had to date over 30 years the type of service has been determined by the mileage and service interval on the car. The rules appear to have changed here and at the very least BMW should make it clear that they cannot commit until they have seen the car. 

AdrianC

Photohonesty said:

Just for clarity my question is.  Is what BMW told me, that they cannot tell what service is required from mileage alone and that they have to scan the key true?

Yes, very likely.

Variable service intervals, complete with the previous history.

CasualBagger

Photohonesty said:

Sorry buy I think you are missing the point.  I'm not asking if the car needed a full service, my question was around BMW's approach.  

They told you it just needed an oil service at £90. That could have been an honest mistake on their part... or a computer system. 

Unless someone can independently say whether or not it needs a full service, you can't ascertain whether or not they are falsely attempting to charge for one. If that's what you're asking? 

If it is a big deal then take the car back and don't pay for the service or insist on the £90 service. But I wouldnt advise this until you know what the servicing needs of your car actually are........

Grumpy_chap

£680 for a "full" service seems extortionate.  Are you at the age / mileage where you need a cam belt change or similar?

Hasbeen

Photohonesty said:

Just for clarity my question is.  Is what BMW told me, that they cannot tell what service is required from mileage alone and that they have to scan the key true?  I agree with CasualBagger that for every service I have had to date over 30 years the type of service has been determined by the mileage and service interval on the car. The rules appear to have changed here and at the very least BMW should make it clear that they cannot commit until they have seen the car. 

Service for BMW depends on mileage and years old. Once they received the car they realised it was time for a full service and MOT.

They gave you a quote for this work.

Just to clarify that was the point,  you should have said no just do the agreed service.

Modern cars in built computer systems  have to be scanned  for full details and then reset afterwards.

In the last "30 Years" service requirements have moved on since relying only just on mileage.

BMW approach was correct they identified once they had the car it was time for a full service and the MOT was due.

They gave you a quote. What actions you took then were yours.