Dealer Servicing - firmwire updates worth it?

dilby

Hi all - I have a 19 plate Seat Arona that's due it's standard oil service (not the more expensive spark plug one), and the Seat dealer down the road where we bought it is charging £209. A few friends and relatives have told me it's worth getting a dealer service these days as they have access to all the 'computer and electric' components of the car and can do things like firmware updates and other maintenance procedures. I was hoping if someone could help give me their opinions if that sounds expensive, and if it is indeed worth it for the firmware upgrades and the like. I asked the dealer directly if the service involved that and the receptionist just said she wasn't sure so that wasn't much help.

Thanks so much

Grumpy_chap

That figure of £209 cannot be considered in isolation. 

Have you obtained quotes from another Seat Dealer, or Skoda / VW / Audi?
Have you obtained quotes from local independent garages?

When you know how that quote of £209 sits in comparison to other options, you can start to make an informed choice about the best solution.

Herzlos

It depends on what's in the update. It should usually fix some 'bugs' in the existing system, which could be anything from audio glitches to fueling/timing changes.

You should be able to get the dealer to tell you if there are any updates available and have them perform them separately, but if you're going to pay someone to do the service then you may as well get both done together.

iwb100

There will be non dealer service centres somewhere round you that are VAG (vw audi group) service centres that use OEM parts and have access to software diagnostics etc…they will likely be a bit cheaper than the main dealer.

Your friends aren’t entirely wrong but the only real reason to use the dealer is for warranty and finance agreement purposes. If neither apply then I’d probably not bother. If you don’t have issues then you will get the service done cheaper and if you have issues down the line you can still book it into the dealer to get those resolved. 

Bigwheels1111

Basic main dealer service, oil and filter.
£200 is about right. £50 parts and 1 hours labour at £150.
I’m using Peugeot main dealer as got good 5 year deal. Year 1-5 £805.20.
Year 6-10 £899.40
Includes, Adblue every service, pollen filters and brake fluid changes every 2 years.
Half price mot on top.

molerat

I get a year full breakdown recovery with a dealer service so that knocks a fair chunk off the effective service cost.

EssexExile

As the two posts above have said dealer servicing can be a really good deal sometimes. Too late now for the OP but It's worth looking for these things when you buy a car. I got the first 5 services for £600 and that includes breakdown cover for the next year.

Ibrahim5

I have heard reports that servicing with these plans is worse than normal dealer servicing. Maybe the garages aren't paid enough and they aren't happy. The manufacturer sells the warranty and determines the rate paid to the dealer which isn't much 

Username03725

You can drop into a main dealer anytime and ask if the car is up to date with software updates and any recalls that might be outstanding, safety or non-safety. Volvo didn't charge me to look it up, and when one became due they contacted me to bring it in for the update to be applied. It's always serviced at my local tame independent, but is out of warranty anyway..

wazza99

Factor in 12 months free European breakdown cover if booked online .....makes the £209 more reasonable.