Is Brake Fluid change a service item?

Deltadia

Hello, 

Just a quick and simple one- maybe too simple for a forum post. But would like to understand general consensus.

One of the BMW dealership is running a promotion with a headline "BMW Service and Free MOT". Even the small print only states that service and MOT must be done on the same day.
i have brake fluid change booked with MoT but service centre is saying brake fluid change is not considered as service and only engine oil change is considered as service. 

But in myBMW mobile app and the iDrive system, brake fluid is under service item. So, I am a bit confused. 

Is the service centre right? Or am I being brushed off?

Thanks

Mildly_Miffed

Yes, but.

It's time-based, not mileage-based, hence not featuring in the normal mileage-based service intervals.

Whether you do 100k in two years, or you do 5k in two years, the fluid is still likely to be in the same condition. It needs replacing because it's hygroscopic, and absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, not because it "wears out" as oil does.

So they'll do your oil change and MOT as part of that promo - but the brake fluid change will still be additional.

droopsnoot

I expect they mean that in order to qualify for the free MOT test, you have to be buying a "proper" service which includes at least the engine oil and filter change. That will be much more expensive than a brake fluid change, so they can afford to do the MOT for free.

A brake fluid change is a service item, in as much as it's not a warranty thing, but it doesn't have enough value for them to cover the MOT test. As for whether their wording is sloppy and you could argue the point, you'd probably have to post the full wording of the offer. I expect they will have covered themselves, though maybe not. 

Deltadia

Thanks for your replies. Below is the link to the promotion. It only says service so I would think it goes down to what's defined as service. 

Well lesson learned that brake fluid is not service but under service menu of BMW. But for a BMW Service centre, some consistency across the product they are servicing would be helpful.

https://www.group1auto.co.uk/bmw/service-and-repair/offers/bmw-service-with-a-free-mot/

photome

Brake fluid change would never be considered a “service”  the link you posted  mentions engine oil

a brake fluid change could be part of a  routine service at an additional cost

Mildly_Miffed

Deltadia said:

Thanks for your replies. Below is the link to the promotion. It only says service so I would think it goes down to what's defined as service. 

Well lesson learned that brake fluid is not service but under service menu of BMW. But for a BMW Service centre, some consistency across the product they are servicing would be helpful.

https://www.group1auto.co.uk/bmw/service-and-repair/offers/bmw-service-with-a-free-mot/

So you're suggesting that just changing the brake fluid is "a service" worthy of qualification for the free MOT?

No, not a hope.

Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you were asking should the brake fluid be included in that service.

matt_drummer

It's up to them to decide what constitutes a service as part of their offer.

Their offer is not a contract so there is nothing you can enforce.

In contract law that is an invitation to treat.

You then make them an offer to buy a service and get a free MOT.

And they either accept or not.

Then a contract is formed.

You made an offer, they accepted.

Their consideration is servicing and MOT'ing your car and your consideration is giving them money.


Their advert is not an offer, merely an invitation to treat.

This is the same part of contract law where if a shop makes a mistake and prices up goods incorrectly they are not obliged to sell them to you at that price.

The advert is not the offer, the offer comes from the buyer and the seller chooses whether or not to accept.

35har1old

Deltadia said:

Hello, 

Just a quick and simple one- maybe too simple for a forum post. But would like to understand general consensus.

One of the BMW dealership is running a promotion with a headline "BMW Service and Free MOT". Even the small print only states that service and MOT must be done on the same day.
i have brake fluid change booked with MoT but service centre is saying brake fluid change is not considered as service and only engine oil change is considered as service. 

But in myBMW mobile app and the iDrive system, brake fluid is under service item. So, I am a bit confused. 

Is the service centre right? Or am I being brushed off?

Thanks

VW there service plan doesn't include brake fluid change
For that to be included you have to go for a package which includes the service brake fluid change plus roadside assistance 

Deltadia

Thanks! Very thoughtful advices. 

@matt_drummer I understand what you are getting at. But in the shop example, won't the shop be required put down or update the ad? My point was, I did not thought that brake fluid change was generally not considered as a service. I just felt the ad was a bit misleading. At any rate, as you pointed out service centre clarified what's considered as service in the promotion which seems to be engine oil change only. In which case, it would have been clear to just state engine oil service only in the ad.

Anyways, looks like its unanimous from just the posts here that service generally mean engine oil and filter change

Mildly_Miffed

Deltadia said:

Anyways, looks like its unanimous from just the posts here that service generally mean engine oil and filter change

A "service" that just changed the oil and filter would be a very, very poor service. I'd expect at the minimum a checklist of other replacements (depending on interval - and, yes, including brake fluid at the appropriate interval), condition checks, adjustments, lubrications.

A "service" that didn't even change the oil and filter? No, you definitely couldn't use that word with a straight face.

Changing the brake fluid is a service item. It is not, in and of itself, "a service".

molerat

Brake fluid is generally an optional at additional cost service item, same as carbon pollen filter v standard, air con clean etc.