2nd service

[denis]

Just dropped the car off for it's 2 year, 20,000 mile service (actually done 12,000) to be told it's £235, about double what I paid for the first servic at the same dealer.

I read the service book briefly before I booked it in and thought this was an identical service to the 12 month/12,000 mile, so the cost was a bit of a surprise.  I mentioned this and the service guy said it wasn't the same as the first service and the VW service book was confusing.

I'll read the book more closely when I pick up the car, but in the the meantime what is your experience of the second service, same or different to first service.

Incidentally price doesn't include brake fluid change or AC service (getting former done, declined latter!).

I'm not bothered about whether this is expensive for a second service, I'm in SE England and the next dealer is a long way away and part of the same group anyway, so no chance to shop around, I'm just interested to know if the second service is different to the first.

Cheers

[ifti]

Im pretty sure theres another thread on second service costs, where everyone has paid around £225.....

[Teutonic_Tamer]

It all depends on weather you are on the Time and Distance regime, or the LongLife regime.

For T&D, the first service will be after 1 year or 10k miles (whichever is reached first).  It is technically called (by the main dealers) an "Oil Change service" - and it only consists of 4 work items: a/ change engine oil and filter, b/ inspect front brake pads, c/ re-set service interval display, and d/ can't remember this!  :embarassed:

Still on the T&D, the 2nd service will be an "Interval Service", and this will be at 2 years or 20k miles (again, whichever is first).  However, there will usually be an additional 'time-only' brake fluid change at 2 yearly intervals, and this is charged separately and in addition to the Interval Inspection.  This Interval Service will include all the items of the Oil Change, and quite a few more items too, such as checking tyres (pressures, tread depth, and wear patterns), leaks from underneath the engine compartment, check all the ECUs for stored fault codes, oil door & boot hinges and latches, check lighting and seat belts, and a few other bits and bobs.

Staying with the T&D, at year 3 or 30k miles, you will have another Oil Change.  But at year 4  or 40k miles, you will have the "Interval Service Inspection" - which is all those items on the Interval Service, and a few more as well.  And again, there are a few other 'addtional' items, such as a 4year/40k miles DSG service, spark plug change, air filter change, etc.


However, if you are on the LongLife regime, then irrespective of the actual miles covered, or the time period, then your first service will ALWAYS be the "Interval Service" - even if you have only done 9.5k miles or 12 months duration.

So, staying with the LL regime, your second service will often be the "Interval Service Inspection" - which shouldnt be due until 4 years or 40k miles.  This is the classic example of how people inadvertently get ripped off when they have been inapropriately advised to go on the LongLife regime - and in the current economic climate, I very much doubt the stealers will be 'offering' the correct and cheaper T&D regime.

HTH

[denis]

Thanks for  the quick reply guys, very helpful.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Thanks for  the quick reply guys, very helpful.

Sooooo, are you on LongLife or Time & Distance regime? 

[Russ.C]

Hi mate, mines in tomorrow for its second service (its on 18,000 and on T&D), got it in March 07 so always get it done March.
They are doing price match at the moment, I got a quote from an independent VW specialist near me for £168.00 (using Longlife Oil) and £39.70 for the brake fluid change.  My local dealer (Ventura Park) matched this straight away. HTH!  

[Steve78]

Just had a 2nd service at the weekend (20k miles) at my local VW dealer.  Cost me £158 although they forgot to change the break fluid so I've got that booked in next week at a cost of £45.