I took my car in for a service today...

[Buck]

...as it had done just shy of 40,000 miles. It had had its first MOT at the end of December so just a major service.

VW Dealer had quoted me at £259 which I was happy with.  "Would you like to take out the service plan?" they asked when I booked? "What's that?"

"Pay £379 and you get two services and free MOTs for life of ownership"

"I'll think about it" (Damn could change car upgrade plans if wifey finds out...)

They asked me when I rocked up at 8am this morning and I said I wasn't sure as I might be changing the car depending on the new GTD/GTI/R models when they are released. Can you run through it again I asked?

I said I'd let him know tonight when I paid (was off to research expected timing of release of Golf R!)

Sorry, we need to know now as the service is different depending on what you choose! 

What?

Yes, if you go on the service plan we don't do the major service, don't replace certain filters(!) 

So, I pay for the two services but I get a poorer standard of service to reduce the cost?

<sheepishly> Yes

Just today's service then please!



I couldn't beleive that they would do that? Seems odd that they are then saying the car doesn't need certain components changing just because I've bought a service plan?

I also asked him about the oil used. He said they only stock the one grade of oil as recommended for long life services and use that in all oil changes now (it used to be two different ones he said but they changed a couple of years ago)

Car sailed though its services with no issues - happy bunny!

Courtesy car - Mk7 Gold? Naaa VW Touran with 250 miles on it - nice but a bus!

[charlie]

I have had my last 2 gti's serviced on service plans and they have been serviced according to the manufacturers servicing schedule 

[andyr]

Cheeky bu**ers regarding the service.......
So when we buy a secondhand vw and look for a complete vw service history, we could actually be getting a worse deal?! unbelievable....
Re the oil... I was told the same when I bought my Gtd 2 years ago..... I Also bought the service plan, but I now wonder if it was a good idea!

[Mr GTD]

Crikey that's shocking!!!

[Ginge 35Edition]

That sounds naughty!

[ajmoir36]

Surely that cant be right, they would be failing to even service there own cars properly.

[GerryD]

That does seem a little naughty.
Something rings a bell in my head that it is a minor service, then the major service, but they do the minor one first, even if the major one is needed.
Never took it out myself.

[Buck]

Agreed. Couldn't understand how/why they would do this but as it needed its major service that's what it got.

Not sure on what a minor service costs but I wouldn't have saved that much I guess and as it is out of warranty and my car I wanted it done right.

[Raffe]

Dealers are not to be trusted, you are far better off with a reputable specialist once the warranty expires.

[Booth11]

Well it's good to know this may be going on.  At least then those of us with Service Plan can start asking a few choice questions when the time comes.