Fixed Price Service Plan

[evo1986]

I have just got back from signing my finance documents ready for Saturday and the topic of servicing came up. VW have changed their plans, as of today it's changed to monthly payments of 15.99 for either 18/24/36 payments. It's now more expensive as a three year service deal comes to about £380

That's right the upfront service plans are no longer available as of today.

3 years of servicing is now £15.99 for 24 months so £383.76

[Mark V GTD]

Wont be going down that route then - will just pay for the first service when the time comes...

[GiT1984]

I was sent this by the dealer:

The following is included in the service plan*:

12 months/10,000 miles - Oil change service
24 months/20,000 miles - Interval service (including oil change)
36 months/30,000 miles - Inspection service (including oil change) and brake fluid change

*Based on typical servicing requirements for a vehicle covering 10,000 miles per annum. Vehicles which exceed the 30,000 mileage before 3 years may not benefit from all of the service elements listed.

The fixed-price service plan is available on any Golf GTI model that has been bought and registered from 7th January until 23rd February 2014. The service plan must be taken out within 90 days of the vehicle being registered. This offer is open to retail customers from participating Retailers only. Subject to vehicle availability. Offer maybe varied or withdrawn at anytime. Terms and conditions apply. Administered Volkswagen Finance.

The "new" pricing is now for 3 years/30,000 miles, based on 24 payments of £15.99. Total = £383.76. So you're still paying in advance and frankly, more ....

Personally, I don't think VW charging £300 for 3 synthetic oil and filter changes, plus a brake fluid change on the last service is too bad for a franchised dealer and the preservation of the warranty .... 

[monkeyhanger]

The last time I bought a VW service not as part of a pack, it was £159 for the standard oil change and inspections, and that was 5 years ago. Maybe Evo1986 can advise what his dealership charge right now. Don't forget also that service 3 of the pack includes a brake fluid change (some places seem to contest this, but it's in the conditions of the service pack) and I believe that the air and pollen filers are changed in years 2 or 3, so straight away you're probably well over £230 to buy year 3's sevice on your own.

Under EU law, VW can't penalise you with regards to your warranty if you choose not to go to the main dealers for your servicing. You can choose anywhere you like as long as they use genuine VW parts and VW approved oil (and other fluids).

[matt2]

I was under the impression that the legislation was actually more permissive than that. I believed that the parts used had to be of the same quality as VW parts. Many people use official parts to make it very easy to demonstrate that the parts are of sufficiently high quality but I think that is for simplicity rather than necessity.

[monkeyhanger]

I was under the impression that the legislation was actually more permissive than that. I believed that the parts used had to be of the same quality as VW parts. Many people use official parts to make it very easy to demonstrate that the parts are of sufficiently high quality but I think that is for simplicity rather than necessity.

You may well be right, but for the sake of saving 50p on a fuel filter (VAG parts are very reasonably priced, more so usually if you go to a Skoda garage or TPS for them) I’d rather avoid the potential contention of whether a Halfords own make or Champion oil filter used was the cause of that big engine issue you took your car back for under warranty.

[V5Ade]

I was under the impression that the legislation was actually more permissive than that. I believed that the parts used had to be of the same quality as VW parts. Many people use official parts to make it very easy to demonstrate that the parts are of sufficiently high quality but I think that is for simplicity rather than necessity.

You may well be right, but for the sake of saving 50p on a fuel filter (VAG parts are very reasonably priced, more so usually if you go to a Skoda garage or TPS for them) I’d rather avoid the potential contention of whether a Halfords own make or Champion oil filter used was the cause of that big engine issue you took your car back for under warranty.

I've often had warranty goodwill as I've always stuck with main dealers and the servicing schedule. I wouldn't expect any goodwill if I'd had a car serviced outside the dealer network.

[monkeyhanger]

I was under the impression that the legislation was actually more permissive than that. I believed that the parts used had to be of the same quality as VW parts. Many people use official parts to make it very easy to demonstrate that the parts are of sufficiently high quality but I think that is for simplicity rather than necessity.

You may well be right, but for the sake of saving 50p on a fuel filter (VAG parts are very reasonably priced, more so usually if you go to a Skoda garage or TPS for them) I’d rather avoid the potential contention of whether a Halfords own make or Champion oil filter used was the cause of that big engine issue you took your car back for under warranty.

I've often had warranty goodwill as I've always stuck with main dealers and the servicing schedule. I wouldn't expect any goodwill if I'd had a car serviced outside the dealer network.

Another good point worth making. I’ve never had to make a goodwill claim, but with 7 VWs bought from new, I would expect some if I kept my GTD beyond 3 years. £380 via the monthly payment route won’t leave anyone short-changed vs paying for them individually if they’re going to a VW dealer anyways – it just isn’t as much of a bargain as it used to be.

At 5 year ago prices at my local dealership, you’re talking 3 x £159 for oil change services + £60 brake fluid change (if done at the same time as a service), add £30 for your air/pollen filters and you’re talking £567.

[matt2]

I was under the impression that the legislation was actually more permissive than that. I believed that the parts used had to be of the same quality as VW parts. Many people use official parts to make it very easy to demonstrate that the parts are of sufficiently high quality but I think that is for simplicity rather than necessity.

You may well be right, but for the sake of saving 50p on a fuel filter (VAG parts are very reasonably priced, more so usually if you go to a Skoda garage or TPS for them) I’d rather avoid the potential contention of whether a Halfords own make or Champion oil filter used was the cause of that big engine issue you took your car back for under warranty.

I agree with you - just pointing out the inaccuracy in the earlier post.