Cannot see a problem with a reputable VW specialist, however see a letter in yesterday's Telegraph Motoring:
One careful moaner
I have recently been quoted £160 for a 10,000-mile first service for my Toyota Avensis. I feel uncomfortable about main dealer prices. Must I have my car serviced by Toyota or am I able to get it serviced by another garage without rendering my warranty null and void?
D.C., West Lothian
The EC has directed that a manufacturer warranty cannot be affected by a car being serviced outside the franchise network. However, the work must be done to the manufacturer's stipulated schedule, with specified fluids and parts. An independent garage cannot use its bulk oil and an aftermarket filter if these differ from the manufacturer specification. In the UK, the SMMT has secured an agreement that this is also true for the second and third years of the warranty, even if these are called "conditional dealer warranties". Longer-term cover (Kia's five- to seven-year warranty, Hyundai's five-year warranty and - for some parts of the car - Mercedes-Benz's 30-year Mobilo cover) requires franchised dealer servicing from the start. There are three other potential pitfalls for owners who opt for independent servicing during the warranty period. An ordinary garage might not have the electronic equipment or software for parts of the service (or, indeed, to reset the service indicator). Nor will it receive Technical Service Bulletins, which manufacturers issue to franchised dealers so that free updates can be made during the course of a service. And a manufacturer will not be as sympathetic once a car is out of warranty if it has not been serviced by its main dealer network.
Cass
