VW SERIVCE

[mkpp786]

:confused: This may sound like a stupid question..

But what is so special about a VW service? apart from having the VW stamp what is that they do that other mechanics dont?
(and im not talking about the labour charge rates lol)

I was talking about this with my friend, and he believes not to go with dealership servicing because he thinks that the cost of the service is 90% labour cost, but i want to know what it is that they really do, and why one should or shouldnt service with them?

The only thing i could think of is the special oil that they use(longlife)..!?!

Apart from this, what is actually changed/checked in a service by VW?

Any replies would be greatfuly appreciated :D

Thanks!!

[Eshrules]

:confused: This may sound like a stupid question..

But what is so special about a VW service? apart from having the VW stamp what is that they do that other mechanics dont?
(and im not talking about the labour charge rates lol)

I was talking about this with my friend, and he believes not to go with dealership servicing because he thinks that the cost of the service is 90% labour cost, but i want to know what it is that they really do, and why one should or shouldnt service with them?

The only thing i could think of is the special oil that they use(longlife)..!?!

Apart from this, what is actually changed/checked in a service by VW?

Any replies would be greatfuly appreciated :D

Thanks!!

this could be likened to a similar question such as skoda or vw. they are both in essence, the same car, but differnt brand loyalty would dictate whcih car you tend to go with, in general.

the same can be applied to dealerships/independant specialists and your run of the mill garages that dont specialise.

dealerships have the backing of their reputation and the approval of VW as a company put to their work. in return, you get a 'supposedly' high level of workmanship, which equals the high labour they charge you, which in turn means higher servicing costs

independants have to work hard to build up a reputation, you would often visit one off the reccomendation of a friend. as they tend to specialise in a particular group, eg VAG, they are more likely to perform a high standard of service, with a more reasonable labour charge

the 'run of the mill' garages, will tend to not specialise in any group/brand, will have only a limited generic knowledge and i would have reservations about taking my car to one of these for ANY work, unless of course it happens to employ a friend who can do the work well and cheap.

overall, you gets what you pays for. if you want to pay through the nose but have the associated 'reputation' of a main dealer service history, then that has to be your choice. but for me, id go to my local independant specialist every time.

[mkpp786]

Nice 1,

But what is actually done in a typicall service? Dumb question, but i just would like to know what is actually checked or even changed in a typical service, whether it is from VW or not?

Thanks! :D

[Eshrules]

Nice 1,

But what is actually done in a typicall service? Dumb question, but i just would like to know what is actually checked or even changed in a typical service, whether it is from VW or not?

Thanks! :D

depends on the garage and what kind of service you go for really,

a minor service normally entails a oil change, new oil filter, checking of safety features and a general look at the car to check its road worthyness

a major would include all filters, ie the air, oil, fuel (diesel only) plugs(petrol only), brakes adjustment and fluid renewal, checking of tyres, topping up of wash screen fluid/coolant fluid, clutch fluid. i do beleive that if you took it to a main dealership, they check other items, such as the timing belt and the state of, if it needs doing theyll do it while its in, at the cost to you i should imagine. a good independant would basically do the things above minus, just not perhaps the other little fiddly things that a VW main ******* would do. tbh, if you know a friendly mech who is good at his job, the differnce between the minor and a major, id go for a major every time, just do a oil change every 6k and a major service every 10k. i dont think theres any school of thinking that would disagree with such servicing and IMO, the fiat i had before hand seemed to run like a dream with that kind of schedule.