Service Cost

[PorkPieBandit]

Good afternoon,

My car's coming up for its first service and I've gone to a specialist that I know and trust. Never had a car serviced by them but they've done some work that's above my skill level on previous cars I've had. They've estimated me £498 for a major service.

How much are people paying for one these days? Does that sound like a lot?

[Octoparrot]

Doesn't sound too outrageous but I'd be interested to know if it includes spark plugs and fuel filter.

[PorkPieBandit]

Doesn't sound too outrageous but I'd be interested to know if it includes spark plugs and fuel filter.

Ok cheers. Yep listed on the estimate is:

Qty Description Retail  Total

1 EMISSIONS SERVICE PACK £24.51 £24.51
1 SUNDRIES £7.99  £7.99
1 OIL FILTER £13.65  £13.65
1 AIR FILTER £24.40  £24.40
4 SPARK PLUGS £18.70  £74.80
1 FUEL FILTER £30.20  £30.20
1 POLLEN FILTER £28.40 £28.40
530LL 5 5/30 LONG LIFE OIL £11.90 £59.50

Plus 2.25 hrs labour

[colesey]

I recently had all the fluids changed (engine oil / gearbox oil / brake fluid) plus new sparkplugs and air/oil filters fitted. I supplied all the parts and the labour cost was £120.

[shail]

You need to tell us what's included in that service.  I've never paid anything like that for a standard major service.

[SANDEGTI]

Sounds pretty outrageous if you ask me. You need to get them to tell you what's included?

[PorkPieBandit]

I've posted above what's included now. Also realised I worked it out slightly wrong as they estimated with an MOT, it works out at 481.45

[shail]

Just dug out my last major service.  Although each item isn't shown with a cost

Oil filter
Sump plug
Cabin filter
Air filter
Spark plugs
Screenwash
5w30
Paid £290 at a local VAG independent

[SANDEGTI]

The above sounds more like it, getting on for nearly £500 here...

https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-brand/ngk/ngk-iridium-x-spark-plug-set-2-0-tsi-and-fsi-turbo/ - these spark plugs are the ones I use for nearly half of the price that you're being charged. I'm sure many others on here use them and I've found them to be just as good as the bog standard ones. Would recommend them.

All the rest of the parts seem fair to me, but I think your real issue here is labour. The labour alone is costing £225. I pay nearly half that at my local specialist.

[gj124]

Go elsewhere. That's extortionately expensive. They seem to be putting a huge markup 40%+ on some of the parts as well as charging over £100/hour for labour, changing filters, oil and spark plugs is pretty basic stuff and it's very possible it'll be the junior tech/apprentice doing the work...

How are they charging £60 for 5litres of oil? Quantum Longlife 5W30 is only £35 inc postage from most places. I'm also pretty sure the pollen filters are less than £15 for genuine VAG. I'd also be raising an eyebrow at the £17 spark plugs and £30 fuel filter.

VW dealer is probably cheaper and will give you a proper stamp in the service book if you want the service history looking top notch.

[TheBALDpuma]

I started back doing my own servicing when my local german specialist charged me £200 for an oil change a few years ago.  Just mental pricing!

[pudding]

That is main dealer pricing. Madness.

2.25 hours to service a Golf, seriously?!? 

Or maybe he's allowing time to get the seized fuel filter off 

[PorkPieBandit]

Cheers all, think I might shop around a bit!

[shail]

Cheers all, think I might shop around a bit!

Where are you based?  Might get some recommendations on here if you let us know

[PorkPieBandit]

I'd love some, if anyone has recommendations  for East London or Brighton areas I'd appreciate it!