Variable service intervals, what's longest anyone's had?

[GTI_UK]

Just looking at a car which is on variable servicing. Most of the servicing seems to have been done at 12-15k intervals however the last one was done over 25k. According to the owner it's because of how he's driven it. He's owned it since new and was driving it more initially.

Does this sound plausible? My understanding of variable servicing is that the car tells you when to service is according to how it's been driven. But does 25k sound too long?

[GTI_UK]

Could I get some views on this please as I'd like to go take a look at this car today.

[monte]

25k sounds alot to me?

I thought it was 1year or 10,000miles which ever came first?

I can't say for sure, as I only do 6000 a year on average so I get mine serviced every year.

Although since I found a great local independent VAG specialist the oil is changed every 6months! 

[Top Cat]

25k is possible i guess, but not probable. That would have to be on a empty motorway and some very long trips on it to boot. I would ring a couple of dealers and find out how many cars they get in for service that have gotten close to this figure for long life service. Most GTI's will be on this service plan, so will have plenty of data.  

[GTI_UK]

25k sounds alot to me?

I thought it was 1year or 10,000miles which ever came first?

I can't say for sure, as I only do 6000 a year on average so I get mine serviced every year.

Although since I found a great local independent VAG specialist the oil is changed every 6months! 

I think you're referring to fixed time/ date services. Variable works differently.

The owner is an elderly gent so it's not completely out the realms of possibility that he doesn't drive it hard but I wanted to know if this is 'techinically' possible. I.e. the computer still hasn't bought up that the car needs to be serviced.

It's the first thing I would do if I bought it now but I want to be sure there isn't something wrong...

[Jussa]

The most my old car went before it told me to service was 16K.

[malaroo978]

Variable servicing is 2 years/20000 miles, whichever comes first. The car monitors oil etc and will bring it in earlier for shorter journeys or harder driving. It shouldn't get to 25k before servicing (the service indicator will have come on after 20k)

[GTI_UK]

Just spoken to the owner this morning after he called the VW dealership - apparently there was a service in between but the books missing a stamp... Seems more plausible

[phil1975]

there's alot of cars for sale out there at the moment for silly prices, if you have any doubts walk away and find another.

[Hogster]

Most i have got out of any VW/Audi is about 18k and 90% of that is on the motorway.

[phil1975]

service intervals on my van are every 25k,so 25k for a gti seems way to long.

[Tamiyoman]

When I bought my Ed30 the longest between services was 13K, altho I now have it on 12 monthly services due to the short trips i make.

[GTI_UK]

Well I ended up buying the car as the invoice backed up the latest service which was circa 10k ago. Small formality of having the book stamped which the dealership have confirmed they’re more than happy to do.

The previous owner (from new) was an elderly gent who confessed to buying sporty cars but not driving them hard or fast (like the types that sit at 60 mph in the fast lane) but even so 25k seemed too much. I probably would have walked away if that was indeed the case... as it happens (apparently) the car is still on its original discs and pads with 80k miles. Quite unbelievable but have no reason to doubt him given the appearance of the car.

Discs aren't worped and brakes are how they should be.