vag not replacing parts on service

[south]

Major service 5k ago. What's that VW? You changed the plugs for me as part of the service? Ah, brilliant!

 

[richtung]

You dont state what mileage your car was on when it was serviced.  To be fair to the dealers, the spark plugs aren't due to be replaced until 60k miles on the GTI..

Rich

[south]

just turned over to 65, was down on the last invoice as having been changed... best £35 I've spent on the car so far!

[Markyed30]

I have very little faith with any mechanics as this is rife 

[Tortaruga]

How does this prove they didn't change them? Why is it not possible that the plugs could look like this after 5k miles?

[south]

How does this prove they didn't change them? Why is it not possible that the plugs could look like this after 5k miles?

I'll bite... apart from the fact I had the same issue with a polo before (major service, checked plugs 2 weeks later) everything else on the engine is impeccable, even the rev B DV valve I changed last weekend was fine. 2-3mm of carbon around the plug end in 5k, really?!?! From what I've read dealer estimates for life of a plug range from 40-60k, how many average Joes' are gonna bother checking the spark plugs after a service? Easy way to skimp on £40~ for a dealer.

[south]

In fact I'll tell you what, I'll run the car another 5k and try and remember to post up a picture of the plugs after that... if they're as messed up as that I won't eat my hat, I won't be able to with the forthcoming repair bill.

[Tortaruga]

I had the same issue with a polo before (major service, checked plugs 2 weeks later)

Why on earth would you return to this dealer?

As I'm no expert I'm hoping someone can prove beyond doubt that the plugs could not be in this condition after 5k miles.

[south]

Different dealership, I'm not quite that dumb... yet(!)

[garrardrj]

How does this prove they didn't change them? Why is it not possible that the plugs could look like this after 5k miles?

I'll bite... apart from the fact I had the same issue with a polo before (major service, checked plugs 2 weeks later) everything else on the engine is impeccable, even the rev B DV valve I changed last weekend was fine. 2-3mm of carbon around the plug end in 5k, really?!?! From what I've read dealer estimates for life of a plug range from 40-60k, how many average Joes' are gonna bother checking the spark plugs after a service? Easy way to skimp on £40~ for a dealer.

Why did you check the plugs ? If they were changed 5000 miles earlier and don't need doing until another 55000 miles ? Why did you check the Polos plugs too ? Seems quite an odd thing to do ?
If you think that the Plugs were not replaced i would be straight down to the place that had done them and questioned them about it , rather than grizzling on here about it . If you think that a main dealer would charge for replacing the plugs and didn't you don't really know the motor trade well .

I am sure that the plugs could look like this after 5000 miles too

[xjay1337]

I always ask for the old parts back... or mark them if you really want to be anal.

Then again, if you're that anal, why not change them yourself... save a bunch of cash...

[south]

Thanks for the patronising reply garrardrj, last service was done by previous owner. Changed because of a rough idle and appalling mpg, improved hugely since.

@xjay - really good idea, will bear that in mind. I have taken as much of a DIY approach to the things I can change myself as I can.

[Itsagthing]

Plugs can look like that after 5k miles, the carbon build up is from other issues with an individual engine not just spark plug looks after 5k miles. Plugs are generally advised every 60k ish on most manufacturers, if your engine had an issue with it and a set of plugs were thrown in and "seemed" to cure the problem (rough idle etc)  yet looked like that again after 5k miles then sir you have other issues with your engine! Not necessarily the dealer/ technicians fault. My 2pence worth.

[south]

^pretty much, will check after another 5k... trying not to think about the consequences of the later!

[SRC]

Garrardrj has been on this forum a while.  Although I don't know him, his post didn't seem patronising to me.  After all, you've posted on an internet forum - you've invited opinions. 
FWIW, I think he might be right.  If the plugs look old / the car's running rough or whatever a car's fault may be, the chances are that blame may lie elsewhere than at the dealer's door.

I hope you don't think I'm being patronising, too.  I like balance is all.