MY16 RS first year capped price service experience

[ddizzle]

Hi all,

Went and got my RS serviced yesterday for its 1st year service and had some debating with the dealer on what the price was supposed to be. According the the Skoda website, and following its own directions on how to identify what the correct model/engine is using the 10th digit of the VIN, I found mine is 2016 petrol DSG engine code CHHB. It advertises the capped price to be $315.

The dealer wanted to charge me more because under 2015, the advertised price is $363. My RS is a 2015 build but MY16. He argued that an RS always costs more than a Standard Octavia to service (apparently, it is the same with Audi and causes confusion all the time). He pointed out that on the Skoda website capped price checker, there is no RS option under 2016 but there is under 2015 so it's probably some sort of error.

I told him that was misleading and I pointed out that if that was the case, then the 162kw petrol DSG engine wouldn't be a selectable option then under a standard Octavia because such a car does not exist, yet here it is allowing me to do so, so there is no other way to price up a service for a 2016 RS.

A lady then came out to explain that they wouldn't know the final pricing until after the service was completed and they costed up the parts under their computer system - just to expect that it may come out to $363 instead of $315. She offered to pass on my concerns to the Skoda representative who visits their dealership once a month, but that wasn't going to be until Jan 2017 since it is Christmas now. I said that was good, but it really should not be my problem to sort out with Skoda HQ, it should be between the dealer and HQ to find out what's going on.

Finally, some other dude came out (who I assume is the manager) to look at the computer and Skoda prices and told the young guy to just make it work and charge $315.

So in the end, I ended up paying $315, but the whole experience just left a sour taste in my mouth.

I am keen to hear what anyone else paid for their 1st year service and if there was any arguement about what the capped price should be.

[Umai Naa!!]

These things can happen from time to time.

The young bloke at the desk was probably not in a position to alter prices without the manager's say-so.

[Spinifex]

...........The young bloke at the desk was probably not in a position to alter prices without the manager's say-so.

Rule one of customer service - if you don't have authority, ask for it. If you don't know the answer, ask someone who does.
NEVER EVER try to bluff a customer by making up excuses, even though they may sound good and may/may not be accurate.

An advertised price is an advertised price - I would suggest though, that everybody takes this opportunity to go to the Skoda website, and take a screenshot of the listed capped price servicing costs for their vehicle and ensure the current date is shown on the screenshot.

That way, there can be NO issue with "oh the price has gone up" or "that's not the correct car"......

Under Australian consumer law (I'm NOT a legal expert), I'm sure there are protections for customers when something is advertised as a "capped price" - which means FIXED - which means FINAL - that it cannot increase unless there are specific exclusions to that listed in the advertising.

There MAY have been a $50-something filter or part replaced during the service as well, which isn't part of the normal servicing procedure.... but if that was the case, it should have been able to be clearly explained by the service person.

[LunchboxVRS]

Once again the consumer is hosed. I just read the deatails and is set at the start of the year and can change every 12 months. You can buy the car when the fixed service for 5 years is $495 and by the time it comes around it will end up being $600+

[pologti18t]

Once again the consumer is hosed. I just read the deatails and is set at the start of the year and can change every 12 months. You can buy the car when the fixed service for 5 years is $495 and by the time it comes around it will end up being $600+

That's the deal with most capped price servicing. Do you thing the serving price wont go up in the next 5 yrs?

If you want certainty then buy a service pack up front

[Jondalar]

I just had my 15 built MY16 serviced. No quibble about the cost, very efficient and courteous. $308 from memory for a diesel.

[k_rider]

Great to hear some feedback from someone regarding capped price servicing.

ddizzle, did your invoice show an itemised list of charges (eg oil filter)? I'm trying to make a decision on whether to go for an up front service pack or not. Even that doesn't appear to provide the certainty you would expect, as there are a heap of exclusions listed (filters, spark plugs, amongst other things).

The whole capped price thing and its terms and conditions are misleading and ambiguous - especially when what happens come actual service time is considered.

[Umai Naa!!]

VW/Skoda's version of capped prices, means that the price for say, an MY16 Octavia VRS Petrol 15K service, is the same across the dealer network.

What's not included in this, are parts that have a variable life (such as brake pads and discs, light globes, the accessory belt, etc), or parts that have a time-based lifespan such as the cabin filter and brake fluid. However, in the case of the cabin filter and brake fluid, there are fixed prices for those, too.

I think this scheme is often confused with those by other manufacturers, where things like the cabin filter and brake fluid, are sometimes part of the service, whether they're due by time, or not.

Could the whole thing be simplified by just bundling the cabin filter and brake fluid into the schedule every 30K? Or would people get narky because although they've done 30K since the last time, they've managed to clock it up in only 12 months, which then complicates the whole thing from a different perspective?

[Spinifex]

Is there a specific list of items that are performed during each scheduled service written anywhere?

Since we don't have service manuals any more that list what is supposed to be done.

Items who's price is "included" in the capped price service should be marked, and additional items that will be charged should be highlighted as such.

[Umai Naa!!]

Depends on the car, really.

Oil and filter every 15K/1yr.
Air filter every 45K/3yrs.
Spark plugs, Fuel Filter, and DSG service every 60K/4yrs, although depends on petrol/diesel/auto/manual/DSG type.
Cabin filter every 2 years.
Brake fluid every 2 years.
Haldex oil every 3 years if >MY10.
Timing belt every 105K/7yrs.