Capped Price Servicing

I recently had a run in with Skoda service. In fact 2 run ins. Usual bs about being quoted one price and then being charged more. So I made a formal complaint to the manager. Their response was to apologize and offer me "capped price servicing" from now on. Okay I said. I like the idea of that. I have capped price servicing on my ford and every time I take it in I know how much I need to pay at ford.

So that was a few months ago. Now it's time for the next skoda service. My wife rings up to book it in. I tell her to get a price quote over the phone and write it all down. Sure! Capped price servicing they say. $385 ...... Plus $150 for brake fluid. Plus $55 pollen filter. Capped price my arse. What the **** do they think the phrase capped price servicing even means? ****heads.

So I rang my local Audi independent service guy who quoted $120 less than skoda once skoda chucked on all the extras on the "capped price service".

Screw you skoda. I gave you 3 chances but now I'm going elsewhere. You're an absolute disgrace of a service centre.

End rant.

Also just a general warning that skoda don't seem to understand the concept of capped price servicing when you chuck on $200 of extras. Or maybe I just don't know how the world works these days. But a price figure that is "capped price" should be capped and not have addons on top imo.

Do other dealers do this? Ford don't for my other car.

Had my 7500km service or "Health Check" on my RS Octavia... $155. He wanted to charge me the full price!

But anyways, here is a rundown on the "Capped" service prices:

Click on the above image TWICE! to view in higher res.

Thanks for the schedule. I hadn't seen it. The cars only 18 months old. Is brake fluid really necessary yet?

Will tell you in the service book Usually 2 years

Alarm horn renewal - $508?!

The bare bones service price is capped across all Skoda dealers. They consider the pollen filter and brake fluid as an additional.

It's not heavily discounted like Toyota and Mitsubishi offers.

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Originally Posted by chriskan

Alarm horn renewal - $508?!

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Hahah I saw that too, What the actual FK is that! How about no :P

Brake fluid was always extra. They dropped the filter for the capped servicing but basically say to get it. So you are back where the price always was.

I was just told by a mobile mechanics that i've used before (Ex Audi 7yrs and ex VW) that I didn't need the 7500km "health check". Will let him and you guys know what they did for the $155...

I asked repeatedly about a 1-1500km service when I got my Mk2 RS and was told no, leave the factory oil in until 15k service and no mid way one needed. First I've heard of a 7.5k service.

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Originally Posted by Harpoon

Thanks for the schedule. I hadn't seen it. The cars only 18 months old. Is brake fluid really necessary yet?

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Nope. First Brake Fluid change is 3 years & every 2 years after that.

Cabin filter is every 2 years but I'd recomend every 12 months. You can buy them online for <$20 and DIY.

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Originally Posted by MJKooLio

I was just told by a mobile mechanics that i've used before (Ex Audi 7yrs and ex VW) that I didn't need the 7500km "health check". Will let him and you guys know what they did for the $155...

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Seems odd. Skoda have always said leave fill #1 in for 15,000km / 12 months.

I'd assume you didn't get much for your $155 - just lots of eyeballing. It's sounds like a dealer profit campaign and not a factory Skoda thing.

I haven't heard about this health check either. My dealer (Richmond Skoda) and the service advisor at Richmond Audi (who do the servicing for Skoda) said they'll see me at the 1st service at 15k. I took it in for some warranty work 2 weeks ago and while it was there they did a few software updates (recalls) & checked fluid levels, which they said would normally be done at the 1st service, but that was more an opportunity since the car was booked in anyway.

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Originally Posted by brad

Nope. First Brake Fluid change is 3 years & every 2 years after that.

Cabin filter is every 2 years but I'd recomend every 12 months. You can buy them online for <$20 and DIY.

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Hmm I have a memory of the brake fluid being every 2yrs. We just had it done on the 6yr anniversary late last year and I do pretty much bang on 15k/12mths so the service is always the same time each year.

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Originally Posted by woofy

Hmm I have a memory of the brake fluid being every 2yrs. We just had it done on the 6yr anniversary late last year and I do pretty much bang on 15k/12mths so the service is always the same time each year.

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It was changed (possibly with the MQB platform?). I thought it a bizarre change as the first fluid change is actually the longest period of time anyway as it includes all the transport time from CZ & however long it sits on the forecourt, etc.

I assume it was done to reduce the TCOO for fleet buyers who usually change vehicles before the 3 years comes around.

Plus I'm sure dealerships won't be able to cope with 3yrs then every 2 years there-after - it's too radical. ;-p

have done a google & can't find where I read it, so take it with a grain of salt I guess.

Not sure if anyone has seen this article, or if there are any similarities re capped price servicing.

Kia promises refunds to customers over-charged for 'capped price' servicing - Business - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

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Originally Posted by chriskan

I haven't heard about this health check either. My dealer (Richmond Skoda) and the service advisor at Richmond Audi (who do the servicing for Skoda) said they'll see me at the 1st service at 15k. I took it in for some warranty work 2 weeks ago and while it was there they did a few software updates (recalls) & checked fluid levels, which they said would normally be done at the 1st service, but that was more an opportunity since the car was booked in anyway.

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I did an oil and filter change at 5k, but that was because I wanted to, not Skoda. It was done by an independent and used AUDI factory oil for the fill to ensure VW warranty compliance.

Peninsula Skoda were one of the first to bring in fixed price servicing for Skoda, as VW owners got it first and Sales Rep arc'd up and said what about Skoda customers. They based the servicing costs for the RS on the comparable golf model. eg My RS was paired to the servicing on a GTD.

I think all dealers would cover themselves. Possibly Kia weren't very clear with the T&C's whilst advertising. Skoda reserves the right to "modify" their capped price servicing program at any time:

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*Capped price servicing is available at participating ŠKODA dealers on New Octavia models (Model Year 2014 and subsequent model years) first sold by an authorised ŠKODA dealer on or after 1st November 2013. Capped price servicing applies to the first 6 standard scheduled services of your vehicle which are scheduled to occur at every 15,000 km/12 month interval (whichever occurs first). Exclusions and conditions apply. For details on pricing, items not included in the capped price and for full terms and conditions please see skoda.com.au/services/capped-price-service. ŠKODA Australia reserves the right to at any time modify or discontinue the Capped Price Servicing program.

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Kia aren't actually too bad for parts and service, Hyundai are complete theives. Their pricing strategy is definitely made to grab back the cash via servicing. These days their cars are increasing in price as well and still not on par with some of the Japanese equivalents. They are getting close but not quite. My 2011 Santa Fe has a nice diesel engine and auto gearbox, but there are daily reminders I see that remind me why it was cheaper than a CX-9 or even my prior Mazda 6. The Skoda makes it seem really cheaply made by comparison so I try not to think about that.

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Originally Posted by woofy

Kia aren't actually too bad for parts and service, Hyundai are complete theives. Their pricing strategy is definitely made to grab back the cash via servicing. These days their cars are increasing in price as well and still not on par with some of the Japanese equivalents. They are getting close but not quite. My 2011 Santa Fe has a nice diesel engine and auto gearbox, but there are daily reminders I see that remind me why it was cheaper than a CX-9 or even my prior Mazda 6. The Skoda makes it seem really cheaply made by comparison so I try not to think about that.

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Exactly the same feelings I had about my basic level Santa Fe R diesel auto. Practical but joyless.
Having said that there were plenty of SUVs worse at the price and I could not find anything better without adding $10k to the sticker.

Well yes it was completely practicality that led to getting it. The Kluger didn't even have an option of a diesel, just a guzzling V6. The Santa Fes are still overpriced here though compared to other countries and they keep increasing the price. In the age of BT when a cheap Getz had it, the Mid spec didn't but had keyless entry and start buttons....so odd. If Skoda were to release a Toureg sized SUV at a keen price they would do very well.

I heard from my dealer that there's a Skoda 7 seater in the pipeline for Oz soon.. no idea what "soon" references, but he reckons 12-18 months away. Maybe based on the new Q7 platform? That'll be a winner, if they can keep stock levels up and delivery times down I reckon.

It's strange that the first service for a Fabia 1.2 is capped at $385 but the Octavia 1.4 is $286. I paid over $500 for the first service on a Fabia not too long ago!

For the season Skoda/VW owners - I'm thinking of going to a VW specialist for the services, rather than the dealership. Any downsides to this in terms of potential warranty claims? Not sure the cap price represents enough value to stay at a dealer - and for me the nearest one would be Richmond or Brighton, and I work in Dandy South, so both are a decent hike.

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Originally Posted by chriskan

I heard from my dealer that there's a Skoda 7 seater in the pipeline for Oz soon.. no idea what "soon" references, but he reckons 12-18 months away. Maybe based on the new Q7 platform? That'll be a winner, if they can keep stock levels up and delivery times down I reckon.

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I'd think anything Australia gets will be 12 months after the official release.

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Originally Posted by chriskan

For the season Skoda/VW owners - I'm thinking of going to a VW specialist for the services, rather than the dealership. Any downsides to this in terms of potential warranty claims? Not sure the cap price represents enough value to stay at a dealer - and for me the nearest one would be Richmond or Brighton, and I work in Dandy South, so both are a decent hike.

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Supposedly, if you have an ongoing relationship with the dealership, they might be more inclined to argue your case if something goes wrong beyond warranty or if a warranty claim is borderline within warranty.

I gues that doing it all at the dealers turns it into a 1 stop shop and prevents a he-said/she-said situation if something goes wrong. eg: broken engine that appears to have used the wrong oil.

I did dealer services up to 45k then went independant at 60k when the warranty was finished. I haven't been inclined to go to a dealer for the 90,000km since then.

For me, it was only a visit every 9 months so not a huge impost on my time / work.

What about Peninsula Skoda? Or don't they exist?

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Originally Posted by brad

What about Peninsula Skoda? Or don't they exist?

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Peninsula might work out, it's against traffic and not too bad on the Eastlink - I believe they're still around, saw some posts last month from people who just ordered cars from there, and apparently good to deal with.

I might follow the same path, 15 & 30k dealer services and then to a specialist.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brad

Supposedly, if you have an ongoing relationship with the dealership, they might be more inclined to argue your case if something goes wrong beyond warranty or if a warranty claim is borderline within warranty.

I gues that doing it all at the dealers turns it into a 1 stop shop and prevents a he-said/she-said situation if something goes wrong. eg: broken engine that appears to have used the wrong oil.

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this. I'm sure when Subaru asked for my log books for a warranty claim on an engine outside 3 years it was to see if I had had it services by one of their dealers.

Peninsula are still around, I bought my Skoda's there and have them serviced there as well. I've always come away happy to have taken cars there.

Anyone else noticed that Skoda's capped price servicing page is mysteriously missing from the website?

Yeah, 404 error for me too. I suspect there's some updates as the pricing was valid till 28/02, so they're possibly updating the page today to reflect a new validity date for the pricing.

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Originally Posted by techdave

Anyone else noticed that Skoda's capped price servicing page is mysteriously missing from the website?

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Yeah I happened to be looking at a capped pricing printout a couple days ago which said valid to 31 Jan, so thought I'd look to see of it was going up- nothing to be found!
Thought it strange- wondered if it was anything to do with the Kia issue
Capped Price Servicing Claim - Kia Australia

Edit: yep

ACCCâ€[emoji769]s capped price servicing crackdown might soon include other brands

“Based on the interpretation by the ACCC we are reviewing our own service program,” a Volkswagen spokesman told us."