MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: PorkPieBandit on November 14, 2023, 01:03:14 pm

Title: Service Cost
Post by: PorkPieBandit on November 14, 2023, 01:03:14 pm
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?
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: Octoparrot on November 14, 2023, 03:22:05 pm
Doesn't sound too outrageous but I'd be interested to know if it includes spark plugs and fuel filter.
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: PorkPieBandit on November 14, 2023, 03:51:31 pm
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
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: colesey on November 14, 2023, 05:12:50 pm
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.
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: shail on November 14, 2023, 05:14:48 pm
You need to tell us what's included in that service.  I've never paid anything like that for a standard major service.
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: SANDEGTI on November 14, 2023, 05:31:06 pm
Sounds pretty outrageous if you ask me. You need to get them to tell you what's included? :surprised:
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: PorkPieBandit on November 14, 2023, 06:35:33 pm
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
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: shail on November 14, 2023, 09:12:50 pm
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
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: SANDEGTI on November 14, 2023, 09:32:13 pm
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.
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: gj124 on November 15, 2023, 12:36:47 am
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.
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: TheBALDpuma on November 15, 2023, 08:05:58 am
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!
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: pudding on November 15, 2023, 11:43:11 am
That is main dealer pricing. Madness.

2.25 hours to service a Golf, seriously?!?  :stupid:

Or maybe he's allowing time to get the seized fuel filter off  :grin:
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: PorkPieBandit on November 15, 2023, 10:22:44 pm
Cheers all, think I might shop around a bit!
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: shail on November 16, 2023, 06:03:38 pm
Cheers all, think I might shop around a bit!

Where are you based?  Might get some recommendations on here if you let us know
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: PorkPieBandit on November 16, 2023, 06:13:46 pm
I'd love some, if anyone has recommendations  for East London or Brighton areas I'd appreciate it!
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: pudding on November 18, 2023, 01:00:35 pm
Could be a good opportunity to learn some spannering skills?  It's really easy servicing these engines, and considerably cheaper doing it yourself, and the reassurance of knowing it's done right.  You don't need a mega tool kit, in fact I think Halfords are still doing 30% off workshop gear.

Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: GTI DAZ on November 18, 2023, 07:33:21 pm
Could be a good opportunity to learn some spannering skills?  It's really easy servicing these engines, and considerably cheaper doing it yourself, and the reassurance of knowing it's done right.  You don't need a mega tool kit, in fact I think Halfords are still doing 30% off workshop gear.

very true, also black Friday sale soon, Halfrauds will have a decent tool kit with a good discount, will come with a lifetime warranty too.

i got mine in 2008 for about £350, never purchased a socket or spanner since :)
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: PorkPieBandit on November 19, 2023, 12:15:35 pm
Yep I think it might be worth doing it myself. I always have in the past but having a car I care about now I thought I'd get it done professionally and keep the service book looking nice.

I still might bite the bullet and get it done by a garage this time, nice to have some peace of mind and have a professional look over the car as it'll be the first service it's had since I've owned it. I think it might be back to doing it on the driveway after though!
Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: pudding on November 24, 2023, 11:06:40 pm
Could be a good opportunity to learn some spannering skills?  It's really easy servicing these engines, and considerably cheaper doing it yourself, and the reassurance of knowing it's done right.  You don't need a mega tool kit, in fact I think Halfords are still doing 30% off workshop gear.

very true, also black Friday sale soon, Halfrauds will have a decent tool kit with a good discount, will come with a lifetime warranty too.

i got mine in 2008 for about £350, never purchased a socket or spanner since :)

I've still got a Halfords professional socket set I bought over 20 years ago and it's still perfect. Really good tools  :happy2:  The good thing is they still sell replacement sockets and wrenches if you lose or break one. Can't say that about Chinese toolkits bought from Amazon  :grin:

Title: Re: Service Cost
Post by: pudding on November 24, 2023, 11:08:16 pm
Yep I think it might be worth doing it myself. I always have in the past but having a car I care about now I thought I'd get it done professionally and keep the service book looking nice.

I still might bite the bullet and get it done by a garage this time, nice to have some peace of mind and have a professional look over the car as it'll be the first service it's had since I've owned it. I think it might be back to doing it on the driveway after though!

I wouldn't overly concern yourself about service book stamps. Trust me, it makes very little difference when the time comes to move it on.

There's just too much sloppy workmanship about these days, so you have to be careful and find a decent garage.