Golf service requirements

[doubledutch]

I have a very basic question. I have 62 Reg VW Golf Diesel 1.4. The service plan finished a few months ago and now the service light has come on almost 3 years to the day since I bought it and with 37,000 miles on the clock.

VW charges a fortune for a service but I let them do the MOT and they advised that:

- It needs a service
- The break fluid needs replacing
- The AirCo needs a service

I'm trying to book it in to another garage now but I have no idea what to ask for. Is this an Oil Change / Full Service; is this AirCo service really necessary and does the break fluid really need replacing.

As you can see - I'm not a car expert and very happy to pay but not so happy to waste money.

Any advise is greatly received.

[shtu]

Read up here on what each is and what it should cost. Price up against local independents, there's often little in it.

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/servicing/fixed...

I would suggest an aircon service is not strictly necessary. Brake fluid change is a good idea.

[SteBrown91]

My golf is on fixed servicing and runs on a minor/major routine.

Minor is £150 (essentially oil/filter and a wash) and major is £299 (some other items like pollen filter etc plus a better wash and the carpets hoovered)

It is a bit pricey but it's handy and they don't charge me for a courtesy car

I've not bothered with the air on and brake fluid service my car is on 57k and the brakes and air con still work fine.

When I get the discs and pads swapped I'll have the fluid swapped then

[chimp427]

Its good practice to change the fluid every couple of years, in reality most dont (including me) as it degrades over time and absorbs moisture.
The air con guy i use advises a service to keep the system in optimum health every 3 years as the gas does degrade too.

[doubledutch]

Thanks All - I created my "work order" on "WhoCanFixMyCar" and lets see what happens