Lease car - how fussy with service intervals?

[paulfoel]

I know they can be a nightmare but how fussy are they with service intervals?

How much slack realistically before they start to get arsey and charge? 500 miles/1000 miles?

[Ninja59]

Most will probably be in line with the service schedule/warranty which on nearly every car is 1k.

[anonymous-user]

Best thing to is is read the contract, it will be specified in there.

Could be as simple as "according to the manufacturers specification", in which case you have whatever leeway it states in the car handbook.

[paulfoel]

Handbook was not specific about how many miles over so I guess I can assume 1000?

[Camelot1971]

paulfoel said:

Handbook was not specific about how many miles over so I guess I can assume 1000?

You would be wrong to assume. If it doesn't specify a margin you should complete the service as close to the requirements as possible.

[Dog Star]

Mercedes finance - 1000 miles or 30 days. I deliberately used to leave it til this point, my logic being that I have then got more leeway should I go over my allocated mileage.

It's not been an issue on the last two cars as they have come with the service interval set to 365 days - the car will therefore be returned with the service indicator on but I won't be over the 30 days/1000 mile limit.

[anonymous-user]

What does it say in your contract?

If in doubt, just phone the lease company and ask them. Better to do that then get clobbered with a fee at the end of the lease.

[nickfrog]

Dog Star said:

Mercedes finance - 1000 miles or 30 days. I deliberately used to leave it til this point, my logic being that I have then got more leeway should I go over my allocated mileage.

It's not been an issue on the last two cars as they have come with the service interval set to 365 days - the car will therefore be returned with the service indicator on but I won't be over the 30 days/1000 mile limit.

I think with VAG that wouldn't work. If I return a car with a service due and not completed, they'll charge me even it's only overdue by less than 30 days or 1,000 miles. It might be different with Merc or perhaps I misunderstood your post.

[Monkeylegend]

nickfrog said:

I think with VAG that wouldn't work. If I return a car with a service due and not completed, they'll charge me even it's only overdue by less than 30 days or 1,000 miles. It might be different with Merc or perhaps I misunderstood your post.

I have read on here before though that the charge for a late/missed service is often less than the service.

[Saabaholic]

Dog Star said:

Mercedes finance - 1000 miles or 30 days. I deliberately used to leave it til this point, my logic being that I have then got more leeway should I go over my allocated mileage.

It's not been an issue on the last two cars as they have come with the service interval set to 365 days - the car will therefore be returned with the service indicator on but I won't be over the 30 days/1000 mile limit.

I do 800 to 1000 miles a week, and last year my dealership in newbury could not get my car booked in early enough as they were so busy. Even though i was booking 4 weeks in advance. Due to this my car was 1,300 miles overdue by the time it went in.
MB Finance were ok as it was the dealerships fault. Luckily.

[Baldchap]

Granted, it wasn't financed, but my 16 GTI was due a service when I ordered my R and I was told not to bother as they'd sort it once I'd traded it in.