VW service history

[mrggg123]

Hi there is a vw for sale, its an 05 plate with 45k on the clock. Its had 4 services at vw garages. Would this put you off? That is only 4 services in 9 years! hmm...

[V8forweekends]

No, it wouldn't automatically put me off.

[r11co]

It not having been serviced every twelve months would only concern those people who believe a dealer stamp actually has tangible value (as opposed to, in this case, a waste of consumables).


Trouble is most people believe the propaganda, hence this thread existing.

[SmithyAG]

On long life servicing they can go up to 2 years between services. So it could well be correct and within the manufacturers guidelines!

[mrggg123]

I dont believe in VW hype. Im just saying that I think querying whether 4 stamps in 9 years is enough.

[Jim AK]

I guess if the servicing is in line with manufacturers guidelines & the rest of the car stacks up to the mileage it shouldn't be an issue.

I'm with you on the service 'hype'. I have an oil change every 10k despite manufacturer saying 20k/1 year.

[V8forweekends]

I've had 23 cars - the ones that weren't total sheds have been serviced according to maker specs (never more often) - I have never had any engine or gearbox issues with them.

I can remember when people thought 10K between oil changes was crazy. I have also listened to loads of people droning on about how changing the oil every 3k, 6K etc will make your engine last until you die. Given that I'm still planning on not keeping the same car until I can't drive any more, the manufacturer's recs will do fine.

I know there's the old adage about oil and filter changes being cheaper than an engine change, but why waste oil and filters when you don't need to?

[rowanxx]

Depends if it had 4 services in its first four years of life then none for the next 5 years....

[va1o]

Yeah as above it depends on when the services were done. The fact they've been done by VW garages is encouraging. Assuming its on the Longlife interval its probably due its 5th about now.

[ben5732]

Depends what it is... If it's a passat I'd rather walk... both people I know with them have had nothing but problems.

[E30M3SE]

SmithyAG said:

On long life servicing they can go up to 2 years between services. So it could well be correct and within the manufacturers guidelines!

rowanxx said:

Depends if it had 4 services in its first four years of life then none for the next 5 years....

Both of the above.

[chr15b]

Long life servicing isn't designed for low mileage, this car should have been on time and distance, so yes it's under serviced.

[E30M3SE]

Although you are correct,

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

"Fixed Service (Time and Distance)

We recommend this service if you are likely to drive less than 10,000* miles in a year, and if you tend to drive in the following way:

Mainly city centre driving, short journeys with frequent cold starts
High engine loading activities, e.g. frequent hill climbs, driving with your vehicle fully loaded and towing
Uneconomical driving using high rpms with heavy acceleration and heavy braking.

Flexible Service Regime (LongLife Service)

We recommend this service if you are likely to drive more than 25 miles a day, and if you tend to drive in the following way:

Regular long distance driving
Driving at a constant speed with minimum vehicle and engine loading, and minimal towing
Economical driving

This Flexible regime has been made possible due to the development of new Volkswagen engines with the latest technically advanced longlife oil. These engines use built-in sensors that continually monitor the oil quality, making it possible to enjoy reliable and confident motoring for up to a maximum of 18,000* miles or 24 months (whichever occurs first)."

We don't actually know how this car has been driven, lots of short journeys or longer but infrequent journeys........