Acceptable 'dealer added' mileage when servicing?

[Mattt]

My car has apparently come back home today, after being in for 3 weeks for SMG repairs - new clutch, SMG pump, relays, refurbed wheels etc.

It was in for that long as I'm away from the UK so didn't need it urgently done.

I think (but am not sure) that it had half a tank of fuel when it went in - and think I remember a 'miles to service' number. Well, I'm pretty confident but it was 3 weeks ago, and I didn't write it down.

It came back today, with low fuel, and 200 extra miles off from the figure I remember.

Sounds like someone has taken it for the weekend, or used it to run around in - but I have no proof!

I'm getting my parents to contact the dealer to ask the question - but I'm not expecting a useful reply.

[Pork]

Matt,

I wouldnt put too much emphasis on the "Miles to Service" number as I'm pretty sure that it isnt based on milage, its based on usage...i.e. if its been started cold a few times (moved around the yard etc), then the milage number will have increased more than the miles covered.

I could be wrong. Do you have anything that would tell you the milage before it went it, not just the "until next service" milage?

[Pork]

PS - if it helps at all, mine is in on Monday and I've asked for them to look at the SMG (just to check it really) - I will make a note of the milage if I remember. It will certainly need to be road tested! More so if they do anything to it.

[Mattt]

Yeah, AFAIK miles to service is based on fuel consumption - the half a tank missing would account for that

[Mattt]

Thanks

[ian in lancs]

I always make a note of mileage and mileage to service before I lock it and hand the keys to service reception.

[dxb335d]

I always note the mileage on mine.

Worst ive had was at an Indy... 7 miles.

[theaxe]

I usually write the current mileage on a post-it which I leave 'casually' stuck onto the console somewhere.

[Neil.D]

theaxe said:

I usually write the current mileage on a post-it which I leave 'casually' stuck onto the console somewhere.

Thats fine but Im sure a mechanic would know how to 'unplug' the odometer if they really wanted. I would prefer top make a more subtle note.

[Mark_Track]

Matt, I think that you have watched "Ferris Bueller's day off" too much........
Do you honestly think that your key's were just lying around for someone to have a jolly in your car if they wanted?
What your saying is the "condition based servicing" indicator has gone down 200 miles, I don't think this is suspicious at all, it is not how many miles were done in the car as you know, it counts down quicker the harder the car is driven and considering it sounds like you had gearbox things done i would imagine they might have done 20 miles at least to road test it? the alloys needed refurbing? did they do this on site or might they have driven locally to get this done 5-10 miles?
Before you know it all the "miles" are accounted for.

Seriously, writing a letter would be just a waste of time IMO.

[Pork]

I read in my owners manual last night that the service interval indicator goes down in 50's too. So its only actaully moved on 4 notches and if its been driven hard on short bursts (to test the SMG) then surely 200 miles is feasible?

[bazking69]

If you are adament that they have done 200 miles in it, confront them.
If you merley 'think' they have, don't waste their or your time...

[Slurms]

The time to service indicator isn't a reliable guide to mileage.

It's based on fuel used and only gives a very rough guide to the mileage you're likely to do.

[AdamD]

10 miles tops... thats long enough to get it up to temperature and to try it out.

That said Matt you know my opinion and experiences of said dealer...

Edited by AdamD on Friday 13th February 19:28

[BussoV6]

My neighbours brand new Audi A3 went in with a blown turbo, and came back two weeks later with another 400 miles on it! He went ballistic! Not very subtle either as it had less than a thousand miles on it when it went in - its not like your not going to notice that is it!
It does happen for sure, but if you've no proof I can't really see you having much comeback.