Audi Servicing Costs

[The Surveyor]

Good morning all. I'm after some guidance on the cost of servicing for my Audi A4 Avant, 35 TFSI.

The car is a lease-car which I've had since it was delivered new in April 2018. It's now got 19k miles on it and it's indicating that it's first service is due. It says it's an 'Oil Service' but it also states on the app that an 'Inspection' is also due. I've spoken to my local Audi dealership who have said it needs a 'Major Service' and have quoted me £468.19.

Personally, I think that's an awful lot for a service on a 9 month old car and it rises two questions :-

Does this car really need a 'Major service' after only 9 months and 19k miles of steady use, surly the first service would only need a oil-change? and

Can I use a non-Audi service centre for the service and still meet the requirement of the VWFS Lease?

[The Surveyor]

I checked all the service costs on the options (Volvo, BMW, Skoda, VW etc) before I took out the lease on the Audi, but didn't check the Audi thinking it would be around the same.... the equivalent Volvo V60 service would be £265 for example. So far the car has been fine but the little niggles and annoyances are starting to add up which is putting me off getting another one when this goes back!

Can I use a Skoda garage to get the service done, they're within the VWFS network and have fixed price servicing, £179 for an annual service and an additional £59 for their extended service?

[The Surveyor]

Dr G said:

Do you mean April 19?

You need an oil & inspection service as well as a pollen filter.

A "major" includes plugs and an air filter which you do not require yet.

Yes you're right, April 19.

I was told that the service was a 'major' service and was quoted £468.19. Does that price sound right for an oil & inspection service with pollen filter?

[The Surveyor]

Baldchap said:

https://www.lookers.co.uk/audi/servicing-and-parts...

Assuming a 35 is smallish engine, the prices I found at Lookers seem to be significantly less than you have been quoted, even for a major service.

Those are the fixed-price servicing costs for cars over 3 years old, but does go to show that they're properly trying it on.

[The Surveyor]

Sheepshanks said:

…..
AIUI you have to use the dealer if it's VWFS. ....

I've just checked this and you are correct, it says specifically in the VWFS agreement that the car has to be serviced at an Audi Dealership.

[The Surveyor]

Just an update, a second local Audi dealer has just confirmed the cost of the service is £380.73.

Still pricy compared to VW and Skoda, but a little more palatable.

It's booked in for next Wednesday and i'll let you know if I feel I got decent value.

[The Surveyor]

NSS89 said:

Audi offer price matching on servicing. As long as the garage uses genuine Audi parts (if they don't you can ask for it and it'll just be a small increase in price) and it has to be within 15 miles of the Audi centre you are asking to match the price.

A mate used 'bookmygarage' recently to bring up cheap prices. Got an email quote for the service stating the use of genuine parts and his Audi centre priced matched it. Saved him over £100 I think.

More info on the price match here: https://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/servicing.html

That's good although as earlier, I'm bound into using the Audi network on the VWFS lease on my A4. As it happened I got a cheaper quote from the other branch of the same dealer network in the region. I've also signed up for a 2-service plan which saves a further £250, which brings the service costs back in line with other marques.