Servicing costs shock at Sidlow

[Buzz84]

I have been an avid reader of this forum for quite a while but have never posted until now.
i phoned sidlow up today to book in my 51 plate Cupra in for its service, its currently at 58.5K miles so i knew it would most likely need a cam belt change so i knew it would be more pricey, but i had no idea:

20K Service = £220
Brake fluid change = £55.95
Cam belt change = £420

thats a whopping total of £695.95, i'm shocked.

 

[Dennis]

GO independant, will prob get the lot done for the cost of th cambelt at he stealer and they probably know more about the car than the stealer also.

Now our lass's is out of warrenty it will not be going there again, once outstanding warrenty issues sorted (I know I did not have to go to dealer to keep warentee but not worth hastle when I need to claim)

 

[Buzz84]

well i have been trying to locate a garage that can service VAG cars, they'd need the right equipment i quess although not knowing entirely what to look for, I havent been having too much luck though.

 

[Cowie]

thats crap mate mine's at 60k and i was quoted £300 for the cambelt and waterpump supplied and fitted,thats from my local dealer.

 

[Ant FR]

ahhhh service costs what are they,,,,,,,,,

 

[Cowie]

just phoned hobins of preston and the 60k service,cambelt,waterpump,replacing the 4 busted tweeters AND MOT total is £503,pretty good price i think

 

[Hicks]

I can beat that. My car needs an 80k service. Phoned Sudbury's in Swindon just now, who told me it's £600!!!!!

 

[andyj]

60k DIY service (oil, filter, spark plugs) on my LCR = £46

Cambelt = £170 for the parts from Awesome Gti - ECS kit (OE stuff) + either DIY fitment, or local garage

 

[Buzz84]

well i have just been on the phone to the next closest dealer, Frosts in haywards heath

Service = £173
Brake fluid = £38
Cambelt kit = £312

total of £523

well surfice to say the booking at sidlow has been canceled and it is now booked in at Frosts on tuesday that was more like what i was expecting and i am happier paying that.

 

[Cupraloon]

My 2002 cupra, had it's 12 monthly (34K) only last week, at an independant in Horsham, and it cost £134, admittedly the cam belt wasn't done, but i got a quote from Sidlow in Horley at over £300 for the same job.

Thats main stealers for you, Sidlow are one of the better stealers, but being a main agent your always going to pay more for your servicing, cos the labour rates are much, much higher.

 

[Buzz84]

I know that stealers are more expensive, but i dont understand how they arrive at their prices. Frosts are also a main agent but they have quoted £200 less than Sidlow for exactly the same work with exactly the same parts!?!?!?!

 

[Cupraloon]

I know it beggers belief, that two main stealers can differ so much, it's more than likely the labour rates + vat, that put it up so much bewtween different stealers.

I worked for a main agent (not seat) last year, and their labour rate was £78 an hour + vat (£91) thats just mental, but people do pay it, god know's why, Tbh... cos invariably you don't get a better service for your £91 an hour, over an independant at £35 + vat...

But the annoying thing is, i was also quoted £300+ from a well know independant VW specialist....

Which is why i ended up going where i did in the end, they serviced my car and it didn't cause me to have to take out remortgage to do it, which is always nice... :

 

[HarveyGTI]

perhaps if you are looking to go to Sidlow, I am guessing you are near gatwick(ish)

try out www.stormdevelopments.co.uk - great service, great prices and I get ALL my servicing and fitting requirements done there. Highly recommended

 

[SHADY-NINJA]

try seat hidsons in kent.

 

[Pistol Pete]

I recommend TC Garage in Copthorne (between Crawley and East Grinstead), tel 01342 718556. They are VAG specialists and I have taken my motors to them for a number of years now.

Peter.

 

[777cupra]

correct me if I'm wrong, but when you take a care to the main dealer the labour rate may be high and you think that is because you are getting an experienced and knowledgeable mechanic working on your car? Where as in actual fact the basic servicing work (oil filter spark plugs etc) is all done by whatever spotty 16 year old work experience kid they have lol!

Only the more advanced stuff is done by the senior technicians! but it's annoying because the labour rate is the same!

 

[HarveyGTI]

correct me if I'm wrong, but when you take a care to the main dealer the labour rate may be high and you think that is because you are getting an experienced and knowledgeable mechanic working on your car? Where as in actual fact the basic servicing work (oil filter spark plugs etc) is all done by whatever spotty 16 year old work experience kid they have lol!

Only the more advanced stuff is done by the senior technicians! but it's annoying because the labour rate is the same!

dont we know it mate, when the car goes into Seat and it comes out with more issues than it went in

thats why i NEVER use them unless absolute necessary!

 

[RobM]

correct me if I'm wrong, but when you take a care to the main dealer the labour rate may be high and you think that is because you are getting an experienced and knowledgeable mechanic working on your car? Where as in actual fact the basic servicing work (oil filter spark plugs etc) is all done by whatever spotty 16 year old work experience kid they have lol!

Only the more advanced stuff is done by the senior technicians! but it's annoying because the labour rate is the same!

Couldn't have said it better myself. That's the first reason of mine for not using a main dealer.

The other reason though, is cost. An independent garage would take another couple of hundred pound off that price Buzz and I don't know about you, but I can think of better things to do with my money than give it away unnecessarily to main dealers.

Plus, independents have a lot more reasons to provide a top quality job. Main dealers will always get custom because of lease and company cars and people who just assume they have to take their Seat to Seat and are too thick to do any different.
But independents have a lot more to lose, as they aren't guaranteed any of that work so they have to ensure they are at the top of their game.

 

[smoothuk]

I had my 60 k done on sat, new water pump, cam belt, oil etc etc, 346 quid done in a seat service place, who specialise in VAG. Nr Canterbury, cant reccomend them enough!

 

[777cupra]

independant garages normally have mechanics to, people who are used to diagnosing and repairing a fault. not just replacing parts willy nilly like a "technician" from the dealer ha ha.