Service Plan or go independent?

[Pontius]

Hi All,
Have given in to my midlife crisis and bought a T6.1 T32 LWB 150p Fortana Red Kombi. Registered Oct 2023. 200 miles on the clock. Have fallen in love all over again!
Since it is a year old and even though it has low mileage, I wanted to get it seen so as to keep up with warranty requirements in case of future problems. Is our third vehicle so won't be used every day just at weekends for outings and the annual European driving holidays.

Live is South Yorkshire. There is a local JCT600 garage in Sheffield that typically has mixed reviews as well as a local independent garage that seems to be well reputed. My question is, is it worth getting a 2 yr service plan with someone whom's reputation is quesitonable and will probably looking to charge me at every opportunity, or with the other guy who has a better reputation but not in a service plan?

Think I know the answer but interested what others would do.
TIA.
PS Will post pictures when I get the van back - drove it straight to someone to replace the moon-grey dash/door cards for the black caravelle interior, and then getting Ghost II/tracker fitted before I get it onto the drive.

 

[Jim Rey]

Once my van was out of warranty I decided to service it myself as the last service from a garage before warranty ran out was very badly done. Badly done? They drove my van over speed bumps at 40mph(captured on dashcam) , they changed the poll

en filter and did not fit it properly, they didn't change the air filter and a few weeks later I had engine management light coming on which was rectified by me changing the filter. After 11,000 miles on the clock they told me I needed a brake fluid change (might be wrong to doubt this was necessary).

I have documented and kept receipts of everything I have done my self regarding service recommendations. I have saved my self money and have confidence that it has been done properly.
You see, a service record to show to a future buyer is one thing but whether that service record actually proves diligent and proper work has been done, is another

...and in saying all of this, I mean no disrespect intended to the "good" garages out there, of which there are many, I am sure.

 

[Mjthomp]

FWIW we’ve got a 23 6.1 and go to a local independent for our servicing.

Our nearest VW dealers are in either Sheffield or Manchester and would involve 20-30 mile drives and long waits etc. I’ve read mixed reviews about both, and after bad experiences with Land Rover dealers when I had a Defender, we decided it’s easier to go local with someone we trust and know well.

We’re keeping the 6.1 for the long term and so not having a dealer service history isn’t an issue for us.

 

[roadtripper]

If you look beyond the servicing give some consideration to the warranty aspect as the 6.1s seem a little more highly strung.

For the record mines a 21 and I intend to use All In until it's to old for that as already had one warranty issue crop up right at the end of the factory warranty.

 

[TrevorK]

I used VW Service plan the All-in for servicing, and other works at the specialist.

I had an All-in claim recently, and the fact I had completed a service/MOT at my dealer just a few weeks before I took out the plan meant they couldn't argue that it was an existing issue.

 

[T6Plumber]

I haven’t got an all in service plan, but did take out extended warranty. Mine (2019 T6) is currently in for a Glow Plug, Aux Belt & Tensioner, Fuel Temp Sensor & Charge Air Pipes, I’ve been given a courtesy 6.1 to use whilst it’s happening and it’s all being covered under warranty. The £40 a month I pay for it seems a good price right now.

Food for thought.

 

[sam_glasgow]

Hi all, is this the right page ? showing 33 quid now for the 'winter sale' VW Commercial Vehicles Service Plans | Buy your Service Plan online

 

[Howzat]

That's the one. Offer ends 2 December 2024.

 

[Ali-G]

Save your money and stick with an independent.

 

[Howzat]

Less that £800 for 2 years.

2 Year breakdown and recovery = £240
1 full service = £200
1 itermin service = £120
2 MOT's = £100

So you're already at £660 going independant.

Does your indy provide courtesy vehicle? There's another £200 just for the MOT days.
What about pay monthly? Not many indy's will offer that.

So now already you're above the £800 and that doesn't include any warranty work. Mine's been in twice for warranty work and even with an indy that would have been at least another £500 (VW price was nearer £900) not including a courtesy vehice which VW also provided, and that's if your indy can get you in. Also with the All In they have 72 hours to diagnose from the time VW assist book you in. The indy's near me can't usualy book me in without at least a weeks notice and usually it's nearer 2.

So while I understand peoples views on dealers I doubt many would actually save any money especially if you ever need work doing that is covered by the All In warranty.

 

[bubbadubba]

Am i being thick?? I followed the link and put my reg in and no "All in" option came up....only 2 different service plans. Mine is an 18 model year so I thought I would just scrape in?

 

[Howzat]

Am i being thick?? I followed the link and put my reg in and no "All in" option came up....only 2 different service plans. Mine is an 18 model year so I thought I would just scrape in?

2018. Over 6 years old.

 

[bubbadubba]

2018. Over 6 years old.

I was indeed being thick

 

[Howzat]

I was indeed being thick

Wasn't gonna be rude, but yeah......

 

[JoshB_]

I must admit I thought it looked a pretty good deal, but when you read the small print is doesn’t actually cover much. All “consumables” aren’t included, which sounds obvious but then they’re counting suspension components as consumable. I wouldn’t for a warranty on a modern vehicle.
Also no parts are included, you get labour paid for, which again seems wrong is a part fails under warranty.

But as it’s always me that gets the earache whenever any vehicle goes slightly awry, £33 sounds a bargain for me to just tell the other half to ring VW.

 

[Sasquatch]

The basic service plan costs more than simply buying an oil service and separate MOT at my local dealer, so I don't see the appeal there.

Fortunately I'm all warrantied up for two years with a much more comprehensive policy than the very restrictive one VW are offering, and have RAC cover anyway for my other vehicles, so going elsewhere is a no brainer for me personally.

 

[roadtripper]

I must admit I thought it looked a pretty good deal, but when you read the small print is doesn’t actually cover much. All “consumables” aren’t included, which sounds obvious but then they’re counting suspension components as consumable. I wouldn’t for a warranty on a modern vehicle.
Also no parts are included, you get labour paid for, which again seems wrong is a part fails under warranty.

But as it’s always me that gets the earache whenever any vehicle goes slightly awry, £33 sounds a bargain for me to just tell the other half to ring VW.

Parts are included - but yes there are some significant exclusions especially when comparing with the car based equivalent so be very careful you read the right set if finding them through Google or similar.

It's discussed elesewhere but significant things to be aware of is that oils seals are not and the main crank oilseal is a common issue, also any flexible lines are counted as consumable, which can be an issue for those of us with rear AC/Heaters where the flexible lines can perish unoticed and do water damage that is excluded. However some excluded items are covered if they need to be replaced as part of repairing a covered item, and some dealers seem better at exploiting this if there is goodwill for regular customers.

Some folks around these parts seem to be getting a whole engine replaced under All In - if that happens then it's well worth the fee.

Also if you do have an issue evidence on various threads suggest you can get jumped up the queue a bit if the dedicated VW Assist vans attend your issue - which third party breakdown can't do.