How to void warranty

[les88]

If I change the oil and replace the oil filter myself void warranty
$200 to do the service is a bit much. Before you say all the other things done they are only observing.
les

[Jarred]

how would they be able to tell that you even changed the oil yourself?

Unless not servicing you car (and getting "stamped") somehow voids the warranty??

[Manaz]

If I change the oil and replace the oil filter myself void warranty

How do they justify that? They'd have to prove that you working on the car caused any problem that they were refusing a warranty repair on.

That's like saying changing the air filter or putting petrol in the car voids warranty. It's ludicrous...

[anarchycamp]

If I change the oil and replace the oil filter myself void warranty
$200 to do the service is a bit much. Before you say all the other things done they are only observing.
les

$200 for a service is actually quite cheap. Its not worth the risk or hassle not to get it done somewhere reputable dealer or vw specialist.

[The_Hawk]

Part of the "service" involves other visual and computer checks. If you miss something (or even if you don't) they can say the services wasn't carried out by an "approved" person quite rightly.

However, if you did your own oil changes in between log book services using approved oil and filters that should be fine.... unless the sump plug falls out and the engine fry's itself, but then how likely is that??

Your log book services can be stamped by other mechanics which will maintain your warranty, however they may not have all the tools and expertise that "VW trained" techs have. But they will be cheaper.

The only time other service people can cause issues to your warranty is for an extended warranty where some of the conditions may be that all services are carried out by the dealer.

[gareth_oau]

When I get my FPV serviced, the oil alone costs over $100.

consider if you are using a good quality synthetic oil, 4 -5 litres is going to cost a few $$$$ just from a Repco store or similar.

If the dealer does it, plus labour, then $200 overall seems like a good price to pay

[Greg Roles]

Les, you need to see the dealer or other qualified service centre to safeguard your warranty. If the logbook / computer has no history of service as required by the manufacturer, you will have bucklies claiming anything. It sucks for oil changes which blind freddy could do, but them's the rules. I too have a problem paying a premium for oil, which is usually "whatever" is lying around. Been there, seen that.

In between times, do as you wish. Remember you can use ANY qualified service centre, and I find the smaller more reputable mechanics look after you car a LOT better. Still, I'm pretty impressed by VW at my dealer thus far, but I've made an effort to get to know the mechanics there, which is the key.

Choice magazine have just this month done a secret shop of car service at Ford, Holden, Subie and Toyota. Makes for interesting reading, and they had a manufacturers car sent in each time with four very obvious problems, as well as worn brakes and illegal tyres. Only a few of the Toyota dealers picked up all four setup problems, despite everyone ticking boxes and saying the car was fine AND charging for it. Holden and Ford were by far the worst. Suprise, suprise. Still don't miss my Ford!

[Greg Roles]

When I get my FPV serviced, the oil alone costs over $100.

consider if you are using a good quality synthetic oil, 4 -5 litres is going to cost a few $$$$ just from a Repco store or similar.

If the dealer does it, plus labour, then $200 overall seems like a good price to pay

Yeah about $60. $40 to pour. Nice.

[Manaz]

If the logbook / computer has no history of service as required by the manufacturer, you will have bucklies claiming anything.

If *all* the service requires is an oil change, keep the receipt for the oil, filter and sump plug gasket. It has a date on it, as long as the oil matches the manufacturer's guidelines, there's little they could do about it.

That assumes that the service consists solely of an oil change, of course. If there's more required, then oil change != service, and I'd be closer to understand how it'd void your warranty to just do an oil change and not have a logbook service done.

[Greg Roles]

Dude, if you don't VISIT the dealer at required times OR kms, your warranty is SNAFU. You find out only when you go to claim something serious. Small things the dealer will probably let you get away with to keep you happy. Wait till your tranny poops itself.

These days if you don't visit each 12 months REGARDLESS of km's you do your warranty at most majors. Don't kid yourself, read the fineprint.

[Mischa]

use the dealer for required scheduled services and warranty repairs. use yourself or if you're not confident use a specialist mechanic for all other services. if you use genuine parts your warranty is tip top

[gareth_oau]

Yeah about $60. $40 to pour. Nice.

LOL, not quite cogdoc, theyd be buying in 200L drums, so its more like $30, plus $70 to pour!!

[NickZ]

If you have an issue with the price of the oil charged by the dealer, supply the oil yourself instead. Just make sure it meets VW specs.

And if you think $200 is expensive, I paid $270 for my 15000km service, supplying my own oil. Would have been $350 otherwise, and the only things they actually change are oil, filter and sump plug.

[datracer99]

Dude, if you don't VISIT the dealer at required times OR kms, your warranty is SNAFU. You find out only when you go to claim something serious. Small things the dealer will probably let you get away with to keep you happy. Wait till your tranny poops itself.

These days if you don't visit each 12 months REGARDLESS of km's you do your warranty at most majors. Don't kid yourself, read the fineprint.

The warranty is only void if you don't have the LOGBOOK services carried out by an approved workshop.
So if it requires service every 12 months or 15000km then you need it stamped according to that schedule.

The workshop does not have to be a VW Dealer service centre. If you go to any of the major chains like Repco, Ultratune etc and they stamp the log book then that is satisfactory.
The manufacturers were taken to court years ago when they tried to monoplise log book servicing and they lost.
The workshop needs to be MTAA accredited.

Obviously though, it's going to be less of a headache to make a warranty claim if the services have all been done by a VW dealer or VW approved service centre.
Paying extra to have the service done by a dealer is a bit like insurance. You are paying for less headaches in the case of a warranty claim.
But if your nearest dealer provides crap service when they do the service then your are better off finding another reputable service centre who does what you want.

[moguzhan]

I haven't gone back to the dealer since i bought my car. Its got 20k on it and its been serviced twice. Both at VW specialists. I'd rather trust them considering they do VW all day and they know everything about it and drive them as well.

The VW service dept at the stealership is just some **** kicker apprentice who probably just takes home a Polo or Golf TDI at night.

Its a job for the stealership mechanic, its a business for the VW specialist and most of that is from reputation (word of mouth) business.