Skipping 15000km service - how serious?

[iampivot]

How serious would it be to skip the 15.000km service on a Golf 2.0FSI?

I've got one at offer which is drives well and is otherwise good, but the previous owner has said he skipped the first service. The next two services were performed by authorized VW service centers.

[STV4SYT]

Hmmm, if the owner couldnt be bothered to do the first service then what else did he neglect? unless it is very rare piece of machinery id be looking at one that is properly stamped up. probably invalidates the warranty too, but dont quote me on it.

[iampivot]

Hmmm, if the owner couldnt be bothered to do the first service then what else did he neglect? unless it is very rare piece of machinery id be looking at one that is properly stamped up. probably invalidates the warranty too, but dont quote me on it.

I just found out today, after calling the original owner. I put a deposit on the car yesterday, so I have to decide before 5pm today if I'm cancelling...

What to do....

[anarchycamp]

gives the dealer an excuse to not come to the party with warranty work if needed...i wouldn't touch it with an extend-able barge pole

[Mischa]

what type of knob jockey doesnt service their car

[ozgriff]

I'd be calling the dealership where it has been serviced and asking if the car is in good nick and if there are any issues with skipping the 15K service.

I'm with others that skipping the 15K service isn't the best for your car and neglect may be an issue. Look for poor cleaning of the car (swirl marks, wax residue) and any other sign of damage, gutter rash and marking of tyres, scratches both exterior and interior.

What was the owner's reason for skipping the service?

[blutopless2]

what type of knob jockey doesnt service their car

its actually quite common. people dont see value for money so they dont do it.
not the right thing to do imo.

[STV4SYT]

Its value for money if u cant get what your car is worth when u try to sell it 2nd hand with a missing first service.

Im actually trying to decide whether or not to do the recommended 7500 km service on mine which will be very soon.

[jdd]

In my view the first service (at least oil change), is the most critical as it’s the one where the oil has potentially worked the hardest during the initial break-in period.
This is probably why a number of dealers recommend the first service be done at 7,500 rather than 15,000.

I know these engines are “run-in” to a certain degree in the factory but I’m unsure if the factory changes the engine oil after this, if not then even more importance should be placed on the first service.

Personally, I wouldn’t touch this car with the aforementioned bargepole.

[SoVeReIgN]

In my view the first service (at least oil change), is the most critical as it’s the one where the oil has potentially worked the hardest during the initial break-in period.
This is probably why a number of dealers recommend the first service be done at 7,500 rather than 15,000.

I know these engines are “run-in” to a certain degree in the factory but I’m unsure if the factory changes the engine oil after this, if not then even more importance should be placed on the first service.

Personally, I wouldn’t touch this car with the aforementioned bargepole.

Yep I agree - Wouldn't touch it, essentially the car has done 30,000kms with fillings floating through the engine. And someone that doesn't think servicing is important probably doesn't have much mechanical sympathy.

A 2L FSI Golf isn't a rare car, go shopping for another.

[Greg Roles]

Unless it's a bargain, you no longer have a rock solid warranty.

If for some reason something major happens to the engine in the warranty period, I'm sure it will come up and bite you.

Unless you are willing to risk that warranty, don't do it.

[iampivot]

A 2L FSI Golf isn't a rare car, go shopping for another.

Ok, dropped that one. What would I do without this forum..

[anarchycamp]

Ok, dropped that one. What would I do without this forum..

hoorah for vwwc and the interweb!

[iampivot]

Funny thing, I just bumped into this car again at a car auction house today. I've since learned that it did actually get a 5000km service. The price at which they can let it go is 19100 including stamp duty. If a 5000km service is done, how serious is it to wait until the 30000km service after that?

It's a November 2004 model, so there's no longer any warranty on it.

[SoVeReIgN]

Depends whether the 5k service was an oil change or just a checkup
The book should say, otherwise call the dealer it was serviced at.