I feel RIPPED OFF....

[tomh24]

Hi All,

I took my 2015 Polo GTI in today for its 30,000km service at a VW service centre in Sydney. I dropped it off at 9am. I was initially shocked at the price of this service-$627!!!. After questioning why it was so expensive ( i thought it was around $400 for capped price), the gentlemen explained that at 30,000km they recommend changing the pollen filter and the brake fluid. Firstly, How VW can justify an extra $200 is beyond my comprehension.

I picked the car up at 4pm this afternoon and when i got home I thought I'd have a look at the dashcam footage that I have installed in my car.

The first footage since i dropped the car off was at 2.55pm. It shows a mechanic driving the car into the workshop. The footage only plays for a few minutes and cuts out. The next footage is at about 3.35pm and someone is taking the car for a test drive. From there it is in the wash bay being washed at about 3.45pm and then in my hands around 4pm.

Can anyone out there explain how VW can justify this? $627 for about 40 minutes worth of labour and parts and a 10 minute test drive? Does this seem absurd or is it just me???

I plan on finding a reasonably priced mechanic that specialises in VW's in Sydney next time. If anyone has any recommendations i'd love to hear from you.

[Umai Naa!!]

Did you give them approval to perform the brake fluid flush, and pollen filter replacement? Without knowing what the dealer's protocol is on it, it is generally good practice to phone the customer first, prior to carrying out any additional work.

As for the dashcam footage, I can only assume that the footage you saw was the quality control inspection and final test drive. Again, not knowing the dealer's stance on dashcams, it's possible that it has been switched off for the work carried out earlier on in the day.

[tomh24]

Yep, I gave them approval for the extra work. Just shocked at the price.

As for the dash cam footage I am pretty certain that was all that was done. I drove the car in the workshop and left it there, then there is footage of someone driving it into an outside car park shortly after. Next footage was at 2.55pm. Car was parked in the same spot outside then driven into the workshop. I could see someone open the bonnet and take the VW plastic cover off and begin working, it then cut off after a few minutes.

Did you give them approval to perform the brake fluid flush, and pollen filter replacement? Without knowing what the dealer's protocol is on it, it is generally good practice to phone the customer first, prior to carrying out any additional work.

As for the dashcam footage, I can only assume that the footage you saw was the quality control inspection and final test drive. Again, not knowing the dealer's stance on dashcams, it's possible that it has been switched off for the work carried out earlier on in the day.

[Umai Naa!!]

Did they quote the price when they suggested the additional work?

[HenryJr]

Id be heading back to the dealership and speaking with the GM there. Saying if he's confident in his practices then he can prove with timestamps, via their security camera footage. If he doesn't offer anything up then the dashcam footage gets released to the media.

[tomh24]

Yep they did. They said i could not change the pollen filter and brake fluid and it would be about 400 and something but they recommended it at the 30,000km mark

[tigger73]

Capped price service as per VW website:

Polo, 2015, CAVE, DSG 7sp (24 month / 30,000km) - $387
Polo, 2015, DAJB, DSG 7sp (24 month / 30,000km) - $423

Pollen Filter (every 2 years) - $65
Brake Fluid (every 2 years) - $139

Total for CAVE (1.4l twin-charger 132kW) = $591
Total for DAJB (1.8l turbo 141kW) = $627

So looks like the dealer charged you the amount for the new 1.8l engine.

You do have a choice and as long as you use correct oils, etc VW can't make you use a dealer for regular servicing. Warranty work you have to go to a dealer though.

[tomh24]

I just don't see how they can justify it...especially as my dash cam shows they actually only spent about 45 minutes worth of labor on the car and a 10 minute test drive

Anyone have any recommendations on mechanics that specialise in VW's in the Sydney area? Northern suburbs preferably

Capped price service as per VW website:

Polo, 2015, CAVE, DSG 7sp (24 month / 30,000km) - $387
Polo, 2015, DAJB, DSG 7sp (24 month / 30,000km) - $423

Pollen Filter (every 2 years) - $65
Brake Fluid (every 2 years) - $139

Total for CAVE (1.4l twin-charger 132kW) = $591
Total for DAJB (1.8l turbo 141kW) = $627

So looks like the dealer charged you the amount for the new 1.8l engine.

You do have a choice and as long as you use correct oils, etc VW can't make you use a dealer for regular servicing. Warranty work you have to go to a dealer though.

[Harrydhillon]

I feel RIPPED OFF....

Yeap I decided against taking mine to the dealer... $420 just for an oil change... thanks but no thanks, went to a mechanic friend ... half the price, and much better service using OEM parts. Plus I have trust issues, every time my car goes back to the dealer, someone through my car and uses my diagnostic tool instead of their own, every time I ask for something to be looked at or fixed I always get back of we cant replicate the issue.. when the issue is always present.


MY15 Polo GTI - Red - DA Pack

[AnmanIndustries]

There is this thing called DEALERSHIPS. You should try and stay away from them.

[JustCruisn]

Last brake fluid change I had done was $86. Pollen filter was around $30.

[green_comet]

Yeah, stealership are a total rip off for servicing, it's how they make most of their money. Find a good euro specialist mechanic and get it done there, I don't trust any dealership apprentice mechanic touching my cars. I'd do all the work myself if it wasn't for people wanting log book stamps when selling.

Changing the pollen filter literally takes 30 seconds and should just cost the price of the filter.

[kamold]

Where abouts in Sydney are you? There are some excellent independents who will be more experienced, offer better customer service, and as a bonus, be cheaper.

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[Umai Naa!!]

Their pricing structure is 0.3hrs x labour rate to replace the pollen filter. The filter itself is around $40 for the carbon-activated one.

That's for all cars. So on some, they'll make a bit of money out of it, but on others like the 1C/9C Beetle, they won't.

Brake fluid is 0.4hrs for all cars, plus whatever the brake fluid costs. Genuine is about $40 a litre.

[tomh24]

I'm on the North shore. Any recommendations?

Where abouts in Sydney are you? There are some excellent independents who will be more experienced, offer better customer service, and as a bonus, be cheaper.

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