Service interval clarification?

[Dash300]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

Technically, there isn't much between the intervals though.

VW - Two years or 20k (whichever comes first) equates to 10,000 miles a year based on mileage alone.
Volvo's is 1 year or 18k (whichever comes first).

If a VW was being used regularly (motorway driving etc), you'd complete the VW "two year service interval" by mileage alone in the same time as Volvo's 1 year/18k interval. So, if you did 20k in the VW in a year, you'd need to service it anyway because then it would be based on hitting the miles first, as opposed to the time.

As I say, if the car was being used daily, that could occur quite quickly. If anything, these "long intervals" are just marketing blurb. "Two years or 20k" in a VW, but if Volvo did two year service intervals, you'd have done 36k (based on 18k a year). So really, these long intervals are rubbish.

It does make me chuckle though. People buy an expensive car new, or pay a fair premium for a used one & then moan about having to do an annual oil change.

In addition I would add that two years of stop start slow urban driving creates more wear and tear on mechanicals than 2 years of long distance motorway cruising. I would look favourably on a car serviced annually doing 20k of motorway driving per year against a car doing 10k annually serviced just once.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Dash300

In addition I would add that two years of stop start slow urban driving creates more wear and tear on mechanicals than 2 years of long distance motorway cruising. I would look favourably on a car serviced annually doing 20k of motorway driving per year against a car doing 10k annually serviced just once.

Agreed.

10k per year is considered low miles anyway. So the two year/20k interval that VW offer is a load of rubbish, if the car is being actively used daily on motorways/longer journeys (you'd need to service it annually then). Two years/20k equates to two years, doing 10k a year (low). Its just an extended service interval (which isn't a good thing), extending the time before anything gets looked at. At least Volvo's interval is generous & above what's considered "average" miles (18k/1 year). You'd have 36k done in two years if Volvo did a two year servicing interval (I know they don't, but just for discussion).

I don't consider these two year service plans a good idea, personally. Not a chance would I leave my oil for two years doing stop start driving, regardless of what VAG or any manufacturer say. 10k a year is less than average miles = annual servicing, not every two years in my opinion. These "extended" intervals don't favour those who do big miles because the chances are, the car will need to be serviced well before the time is up purely by the mileage done. For those that think its great not having to service their car for two years, then that's their choice because it really isn't. Maybe that's why VAG are known to give you a container of oil when you buy a new vehicle from them because its potentially two years before it'll see a fresh drop? (If it doesn't burn any before then &/or you're only doing low miles).