Service Plan - opinions sought

[TimNiceBut]

My XC60 R Design Pro T8 has just had its first service, at 13,200 miles. The cost was £310 including a 23% discount against standard labour rate.

The dealership offered me a service plan for the next three services, so years 2, 3 and 4, for £1280, discounted from £1575. I just want to know if this is a good price. I don't generally keep my cars for that long and I suspect that my next car will be a full BEV as opposed to PHEV, assuming the planet survives that long and 350+ ranges are the norm.

Services 1 and 3 include :-

Air Filter Insert, Engine oil, Gasket, Labour at 1.8 and 2.0 hours respectively, Oil Filter Insert, Particle Filter, Spark Plugs, Washer Fluid and Windscreen cleaning. Service 2 omits Air Filter Insert and shows 1.0 hours for labour.

Services 1 and 3 specifically exclude Brake Fluid.

All opinions are welcome.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by TimNiceBut

My XC60 R Design Pro T8 has just had its first service, at 13,200 miles. The cost was £310 including a 23% discount against standard labour rate.

The dealership offered me a service plan for the next three services, so years 2, 3 and 4, for £1280, discounted from £1575. I just want to know if this is a good price. I don't generally keep my cars for that long and I suspect that my next car will be a full BEV as opposed to PHEV, assuming the planet survives that long and 350+ ranges are the norm.

Services 1 and 3 include :-

Air Filter Insert, Engine oil, Gasket, Labour at 1.8 and 2.0 hours respectively, Oil Filter Insert, Particle Filter, Spark Plugs, Washer Fluid and Windscreen cleaning. Service 2 omits Air Filter Insert and shows 1.0 hours for labour.

Services 1 and 3 specifically exclude Brake Fluid.

All opinions are welcome.

something wrong there , you say they change air filter and spark plugs at the first 18000 mile/ year service ?

I don't think that offer is much help even with their " discount" .. A Volvo service plan isn't about discounts it is about spreading the money so you don't get 3 ( in your case ) big bills , Instead it is an "affordable " monthly fee ...

[TimNiceBut]

Originally Posted by Clan

something wrong there , you say they change air filter and spark plugs at the first 18000 mile/ year service ?

I don't think that offer is much help even with their " discount" .. A Volvo service plan isn't about discounts it is about spreading the money so you don't get 3 ( in your case ) big bills , Instead it is an "affordable " monthly fee ...

I knew I'd manage to write it in a way that would be confusing. I seem to have a knack for it!

So no, it's just had its first service. Spark plugs and air filter were not changed. They'll be done at 36k and 72k which are services 2 and 4 for the car, but services 1 and 3 on the plan I've been offered. Hopefully that's cleared up any possible confusion but, knowing me, has probably added to it instead.

[DaveNP]

As Clan says the service plan is more about having regular monthly payments rather than big annual ones, if you're going to use them for servicing it's possibly a good way to pay. Without wishing to get political in the current climate I'm pretty sureprices won't go down over the next 3 years and have great potential to go up, tying in to a plan at current prices may also serve you well. How long you're keeping the car for would be an issue as you don't really want to pay for a service due after you've got rid of the car, could they offer you a two service deal?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by DaveNP

As Clan says the service plan is more about having regular monthly payments rather than big annual ones, if you're going to use them for servicing it's possibly a good way to pay. Without wishing to get political in the current climate I'm pretty sureprices won't go down over the next 3 years and have great potential to go up, tying in to a plan at current prices may also serve you well. How long you're keeping the car for would be an issue as you don't really want to pay for a service due after you've got rid of the car, could they offer you a two service deal?

you can cancel at any time and get a full refund for services not yet used.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by TimNiceBut

I knew I'd manage to write it in a way that would be confusing. I seem to have a knack for it!

So no, it's just had its first service. Spark plugs and air filter were not changed. They'll be done at 36k and 72k which are services 2 and 4 for the car, but services 1 and 3 on the plan I've been offered. Hopefully that's cleared up any possible confusion but, knowing me, has probably added to it instead.

It's ok ! So which services are you getting for your £1200? there are only 2 , the small 18000 mile one and the larger 36000 mile with air filter and plugs ( if petrol)
If you have had your first 18000 then you would get the next 3 which are 2 x 36000 and 1 x 18000 generally a 18000 is around £280 and a 36000 £ 360 depending on the labour rate . So no real saving just convenience of smaller cheques to write .. you will be needing brakes anywhere from 36000 to 54000 miles if not before .

[TimNiceBut]

Originally Posted by Clan

It's ok ! So which services are you getting for your £1200? there are only 2 , the small 18000 mile one and the larger 36000 mile with air filter and plugs ( if petrol)
If you have had your first 18000 then you would get the next 3 which are 2 x 36000 and 1 x 18000 generally a 18000 is around £280 and a 36000 £ 360 depending on the labour rate . So no real saving just convenience of smaller cheques to write .. you will be needing brakes anywhere from 36000 to 54000 miles if not before .

I'd be getting 1 x small (54k/3y) and 2 x large (36k/2y and 72k/4y). I think I'll leave it then, as I'll probably only have it for another two years.

And brakes? I hope I won't need any by 54k! I hardly touch them thanks to that "B" position on the T8.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by TimNiceBut

I'd be getting 1 x small (54k/3y) and 2 x large (36k/2y and 72k/4y). I think I'll leave it then, as I'll probably only have it for another two years.

And brakes? I hope I won't need any by 54k! I hardly touch them thanks to that "B" position on the T8.

good to see someone actually using it :-) If you are a light user of brakes , most of the braking is done by the rear brakes , so keep your eyes on them , it is easy to see how much pad material is left by looking through the spokes .

[andrewpain]

does a service plan include brakes anyway? I took out a plan when I bought my XC60 new, and had to have new rear pads and discs at 25000, which weren't included as they're "wear and tear" items. But I did get a discount. As said above - if you're a gentle breaker the rears wear out sooner, because of the Electronic Brake Distribution apparently.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by andrewpain

does a service plan include brakes anyway? I took out a plan when I bought my XC60 new, and had to have new rear pads and discs at 25000, which weren't included as they're "wear and tear" items. But I did get a discount. As said above - if you're a gentle breaker the rears wear out sooner, because of the Electronic Brake Distribution apparently.

no it includes only the appropriate standard service parts ...