Can I ask for a 'customised' service schedule ?

[Semnoz]

While I don't mind paying a Volvo dealer to do something important the relates to my car's safety and performance, I'm quite reluctant to pay £390 for someone to do things like checking reservoir levels, topping up washer fluid, changing oil etc...

I'm mainly saying this as everything I can see in the official full service schedule that relates to item replacement has already been done this year, so it would be a complete waste to get it done again so soon after (there's a reason why this has happened which I can explain if anyone's interested). So I'm not posting this to make a point about services being over-priced (although I could easily be persuaded to think that, but it's not what I'm wanting to discuss here).

Is it possible for me negotiate a 'custom' service schedule so that my £390 can include 'special' items such as brake fluid replacement, coolant replacement, checking that DPF/EGR is all working properly, in replacement for things such as 'Check battery, Check wiper blades, Check tyre pressure, Check tyre condition' none of which need doing as they've all been replaced in summer and car has just had MOT (no issues reported). As another example, instead of paying someone to inspect my bone-dry engine for external oil leaks, how about they check if oil is leaking someone less obvious such as turbo seals.

It just feels like you either pay for a service that is arguably checking really obvious things that most of us (on this forum) would already be aware of, or you have to wait until something is broken. There doesn't seem to be much in between.

I'm aware I can just phone up a garage and ask, but I'd like to hear the opinion of some of you guys who work/have worked in the trade.

Sorry in advance if this seems an odd question....

[kenny]

You can ask for what ever service you want however if you deviate from what is stated in the Volvo service items I doubt it will be classed as a service and you may not get things like free software updates or the annual brake down service. You might not even get a service stamp as you have not had a proper service from them. The service price is set by Volvo and the dealers follow repair guides lines from Volvo which give them a set time for each job. I would expect you would be charged the set rate for each item you want addressed which could add up to a lot more than you think.

[Simon Jones]

You can certainly tweak the work to suit & you'll still get the book stamped, free updates & Volvo Assist. I recently had a major service done & added in serpentine belt, tensioner etc that should have been done at previous service, also coolant & brake fluid were added as extras. During the work, it also needed steering pump, so it was just easier to have it all done while it was in pieces. I was able to knock nearly £300 off total by mentioning Volvo Owners Club which made it slightly less painful.

[Billggski]

Internet forums in a nutshell.
Two different answers!
Phone the dealer.

[Simon Jones]

It'll no doubt depend on the dealer & the circumstances of the individual. In my case, I was adding things to the service rather than taking bits away. I'm sure if I asked if they could strip everything off the list but just top up the washer fluid, then I would not get a stamp in the book

Where there was one item that was in the schedule, but they were unable to change, they removed it off the invoice so I was only charged for the work they completed.

[Motorhate]

Originally Posted by Simon Jones

I was able to knock nearly £300 off total by mentioning Volvo Owners Club which made it slightly less painful.

How does this work and how do you join the owners club?

[green van man]

Send them £30 and your in. There is a link on the top of the home page of the forum.

Paul.

[Simon Jones]

If you want to join, info here: https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/membership.shtml

In terms of a dealer discount, just ask if they offer the owners club discount & they'll probably give you 10%. I've never been asked to provide any evidence of being a member so just give it a whirl. I found the dealer was very keen to get my business & the service manager was quite amenable for a haggle .