Audi UK Service Price Match

[DarkyUK]

Hi Guys,

Just a quick question, my S5 is due for an oil change in a couple of months but not due for a service for about another 100 days after that. From memory I think Audi try to do an oil change every service which will not be needed so I am thinking of having the service done early.

I've had the usual dilemma about where to go for this, I have a nice local indie but as the car is only just over a year old I am still considering main dealer. Audi UK's website has a nice big section on price matching where they said they will even accept an email from a garage and will price match if they use genuine Audi parts and to the same standard. Since some of my local garages will do a fixed price service for about £140 vs Audi wanting £350 i'm considering asking them to match it.

Has anyone had any success? From what I understand Audi UK reimburse the dealer so I would have thought the dealer would not lose out?

Cheers, Andy

 

[Mancmilks]

Does anyone know if you use a non main dealer centre to service a car if it would affect trade in cost in the future if you go back to Audi?

Thanks!

 

[DarkyUK]

On my last A7 I had the oil changes done independently but the Inspections done at Audi, they even quibbled a little at that.

 

[IJB1959]

Hi Guys,

Just a quick question, my S5 is due for an oil change in a couple of months but not due for a service for about another 100 days after that. From memory I think Audi try to do an oil change every service which will not be needed so I am thinking of having the service done early.

I've had the usual dilemma about where to go for this, I have a nice local indie but as the car is only just over a year old I am still considering main dealer. Audi UK's website has a nice big section on price matching where they said they will even accept an email from a garage and will price match if they use genuine Audi parts and to the same standard. Since some of my local garages will do a fixed price service for about £140 vs Audi wanting £350 i'm considering asking them to match it.

Has anyone had any success? From what I understand Audi UK reimburse the dealer so I would have thought the dealer would not lose out?

Cheers, Andy

You are correct. Audi main stealers cost an arm & leg so best to use Audi approved service centres who are vastly cheaper. I have done this without ANY issues at all. The service record is updated electronically online with Audi UK, and the ECU/MMI service/oil change record is also updated accordingly. Price matching is a bit of a hassle IMO unless you would really prefer a main dealer service for some reason.

 

[DarkyUK]

The main problem I see with using independents is that while they have access to all of the software updates and recalls they don't apply any of them as they are unable to charge this back to Audi. For example a lot of people have had a software update applied to the front screen camera, when I checked with my local independent service centre he said he knew nothing about it and would only be able to apply it if I got the details first and then I would also be charged labour time for it...

My local independent can update the ESR but it would not show as an Audi service, it would show as his garage so I think it would affect the car's resale value

 

[IJB1959]

The main problem I see with using independents is that while they have access to all of the software updates and recalls they don't apply any of them as they are unable to charge this back to Audi. For example a lot of people have had a software update applied to the front screen camera, when I checked with my local independent service centre he said he knew nothing about it and would only be able to apply it if I got the details first and then I would also be charged labour time for it...

My local independent can update the ESR but it would not show as an Audi service, it would show as his garage so I think it would affect the car's resale value

That's a fair point and worth checking first, as it all depends on how good the independent is. Mine checks with Audi for any updates, tells me what they are for, if they are worth it, and asks if I want them or not (included in service price). Some 'updates' such as the D lag supposed fix make things worse. Also for £20 they will code extra things like auto lock/unlock bleep etc. If you own the car then a Audi dealer service may hold some weight, but mine is leased, so as long as it is serviced correctly then not an issue at all.

 

[DarkyUK]

I own mine, I 100% agree if it was on a lease though ...

 

[S32B]

It can be a bit of a mine field depending on your contract wording and how you bought the car mainly more for pcp and lease.

I had an S3 and had the second service done by a indi specialist, I sold the car to a sports car specialist and he was happy with the paperwork I'd received, he also gave me more than Audi for it!

This A5, I spoke to a different indi guy and he said "Take it to the main dealer for the first service, as the car is a newer engine/model it may have updates that we can't access". He used the example of his BMW motorbike, it was limited on the revs and only a main BMW dealership could unlimit it, even though he had all the equipment and knowhow to do the service himself, he didn't have their software!

I then found out from a mate at Audi that it could affect you when you take the car back and IF it's in negative equity, you may get a bill for the price difference between what the car is worth without a main dealership history and one with a main dealership history, because the figure they set for the final payment MAY be based on the understanding that you have it serviced at a main dealership.
If the car is in positive equity they may not even mention it and just give you a lower px price. He went on to say that cars that come back to his group are only sold within his group IF they have a full a main Audi dealership history. To me that says if they are passing them on and not selling them themselves, then they will be giving you less for yours when you come to px!

This is an interesting read and touches on some of the points above: https://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/service-my-car-pcp-car-finance/

If I was running an Audi for 5,6,7+ years I'd use independent everytime, but as mine will probably be in negative equity when I take it back after 36 months, I don't want to give them any excuses to bill me.

As for your S5 and other high end sports cars, if you were buying a used car for £40,000 and one had full main dealer history and the other was a specialist history, which would you look at first?

 

[crazylegscrane]

My S5 oil service is booked for end of January and I rang 3 dealers for a quote, 2 gave the same £320 and 1 gave £330 and refused to price match, all different franchises. They said they no longer price match, they are my local dealer from which I have bought 2 cars and had both serviced there but they still refused to move on the £10
I told them to stick it first but ended up booking it in as it would cost me more in time to go to one of the other dealers

 

[DarkyUK]

Was you not tempted to buy the online service pack?

Available Service Plan for your vehicle:
1 Oil Service & 1 Oil service and inspection

This Audi Service Plan provides cover for the first 2 consecutive services, (limited to 1x oil service & 1x oil & inspection service) in line with Audi manufacturer's recommended service schedule.

£468.00 One-off payment
£26.00 Per month (18 monthly payments)

 

[crazylegscrane]

I asked my dealer if there were any service packs available and they told me no.. I did check online but couldn't see anything, have you got a link?
Also did you get your car new and get the service pack with it? Mine was a 3 month old car when I bought it and I didn't think to look at a service pack then it's over a year old now as well

 

[DarkyUK]

Mine was used too, it's over a year old now.

Go to Audi.co.uk, select menu then owners area and servicing, you will see service plans on there

 

[crazylegscrane]

Found it and done it! Nice one @DarkyUK you've saved me a few pounds there!