W Main Dealer History vs Going Indie (Next-door neighbour mechanic)

[parxuk]

Hi all,

Just looking for some advice/perceived wisdom on keeping up a full VW main dealer service history versus going independent.

I bought my 2015 T5.1 California last year. It’s sitting at 50k miles and currently has a flawless, full VW dealer service history. It’s now coming up to needing its annual service, MOT, and the DSG auto gearbox service.

Obviously, main dealer prices are steep. I’m trying to weigh up whether paying the premium is worth it just to keep that official stamp in the book for resale value later on, or if I should just look elsewhere.

As a benchmark, I looked at the VW website and can get their Service Plan Pro Plus for £744. That covers 2 services, 1 x pollen filter, 1 x air filter, 1 x diesel fuel filter, and 2 x MOTs. I'd still have to pay for the DSG oil change on top of that.

The twist is, I’m lucky enough to have an exceptionally talented mechanic living next door. I know he’d do an absolute A1 job servicing the van for me, but obviously, I wouldn't get an official garage invoice or a stamp in the book.

What have others done in this situation? Is the main dealer history really worth the extra cash on a 2015 Cali, or does a stack of parts receipts and a well-looked-after van talk just as loud when it comes to resale?

Cheers!

 

[Lambeth Cali]

My main 2 questions would be

Is your dealer any good? If so you’re lucky. Mine in London are terrible so I switched to a VW specialist 15 years ago for my van and Golf. No regrets.

How long are you expecting on keeping the van?

If you plan to keep it for say 5 years, who cares about dealer stamps. It needs a service history - I keep all my receipts and even got a new blank VW service book off eBay - if someone is buying it off you in say 2030.

 

[owen_h]

Next door mechanic if you know they will do a good job and have access to any specialist tools (and business insurance) needed. Still get a stamp in the book, just not a main dealer stamp.
You are probably better placed than me to answer the future buyer question. Last year when you were buying would you have been put off by the service history not being VW?

My (2012) Cali goes to a local Independent specialising in Transporters for service and any work. Not necessarily because they are cheaper but because I am confident they will do a great job and diagnose any issues using their skill and knowledge. Not just what the plugged in diagnostic computer tells them to change out.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

One last thing, either you or your neighbour needs one of these OBD things. In 2026 a bag of spanners doesn’t cut it. Best £80 you’ll ever spend

Amazon.co.uk

 

[KP01]

I switched to my brother-in-law, who runs an independent VW specialist as soon as the warranty finished at three years old. Key thing is that he exclusively used genuine VW parts ordered from VW so when I traded in my T5.1 SE at VW after 12 years to buy a Grand Cali it was all on their computer system (plus I had all the invoices in a fat folder).

In fact, on inspection prior to the trade-in going ahead, their workshop manager commented on how well cared for it was.

 

[Alied]

Hi all,

Just looking for some advice/perceived wisdom on keeping up a full VW main dealer service history versus going independent.

I bought my 2015 T5.1 California last year. It’s sitting at 50k miles and currently has a flawless, full VW dealer service history. It’s now coming up to needing its annual service, MOT, and the DSG auto gearbox service.

Obviously, main dealer prices are steep. I’m trying to weigh up whether paying the premium is worth it just to keep that official stamp in the book for resale value later on, or if I should just look elsewhere.

As a benchmark, I looked at the VW website and can get their Service Plan Pro Plus for £744. That covers 2 services, 1 x pollen filter, 1 x air filter, 1 x diesel fuel filter, and 2 x MOTs. I'd still have to pay for the DSG oil change on top of that.

The twist is, I’m lucky enough to have an exceptionally talented mechanic living next door. I know he’d do an absolute A1 job servicing the van for me, but obviously, I wouldn't get an official garage invoice or a stamp in the book.

What have others done in this situation? Is the main dealer history really worth the extra cash on a 2015 Cali, or does a stack of parts receipts and a well-looked-after van talk just as loud when it comes to resale?

Cheers!

I have my van booked in at Streetwise Bristol next month for a DSG oil service which also includes the filter being replaced for £330. Breeze Poole wanted £293 just for the oil change. On the plus side Streetwise can also update the service record online.

 

[andyinluton]

Hi all,

Just looking for some advice/perceived wisdom on keeping up a full VW main dealer service history versus going independent.

I bought my 2015 T5.1 California last year. It’s sitting at 50k miles and currently has a flawless, full VW dealer service history. It’s now coming up to needing its annual service, MOT, and the DSG auto gearbox service.

Obviously, main dealer prices are steep. I’m trying to weigh up whether paying the premium is worth it just to keep that official stamp in the book for resale value later on, or if I should just look elsewhere.

The vans already 11 years old, at that age general condition is more important than vw service history. A record of what has been done & when, backed up if possible with receipts for parts should be good enough for most buyers.

 

[parxuk]

Thank you so much for the replies and resounding opinion that the main dealer stamp isnt worth it. Saves me a few quid and I know the van will get at the very least as good a service from my neighbour, but more likely better.

 

[Ayjay]

Sorry for being a bit late with this response but my experiences with VW Van Centres lead me to think that I would prefer to see a service history using a reputable independents as it would seem that most (but certainly not all) main dealers are complete and utter carp. It would appear that there are some good ones out there but t's pot luck whether you've got one locally or not

 

[Blanco]

Sorry for being a little, okay very late with this (been away) .. so far as I know, changing DSG oil involves running the engine off the ground with the wheels turning and getting the oil up to temperature before the level can be accurately checked. Quite an ask unless your neighbour has a lift. I have a friend who knows his way around these vans like the back of his hand, but doesn't have a lift so I'll be taking ours to VW or a specialist independent for its oil/filter change.

The important thing with these vans at this age is how they've been looked after. I bought ours (2017) without it having a full VW history, but from the records the owner kept it clearly had been well looked after. Thats whats important IMO.

 

[sidepod]

Sorry for being a little, okay very late with this (been away) .. so far as I know, changing DSG oil involves running the engine off the ground with the wheels turning and getting the oil up to temperature before the level can be accurately checked. Quite an ask unless your neighbour has a lift.

Or just use a heat gun on the casing or simply drive it round the block. No biggy.

 

[parxuk]

With regards to the servicing schedule for the DSG, for some reason I had it in my (tiny) mind that the oil should be changed every 40000 miles or 4 years, whichever is sooner.

I phoned the local VW garage today for confirmation, and was told by the service receptionist (categorically) that age was no longer relevant and that the schedule was purely mileage based, and that it was now every 38000 miles.

My 2015 T5.1 last had its DSG oil changed July 2020 (6 years ago) at 39000 miles. Van is now on 58K so has covered 19k miles of the 37k so I still officially have another 18k miles before the next DSG service.

Do you all abide by the mileage rule, or will you do a DSG serive at age intervals regardless?

Dont want to spend money on servicing things unnecessarily, but also dont want a huge bill for a new gearbox.

Thanks

 

[Skelly]

Also very late .We bought our 2015 T5 3 years ago and it had a full VW dealer history. I decided to go to a very reputable independent garage (who I have used for our other car for a number of years) based on many of the points made above. For us getting to a VW van service centre would have been an hour drive away and a right pain, so convenience was a factor.
I weighed up the factors and don't feel having a mix of VW and good independent service records is going to hamper the sale of a very well looked after Cali. It wouldn't have stopped me.