Would a main dealer stealer use manufacturers branded spark plugs?

Well using Nationwide Autocentres service scheduling as a rough guide they say 24k or 2 years for plugs.

Like i said my SV didn't have them changed at 7.5k service and i doubt they will change them at my 14.5k service even though they should be because dealers can save the whole £10. Service schedules are there for a reason but dealers don't seem to listen.

And FDSH means nothing if anything it's worse than service history from a backstreet garage because that person has spent time finding a reliable garage and got their car repaired when it's needed it.

[Bri w]

Using the plugs as an example what you need to know is the plug manufacturer's Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF). Once you know that you can argue whether the car manufacturer's recommended service schedule, both for time intervals and parts, is appropriate.

If you're looking for greater reliability then you either need to ask the dealer to fit parts that are currently deemed as extra to the current service schedule or change them yourself. Bear in mind if you are changing them yourself between dealer services you may void the service warranties.

Originally Posted by Bri w

Using the plugs as an example what you need to know is the plug manufacturer's Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF). Once you know that you can argue whether the car manufacturer's recommended service schedule, both for time intervals and parts, is appropriate.

If you're looking for greater reliability then you either need to ask the dealer to fit parts that are currently deemed as extra to the current service schedule or change them yourself. Bear in mind if you are changing them yourself between dealer services you may void the service warranties.

I've just looked at the service manual for the car. It clearly says

20,000 miles - Spark Plugs - Replace.

My issue is not the longevity of the parts, or the manufacturers schedule. In fact the part has lasted 3 times longer than the manufacturers recommendation.

My problem is the fact that the dealer is not replacing the parts when the manufacturer says they should be replaced, but they are still charging the advertised price for a service at that service interval. It is fraud, plain and simple.

If a dealer advertises £200 fixed price for a "20,000 mile service", and the manufacturer stipulates that parts should replaced at that service, then they should be replaced.

Col, if you feel so strongly, contact trading standards, im sure they would love to hear about it.

Originally Posted by specialone

Col, if you feel so strongly, contact trading standards, im sure they would love to hear about it.

If I could prove anything I would, but they would just lie through their teeth, "Oh yes, we do sometimes use spark plugs that are VW Audi branded, the service records say we replaced the plugs in that car at 40k" and I would get nowhere, except a trip to hassle & stress ville. Try to prove that something didn't happen on your car two years and 20k miles ago.

Better IMO to vote with my feet, and service my two bikes and wife's car myself. And I'd encorage anybody else to either do the same, find an independent they can trust, or ask for packaging for the new parts used along with the old parts removed to be returned to them after the service.

The Vectra gets serviced at a main dealer because I have no choice.

[Bri w]

Do the plugs have a batch number?

Originally Posted by Bri w

Do the plugs have a batch number?

Don't know, they are now in the bin in the garage, but could I tell anything from the batch number, other than when Bosch manufactured them?

[Biker Biggles]

This has been going on for as long as any of us can remember.If you have any doubts in future try putting some very subtle hidden marks on parts that should be replaced like plugs and filters.Check them after the service and make sure they have been done.Then go to trading standards if they defraud you.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Don't know, they are now in the bin in the garage, but could I tell anything from the batch number, other than when Bosch manufactured them?

All products will have a company recognised code of some description, might be worth contacting them with the code off them, if they are originals, they will know by the codes on them surely.
The car is that old now, there is no way they could say they have been sitting on a shelf for that long.

Just fired a txt off to a mate of mine that was a master tech at vw G/mouth, he says that even the long life plugs are changed at 40k and they would have been replaced with non vw branded bosch or ngk's.. he left vw 4 ish years ago when Honda bought the site!