4 Year Service - OPC - How much ?

Coming up soon and i wondered what the OPC's charge for this ? Is it a fixed menu pricing system ? [8|] Cheers Steve

Fixed menu pricing: http://opc.cmwinteractive.com/servicepricing911996.asp?opc=4

Yes, they do a fixed price, which can be negotiated cheaper by PCGB membership. I got 10% off parts and "more-than-10%-about-15%-I-think-sir" off the oil component. However, your price will depend on mileage and what service is done. It should go minor-major-minor etc each 12K or 12 months, but can go minor-annual-major-annual-minor etc for < 9K/ annum, which gets messy if the car has changed owners and/or usage changes. On top of that (assuming yours has done 12K/year) there's extras at 48K such as spark plugs, fuel filter, polyrib belt etc (assuming they havne't been done before). Plus air bag check / brake fluid change each 2 years. Mine just had its 48K service at 7 years old, which was a minor as it had a major last year, but I also had spark plugs, fuel filter and air bag check, but didn't have polyrib belt as that was done at at 33K, nor brake fluid as that was done last year. I also had a new key/remote fob which I was quoted £250 for. The end bill - with PCGB discount was about 650 GBP (before VAT), so think I got a good deal in the end. They also replaced broken front reg plate mounting bracket for £5.27 with no labour charge. BTW: I'm always amuzed on that fixed price list to see under 'Maintenance Repair prices' a whole column (with different prices) dedicated to a 996 C2S !! (edited to add that I see you're not yet a member. I joined (cost = £66) and saved a total of £125 off list prices, so cheaper to be a member than not and you get a nice magasine every month too !

Mine is a June 2003 C2, covered or will have covered by September 22500 ish So not sure if it will be major or minor ??????

(Bear in mind though that not all OPCs give PCGB discount.)

That's easy. Look in the book (or preferably on the receipt) for the service that was done last year. If it was a minor, you're due a major. If it was a major, you're due a minor.

Yeah looks like a Major. Not a problem. Although the brake fluid was changed last year when it was 3 years old. PCT changed it when I bought the car off Autobahn. It was changed at 2 years as well as this is stated on the invoice at Hatfield OPC but for some reason the book didn't get stamped, hence why PCt must have changed it, so I am not going to have that done again until next year. Also I noticed that spark plugs should be changed at 48K or 4 years, but although the car is 4 years old, it has only covered 21K so do you think it is worth having them changed at the OPC yet at 168 + VAT ?? Or should i just get my Indy (Zentrum) to do them at around half the cost ? I believe that Sutton Coldfield do give 10% to PCGB memebers. Is this true. ? In which case my memebership money is on its way ! Also do you think it would be better to get the Indy to do the MOT ? rather than the OPC ? Does the above sound sensible ? Cheers Steve

Depends on whether you can be bothered to take the car to two places for the sake of saving 50% of 168. Presumably you'll want the OPC to do the service to get the OPC stamp in the book anyway. Personally, I'd be inclined to give your OPC a bell and say you want the major service done and are 'thinking' about whether to get them or an indi to do the spark plugs, that you're becoming PCGB member and ask what's the best price they can come up with if you get them to do it all ... As for MOT, they'll farm that out anyway and its a fixed price, so unless they add a service charge for doing it, it would be convenient for you (presumably) to get it all done. If they're anythink like my OPC, they'll offer a loan car or a free pick up and drop off service.

Thanks for the replies. Joined PCGB today and looking forward to the magazine now. Will probably get OPC to do the lot anyway

Welcome to the Club, Steve. When you get your membership number, confirm that and your Forum Name to Club HQ (email [email removed] or tel: 01608 652911). This will allow you access to the member-only areas of the Forum where you will find some (hopefully) useful info.

Would you believe that if an MOT is farmed out to a 3rd party, the OPC has to charge you VAT on the MOT fee? Crazy but true [8|]

Thanks Richard. I will do that as soon as i hear something

Got my membership through this week and booked my car into Sutton OPC next month. All in all the discount they have given on Major Service, Plugs, top up and MOT came to a massive £71 ! Well chuffed Sorry MOT not discounted but a fixed price providing it passes ! Steve [ ]

Great result ... so effectively you're getting 12 magazines and £5 for free (as well as all the other benefits!).

Yeah you could say that !

Sorry Nick, but not true,, or at least you should not be charged VAT on the test fee, even if the test is done by a third party The fee is regarded by the vatman as the same as a used car, and is in the profit margin ! i.e., if you are charged £50 for the test, and the 3rd party MOT station charge your garage £ 35 for it, leaving a £15 profit, In that £ 15 is £ 2.24 vat which your garage pays on his vat return and £ 12.76 for themselves. If they have charged you VAT, on the test, best you have a word !!

It depends on how they show the MOT fee on the invoice. If they show their cost price for the MOT and their profit on the MOT separately, then VAT is applied to the profit only. If they show the total amount they are charging the customer for the MOT, then VAT has to be applied to the total amount. I know that's what you said, but I expect most garages don't want to show how much profit they make from the MOT.