Oil Change.

[Bramleyboy]

I have a one year old Audi 3.0 litre. I am told I need an oil and filter change. I live equidistant between Bristol, Salisbury andSwindon, so getting there is not easy! Do you think I could take the car to an ordinary local garage for this oil change? I find the big Audi garages so testosterone charged I feel uncomfortable anyway! Instead of being able to speak to the mechanic you have no idea who does the work! Bramley

[diddlydo]

Assuming it's still under warranty you need to go to an Audi garage or you'll invalidate the rest of the warranty period. Annoying but true!

[Quoi]

not so diddlydo - see what I did there
'Under EU Block Exemption legislation, which has been around for many years now, a manufacturer cannot force a buyer to have their car serviced by their official dealership network, and cannot refuse to honour a new car warranty simply because a car has been serviced elsewhere. However, a manufacturer does have the right to set a servicing schedule which must be adhered to'

It is always attractive on resale to have a wanufacturers service record. If you sold it back to audi you may/may not get a lower price quoted for it.

[Fitzer]

Actually, not true(not since 2003) https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/service-repair/faqs#4

[diddlydo]

Sorry - I stand corrected!

[sunny-dave]

I agree about the 'Audi Experience' - it can all be way over the top - but when in a similar position to you (S5 needing first oil change) I bit my lip and booked it in - with an investment that big I wasn't going to risk a third party touching it (even though it wouldn't invalidate the warranty).

I insisted on a timed 'while you wait' appointment and indulged myself with their free coffee & biscuits and noodled on AB with my iPad for an hour or so - only the bill was painful.

[Hopkirk]

I would just go to ATS

[ToraToraTora]

take it anywhere mate, they cannot void your warranty, one of the few useful things the EU has done.

[davewr]

If you check your warranty document you should find a list of evidence that any non-dealership garage has to supply in order to keep up the warranty. I doubt that many garages would be able or willing to comply.

[Flonska]

Just make sure the correct oil is used:-

https://www.eurocarparts.com/engine-oils

[Ryzen]

You can use any VAT registered garage providing they use recommended parts/oils ....however you try proving that the oil was the correct spec when your turbo gives in within the warranty period.As SD says, bite your lip and use a dealer...Audi's lose enough in depreciation without compounding the misery.

[Bramleyboy]

Thank you all. It’s a grey area so I’ll bite the bullet - again. It’s just that paying through the nose is so painful! Bramley.

[murraymints]

pity you're not up here..my friend is an Audi mechanic in one of those big showrooms ..he does our cars on their premises as a homer... seems it's a perk being one of their top chaps...

[mjwman]

If its under warranty then any garage can do it BUT... If it needs an oil change it needs a service too otherwise warranty will be voided.