Seat Leasing - Service requirements

[Julio]

I've got my Leon on lease from Seat. It's a two year contract and I know the 1.4tsi needs servicing at 2 years or 20k. If I return the vehicle say a week before the contract is up (and it will have done less than 20k) do I need to get it serviced on handing it back?

Also, am I required to take it to Seat for servicing? I know my friends Citroen wasn't but my last Merc on lease it was stipulated it must be serviced by MB under the contract.

What are people paying for the first service at dealers?

 

[superdon]

You would be fine handing it back in those circumstances without a service, so long as the car isn't saying a service is overdue. But if you do get it done, it would need to be Seat dealer service. Presuming it's a Seat/VAG lease.

 

[KXL]

I have a 24 month lease car on 2 yr 'long service.' My contracted milleage per yr is 6k miles, so 12k miles or so I will return it.

I asked the dealer before I took the car, what do I do service wise, they said that I would need to service it before I return it @ 24 months. They recommended around the 15-18 month mark. Doesn't have to Seat Garage, any VAT registered garage. I'm considering using Halfords as oppose to Kwik Fit & ATS.

Then I asked them, should I service it with 2 yr long service or the usually 1 yr/ 10k miles service schedule, no response yet!

I checked my oil recently @ 3k miles 6 months old, still looks fine...eg...still light(ish) and clear(ish).

Perhaps ask your lease company? So if there is a dispute, you have proof to say otherwise?

 

[AndrewJB]

Doesn't have to Seat Garage, any VAT registered garage. I'm considering using Halfords as oppose to Kwik Fit & ATS.

Halfords

Although any VAT registered garage can, they still have to use Genuine VAG parts.

 

[kiddo]

I was told as per service book for my lease... 20k or 1 yr service intervals whichever comes first

 

[hitchygolf1971]

Hi,
Plenty of experience with lease cars, if you follow the handbook or service book and it states a service every 2yrs or 20k and you return the car before this period or before the 20k you don't have to service the car. But most cars are every 12mths or every 12k yours could be different depends on what the service book states.

For example I usually have a 3yr contract and I make sure the first service due is always a week later to the year or return the car a week early. So I don't have to mot it or pay for the 3rd service due

 

[KXL]

Halfords

Although any VAT registered garage can, they still have to use Genuine VAG parts.

Bad experience with them? Or they are just no better than KF, and ATS and better to go somewhere independent?

I have no idea as my last Seat Leon had 2 'free' services included, so just had to pop in to a Seat Dealership. I did do MOT with Halfords, no complaints, but not servicing.

 

[superdon]

Doesn't have to Seat Garage, any VAT registered garage. I'm considering using Halfords as oppose to Kwik Fit & ATS.

I would double check on this. Is it a vehicle from Seat Finance (VAG Financial Services)? If so, I am fairly sure they stipulate that servicing must be done as a Seat Approved dealer. Its certainly stated in the terms of my current (Skoda) lease and upcoming (Seat) lease.

I understand VAGs recharge on non dealer servicing is £400!

Either way, I wouldnt trust Halfords, Kwik Fit, ATS etc with any of my cars - ever. Find a recommended independent mechanic!

 

[KXL]

Thanks superdon,

You are correct...I retract my former advice from any registered VAT garage to please check your agreement.

I just checked mine lease agreement....

9.4.1 make sure that the Vehicle is serviced and maintained
strictly in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations
and that scheduled servicing and necessary maintenance
is carried out only by authorised SEAT dealers

BUT....the reply I got from the person I was communicating with through the process of getting the car was...

"You need to service the vehicle and then insure for the 2nd year (as you get free 1st yr insurance), with regards to servicing you don’t need to use a SEAT main dealer just got to ensure SEAT approved parts are used and it’s a VAT registered garage."

 

[superdon]

BUT....the reply I got from the person I was communicating with through the process of getting the car was...

"You need to service the vehicle and then insure for the 2nd year (as you get free 1st yr insurance), with regards to servicing you don’t need to use a SEAT main dealer just got to ensure SEAT approved parts are used and it’s a VAT registered garage."

Was the lease through a broker?

Sounds like a case of them saying what they think you want to hear to get the sale. But, the terms and conditions are what you signed

As I say, I do know of a person that was "fined" £400 for a non dealer service on a VAG FS lease.

 

[KXL]

My 'leaser' is actually a Seat Dealership...there wasn't any admin charges etc. Also wasn't there a 'law' that stated that nowadays you are not longer 'forced' to use say Seat dealership in order to maintain the full service history and warranty. I guess perhaps that is if you are not on a lease but perhaps a PCP/HP etc.

Anyway as you said, i signed the thing, I will follow the thing, it's £169/189, which is not bad. Need to find out if I would need to do a minor or 1st yr service, as mine is currently set to 2yrs long life...and I intend to do a service around the 15-18 month mark.

 

[hitchygolf1971]

If your service book states every 2yrs or 20k I wouldn't have it serviced your not obliged to unless you return the car after 2yrs of it been registered.

 

[KXL]

I need to look at my service book properly, however last time I had brief look, my service book doesn't say as it was empty.

However my 'countdown' service interval timer last time I checked did say 1 yr and many months, so yes in line with 2 yrs service interval.

 

[Jonno02]

Do SEAT have the same as VW with a 30 days grace period from when the service is due?

 

[kazand]

My 'leaser' is actually a Seat Dealership...there wasn't any admin charges etc. Also wasn't there a 'law' that stated that nowadays you are not longer 'forced' to use say Seat dealership in order to maintain the full service history and warranty. I guess perhaps that is if you are not on a lease but perhaps a PCP/HP etc.

Anyway as you said, i signed the thing, I will follow the thing, it's £169/189, which is not bad. Need to find out if I would need to do a minor or 1st yr service, as mine is currently set to 2yrs long life...and I intend to do a service around the 15-18 month mark.

Maybe the 'service anywhere' rule does not apply to lease vehicles, as you are not the owner ?

 

[superdon]

Do SEAT have the same as VW with a 30 days grace period from when the service is due?

I believe so.

Maybe the 'service anywhere' rule does not apply to lease vehicles, as you are not the owner ?

That's pretty much it.

 

[hitchygolf1971]

Not the case I think it depends on the make I've a Ford at the moment and it's on a non maintained lease contract with Ford lease. I could take the car anywhere I wanted but it had to be fitted with genuine Ford parts. If it was on a maintained contract they dictate where the car is serviced.

 

[superdon]

Not the case I think it depends on the make I've a Ford at the moment and it's on a non maintained lease contract with Ford lease. I could take the car anywhere I wanted but it had to be fitted with genuine Ford parts. If it was on a maintained contract they dictate where the car is serviced.

Yes it does depend on who the lease is financed with. I just know VAG FS leases all have that clause in their terms.

 

[hitchygolf1971]

Yes could be the case I know for sure Mercedes you have to have the car serviced through them. Just something to keep in mind when I change to the cupra in August might be worthwhile me getting a price fully maintained if you have to use the dealer sometimes works out cheaper