Why are my service intervals so short?

My Skoda Octavia with a 1.6-litre TDI CR engine and set to variable servicing does not do more than 8.5K before the service spanner comes on. Any idea of the problem?

Peter Dalby (Cockermouth)

Sep 2011 Filed under: servicing

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Expert answer

Hi Peter,

We spoke to a technical expert within Skoda Ireland. He confirmed that there's likely to be something else up, as no car would require servicing on that low mileage. The variable indicator works off an oil quality sensor and also takes into consideration length of time between services. It works off two years between services though so if you're doing only 8,500 kilometres every two years that may well be the issue.

With that information to hand, it might be worth popping into your local Skoda dealer and talking it through with them. If you're racking up 8,500 kilometres quickly then there could be a faulty sensor somewhere.

Hope that helps.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser
@Shane_O_D