[DC1997]

Hi there,

First post on the forum for me!

I got a brand new Audi A5 in May 2023, which is obviously now approximately 1.5 year old. I haven't had any service etc. done on it yet so was thinking now is probably a good time to do something... at least so I have the paperwork trail to show it is being looked after and maintained etc.

My question is which type of service do I require? Obviously it would be easy for me to just go and get a Full Service but this comes at a hefty cost and I am not entirely sure whether I require everything that's included in a Full Service (wheel alignment for example) given the car is still practically new and has been well driven and taken care of etc.
I've did approximately 8000 miles.

I am getting an oil change alert on my dashboard saying it's due in 20 days, so I figure that this would need changed of course.

Basically, what I'm asking is... is there any sort of recommendations or guidance anywhere that states/advises what parts of a service would be applicable to a nearly new car.

If the Full Service (with all the bells & whistles) is required then so be it, but I just didn't want to pay the price of a full service when it perhaps isn't all required.

Thanks in advance!

[Nick]

Hey @DC1997 , welcome to the RAC Forums and thanks for making your first post - it's great to hear from you!

I've always gone along with the thinking that a full service should be every 12K miles or 12 months, and an interim one half that. I suspect official recommendations differ from manufacturer to manufacturer - there should be something in your service book (assuming you have one) that gives Audi's version.

Here's a link to an RAC article about car services

Let us know how you get on and what you decide to do.

[Rolebama]

I would go for a full service. Things 'settle' from new and things do go out of adjustment. I think at 8,000 miles everything will have settled so a thorough check wouldn't go amiss. It is not essential that servicing is done by a main dealer, just by a competent garage. My daughter has an Audi, and the local garage labour rate is half the nearest Audi dealership.

[Nick]

I would tend to agree with @Rolebama I reckon.
One of my other considerations I often have in mind for this type of thing, alongside the fact that services just make sure your car is running as effectively and efficiently as possible, harks back to my days of dealing with claims at one of the UK's largest insurers - I think a car with with a complete and up to date service book adds to its value should it ever be needed - i.e. when selling or (touch wood not) when making a claim for a total loss or theft. It's a good way to show the state of the car and how it's been looked after.

Also agree about not necessarily using a main dealer.

[NMNeil]

Originally Posted by Nick

Also agree about not necessarily using a main dealer.

Careful on that one because reading the Audi new car warranty they have a long list of exclusions which could void the warranty.
"Damage or defects as a result of repairs or incorrect installation of parts or accessories by an unauthorised workshop
Damage or defects as a result of failure to comply with the operation instruction in the Owner's Instruction Manual, Service Schedule Book or any literature supplied by Audi UK or an Audi Centre. It is your responsibility to ensure that servicing is maintained in line with the Manufacturer’s instructions and sufficient records are kept to confirm this"
https://delivery-p123727-e1214567.ad...ion-030723.pdf
We had issues here some time ago because BMW required that all repair parts for accident damage be genuine BMW parts. Of course the auto insurance company was having none of that and told the body shops to use aftermarket or junkyard parts for the repairs, voiding the warranty.

[olduser]

With any new car, until it was out of warranty, I have always followed the manufacturers service plan.

These days the usual plan is service every 12 months unless the car is subject to very high mileage or is being used in extreme conditions.
With a minimal service for first service, the dealer probably gets paid to do some checks on known issues at the same time but who knows if they actually get done?
The minimal service includes an oil change.
Later services will have more items to be checked and/or adjusted, this sequence then culminates in a major service (at very high mileage) after which the cycle starts again.