is there a TIME limit between services under TLC?

[ashton]

Hi Guys,

My mini Cooper is 4yrs 10 months old and has done just under 20,000 miles, so still has a while to go mileage wise, before its Inspection 1 service.

My understanding was however, that if 2 years have passed since the last service, then they will do the next service under TLC even if you are under the miles indication.

However, I've just been told by Wollaston motors in Northampton, that TLC probably won't pay for my Inspection 1 service, not because I am under service indicator miles, but because it has been been 2.5 years since I had my Oil service!!

I understand that TLC is strict that you must have your car serviced within 1000 miles of the service indicator telling you, but I dont recall ever reading anything in the TLC conditions that you MUST have your car serviced exaclty 24-26 months since your last service, for TLC to be valid even if you've only done a low mileage!

Whats especially annoying is I tried to book the car in for its Inspection 1 just under 2 years after the pervious service and was told that I had to wait at least 2 years before they would do it.
They didn't mention a maximum time limit and as far as I was aware it strictly didnt even need servicing under the terms until it said so on the service indicator.

Does this sound fair or right to people? Has anyone else had a TLC service refused because of the time gap, even if they were under the miles requirement?

Id appreciate any advice in case I have to do battle when i pick the car up tomorrow!

[Mejy Poo]

Sounds a bit iffy to me?

I didn't think there were any conditions?

Doesn't it say you can have it done until a certain mileage?

[ashton]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mejy Poo (original)

Sounds a bit iffy to me?

I didn't think there were any conditions?

Doesn't it say you can have it done until a certain mileage?

Yep, up til now I've only ever heard of people losing their right to a TLC service if they go over the mileage for the that particular service by 1000 miles..

This is the first time I've read or heard that you MUST also have your TLC services done every two years regardless of mileage or lose them!

I wondered if I'd maybe missed something!

[Capsaisin]

I could be wrong, but if you read the handbook, I think it says that oil should be changed every 2 years on low mileage cars. This is probably what your dealer is hinting at. You could always try a different dealership and get your oil changed, now!
In fact most people on here seem to recommend every year. This is independent of TLC and has to be paid for, the service indicator SHOULD NOT be reset.

[Ant FR]

every two years, madness.

You ask any chemist, ( not boots obviously) but oil will break down in 2 yrs.

I think its absoloutly mad that people can't relaise that after 2.5yrs the oil should have been at least changed. When do you change your tyres, when somebody tells you or when they go pop.

[alski]

your coolant should be flushed at 4 yrs and you should have had 2 brake fluid changes by now all time based not on miles....if this has not happend they could be considerd negligent in refusing you a service....
me thinks they need a gentle prod, lest they be named and shamed some more,
ask exactly how to spell the service managers name so you can put him on mini 2

[ashton]

Just picked my car up after its service and the Inspection 1 was covered by TLC after all with no arguements, so I'm very relieved!

I don't know why the guy who served me last night decided to freak me out by telling me it wasn't covered. Maybe they performed some behind the scenes miracle to get it covered, I don't know.

I think in future though, I will wait to be served by Andrew who is always utterly charming and goes out of his way to explain everything really well

Thanks for the replies btw!

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Hi,
I'm in a similar boat to you, car is now 3 years old and only 17k.

I have an oil service regardless every 12months but it will be 2 years on 9th August since my TLC first oil change so I'm now expecting (after reading your posts) I should be asking my dealership to perform the Inspection 1 at this point.

If it was the case that the TLC is purely mileage dependent I'd quite possibly not get my Inspection 1 or 2nd Oil Change

Cheers, Geoff.

[ashton]

Quote: Originally Posted by drainaudio (original)

Hi,
I'm in a similar boat to you, car is now 3 years old and only 17k.

I have an oil service regardless every 12months but it will be 2 years on 9th August since my TLC first oil change so I'm now expecting (after reading your posts) I should be asking my dealership to perform the Inspection 1 at this point.

They will make you wait until after the 9th August before they will do your Service Inspection 1, but I'm sure you will have no problems getting it done under the TLC package. Maybe just don't delay it any further like I did

Did you get your brake fluid changed after 2 years as per TLC also?

[charlie2]

hi, i have just had a similar problem with my car at the local dealer. my car is a july 04 coopers. car was in 14/10/05 for oil service at 9k,
27/04/07 for brake fluid at nearly 20k
18/10/07 for inspection 1 at 22k not sure if this covered oil or not.
i was told at the 22k service that i need to bring the car in about now to keep it on track and to get all the tlc freebies in, so went in yesterday (30/08/08) at only 25k to be told by a different service manager that the tlc expires on 12/07/09 and the car will not be covered because its not due until 18/10/2009 or @37k some 12-13k time.whichever happens first. i will be charged for the next one.
any ideas?