New owner of an an MG4 - Servicing Costs?

[dsimpkins]

Yes, mine had several updates as part of the service

 

[Buster72]

Wilcox no longer a dealer, but can still provide MG servicing. Did my MG4 earlier this year.

Yes that is correct. But having spoken to the service guy, he won't be able to do any software updates or registering for the MG breakdown cover. Shame about that because he is quite a bit cheaper.

 

[tsedge]

I can’t understand why UK service intervals are different from Au, and EVs use very few if any parts on a service; more like plug in and download a fix.
FYI in Australia you can have your vehicle serviced at any licensed mechanic and you will not void any warranty issues on your vehicle.

It is historic local market expectations plus local market business model to keep dealers in business - most of their income traditionally is from spares and service.

Given the shorter distances commonly driven in the UK, they need a higher frequency of visits to make up for it. I presume in Australia the model is a bit different?

It may well not be necessary, but how do dealers make ends meet without it?

 

[Buster72]

I had the less than pleasurable experience of having my se sr year 2 service carried out today at Drive MG North Bristol which despite the car having done just under 7000 miles, they insisted on charging me £236. I asked them how long the service actually takes and was told about 1.5 hours !
I took it in as requested at 8am and had a voicemail at 12am informing me that the car had just been taken in to commence the service.

And because of that, I was told I would have to bring it back if I wanted any software updates from the same R13 as when I bought it.

So I am less than satisfied.

 

[Tight Git]

I had the less than pleasurable experience of having my se sr year 2 service carried out today at Drive MG North Bristol which despite the car having done just under 7000 miles, they insisted on charging me £236. I asked them how long the service actually takes and was told about 1.5 hours !
I took it in as requested at 8am and had a voicemail at 12am informing me that the car had just been taken in to commence the service.

And because of that, I was told I would have to bring it back if I wanted any software updates from the same R13 as when I bought it.

So I am less than satisfied.

Sounds almost as bad as my experience at their Darlington branch - except mine claimed there wasn't an update to R13 and the breaking going round corners when using ACC was because I used regen level 3 (I don't!).

Coming up for 3rd service in a couple of months so will be going elsewhere.

Doing the update yourself to R33 is well worth doing and simple enough - took me about an hour to do when I got home after the service!

 

[Buster72]

Sounds almost as bad as my experience at their Darlington branch - except mine claimed there wasn't an update to R13 and the breaking going round corners when using ACC was because I used regen level 3 (I don't!).

Coming up for 3rd service in a couple of months so will be going elsewhere.

Doing the update yourself to R33 is well worth doing and simple enough - took me about an hour to do when I got home after the service!

Thank you.
Just out of interest, how did you do that update yourself?

 

[siteguru]

See the VNCI thread and/or the Software Update thread.

 

[Buster72]

See the VNCI thread and/or the Software Update thread.

Ok. Thank you.

 

[dawson2099]

I paid £224 for 2 annual services in 2023 - next one in 2025 - seemed a good deal as it included AA cover too

Just been quoted £575 for years 3 and 4 which seems high even with the AA cover - I'll call around for quotes

 

[DannySB1]

Think I paid £120 for my first service last year which I thought was very reasonable, that was about the only good thing I can say about that dealer though.

 

[Tuareg]

Think I paid £120 for my first service last year which I thought was very reasonable, that was about the only good thing I can say about that dealer though.

What did the service include and how much labour time was charged?

 

[ozzz]

would be interesting to see the consumables and parts use in a service on a fully electric car. Like my MG4 as I have only had the 1st free service.
It is amazing that vehicles in the uk have rego inspections on cars that are almost new.

 

[Tig170]

Just been quoted £575 for years 3 and 4 which seems high even with the AA cover - I'll call around for quotes

... just go onto the MG website (link), where you will get the same price accross the UK - mine came through something called plan my service, 1 & 3 are around £120, 2 is around £220, and the later ones are in the £200-£300 range, until no 6 which recycles to £120 again - for the AA cover alone its very much worth it.

EDIT : the cycle is

4 Electric 15k/1 year Service​

£114.00
29/01/2026Age at Service: ?

4 Electric 30k/2 year Service​

£217.10
29/01/2027Age at Service: ?

4 Electric 45k/3 year Service​

£114.00
29/01/2028Age at Service: ?

4 Electric 60k/4 year Service​

£250.97
28/01/2029Age at Service: ?

4 Electric 75k/5 year Service​

£265.92
28/01/2030Age at Service:

and then back to​

4 Electric 15k/6 year Service​

£114.00
29/01/????Age at Service: ?

4 Electric 30k/7 year Service​

£217.10
29/01/????Age at Service: ?

 

[ozzz]

... just go onto the MG website (link), where you will get the same price accross the UK - mine came through something called plan my service, 1 & 3 are around £120, 2 is around £220, and the later ones are in the £200-£300 range, until no 6 which recycles to £120 again - for the AA cover alone its very much worth it.

EDIT : the cycle is

4 Electric 15k/1 year Service​

£114.00
29/01/2026Age at Service: ?

4 Electric 30k/2 year Service​

£217.10
29/01/2027Age at Service: ?

4 Electric 45k/3 year Service​

£114.00
29/01/2028Age at Service: ?

4 Electric 60k/4 year Service​

£250.97
28/01/2029Age at Service: ?

4 Electric 75k/5 year Service​

£265.92
28/01/2030Age at Service:

and then back to​

4 Electric 15k/6 year Service​

£114.00
29/01/????Age at Service: ?

4 Electric 30k/7 year Service​

£217.10
29/01/????Age at Service: ?

So so strange in Australia 1st service free and next service due in 40,000k or 2years. So why is it so different?

 

[ReintjeWA]

So so strange in Australia 1st service free and next service due in 40,000k or 2years. So why is it so different?

Is the first service like a check shortly after buying? I just got told to bring it back after two years or 40.000km by Wangara MG, the car has been back to look at the under tray for which the little metal bar is on order now.

 

[ozzz]

Is the first service like a check shortly after buying? I just got told to bring it back after two years or 40.000km by Wangara MG, the car has been back to look at the under tray for which the little metal bar is on order now.

Yes 1st service at 1000k inspection and updates all free.

 

[SBJames]

Sorry to just jump on, but I’ve just been sent this… £926 in total (see below). From looking above, this feels quite expensive??

I won’t do 10K miles a year, the dealer just put those in, but doubt that makes much of a difference?

 

[Tight Git]

Sorry to just jump on, but I’ve just been sent this… £926 in total (see below). From looking above, this feels quite expensive??

I won’t do 10K miles a year, the dealer just put those in, but doubt that makes much of a difference?

It seems that the cheapest way to do the servicing is buying the plan through the MG site! I was quoted £146 for the third service (same as first) but doing it through MG was the £114 as your screenshot. The dealer wasn't prepared to bring the price down from their quote either!

The service plan adds a management charge of about £1.80 per month but it still works out cheaper than paying for each one and also has the advantage of stopping future price rises

 

[EvTek23]

I've just had my second service, the dealer price would have been £204.50, the first year was £85.00, however both were included at purchase so nothing paid so far.
The second service included brake fluid change, pollen filter, screen wash, key fob battery. The car was also washed.
I've just taken out a service plan for the next 4 years, that works out to £254 a year, and includes all parts for each service type, and 4 MOTs. The plan is also refundable for the accumulated amount during the year if the vehicle is sold before the next service.
Year 4 seems to be particularly expensive with the items that are on the list.
As @Tight Git points out the price is locked in against future price rises.

 

[Ian Key]

I've just had my second service, the dealer price would have been £204.50, the first year was £85.00, however both were included at purchase so nothing paid so far.
The second service included brake fluid change, pollen filter, screen wash, key fob battery. The car was also washed.
I've just taken out a service plan for the next 4 years, that works out to £254 a year, and includes all parts for each service type, and 4 MOTs. The plan is also refundable for the accumulated amount during the year if the vehicle is sold before the next service.
Year 4 seems to be particularly expensive with the items that are on the list.
As @Tight Git points out the price is locked in against future price rises.

That sounds like a good deal with the way prices are going up. I'd be tempted if my dealer offers me the same plan.