Inspection at VW – How often is it due, how high are the costs and what is done?

Regular inspection is key to maintaining the lifespan and value of your Volkswagen. Whether it's replacing fluids, checking important vehicle components or optimizing vehicle performance, the VW inspection ensures that your car always stays in top shape. You can find out what is done, how often you should go for service and what it costs here.

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VW Inspection – These Costs Are Incurred

It is quite difficult to give an exact cost breakdown for the inspection of VW models. The reason is that the dealers individually set the hourly rates and these vary greatly depending on the region in which the workshop is located. Accordingly, it is necessary that you get a cost breakdown before maintenance so that you know how much you will have to pay in the end.

We can give you a few clues along the way.

VW Polo

Costs of major inspection at VW

At VW, there has only been one inspection since the 2021 model year at the latest - no distinction between major and small inspection. Depending on the engine or model variant, the costs can vary:

Inspection VW T-Roc costs:

The pure inspection for the VW T-Roc (without oil change) is specified by VW as 100 time units (ZE). 100 ZE corresponds to 1 hour of working time. Accordingly, one hour of work plus tax must be paid to the dealer.

Inspection VW Passat costs:

For the Passat, VW 110 ZE uses without an oil change. So here the inspection takes a little more than an hour.

These were just two examples, with other models such as the VW Golf or the Polo it will be similar in time.

Costs of a small inspection at Volkswagen

There is no small inspection at VW. The above-mentioned cost units of the major inspection are uniform for all maintenance carried out. The distinction between small and large does not apply to VW.

How much does the service cost at VW?

Since service and inspection mean the same thing, service at VW costs the same as an inspection.

Costs for oil service and inspection at VW

Roughly estimated, an oil change in the VW workshop costs an average of 120 euros plus the cost of the inspection, which usually takes about an hour. So assume costs for oil change and inspection at VW of about 300 euros.

VW Maintenance and Inspection – What is done?

Roughly speaking, the following points should be checked during an inspection of your VW by the workshop:

Checking the interior of the vehicle – e.g. interior, trunk and glove compartment lights, cigarette lighter, sockets and indicator light: Check function
Inspection of the exterior of the vehicle – e.g. front lighting (parking lights, low beam, high beam, fog lights, continuous/daytime running lights, static cornering lights and automatic headlight control (if available), turn signals, hazard warning lights): Check function
Inspection of the vehicle from below – e.g. brake system and shock absorbers: Carry out a visual inspection for leaks and damage
Checking the tyres – e.g. tread depth, condition and tyre tread pattern of the tyres as well as tyre age including the spare wheel and tyre pressure, check and correct if necessary
Inspection of the engine compartment, e.g. battery: check with battery tester
As well as final work such as resetting the service interval display, test drive etc.

VW inspection at 30,000 km, 60,000 km, 90,000 km – what is done?

VW does not differentiate between mileage during inspection and maintenance work. The only thing is that at increased kilometers wear parts have to be replaced at some point or, more specifically, a look is taken at e.g. the brakes.

Inspections

Depending on the operating conditions and vehicle equipment (e.g. engine, transmission or operating fluids) as well as mileage and running time, the following systems can be tested, for example:

Electrics

12 volt vehicle battery: replace if necessary
Lighting
Horn
Headlight adjustment
Reset Service Interval Display

Engine and gearbox

Exhaust system
Transmission and final drive
V-ribbed belts
Cooling system
Engine and components in the engine compartment
Engine oil level

Chassis

Axle joints and tie rods
Tyres
Braking system
Joint protective covers
Coupling rod and stabilizer bearings
Breakdown kit
Steering
Shock absorbers and coil springs

Body

Roof systems
Windscreen
Corrosion of the body
Windshield wiper system and windshield washer system
Door stop
Subsoil
Water drains
Test drive

Engine oil

Wartungsarbeiten

Ergänzend zu den Inspektionsarbeiten müssen abhängig von den Betriebsbedingungen und Fahrzeugausstattungen, z. B. Motor, Getriebe oder Betriebsstoffe, weitere Wartungsarbeiten an deinem Fahrzeug durchgeführt werden. Diese sind zeitabhängig und laufleistungsabhängig oder nur zeitabhängig oder laufleistungsabhängig.

Beispielsweise können nachfolgend aufgeführte Betriebsstoffe oder Bauteile gewechselt werden – das wird aber vorher – oder sobald ein notwendiger Austausch festgestellt wurde, mit dir abgesprochen.

Additives
Active combi filter
Brake fluid
Diesel Fuel Filter
Transmission oil and, if necessary, transmission oil filter
Air filter
Engine oil and, if necessary, engine oil filter
Oil in the final drive and differential
Particle filters
Timing belt and tensioner pulley
Spark plug

How often is the inspection due at VW?

For petrol models, you will have to have an inspection every 30,000 kilometres or every 2 years – whichever comes first. If you drive a diesel, it's 40,000 kilometers or 2 years.

When is the first inspection for a new VW car due?

As already mentioned above, your VW has to be inspected for the first time at 30,000 kilometers (diesel: 40,000 km) or as soon as it is 2 years old.

What happens if you overstay the VW inspection?

Warranty

Volkswagen or Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles models have a warranty that covers all material defects. If you exceed or even skip the maintenance interval and a defect occurs afterwards, it must be checked on a case-by-case basis whether there is a causal connection with the overrunning of the inspection. If such a connection is established, the warranty can be excluded.

How do I find a VW service nearby?

There is a VW dealership in many larger towns - certainly also in your area. It is best to enter your region and the search terms VW Inspection or VW Car Dealership in the online search and suitable dealerships will be displayed.

If you have an older VW model and the manufacturer's warranty has already expired, you can also consider making an appointment for the inspection at an independent workshop. Normally, you can get off a little cheaper here.

Reset different VW models after inspection

Depending on what kind of VW model you have, resetting the service indicator is possible yourself or only in the workshop.

VW Inspection Reset	Who does that? How is this done?
VW Caddy Inspection Reset	Done exclusively by the workshop.
VW T5 / T6 Inspection Reset	Done exclusively by the workshop.
VW Passat Inspection Reset	About diagnostic tester after inspection in the workshop.
VW Golf Inspection Reset	From the Golf VIII onwards, the display is reset via the diagnostic tester after the inspection.
VW Polo Inspection Reset	n/a
VW T-Roc Inspection Reset	This can be done through the workshop or, in the case of models with a digital instrument cluster, via the service menu.