How Much Does A Volkswagen Oil Change Cost?
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Volkswagen is one of those vehicle brands that’s a little hard to get a good sense of. They’re luxury vehicles, but also consumer vehicles. They’re powerful, safe, and durable but also designed to be more affordable.
That combination of traits makes Volkswagen some of the most appealing vehicles on the market for a lot of drivers, but plenty of people also wonder if there are any hidden costs behind the brand.
For instance, do Volkswagen oil changes cost more than other vehicles, like other luxury brands?
Well, we have good news! No, for the most part, Volkswagen maintenance is priced like consumer brands, which is important because it means that these cars are significantly more affordable to own in addition to being affordable to buy.
Of course, there are a few complications there, so we’ll talk about the real costs of a Volkswagen oil change, how often you should get your oil changed, and how you can save on maintenance costs if you need or want to.
Let’s get started.
How Much Does A Volkswagen Oil Change Cost?
Even though Volkswagen oil changes are a little more standardized than some other brands, there are still a lot of variables that can impact the cost of your Volkswagen oil change.
For instance, where you live and how many mechanics work on Volkswagen in your area is one of the biggest determinants of cost.
But the size of your vehicle, what kind of oil you want, and even how old your Volkswagen is can all have a big impact as well.
For instance, large vehicles need more oil, and it usually takes longer for the old oil to drain out of the system, so it costs more to get an oil change on a large vehicle.
Smaller vehicles are typically more affordable.
But, all Volkswagen oil change prices are fairly reasonable: you can expect to pay between $60-160 per oil change for most Volkswagen vehicles.
That’s important because it means that there isn’t as wide a price difference, and it also makes it easier to spot when you’re getting an unreasonable price for a Volkswagen oil change.
However, there are a few legitimate reasons why an oil change might be more expensive than that.
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Why Would A Volkswagen Oil Change Cost More Than Average?
There are a few reasons we want to cover in case you end up getting sticker shock from a mechanic that’s more expensive than average:
Foreign Vehicle Maintenance Costs More
While Volkswagen vehicles are common enough that a lot of mechanics are familiar with them and have the appropriate skills and tools to work on these vehicles, there are also plenty of mechanics who don’t have that specialized skill.
That means that if you’re living somewhere, there are only 1 or 2 Volkswagen mechanics, you may end up paying more for routine maintenance.
Using Higher Quality Materials
The quality of the engine oil and filters you use matters with all vehicles, and Volkswagen is no exception. Some mechanics might charge more than average in exchange for using OEM filters they have to order in or using a higher quality full synthetic or high mileage oil for your vehicle.
You’re Driving An Older Volkswagen
As cars get older, their maintenance costs tend to increase, and that’s still true of Volkswagen, just like any other vehicle.
One of the reasons oil changes might get more expensive is if your mechanic has to pay more for an outdated filter or has to look for alternatives to a filter that isn’t on the market anymore.
While most vehicles still have their oil filters supported, there are a few cases where your vehicle might just cost a little more because of small problems like a filter that’s out of production.
How Often Should You Get The Oil In Your Volkswagen Changed?
Volkswagen is another foreign vehicle that has relatively long intervals between oil changes recommended by the manufacturer. Those might be accurate in Europe, but for most of the United States, you’ll need to change your oil more often if you want to keep the vehicle in top working condition.
For most Volkswagen, you’ll need to change the oil every 3k miles or so. That’s between 2-4 times a year for most drivers, which means that you’ll need to change it a little more often than average for a vehicle of its type.
Thankfully, the lowered costs for an oil change help make up for the increased frequency. And, unlike the most exclusive luxury vehicle brands, there will be a lot more mechanics to choose from when you need to get an oil change.
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Can You Save Money On A Volkswagen Oil Change?
Yes! Volkswagen isn’t so exclusive that it’s difficult to save money on them, which is great news if your maintenance budget is being pushed.
For one thing, it’s perfectly fine to take your Volkswagen to an oil change-only shop. As long as they stock synthetic oil and reasonable quality filters, they’ll be able to take care of your Volkswagen. Plus, since there’s a quick turnaround on oil changes, you don’t have to worry so much about damage from more affordable supplies.
You can also go the route of changing your own oil at home. While it’s best to still order OEM filters and high-quality oil, again, if you’re strapped for cash, the faster turnaround on oil changes means that you can go with slightly more affordable options without causing too much damage to your Volkswagen.
Just always make sure you fully drain the reservoir, and don’t be surprised if you need to get some specialized tools and supplies for your first oil change.
You can also take your Volkswagen to a wider range of mechanics, which means that price shopping is another good way to save money on the vehicle’s maintenance. Finding a mechanic who does good work for an affordable price is a lot easier with this brand than some of the more exclusive alternatives.
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