First MOT

zofinger · 09-07-2017, 01:21 AM

So my first MOT is due next month. No warning lights on the dash but I know it will be due whilst I'm on holiday so have booked in to have it done a couple of weeks early. I got a call from the dealership yesterday - here's the conversation:

Dealership: "You're booked in for an MOT and your car's telemetry* is sending us a message saying your brake fluid needs replacing, would you like us to do that during the MOT?"

Me: "No thanks"

Dealership: "Oh"

Me: "Well I presume the car would tell me if it needs doing?"

Dealership: "Well it would, however it's not showing because the MOT light is on instead"

Me: "The MOT light is not on. It's not due until next month"

I said thanks again and we parted ways.

*i can't recall exactly the term she used - but basically they'd received information remotely form the car.

I came home and checked iDrive and low and behold - in the vehicle check brake fluid does need doing. very clever!

xenon · 09-07-2017, 01:45 AM

Brake fluid should be replaced every three years.

Tengocity · 09-07-2017, 01:49 AM

What's the actual question?

The brake fluid change is time based and won't have changed, so it sounds like the dealer using technology as intended, to offer a better customer service.

Yes, it helps their business, but that's how it's supposed to work.

If the car and the BMW systems are set up that way and they didn't ask then I think would be annoyed by that.

Anyway, now you know and you can ensure you get it changed.

HighlandPete · 09-07-2017, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tengocity

What's the actual question?

The brake fluid change is time based and won't have changed, so it sounds like the dealer using technology as intended, to offer a better customer service.

Yes, it helps their business, but that's how it's supposed to work.

If the car and the BMW systems are set up that way and they didn't ask then I think would be annoyed by that.

Anyway, now you know and you can ensure you get it changed.

Exactly. How it is supposed to work.

If we do our homework, simply look at the iDrive vehicle info menu, we know exactly what's coming up, timed and/or mileage based. If we don't look, the dealer should give us a prod.

MarkG_M5Comp · 09-07-2017, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Exactly. How it is supposed to work.

If we do our homework, simply look at the iDrive vehicle info menu, we know exactly what's coming up, timed and/or mileage based. If we don't look, the dealer should give us a prod.

Do others not check this screen regularly?

I have a look every week or so when checking engine oil and tyres - seems logical to know in advance when the next intervention is due...

ronime · 09-07-2017, 03:32 AM

I'm almost grateful that the first brake fluid change is pushed out to three years now. Not so long ago it was two years (for other manufacturers, at least).

Brake fluid and MOT test at three years is a PITA though when your car only needs servicing every two years.

Chas325 · 09-07-2017, 04:06 AM

I had the brake fluid changed at MOT time, Cooper York - i was surprised how cheap it was £52 iirc, Audi used to charge £80 for my A4.

nik patel · 09-07-2017, 10:10 AM

Mine is 3 years this week and the cars going in for its 2nd service with brake fluid next week. I decided not to get the MOT done there as it doesn't really matter where its done.

Ajs_435d · 09-07-2017, 10:19 AM

I was confused by the actual question too.

Its not expensive as above i think i paid circa £60, the thing is if you have M sport brakes there has been instances of the brake nipples seizing on, so if they snap them they have to replace the caliper.

crono06 · 09-07-2017, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ajs_435d

I was confused by the actual question too.

Its not expensive as above i think i paid circa £60, the thing is if you have M sport brakes there has been instances of the brake nipples seizing on, so if they snap them they have to replace the caliper.

I know I'm not from the UK, but I had this happen on my M Sport Brakes. One of the nipples was seized, and they swapped the caliper out under warranty.

Also, you guys are lucky that your brake fluids are done every 3 years. It's 2 for us in North America

zofinger · 09-07-2017, 01:55 PM

Thanks for all your replies. And to those who asked "Er...what's the question?" Then well done!!

You'll notice I edited the post shortly after creating - it originally said that I didn't have a brake fluid warning at the time of the dealer phone call and writing the post. So it was a moan (and warning to others) that the dealer was trying to con me into a service i didn't need!

But after posting I thought "Mmm...let me check iDrive again". I went out to the car and hey presto - there was the warning! Sorry for wasting anyone's time and for my inability to delete a thread!

planemad · 09-07-2017, 03:37 PM

I actually think the first fluid change interval is at year 3 then every 2 years after that.
The factory installed fluid is very very fresh and controlled for water ingress so get an extra year shelf live.

Herr Dreier · 09-07-2017, 04:01 PM

Sounds like those rather helpful people from "Microsoft" or "ISP" who phone up regularly when they've identified another problem with my computer. Strange really, as they never seem to be able to fix it - so perhaps you did the right thing by turning them down.

Bill10 · 09-08-2017, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by planemad

I actually think the first fluid change interval is at year 3 then every 2 years after that.
The factory installed fluid is very very fresh and controlled for water ingress so get an extra year shelf live.

Your right. My car is 5 years old this month and just had its 2nd brake fluid change. Next one is due September 2019 according to idrive.

moonshine · 09-08-2017, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by planemad

I actually think the first fluid change interval is at year 3 then every 2 years after that.
The factory installed fluid is very very fresh and controlled for water ingress so get an extra year shelf live.

this was my understanding - first brake fluid change due at 3 yrs, followed by 2 yr intervals thereafter.

ukbeemerboy · 09-08-2017, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by planemad

I actually think the first fluid change interval is at year 3 then every 2 years after that.
The factory installed fluid is very very fresh and controlled for water ingress so get an extra year shelf live.

This is the correct schedule for the brake fluid changes....

09-07-2017, 01:21 AM	#1
zofinger Major 319 Rep 1,091 Posts Drives: F30 335d MSport Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: England iTrader: (0)	First MOT - Dealer brake fluid upsell? So my first MOT is due next month. No warning lights on the dash but I know it will be due whilst I'm on holiday so have booked in to have it done a couple of weeks early. I got a call from the dealership yesterday - here's the conversation: Dealership: "You're booked in for an MOT and your car's telemetry* is sending us a message saying your brake fluid needs replacing, would you like us to do that during the MOT?" Me: "No thanks" Dealership: "Oh" Me: "Well I presume the car would tell me if it needs doing?" Dealership: "Well it would, however it's not showing because the MOT light is on instead" Me: "The MOT light is not on. It's not due until next month" I said thanks again and we parted ways. i can't recall exactly the term she used - but basically they'd received information remotely form the car. I came home and checked iDrive and low and behold - in the vehicle check brake fluid does need doing. very clever! Last edited by zofinger; 09-07-2017 at 01:27 AM..*
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09-07-2017, 01:45 AM	#2
xenon Major General 1397 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	Brake fluid should be replaced every three years. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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09-07-2017, 01:49 AM	#3
Tengocity General 8567 Rep 19,982 Posts Drives: 911, Cayenne Turbo, Disco 4 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland iTrader: (0)	What's the actual question? The brake fluid change is time based and won't have changed, so it sounds like the dealer using technology as intended, to offer a better customer service. Yes, it helps their business, but that's how it's supposed to work. If the car and the BMW systems are set up that way and they didn't ask then I think would be annoyed by that. Anyway, now you know and you can ensure you get it changed. __________________ Current: Porsche 911 991 C4S, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Land Rover Discovery 4. Gone...G01 X3 M40i, Cayman S 987, F31 340i, Cayman GT4, F82 M4 CP, Lotus Exige V6, G20 330e, F30 330e, Boxster S 987, F31 335d, Mini Cooper SD, E89 Z4, E90 330d 320d, E60 520d, E46 330d 320d, MX5s, E30 325i
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09-07-2017, 03:32 AM	#6
ronime Captain 344 Rep 834 Posts Drives: BMW X1 sDrive20i M Sport MHT Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: West Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (0)	I'm almost grateful that the first brake fluid change is pushed out to three years now. Not so long ago it was two years (for other manufacturers, at least). Brake fluid and MOT test at three years is a PITA though when your car only needs servicing every two years. __________________ BMW X1 sDrive20i ///M Sport MHT
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09-07-2017, 04:06 AM	#7
Chas325 Lieutenant 111 Rep 445 Posts Drives: F31 325d MSport Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Leeds iTrader: (0)	I had the brake fluid changed at MOT time, Cooper York - i was surprised how cheap it was £52 iirc, Audi used to charge £80 for my A4.
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09-07-2017, 10:10 AM	#8
nik patel First Lieutenant 31 Rep 351 Posts Drives: BMW 330d M Sport Pro G20 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Mine is 3 years this week and the cars going in for its 2nd service with brake fluid next week. I decided not to get the MOT done there as it doesn't really matter where its done. __________________ Nik
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09-07-2017, 10:19 AM	#9
Ajs_435d Lieutenant Colonel 355 Rep 1,846 Posts Drives: 435d m sport m performance Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	I was confused by the actual question too. Its not expensive as above i think i paid circa £60, the thing is if you have M sport brakes there has been instances of the brake nipples seizing on, so if they snap them they have to replace the caliper.
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09-07-2017, 01:55 PM	#11
zofinger Major 319 Rep 1,091 Posts Drives: F30 335d MSport Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all your replies. And to those who asked "Er...what's the question?" Then well done!! You'll notice I edited the post shortly after creating - it originally said that I didn't have a brake fluid warning at the time of the dealer phone call and writing the post. So it was a moan (and warning to others) that the dealer was trying to con me into a service i didn't need! But after posting I thought "Mmm...let me check iDrive again". I went out to the car and hey presto - there was the warning! Sorry for wasting anyone's time and for my inability to delete a thread! Last edited by zofinger; 09-07-2017 at 11:41 PM..
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09-07-2017, 03:37 PM	#12
planemad Lieutenant Colonel 773 Rep 1,643 Posts Drives: 2020 Audi SQ7 & 2019 AM DB11 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: The Democratic Peoples Republic Of South East England iTrader: (0)	I actually think the first fluid change interval is at year 3 then every 2 years after that. The factory installed fluid is very very fresh and controlled for water ingress so get an extra year shelf live.
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09-07-2017, 04:01 PM	#13
Herr Dreier Lieutenant 382 Rep 484 Posts Drives: G31 540i Xdrive Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Sounds like those rather helpful people from "Microsoft" or "ISP" who phone up regularly when they've identified another problem with my computer. Strange really, as they never seem to be able to fix it - so perhaps you did the right thing by turning them down.
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