Just bought a pre-registered 2025 Audi A6 40 TFSI Black Edition with only 11 miles on it.

The car was first registered in Sept 2025 but I’m collecting it now in May 2026, so I’m trying to decide whether to leave it on LongLife/flexible servicing or ask Audi to switch it to annual/fixed servicing.

My driving is roughly:

- around 30 miles per day

- mixed 30/40/50 roads

- traffic and roundabouts

- occasional motorway use

- probably 8-10k miles per year

I tend to prefer more frequent oil changes for peace of mind rather than stretching intervals too far.

I’ve always run my vRS Skodas on annual oil services because I’ve believed fresh oil yearly is better for the engine long-term. However, the A6 is less stressed, less performance-focused, and I’ll probably be driving it more conservatively.

So am I being a bit old-school with my thinking here, or would people still recommend annual servicing for this kind of usage?

Would you leave this engine on LongLife or switch to annual servicing in my usage case?

Also, if switched to annual servicing, would the first service still be due Sept 2026 from original registration date?

Thanks.

Edited May 8May 8 by JRUK
Added context

Annual servicing all day long, but certainly every 10k miles.

Audi moved to long service regimes because they were shifting cars with finance and offered free servicing as an incentive. They also introduced it to seduce fleet dealers who hoped to reduce their running costs.

The whole thing is a fallacy. The reality is no synthetic oil can retain the lubrication properties to protect an engine after 18k miles. Down the line, an unsuspecting new owner will buy an ex-fleet or leased 3-4 year old car and discover premature engine wear and pick up the bill.

For all the costs of an oil filter and 5-6 litres of fresh oil, just change it. I personally do it every 5k miles, still use Castrol Edge 5w30 LL, but my 2017 plate 3.0 TDI Allroad will be my last diesel.

Edited May 8May 8 by spartacus 68

Many thanks for the feedback.

My gut feeling was already telling me to ask the dealer to switch it to annual/fixed servicing, so I think that’s probably the route I’ll take.

Looks like I’ll just have to accept the first oil service being due Sept 2026 despite the ultra-low mileage, simply because of the original registration date.

I know it’s probably over-cautious compared to modern LongLife servicing, but I do tend to prefer keeping oil changes conservative for long-term ownership.

Now I just need to decide whether it’s worth taking out a service plan as well. The dealer didn’t really push one on the day as they were more focused on their own protection/cosmetic packages.

Edited May 8May 8 by JRUK
Added content.

Good morning James

I have just read your post this morning with interest and as you reside in Hampshire as do I, may I put an alternative to you regards the future servicing of your lovely new A6 ?

I do understand your desire to look after your car and make sure it works well for many years.

I am 78 years of age and have been fortunate enough to have been the owner of many fine cars in my long life, all purchased new.

I stopped using Main Dealer servicing over 20 years ago and the reasons are that I refuse to pay the exhorbitant rates that they charge and also.....and just as importantly.... I'm not convinced that they offer the finest levels of expertise .

Since 2006 I have owned 2 VW Phaetons, 1 Audi A8, and 2 Audi Q8's . At the moment I am the happy owner of an S5 Avant that I took delivery of four weeks ago. All of these cars were purchased new and I chose to not service any of them with Main Dealers.

All were serviced and maintained to a very high level at The Village Garage Bishops Waltham. I like many other " petrol heads " on this website am not convinced by the long service regimes that Audi supposedly recommend. I endorse everything that Sparticus said in his reply to you. He's a good bloke and knows what he's doing !

So, all my cars that I have listed have had services and particuarly oil changes every 7/8000 miles.

The Village Garage has been running for many years and has a fine reputation. The owner is a guy called Matt who is very clever and knowledgeable guy. And just as importantly he is a car guy who loves all things to do with high end expensive cars. I trust him completely in looking after my cars and being ultra careful when they are with him. He , in fact runs an Audi SQ5 as his personal car.

Matt uses all Audi parts and as he is a listed Audi / Porsche/ VW/ Skoda specialist , you will not invalidate your Audi warranty by taking it there. Matt is able to log and reset your Audi service indicator.

So, it's just a thought and I do hope you don't mind me throwing my 2 penneth in here. The plusses for me are that I believe that my car will be serviced and maintained at a higher level than it would be at an Audi Dealership and I save a ton of money as Matts rates are far lower than Audis.

My missis and I have been touring Germany in the car twice a year for many years now. Our next trip which will be for 4 weeks and cover over 2000 miles will be in October and I will schedule my S5's first service with Matt just before we go. By then he will have done about 5000 miles so a complete oil change and an inspection to make sure all is well.

Finally an added bonus is that Bishops Waltham is a lovely little town so whilst Matt is working on your car, you can have a quiet stroll and have a coffee and breakfast there.

The above is just a thought.....and I dont have any shares in the Village Garage just in case you were suspicious 🙂

Frank

Audi’s service plans are very expensive. They are designed to appeal to new owners and usually a bolt on package that some people accept at purchase, especially when spending thousands on a car. The reality is somewhat different.

Let’s break it down. The basic plan is £719 for two years. That buys you an oil service (basically oil and filter) and an inspection service (oil, air and pollen filter) every 9,300 miles. I’m sure there was a query on the site recently as it didn’t include spark plugs. Usually due at 40k miles. https://www.audi.co.uk/en/owners/service-and-maintenance/service-plans/

Main Audi dealer doesn’t not buy expertise. Like Frank, I moved away from main dealer garages probably 30 years ago. I can see past the branded coffee cups and courtesy wash and vacuum, and know that the £200+ per hour rate, a fraction will go to the technician. The rest pays for the franchise running costs, plus a healthy profit.

As the car is new, then find a garage you trust, preferably Audi or VAG independent that know what they are doing.

I’ve had similar experiences with BMW as my wife has a i3 REx. Great car and the support or rather lack of it from the main dealer was evident when there was an issue withe the generator engine. They failed to fix after three attempts. That was their master tech too. Spent over £1k and said never again.

Bought ISTA software, so service both my wife’s car and VCDS to run my own. Not suggesting you break out the spanners. Maintain the warranty, especially if the car is is mild hybrid. That tech is increasingly complex.

Anyway enjoy that new car feeling.

Edited May 9May 9 by spartacus 68

Thinking about the audi all in plan for the next 2 years. Just coming up to 3 years old and the plan is 2 services, 2 mots, 2 years warranty and road side assistance for about £950. Also noticed that spark plugs and air filter not included both douable at home! Does this seem reasonable cost? The warranty and roadside assistance are the main attraction for me.

1 hour ago, joe6 said:

Thinking about the audi all in plan for the next 2 years. Just coming up to 3 years old and the plan is 2 services, 2 mots, 2 years warranty and road side assistance for about £950. Also noticed that spark plugs and air filter not included both douable at home! Does this seem reasonable cost? The warranty and roadside assistance are the main attraction for me.

At end of day it's your decision. Audi will subcontract roadside to one of main players. Basic roadside from AA is £72 a year. Cars outside 3 years manufacturer warranty, then study the smallprint in detail. If no quibble policy except for wear and tear on brakes, tyres, timing belt, then go for it. You could simply put the money aside as contingency fund. If auto box, such as S Tronic, then that needs serviced every 38k miles. I doubt that's covered. Also get car through full health check before signing. Rear spring rubber seats on A4 Avant for example are inexpensive parts, but expensive to fit.

Edited May 9May 9 by spartacus 68

I echo the comments about annual servicing being better for the car than extended intervals, and independent garages being better than main dealers.

+1 for advice already given.

Regards,

Gareth.

Thank you all for contributing to the thread. I will ask the dealer if they might change oil before collection as a goodwill gesture, but I'm sure the answer will be a hard no. So would anyone agree that an Oil change in September 2026 is the right plan (1yr after pre reg)?

Pleasure James,

I like your approach to keeping this car maintained as it should be, and not as VAG suggests ( explanations already given).

Having said that, with delivery mileage only, personally I wouldn’t be getting the oil change done at handover, but waiting until September when it has a few miles under its belt.

Regards,

Gareth.

If you want lots of mileage from this vehicle I highly suggest doing an oil and filter service every 5k miles. So you would have your usual Audi/independant specialist service at 10k then get an oil and filter done halfway. Won’t cost you more then £120-£140. I have always done this all my vehicles and never have any engine block issues.

On 5/8/2026 at 11:33 PM, spartacus 68 said:

Annual servicing all day long, but certainly every 10k miles.

Audi moved to long service regimes because they were shifting cars with finance and offered free servicing as an incentive. They also introduced it to seduce fleet dealers who hoped to reduce their running costs.

The whole thing is a fallacy. The reality is no synthetic oil can retain the lubrication properties to protect an engine after 18k miles. Down the line, an unsuspecting new owner will buy an ex-fleet or leased 3-4 year old car and discover premature engine wear and pick up the bill.

my 2017 plate 3.0 TDI Allroad will be my last diesel.

Why, as a matter of interest? (Great all-rounder with that engine)

17 minutes ago, DieSel-Q said:

Why, as a matter of interest? (Great all-rounder with that engine)

I don't know what you mean, you'll need to elaborate please.

If you mean why my last diesel - that's easy. Right now I'm on a B9 3.0 TDI Allroad on Euro 6. Beautiful car to drive, 600Nm of torque and importantly you can still service them yourself if you choose to do so. If you look at what VW are doing - they have removed ErWin service recently so dealer only, plus on Golf 8 platform for example, you can't even change out rear pads without ODIS dealer level software.

Besides, diesels are paying heavy price. AdBlue satisfies NOx emissions, but they have high failure rate as it's integral unit, as contains heater, level and pump. Euro 5 technology was more robust.

... I think you will miss the 3.0 TDi. I only seem to be putting AdBlu in about every 20k, and am still getting some ridiculously good mpg on longer runs (for a 2100kg A8). I'm keeping the Audi extended warranty going as it doesn't have to be diesel parts that are expensive. My last Volvo hybrid would have cost me £2500 for an air con compressor , which were known to fail. Similar money for a matrix LED Audi headlight!

I kept my previous A6 Allroad going to 160k - servicing every 10k

I’m not planning on selling the A4 anytime soon, it took ages to find, panoramic, electric towbar, virtual dash, etc. Servicing is key, but we’ll see how tax regimes in the future work, as often it’s just too expensive. Brother used to have 3.0TDI X5, but road tax was getting daft, plus it used to eat tyres.

I've asked the dealer to set to annual service, so the first one will be due this September. I'm definitely getting the Audi service plan, as standard oil service costs are pricey in the South of England. Stepping away from Skoda to Audi is definitely going to have me opening my wallet a little wider! (also on the hook for the "luxury tax" for the next 5yrs. Oof)

Looking forward to Saturday pickup!

Edited May 13May 13 by JRUK

I’ve had a all in service plan for the last four years , used it a couple of times on warranty with rear door locks that can go faulty and a brake pressure sensor

but the rest I’ve done myself , rear spring mounts Audi wanted £600 and it cost my £50 and and afternoon , brake’s also all round

55 minutes ago, Mickwillow said:

I’ve had a all in service plan for the last four years , used it a couple of times on warranty with rear door locks that can go faulty and a brake pressure sensor

but the rest I’ve done myself , rear spring mounts Audi wanted £600 and it cost my £50 and and afternoon , brake’s also all round

I have a service plan and pay monthly for the extended warranty. I had the front brakes replaced for £450 at a good Audi specialist, rather than the £1400 the dealer wanted. And that's 'up North'!

What exactly did you have replaced?

Could you please do us a kindness and amend your profile to include your proper name.

Regards,

Gareth.