PEUGEOT has announced a radical plan to more than double service intervals to 20,000 miles, saving customers up to 25 per cent of service costs.

It will also make major savings in time as well as money, effectively cutting by half the number of service visits the customer has to make to the dealer during the lifetime of the vehicle.

The new service intervals will also have a major bearing on the overall cost of ownership, a major factor for fleet operators and high-mileage business customers.

The existing 9,000 mile or one year interval between services for a petrol-powered Peugeot will be extended to 20,000 miles or two years. For diesel versions the interval will rise from 6,000 or one year to 10,000 miles or two years.

The new intervals, the first time a voume manufacturer has extended servicing intervals to 20,000 miles - will apply to all Peugeots registered on or after August 1, in time for the surge in demand for new registration cars, which accounts for around 25 per cent of annual sales.

At the same time the first free warranty visit will be extended from 1,000 miles to 6,000 miles or six months. Customers will also be able to take their cars for intermediate visits (essentially checks on fluid level such as oil, coolant etc.) at 30,000 and 50,000 miles. They will be able to do this without an appointment and at no charge, wherever the dealer is located.

The extension to service intervals has been made possible by Peugeot's continuing efforts to improve engine efficiency, braking systems, oil filtering and to reduce oil consumption.

Another significant factor has been the successful use of semi-synthetic oils resulting from Peugeot's continuing partnership with oil specialists Esso and Total.

Charles Greenland, Peugeot's Director of Parts and Service, commented: "The decision to extend service intervals is a direct result of the advances Peugeot has made through innovation and technology. We want to ensure that the benefits of these technological advances are passed on to the Peugeot customer."

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