Newer cars with free sat nav updates
Subaru isn’t the only manufacturer offering free sat nav software updates on newer cars, Volvo and Volkswagen give free lifetime updates with their new models, whereas updating the sat nav in an older Volvo will cost £125.
Audi’s Navigation Plus systems come with five free updates but owners will be charged a fee for any updates made after this, however, the fee associated with this is currently unknown. Ford offers 7 years of free sat nav upgrades with their new models, but the price after this also unknown.
HERE Technologies, a mapping data provider, stated that manufacturers receive regular map updates but it is up to them how often they share these and how much they charge for them, or if they want to enable their customers to have them for free.
The cost itself is said by manufacturers to be mostly made up of the software packages which they pay for plus the labour costs associated with updating the sat nav itself, although why this differs so much between manufacturers is unknown.
Do you need an updated sat nav?
It may be that you are happy to use a map or print off directions rather than use a sat nav which could end up costing hundreds of pounds to update, but the convenience of being told directions as and when you need them is often something that just cannot be matched.
You may also wonder exactly what a sat nav update can offer you. In answer to this, Nissan stated that their latest European mapping software gives the driver access to an extra 1,439,809km of new roads, new street names, and better junction information, so you may actually feel like you are getting your money’s worth, but not if you seem to be paying way more than a lot of other motorists just because of the car you drive.
It is also worth remembering that if you tend to turn to your mobile phone and use this for mapping and directions you do run the risk of being prosecuted for using your phone while driving, so having a sat nav in the car reduces the risk of prosecution, but it is easily just as distracting as using sat nav software on your mobile device.
Do you think that you pay too much for in-built sat-nav upgrades? Would you be tempted to choose a car from a manufacturer offering free sat nav upgrades as a bonus? Let us know in the comments below.
I have yet to see a built in sat nav that comes close to being as user friendly as my (free updates) TomTom. I use it all the time instead of the one in the car.
Never had free updates with my Toms only got those if you bought a new model and was on offer. I do agree though that it is (was for us) a good and simple system to use.
My TomTom Renault systems in Clio (12), Megan (13) and Scenic (14) are brilliant. Rarely any issues at all. Updates are around £70
I enquired about updating my 4 year old Audi sat nav was told over £300 plus vat.
The salesman advise do to update my stand alone Tom tom to save money
The problem with all the built in sat nav systems I’ve used is that they are absolutely useless at giving accurate traffic info. I always use my Tom Tom for that
I’ve known this for six years and was even warned about it by the dealership at the time. How is this “news”?
Russell, don’t be so rude. Just because you know something doesn’t mean everyone does! Anyway to add to the discussion, I’m very happy with my standalone Garmin with free updates. Wouldn’t dream of paying to update! But people obviously do pay – that’s up to them.
I don’t see how Russell was being rude, but I guess that is the problem with today’s society, first world problems.
How the article is written tells a story that it is a new problem, yet it has been an issue for many years, which is probably why there is a huge amount of sat nav alternatives. My phone works just fine as a sat nav, which I’ll always use.
shut up idiot
Not everyone has a nice chap at the dealership like you
I have a Mercedes C180 SE Premium 2014 Estate, with original satnav software.
I was quoted £99+ to update to the 2017-2018 version BUT when I came to pay, I was told a licence fee had been triggered of £76, AND the Bromley Mercedes franchise had failed to tell me that VAT was another add-on.
In all £213 to update maps, which even now are unaware of some postcodes and give misdirections at some roundabouts.
I like the cars but I detest the manufacturer and whenever I can Iavoid the franchise outlets, but their was no choice on this occasion
Not a problem for me yet as I’ve 2 years to go before I should need an update, but in reality nobody within the Mercedes network seems to have a clue about anything to do with updates, or for that matter, satnavs in general. I have also found numerous postcodes that the system doesn’t recognise.
What does interest me though is how come there are so many SD cards for Mercedes satnavs (and no doubt other brands too) for sale on Ebay, claiming to be genuine articles? Are some staff in dealerships running a ‘nice little earner’ selling SD cards that maybe should really not be in their possession. Of course nobody will answer the question, but I’m sure somebody on a more generic forum such as this one can provide the answer.
I use Waze on my phone, it’s far better than any built in one I’ve used and even better than my TomTom which I then sold
Nothing beats Waze! The best by a mile than the closest rival.
Waze all the way, built in Sat-Nav’s are terrible, my Nissan Qashqai came with sat-nav as standard and it is rubbish, only used it once to try it out, never bothered again.
Sat Nav on my Skoda Superb (2016 MY) has some quirks but is pretty good overall, updates are currently free and twice yearly although the release timings are a bit hit and miss and varies between head units also the update process is a bit of a pain (download to PC, copy to SD Card and load from the SD Card onto the head units hard drive) and time consuming. However the update process for portable TomTom and Garmin devices can also be a pain and isn’t always free especially if you have an older model!
I have a Mercedes C180 SE Premium 2014 Estate, with original satnav software.
I was quoted £99+ to update to the 2017-2018 version BUT when I came to pay, I was told a licence fee had been triggered of £76, AND the Bromley Mercedes franchise had failed to tell me that VAT was another add-on.
In all £213 to update maps, which even now are unaware of some postcodes and give misdirections at some roundabouts.
I like the cars but I detest the manufacturer and whenever I can, I avoid the franchise outlets, but their was no choice on this occasion.
I agree with Donald(below)- my son’s GO 6200 standalone is brilliant and constantly updates
That’s typical of Mercedes dealers. I was charged over £900 for a £200 service. Was told that was for the extras that needed doing, but out of courtesy they had updated the sat nav for free. That was my last visit to a dealer.
I have a built in sat nav but you have to be stationary to put in your destination.if hubby is driving we have to find somewhere to pull over to input destination which can be annoying.so we use my phone sat nav easier and we don’t have to stop.
Elizabeth, my Sat nav allows you to operate it on the go but you have to select the appropriate option.
My dealer wants £200 to update my Sat nav SD card but I bought genuine version on eBay for £32.
And that’s the problem because using your phone whilst driving is illegal,,,, using a sat nav isn’t
I have a 2013 Audi Q3 which comes with built-in sat nav but to use it you have to buy a SD card from Audi for £198 and updates cost £160. Rip off, I use my phone.
I have a Toyota Avensis, the map up-dates were free for three years, via Tom-Tom portal, however it was disposable to upgrade them for errors on software compatibility, now up-grades are £150 per year however you can buy top of the range Tom -Tom with much better for around £300 with live traffic for life and up grades to mapping that are free. This is Toyota on a stealth tax to there car purchasers disgrace
My LR Discovery 4 was £275, my present Kia Sorento only £25
The VAG group is generally fair when it comes to SATNAV updates, the exception being SEAT UK. In the rest of Europe SEAT offers Mapcare – a subscription service that is reasonable, but SEAT UK refuses to offer this service – it claims on technical grounds. Technical issues that Audi UK, VW UK and Skoda UK have addressed. My Ateca will cost £150 plus VAT each time I want an update.
I currently own 2 Seat vehicles, but they will be my last. SEAT UK customer service are a joke and should be ashamed of themselves.
Very true. My SEAT sat nav came with 2 CD’s and I need new ones for updates and they cost a small fortune, enough to buy a new TomTom. And worst of all the CD sometimes freezes and sat nav is useless.
I agree with others that the built in sat navs are nowhere near as good as my 10 year old Garmin which has lifetime updates. I have a new car but the sat nav often takes me round in circles so I now keep the Garmin or Google Maps as a backup in the car. Once I feel the need to have to pay for an update with the inbuilt Sat Nav I’ll stop using it
The SatNav in my MK2 Prius has been fabulous. Not only the speed at which it works (recalculating routes) but also the tie into the RDS system and use of that to avoid problems further along the route. However, I agree that the charge to update the maps (recently done by a Toyota main dealer) was somewhat expensive (close to your £300. I balanced that cost with the mess of getting a decent add in unit and figured that I would be better off with the well integrated system I’m used to. The thing that really left me cheesed off was that the upgraded maps still do not cover major enhancements made to the local roads where I live. Whenever I take one particular route the Sat Nav spends 20 miles showing me that I’m not on any road, and insisting that I keep changing my route to get me back onto the old, slow, original route.
This just shows how manufactures/dealers make up their own prices. I have a 2006 Lexus 460 which had the original eleven year old (+!) sat nav software. I gritted my teeth and went to my Lexus (part of Toyota) dealer. The version I bought was made available in January 2018 and cost £151.00 (fitted!). I know you can get “clones” and SD card upgrades are cheaper, but I was well pleased with my upgrade price.
I have been quoted £300 for the update to my 3year old Audi. Ridiculous price. VAG need to rethink this and be fair with their customers.
Couldn’t agree more. I was going to be charged £350 to update my Sat Nav by Landrover.
Cheaper to buy a standalone Sat Nav with free updates
I have a ford focus titanium with built in sat nav been waiting 6 months for a critical update a motability car which as been wrong since I bought it new 9 months ago so whats happening with ford holding back the speed limits are all wrong been to main ford dealer and they are still waiting 5 months later
I have same car and use my voice activated Garmin with free updates as this is easier to use and more accurate. I use the built in one as a back up only.
I bought a new Nissan Qashqai on 1st March. When I went to use it I could tell the soft wear was at least 2yrs out of date. Roads I knew have been around for at least 3 yrs. I am waiting to hear back from Bristol Street Motors in Sheffield.
I have a 2012 Subaru Forester and when I looked at a CD upgrade 2 yeas ago the cost was eyewateringly high. I considered other alternatives offered via the internet but they were alarming ‘unofficial’ and with no certainty that they would function satisfactorily and no comeback if they didn’t. So I stuck with the ageing disc, but do supplement it with my wife’s Garmin satnav or the excellent Waze iphone app. BTW my son uses a newer version of Garmin’s satnav which incorporates a camera – sadly that feature is increasingly necessary in today’s driving environment….
I drive a 2009 Nissan Qashqai. Notprepared to pay Nissan prices for update sat nav cards I bought used cards meaning I was still behind but not as much. Now I use my TomTom with free updates. It’s positioned on the windscreen so my eyes are more on the road than looking down to the inbuilt system. Safer- more up to date- cheaper I say.
Manufacturer sat nav updates are a cash cow just like most OEM car spares
I wouldn’t want a car with the built-in sat navigation.
Mass production of sim cards should be cheap as that is all that is neeeded
RIP off – the majority motorbike GPS systems supplied by the manufacturers are free update, yes you have to remove them and connect to a laptop but that’s a small effort for free updates, cars should be the same and provide a connection port to a laptop for the updates rather than some ‘technicians’ service tool/computer
This article and the comments prompted me to check updates for my vehicle? I have a Kia Sportage and updates are free. I think it’s 6 updates over 7 years and this transfers to new owner if you sell the car. Just like Kia’s 7 year warranty.
Do you need an updated sat nav? Not really in the UK, unless you are looking for addresses in new housing estates or going somewhere you don’t know but then be careful you don’t end up on a railway line or farmers field.
Stick on your screen sat navs are better, 1 You can stick it where you want. 2 Its cheaper to up date, 3 you don’t have to take your eyes off the road as it is where you want it not down in the centre console. 4 If it stops working its not a fortune to replace it..
I’m afraid to say if you “Stick it Where you Want” you may face prosecution. There is only one place on your windscreen where your allowed to place It
5 you take it from car to car, 6 you have your ‘favourites’ at your fingertip (for foreign trips I also check addresses and POI’s in the Sat Nav prior to leaving home, and if necessary use Google Maps to locate difficult ones and save them in my Sat Nav using coordinates, thus avoiding the stress on the road), 7 no need to waste time to learn a foreign-language set system in a foreign rental car (by the time you find the language setting you’ll realise the car is deep inside a multi-storey or underground car park so you can’t operate it until you’re outside, now having to deal with real traffic and where to pull up).
Consumer rip off….Car Manfrs please note!
I use Apple Car Play (there is an Android equivalent) in my Nissan Leaf. You get the benefit of a great sat nav without the possibility of prosecution for using your phone. The phone sits out of the way and all the relevant information is displayed on the car’s screen.
Another advantage is that you can set up destinations and routes in the comfort of your home and check your travel time before even leaving the house.
Used Tomtoms for years. Now have the top of the range £300 model which is a stand alone unit and doesn’t require a smartphone. Map updates are easy and done regularly at home (rather than having to go to a main agent) via wi-fi and free for life as is live traffic and speed cameras. I’ve travelled in lots of vehicles with ‘built in’ units and what with ‘cut down’ systems which give only major roads in other countries to the extortionate cost of upgrades I wouldn’t entertain a built in sat nav.
My garmin is far better than the one in the car. The one in the car was out of date when I bought brand new. My garmin updates for free all its life.
no it doesn’t
Total rip off. No wonder so many people use pirate software. I am lucky, my Volvo has Here maps and free every 6 months, however I now read after 7 years I will be charged.
Dare I ask how one gets hold of pirate software?
It makes a case for avoiding NAV models. I bet that salesmen can’t even give you the cost of updates to help with your decision.
I paid just over £300 for my TomTom SatNav which covers Europe and comes with lifetime updates for both maps and speed cameras. It also gives realtime traffic information. Anybody paying even close to £300 to have an in-car update should seriously consider a standalone model like TomTom.
I don’t own a car with built in Sat Nav although it is an option. But to see what it shows would mean looking down at the consul. My stand alone Garmin if fine, I can have it in line of sight without blocking my view of the road ahead. I don’t update them very often as towns and villages don’t move. In the unlikely event that I’m visiting a new hosing estate, industrial park etc., whoever I’m visiting will tell me how to get there from an establish landmark. Then athere are paper maps which I love. Yes you have to stop, but a small price to pay.
Bmw charge £120 for an interim update which you could do yourself if you ask. Of course your car needs to have this option of map updates for a number of years. They won’t let you know about it unless you try and check for yourself.
It is the same with stand alone sat nav systems — Tom-Tom etc. I had a Tom for over 10 years – different models and one in wife’s car as well. Regularly every couple of months or so you were told that your map etc was “out of date” and pay £150 + to up date new roads , round abouts added !,, x 2 of course.
Now we have purchaced two new Vauxhall’s and the system is hands free just talk to it and tell it where you want to go and it finds the route.
We got these in December last (2017) I am very much wondering when we may be asked to update the softwares,and how much it will be for our cars.
I can always stick my Tomtom back on the window
I have an older Garmin, I don’t get free upgrades, I have emailed them and been told that even though new versions are free upgrades I will have to pay. Not very good customer satisfaction Garmin.
Look on eBay there’s a Russian company selling UK and Europe maps on an sd card for £20 including postage for any Garmin.
I am fed up with mercedes charging just under £100 for Garmin updates when Garmins own GPS are free!
I have a Jag x type 2006 to update this by a Jag main dealer the only people who have the kit , whilst you have to purchase the disc from them they then use it to update on their Jag computers ,to do this costs £1200 inc vat but this will only update to 2010 seems this is Jags policy on run of the mill basic cars [X type] their comment ,when they get to 4 years of age .
But if anyone knows different please post
JLR group are abysmal at providing map updates, including stopping making updates available before vehicles are even out of warranty. Discovery 3 & 4, and even Range Rover models are affected – so much for a “go-anywhere” vehicle (you can but you won’t necessarily know where you are!). They also misrepresent the map data date with it typically being a year older than the advertised “date”
It begs the question – how did we find our way around before SatNav?
We used to get lost more often. We also had discussions in the car which could turn nasty.
It begs the question – how did we get around before cars?
It begs the question further- how did we communicate before the telephone?
SatNav in BMW is absolutely brilliant. Costs? First three years from new are all free. Then just £35/yr after that for UK and the whole of Europe.
Full Time Traffic updates via 4G built in to car with structured diversions and timings. Large and vivid screen at high level on dashboard but obviously not in windscreen sight line. Interaction by voice possible. Tons of (useful) information, such as hotel/restaurant phone numbers.
Shame other manufacturers don’t follow BMW’s example.
I also have a standalone Garmin, free for life updates, nice, but nowhere near as comprehensive as BMW product. Have used TomTom which is comparable to Garmin.
Bottom line is safety and there’s no way I want these latter things stuck on my windscreen obstructing my view.
Interesting to note that a vehicle would be an MOT failure with anything stuck on wiper-swept area anyway.
I have just bought a used Insignia 2012, contacted Vauxhall, they wanted £80 for an update and they sent me a link to a page that didn’t have a UK map on it. (to note, the SD card was missing when I bought the car so I needed more than an update).
eBay – £15 – 2016 maps and I’m sorted, it was £30 for 2017/2018 but I was happy to pay £15.
Yes, there is always risk it wouldn’t work or worse could have busted my system by not updating correctly… but depends how much value you want.
If you buy brand new, make sure you are covered by the free updates.
Glad I just use google maps on my phone, free and accurate.
I’m intrigued by this topic as it’s something I’ve played with for a few years on BMWs. When I bought it I twisted the arm of the dealer to update the maps in my 2010 model 3-series (E91 for anyone who cares) which would otherwise have cost me a few hundred – don’t remember the figure but about £250. I’ve now got a newer 2014 3-series (F31) and opted for the ebay update option: pay some dodgy online dealer maybe £50 & they reply with a download link and ‘key’ to update the system – worked like a charm.
However, recently I was browsing BMW’s ConnectedDrive website and discovered they now offer a 24-month map update ‘service’ for £69.95 – I guess it’s the same sort of thing: download the map data onto a USB stick and enter a code in the system to allow the update. Compared with the comments here from Audi owners I’d say that’s something of a bargain though I assume this is only available on more recent models.
I also believe for really new BMWs there’s an option to have the maps update automatically through the ether/cloud. Not sure if there’s a charge or if this is included in the new car package for maybe 3 years.
Frankly what needs to be done here is enabling the car systems to hook up to home wireless network or to Phone to provide data access and for updating to be done from your home PC or via an app. It’s really quite simple in this day an age.
The reason this isn’t happening is that this is obviously one facility whereby dealers can retain their margin from post sale services.
I have an inbuilt sat nav in my Nissan and don’t find it as accurate as my stand alone sat nav + updates on my stand alone are free. I feel the charges in your article are a rip off. Do you remember when phone companies used to charge for a SIM card? Now they give them away!
Mercedes-E350 sat nav from new- payment requested after 3 years- refused to pay- will not be buying Mercedes again.
VW want more than £150 to update my Passat satnav. This is new price superseding the previous £80 price
I had a built in sat-nav in a Porsche a few years ago, not much in the way of functionality.
I got rid of it, together with the Porsche, I only took a few weeks for me to get over my mid 50 year old mid-life crisis, the car was so uncomfortable and the performance was totally useless on our busy roads.
Tom-Tom sat-nav with free worldwide maps, free traffic and free speed cameras is the best.