ive just serviced my 2005 passat but the ''service now'' light still shows does anyone know how to get this off without having to go back to the garage with it

ha, they mugged you off. dastardly Germans.

l think it has to be reset electronicaly by pluging in to a computer from the multiplug diagnostic socket but am not certain

Do not think you can. The garage will link it up to a handheld computer that can erase service messages and the like

if car is set up for fixed interval servicing
try the folowing
on the dash at clocks the button on the right is button A
button on the left is button B

press and hold button A
switch ignition on( lights only)
the word SERVICE will appera in the trip recorder display
release button A
turn button B to the right to reset the display
turn ignition off

If you got it serviced at the shop, they would have shut off the light. The only thing to do(and probably the fastest) is to drive to a VW dealer and talk to service manager (or try one of those quicky lube places - they should know.

What Michael said is exactly what you would need to do

get the oil changed.finally

On the instrument cluster, (lower right) there is a button with a wrench on it. With the key off, press and hold this button. Turn the key on and (while still holding the wrench button) press the ''min'' button on the lower left of the I.C. If there is no wrench button, do the same thing with the ''0.0'' button on the lower right of the I.C.