My understanding is that under European legislation, you can have your Skoda serviced anywhere - even by yourself - as long as you use OEM parts (and can prove it). This was confirmed by my main dealer.

My understanding is that under European legislation, you can have your Skoda serviced anywhere - even by yourself - as long as you use OEM parts (and can prove it). This was confirmed by my main dealer.

You need to be VAT registered and be able to stamp the book proving you have completed the work to spec.

And you can use whatever parts you want as long as they can be proven to be of equivalent quality.

This is taken from the AA website;

Do I have to get my car serviced by a main dealer?

The European regulations governing the sale and after-sales servicing of new cars changed in October 2003. For new cars purchased after that date you are no longer obliged during the warranty period to get the car serviced by a franchise dealer.

You must however continue to get the car serviced according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule and criteria using only manufacturer approved parts.

The legislation only applies to the part of the warranty offered by the manufacturer, i.e. insurance-backed extended warranties offered by dealers are not covered.

If you do have the car serviced outside the dealer network it is essential that it's done to the maker's recommended schedule and criteria using approved parts. You must also keep records to enable you to demonstrate to the manufacturer that servicing was undertaken to their requirements.

Warranty work should still be undertaken by the franchised dealer as it is easier for them to deal directly with the manufacturer.

There's more information in the consumer advice section of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) website, SMMT UK: Motor Industry Sustainability, Competitiveness, Legislation, Technology, Globalisation, Retail Distribution, Education.

Put the car in for its 1st service today.

When I picked it up I was told £84 please. I said that was less than I thought and I was informed I must of been told wrong on the phone. 1st service is just an oil & filter change which is £84.

And they also washed my car inside and out.

So yes - I have been manufactured a happy driver.

Credit where credit is due, I was shocked at £160 but it turned out to be a good price for real in the end.

I had my fabia vrs serviced for its second annual today and it cost me £182!

I did ask about next year and I was told that would be more as they have to change all the filters and do a brake fluid change.

But it seems it is year 4 I will have the most fun as then it's cam belt too.

So could be the same for you in a couple of years time.

Come year 4 if your warrany has expired go to an independant specialist=better quality work at less money.

Come year 4 if your warrany has expired go to an independant specialist=better quality work at less money.

You don't have to wait till your warranty has expired to use an independent for servicing. I paid £135 for the first service on my Fabia vRS... local dealers wanted £200. :eek:

I know now that you don't have to use a main dealer to maintain the warranty but how easy is it to claim on a warranty if not serviced by the main dealer? I would think it is difficult enough WITH dealer servicing to claim.

So is it worth the risk going outside of the dealer network?

I know now that you don't have to use a main dealer to maintain the warranty but how easy is it to claim on a warranty if not serviced by the main dealer? I would think it is difficult enough WITH dealer servicing to claim.

So is it worth the risk going outside of the dealer network?

It should make no difference.

If the car has a warranty fault, and you can prove there is a proper service history (IE Done by a VAT registered company according to the correct scheduale) then there should be no issue.

The only issue that you will get is when a fault occurs just outside of the warranty, Skoda will favour the vehicles that have a dealer history over those that don't for any goodwill contributions.

True, but they are pretty reliable little beasts!

Now if the French made it....

True, but they are pretty reliable little beasts!

Now if the French made it....

The doors wouldn't leak through the carriers?