Don't know if conditions are the same in the UK, but here Skoda Sweden offers a prolonged Mobility Guarantee as long as regular service is done at an authorised VAG garage. 24/7 roadside assistance, towing to the nearest VAG garage if needed, free courtesy car for three days or hotel accomadation/alternative transport.

SWMBO's old Octy (2000) is soon due for service. She (SWMBO, not Octy) likes to feel that the guarantee is there. But it's not actually free, since the service cost at an independent garage is considerably lower (we would probably save almost £100 on a standard 10,000 miles service).

It's wonderful to know that the guarantee is there (and we have used it once, when a spark plug blew out of the head). And SWMBO sometimes makes long journeys on her own while har mechanics skills are limited to top up oil, coolant and wiper washer fluid. But how much is it worth, really?

Grateful for opinions to help me make up my mind.

Do you have recovery organisations similar to our Automobile Association, Green Flag and Royal Automobile Club, or the German's ADAC, in Sweden? if so, compare the difference in service cost with the cost of joining one of them for a "covers specific car" policy with the same recovery etc benefits.

The £100 is in the ballpark for what I'd expect to pay for a similar service level in the UK, but that's pretty limited in usefulness if you don't know if similar services in Sweden are half the price or twice the price!

Do you have recovery organisations similar to our Automobile Association, Green Flag and Royal Automobile Club, or the German's ADAC, in Sweden?

Nope (those UK institutions have always impressed me). You have to sort everything out on your own - call a tow truck (that might or might not be able to fix some troubles on the spot), deal with the garage next day and so on and so on

And of course my question is really an impossible one, as will all insurance costs. If you're standing on a dark and snowy roadside with broken generator belt the service is worth quite a lot. if nothing happens it's bl00dy expensive...

In which case I'd say it's a not unreasonable amount for a deluxe recovery package, and you're not going to get one any other way.

Thanks. And mind you, I won't let the VAG garage do more than the minimum, i.e. the regular service! The cambelt/waterpump also needs to be changed this winter. But I'll let our trustworthy independent take care of that one

It might specify that things like the cambelt are done at a VAG dealer as that is required in the service schedule.

It might specify that things like the cambelt are done at a VAG dealer as that is required in the service schedule.

Hmm, good suggestion but I can't find anything about that in the small print. I can always say: "well, the waterpump started to make a strange noise so we had to change it two months ago and of course the belt was changed too, so no need to do it now".

If they insist that it should be done anyway I'll ask Lady E if she can lend me the AK47 she has under her driver's seat.

EDIT: No need for the gun, I remember now that we are already covered by the guarantee (and have used it) although the VAG garage has no records at all of the previous cambelt change (done by the previous owner at an independent garage).

This is a super old thread, but thought I would give my experience with Mobility Guarantee in 2026.

In summary - its an *rse to sort out.

Firstly, I recommend that everyone get acquainted with Terms and Conditions - https://customer.vwfs.co.uk/content/dam/bluelabel/valid/www-vwfs-co-uk/documents/all-in/skoda-allin-roadside-assistance-terms-and-conditions.pdf especially the section of Onward Travel. I had the most infuriating individual on planet earth who couldn't tell me anything other it was in the "standard terms and conditions". Basically, I didn't play ball.....you get two days of free hire (helpful when the garage takes three weeks to repair anything); you need to pay £50 hire fee; then any unknown fees that are presented at anytime. Unacceptable, vague and helpful.

I get that there are people out there who drive cars like they stole them and don't care; that's not me, but it is sharp and pernicious business fees. Its unhelpful and honestly, its VAG being tight and unhelpful.