So, bought myself a really tidy 2003 vRS estate last week. 33k on the clock and really clean body work. Chuffed.

Since it is 5.5 years old I figured I'd get the timing belt done (was still on its original). Bought the parts from skoda and took them to a local garage.

Got the car back and noticed a few scratches on the top of the wings where the guy hadn't covered the body work when leaning over th engine bay. Got the garage to poish them out. Not perfect but not a disater.

This morning though, I noticed that they have also folded both front sills over so badly that the original jack can't even be used on the car. All the paint in the area has also been cracked. Phoned them up and the garage owner assured me that they can fix this.

Does anyone know how bad this damage could be and realistically how well it can be repaired? The seams are folded right over and the underseal is cracked through.

Moral of the story? You really can't trust a garage to do a decent job.

iep

The wory for me would be if they didn't cover the wings and damaged the sills, how good a job did they do fitting the timing belt kit?

I had this happen to me when i had my Octy at a VAG specialist in Hull after they had the car in for a 4 wheel alignment check.

Mine were not folded right over but the flange bit that sticks down was properly mauled. I ended up straightening the area up as best i could with mole grips and a bit of persuasion with a hammer, then painted the flange bit that pokes down black for the full length of the car. Made sure when i took it anywhere else that they jacked the car up under something more substantial than that part of the sill.

The same thought occured to me so I took the timing belt cover off to have a look and all is well. I gather the guys are mechanically savvy, just careless. Annoying as I normally do all work myself but thought I'd use a garage for nce as it's a tricky job. Rather I hadn't now.

iep

Its quiet a common problem with the mk1 octavia, my old vRS was the same. Are you sure it was the garage that did it, could it have been like it before.

I just left mine, as it can cause more problems trying to straighten them especially if they are bent over.

Yeah, was definitely the garage. I made sure they were straight when I bought it 7 days before I took it to the garage.

I guess I could leave it but it means the jack won't work and I don't want to get stranded somewhere unable to change the wheel.

It annoys me cause it's so fecking easy to avoid. Just jack it carefully from the correct points. The muppets just didn't take care.

iep

The sills on the octy must be weaker then a paper cup, as mine has been folded on one side.

they are not that week lol they are a **** to get straight again, mine were done at a skoda place so even stealers are crap!

i have left mine as they are similar on both sides and I have jus pauinted under body sealer under all the car this week.

billy

Mine flat too :(

Dodgy tyre fitter...

Mine are flat too and another dodgy tyre fitter. TBH they are not the strongest sill's I've ever had.

Mine were not folded right over but the flange bit that sticks down was properly mauled. I ended up straightening the area up as best i could with mole grips and a bit of persuasion with a hammer, then painted the flange bit that pokes down black for the full length of the car. Made sure when i took it anywhere else that they jacked the car up under something more substantial than that part of the sill.

Same here, with my car lower than normal, local garage instead of checking first, just tries to run a trolley jack under the car without really looking. Even when i said be careful car is low, it's like they go into overdrive. 4 wheel alignment was the last time it happened. I regulary bend them back, and try not to use garages often. Each time i re underseal them

Well, at least I'm not alone in this! As I say, the garage have agreed to sort them but I can't imagine that they'll do anything more than hammer them vaguely straight again.

Bowders, what underseal are you using to protect after?

Cheers,

ip

I used the underseal from halfords mate. good and easy to use,]

billy

Bowders, what underseal are you using to protect after?

Cheers,

ip

Waxoyl, clear spray is the stuff i use. From Halfords

Mines bent too. Dealer fitted front mud flaps,guess this is when it happend.Not to carefull were they put the trolly jack so much for going to your main dealer.Bit of work with vice grips ,sealer, and touch up and alls well

Noticed mine are folded flat at the weekend. The last time I had any work done was back in October for an MOT and oil change at a local garage. B@$t@rds!

Maybe the trick is to flatten them all the way along so it evens it up

This is what some muppet did to my Octi when changing the tires on the front

Offside Sill 1 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Not best pleased when I saw this, and afterwards, he admitted that he had used a bottle jack on the car, rather than a trolly jack or the cars standard jack.

This is what some muppet did to my Octi when changing the tires on the front

Offside Sill 1 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Not best pleased when I saw this, and afterwards, he admitted that he had used a bottle jack on the car, rather than a trolly jack or the cars standard jack.

What a mess. You wonder how some people can get (or keep) a job!

Maybe the trick is to flatten them all the way along so it evens it up

Ahh cunning plan!

Mine are folded at the front too. I think pretty much every octy I've ever seen has folded sills!

Personally I just forget about it. If I get it fixed, it'll only happen again!

I always tell the tyre garage where to jack the car now, and keep a beady eye on them as they work!

This is what some muppet did to my Octi when changing the tires on the front

Offside Sill 1 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Not best pleased when I saw this, and afterwards, he admitted that he had used a bottle jack on the car, rather than a trolly jack or the cars standard jack.

What in the name of smeg has the guy done!! That's terrible! I think I would have cried then turned on him with the bottle jack!

The garage straightened mine out and resealed with seam filler. A quick coat of hammerite silver on the seam itself (a better match than I'd have ever believed) and all is well.

Look forward to doing it all again when I next get the tyres changed.

ip