I've had a go at searching but didn't have much luck so apologies if the answers are hidden away on the forum somewhere:

Had my Fabia VRS serviced at the local Skoda dealers yesterday and practically fainted when they gave me the bill! The things I had done were:

"50K Service - Labour £136 plus VAT

Replace Cam Belt and Tensioners - Labour £221 plus VAT

Bleed Braking System and Replace with new fluid - Labour £42.50 plus VAT

Air Conditioning Service £59.99 plus VAT less Labour Discount (!) -£59.92

(Labour Subtotal £399.57)

Repair kit £88.85, Filter £5.20, Brake Fluid £6.93, Cleaner £2.80, Sump Plug £1.14 and PD 5/30 Oil £51.96 (all plus VAT)

(Parts Subtotal £156.88)

Total Cost inc VAT £639.92 ! - Is that normal for a main dealers? If so I don't think I'll be going again! I booked it in there as I was pleasantly surprised at how cheap parts seemed compared to my other car (VW) and stupidly didn't get a service quote beforehand.

Also, is the VRS "PD" oil darker than normal oils?! I know the dipstick is darker than on my other car making the oil look dirtier to start with, but at first I thought it hadn't been changed!

Finally, should the silver metal 'thing' to the right of the dipstick above the radiator fan in the (hopefully) attached photo have something screwed into it! I've only had the car a few months but have never noticed it before, and it just looks like something has fallen off!

Thanks in advance!

that silver thing is the air-con low/high pressure valve , and yes it should have a black screw on cap on it

the prices seem reasonable , you have learnt a valuable lesson there , always get a full quote , in writing, of all work which you want carrying out

oil will be dark as its a diesel , you can't get all the old oil out , so putting fresh oil onto the little bit of old oil just makes the new black

That price is fair.

Price seems ok I guess, I had a quote from my local dealer of 240 just for a 60k service! But for only having the car a few months it should not need or have had most of this done already? When I got mine I made them give it a full service and cam belt change. I would be pretty pi55ed if i paid that so early on!

My car is due next service at just over 52,000 which is around 2k away, probably 2-3 months. It's an 06 car, I'm a bit torn between keeping the skoda stamps in the book (it's out of 3 year warranty but within the extended used car warranty) or letting my local independent who have dealt with all my other cars service it. I'll be keeping it for next 3.5 years as it is on finance. I just have nightmares of a bill like the OP's! As far as I know 50k / 3 year mark is definitely cambelt / water pump change time?

Any advice on dealing with main dealer service depts, I have no experience in this field. Do you just specify exactly what you want and get a written quote finalised. And if so, how do you know what you want done / looked at?? All i've ever done was book the car in for full service and hope for the best - never paid over £200 for an annual service with the local indie.

Good price IMHO

I have my 75K service at Awesome GTI tommorrow @ £195.50

If you are within 80 miles of Unit 18, they are worth the journey.

I didn't think there was any thing in the air-con to service. I thought it may be checked for pressure and re-gassed if you had a problem with it, but nothing changed.

Does the Cam belt change include the water pump? It is not essential but is recommended you change change it from people's posts on here.