Well today driving home from work and we were just about to pass the Skoda Dealer where i purchased my Fabia.

The car spluttered jerked and conked out. Restarted it with the engine warning light on, the glow plug light flashing and the maxi dot displaying engine fault, Workshop! so pulled into the dealers as it was only aroun 4:15.

I went through to the service section to talk to them about the fault to see if they could do anything or if the car was safe to drive or if they could provide a hire car considering it was only picked up from them the second week of march.

I was informed that all the skoda technicians had finished (even tho the service centre is listed as open till 6pm) and there was nothing they could do i would have to phone skoda assist.

My GF called Skoda assist (women always seam to get a quicker breakdown response) and explained the situation, they informed her that normally they would not attend cars which were at the dealership but considering the service from the dealership they would send someone out.

20-25 mins later guy in VAG Breakdown van shows up and gets to work with his computer diagnosing the fault codes. All this time were right outside the sales room door with customers coming back from a test drive seing a 10reg fabia being dealt with by a breakdown recovery guy at the skoda garage (i can imagine this was giving a very positive image of both the skoda brand and the dealership with has its own service centre in the same building... NOT!)

Turns out the problem is the Engine RPM sensor which couldnt be fixed there as they didnt have the part. At this point a salesman comes out of the showroom (bearing in mind they had passed us a few times already and were in the sales room whilst we were complaining) and offers to give us a courtesy car till they get out car fixed. (which is what i actually asked for right at the start!)

Overall......

Skoda assist contact center were ok, Quoted 90 mins and sent someone when they wouldnt normally as a matter of practice.

VAG Repair man. Great work, got there much quicker than originally quoted and helped diagnose the problem and if he had the part or if the dealership had the part he was prepared to fix it there and then.

Dealership. Service centre - Terrible!! Not willing to help at all and not willing to find out the answers which she didnt now (ie courtesy car)

Dealership. Sales Team - Not much better, They were good once they actually came out when the repair guy was there and got a courtesy car sorted quickley (actually found a price in the back so thinking this is a car for sale which they have given me for the time being - Ocativa) but they were aware of the problem for a while before the repair guy got there and just were not intereted until he showed up and started to give them a bad image.

Well recived a call from the garage, its not the engine speed sensor as origanally thought, they are going to have to check all the wiring so wont have it back till at last Tuesday.

The dealer should be named and shamed for their original response, it's not good enough. I think they should have immediately offered a replacement car until yours was sorted along with an apology.

Dreadful service.

Name and Shame!!!!

Well recived a call from the garage, its not the engine speed sensor as origanally thought, they are going to have to check all the wiring so wont have it back till at last Tuesday.

Would be interested to know which skoda dealer this was so i can avoid them in future?

Well today i recieved a call.

They are trying to replace the ECU however there is a problem with the availability of these from skoda at the moment and they have no time frame as to when they will have one available. As i currently have the use of a car they are actually trying to sell they have transferred me across to Skoda who are arranging a long term hire car(doesnt sound good).

They did try to charge me £5 per day for adding an additonal driver to the hire car insurance but after some complaining they waivered this.

Considering taking further advice as to my rights with regards to this indeterminate repairing period (i did hear mention of possible months).

At the moment if they offered me a full refund i would take it and leave skoda well alone.

Right now my advice would be DO NOT BUY A SKODA! So much for them manufacturing happy drivers.

So sad to hear that!

It may be worth getting proper advise as to what is called "Rejecting" The car. You have a timeframe when this is possible, due to going wrong so disasterously and the dealer not being able to sort it out. it will include you putting it into writing that you will give them (reasonable) time to repair it before you reject, you may find you need slightly more flexability as they have given you a vehicle to use in the meantime, though!

Two weeks later and still not a clue when i'll see my car again.

Just wish i knew how long it would take Skoda to get a ECU (

Gone past the annoyed stage, now i just want my car back. Hoping the dealers dont clean it cause i so want to clean my car too lol :p

Any dealers have any info for the lead time for the ECU for a Skoda Fabia 3 1.9 TDI (10reg)?

Two weeks later and still not a clue when i'll see my car again.

Just wish i knew how long it would take Skoda to get a ECU (

Gone past the annoyed stage, now i just want my car back. Hoping the dealers dont clean it cause i so want to clean my car too lol :p

Any dealers have any info for the lead time for the ECU for a Skoda Fabia 3 1.9 TDI (10reg)?

I woiuld strongly suggest you contact Skoda UK with your concerns and speak directly with them. Tell your dealer you are going to do this to. This should not be a problem. Usually Skoda would remove a new unit from a new car and suffer the wait period themselves. They don't like their customer inconvenienced. You honestly won't get better than Skoda UK in my experience. Good luck.

YEAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got my car back today AT LAST!

Its strangely done 1530 miles now which is odd but cant see any signs that its been used by anyone else. i assume this must be them inputting the wrong figure when the programmed the new ECU (unless the ecu is not where this data is stored)

Car is very dirty as its not been washed for a month so will have a good clean when i get the chance if the weather holds out (post on forum in car care )