I have found a car which I'm picking up next Saturday, an 06 Fabia vRS.

It's fully stamped up by the Skoda main dealer but is on 59k and has just passed 4 years old - I'm guessing that means it's due a cambelt as it's ready it's next service, last one was 9k ago.

What sort of costs am I looking at, do I need a waterpump at the same time and as there isn't a local Skoda dealer but there is a local Seat dealer (or VW or Audi) would I be fine handing it over to them instead or do I pick an independent?

I normally service myself but tend to spread things out when I have time but anything too big or awkward I'll give to the professionals as my wife still won't let me install a service lift in the driveway.

Ask around buddy. Best thing to do. Im sure someone was quoted the cambelt etc and a service for £340 in a thread i was reading the other day. Best just to ring around and get quotes

You don't NEED a waterpump - and the two Skoda dealers whom I got quotes off for cambelt replacement were reluctant to do the water pump at the same time. People on here recommend it but I haven't seen a lot of evidence on here of failure either (I acknowledge there's some before you all start rejoindering...).

You'll also be looking at brake fluid replacement too (every two years). So all in roughly £600.

Ouch, that's a lump of cash! No wonder they decided to change when at this particular time.

Judging from other cars, I had expected roughly £3-400 - I always have a garage look after my wife's car for instance as I don't have time to do both and not driving it daily I don't have the feel for any subtle changes.

Oh well, forewarned is forearmed as the saying goes.

There's a chap who's a distance away but has always done the bigger jobs on my VR and he's specializes in VAG stuff so it might be worth a trip there. I'll certainly ask him for some pricing anyway.

Mine is going into the dealers on Monday for a 10k service, Cambelt, Water Pump, and MOT... its costing me £475 altogether (fingers crossed the MOT is ok). Mines a 55 plate on 50k.

Marc

I'll have to shop around locally, it's MOT'd so if it came out nearer that figure I guess at this point I'd be quite happy!

Just spent £500+ on the VR 3 weeks ago then found I was getting a car allowance 2 days later but needed to have a younger car. Very poor timing!

Mine is going into the dealers on Monday for a 10k service, Cambelt, Water Pump, and MOT... its costing me £475 altogether (fingers crossed the MOT is ok). Mines a 55 plate on 50k.

But is that for an inspection service - and even so it would be a "small" inspection service?

My 20k services (which a 60k is) have never been less than £178 and a brake fluid change is an extra £40 or so. Hence cambelt without waterpump at around £360 plus £220 + inflation = £600

Here's the old car's service cost record (all inspection services):

10k = £160

20k = £185

30k = £240 incl brake fluid

40k = £325

50k = £207 - after this I switched to the next nearest garage which was quite a bit cheaper

60k = £217 incl brake fluid

This excludes the cambelt (unfortunately I've lost the cost of that) and approx £1000 in front suspension/steering repairs recently which is why I sold it before more expense racked up!

OK, well it's worth knowing what to potentially expect.

Just checked price through local VW dealer, £570 (cambelt, major service and brake fluid), so pretty close.

...price through local VW dealer, £570 (cambelt, major service and brake fluid), so pretty close.

:yes: