My wifes fabia (02 tdi h/b) is due the 20000 mile service and I think that its extortionate to charge

It does seem like money for old rope, we had both of ours serviced within the last two months, each had the same as yours, just oil change and filters, cost around

My wifes fabia (02 tdi h/b) is due the 20000 mile service and I think that its extortionate to charge

Denis is correct, a 20k service is an oil filter, pollen filter and an inspection.

Especially the inspection should take a fair bit of time - and personally (although I hate paying for anything, and my mate has a garage where I can get reduced rates) I would still go to Skoda for the full warranty period regardless. That way it's less likely to cause warranty-issues or a dealer trying to blame someone else (not saying they would, dunno them yet for that side of things at this point)

@Ross - what does this inspection involve, is it basically like an MOT check, with a VAGCOM (equivalent) test, that kinda thing?

Inspection is usually things like,

VAS5051 Fault test,

Tyre pressures and tread depths,

Lube locks and hinges,

Check gearbox oil level,

Check brake pads and discs,

Check Flexi pipes and hoses,

Check CV boots and driveshafts

Check Suspension for leaks/damage

Lube sunroof guides (if applicable)

Drain fuel filter (on diesel)

Just as a rough guide, there is quite a long list and as the list gets longer i.e theres more on a 40k than a 20k the labour time goes up.

Not being in the car trade, but being in the service industry I can see both sides of the arguement.

Problem is, the garage has to charge a price that pays the wages and covers all costs that allow them to keep going. No company can survive at a loss.

As its just coming up to the 20k service I will service the car after its out of its warrenty (only 3 mths) as most of the service is checking that everything is OK, and its a doddle to change the oil and filter (I bought 5 lts of Valvoline PD oil for

Then Ross would be out of a job and spend even more time here!!!

If you want expensive - you wanna try servicing a Smart!! Mercedes charge nearly

Sorry for the lads who work at the Skoda main dealers its not a gripe against them its the ripoff prices that the main dealers charge

Sorry for the lads who work at the Skoda main dealers its not a gripe against them its the ripoff prices that the main dealers charge

Sorry for the lads who work at the Skoda main dealers its not a gripe against them its the ripoff prices that the main dealers charge

If you know of any employer who pays their employees what they charge their customers, please let me know and i'll go work for them tomorrow

Especially if they are builders??

I'm quite sure there is a markup and it is indeed required... Doesn't mean I like it but I kinda expect to pay for warranty cost effectively by other means - i.e. paying for labour...

When the company I work for now 'rents out' my services we're talking 180 quid/hour. I sure as hell don't get that in my pocket, but it pays for the infrastructure support, and so on and so on.

I wouldnt pay that much for a car to be maintained but at the same time I don't expect to get ripped off As long as the mechanics do a good job and actually DO the job, it's no big deal.

I've had bad experiences with certain (non-VAG/Skoda) dealers in the past, basically they caused uneconomical damage to my car (repair would have cost more than the car was worth) and refused to admit defeat. The word was spread and they lost their franchise eventually as I was one of many, many customers they had messed about.

Generally EVERY dealer will have issues with a few customers I would imagine at some point, but the good ones will do their best to resolve things, most of the time...

As its just coming up to the 20k service I will service the car after its out of its warrenty (only 3 mths) as most of the service is checking that everything is OK, and its a doddle to change the oil and filter (I bought 5 lts of Valvoline PD oil for

Fabia (100bhp tdi) now out of warrenty so I have just changed the oil & filter (