My nearest Skoda garage is miles away.....any harm in getting the car serviced by my local garage which is a Vauxhall Masterfit? Been using them for years and they are trusty and offer good work...probably because they are a small more local outfit...not one of the bigger ones. I tend to hang on to my cars so as long as it gets looked after it should be okay to do this? Or do I need to go Skoda?

If your car is under warranty you can get it serviced by any VAT registered garage and, as long as they follow the service schedule and use Skoda parts, warranty cover is maintained.

If your car is out-of-warranty take it wherever keeps you happy, VAT registration and OEM parts regardless.

Whoever you take it to providing they are VAT registered and use genuine parts (not forgetting the most important bit - the correct VW spec oil for your car, which Vauxhall will not stock) then the warranty wll not be affected.

They don't have to use genuine parts, motor factor parts are fine as long as they are made in the EU.

There is a minor downside in that you won't get software updates on the car or have unannounced recall work carried out i.e. the coil pack recall that seems to be getting done at the moment but only if you ask or your car is in for work.

Correct on the recall work and service TSBs, but as for updates that should only be done if there is an issue and instructed to do so.

make sure they dont use the vauxhall longlife oil as it doesnt meet vw spec