I just dropped in to our local dealer, West End Garage in Uphall/Broxburn, for some screenwash and saw they're doing MOTs for £39, MOT and service from £99 and cambelt change for £199.

Yeah I was down yesterday getting some work done and Mark mentioned the £99 MOT and service offer to me, I will need to book my Fabia Vrs in and take advantage of that. The £199 inc vat timing belt offer is fantastic, took advantage of that deal last year, so much cheaper and easier to deal with than good old Arnold which is closer to me. BIG

Specialist Skoda in Dundee quoted me £550 for timing belt and water pump, no service. £199 doesn't seem too shabby at all.

Customer service is awful.

My experience has been faultless?

I got my Fabia done last year, the water pump and coolant was £50 extra, £250 all in, the only one I could get to match this was a specialist and that was using non genuine parts, at least with West End the deal included the important stretch bolts.

I got my Fabia done last year, the water pump and coolant was £50 extra, £250 all in, the only one I could get to match this was a specialist and that was using non genuine parts, at least with West End the deal included the important stretch bolts.

Had mine done in January by a local mechanic using genuine parts the bill was £280, but that price included a service, fitting of a rev 'D' divertor valve (I supplied) and realignment of the headlights after I fitted HIDs! It's not what you know that counts......

Had mine done in January by a local mechanic using genuine parts the bill was £280, but that price included a service, fitting of a rev 'D' divertor valve (I supplied) and realignment of the headlights after I fitted HIDs! It's not what you know that counts......

Tempting as it is to save a few quid by using an independent garage, for a newish car I would always want the work and servicing done by a main dealer. If there was ever a problem with the car out of warranty you would have absolutely no chance of any goodwill gesture from the manufacturer if your car has not been near a dealer for its servicing and repairs. I'm lucky to get the best of both worlds - the expertise and pricing of a good indy with the backing of a main dealer stamp

Treat me like some idiot on the phone, and upon asking about my clutch release bearing and the noise gettin louder its got to be a manufacturing fault he then demands £300 if the clutch release bearing isnt a manufacturing fault to which i question him "prove its not a manufacturing fault" he bumbled summit then put the phone down

As much as i hate no simpy detest the receptionist at Newmarket Skoda in Bannockburn, the head mechanic and other mechanics are great guys.

Tempting as it is to save a few quid by using an independent garage, for a newish car I would always want the work and servicing done by a main dealer. If there was ever a problem with the car out of warranty you would have absolutely no chance of any goodwill gesture from the manufacturer if your car has not been near a dealer for its servicing and repairs. I'm lucky to get the best of both worlds - the expertise and pricing of a good indy with the backing of a main dealer stamp

I disagree, mine has a full main dealer service history up until the warranty ended, beyond that I see no reason not to use an independent mechanic providing OEM parts are used.

And being a neighbour and a friend I'm not likely to get ripped off or taken for a mug which unfortunately has happened at a main dealers before.

You must have got Mark or Graham on a bad day as I have never had any problems, clutch and brakes, as I am sure you are aware only have a limited warranty, I think it is about 6 months or something, why did you not go straight to Newmarket if you know the techs? Never dealt with them before but believe they are pretty up front also?

I think lots of main dealers are doing Offers right now, my local Mazda dealer is doing full service and mot for £129. Honda same, Ford one £119! All with posters outside saying 'all makes done etc'.

Now the local Skoda place no such poster.... For years main dealers have been ripping people off in the uk, I think now they are finding it hard better to make a small bit than nothing. A friends Fiat broke down in north France, DMF & oil pumb etc, €658 at local Fiat, UK would have been near £1600!

James

As much as i hate no simpy detest the receptionist at Newmarket Skoda in Bannockburn, the head mechanic and other mechanics are great guys.

I've had a mixed relationship with Newmarket Skoda but in the end they have always came good so I'll not complain about them. I've had no issues with the woman who answers the phones there, usually the same person who works the service desk when I have visited. On every occasion she has been polite and helpful.

Does the 199 cambelt change include the 2.0 tfsi? If so then I may consider going back to west end garage...although I wasn't completely enamoured with them when I popped in with a recent issue.

Does the 199 cambelt change include the 2.0 tfsi? If so then I may consider going back to west end garage...although I wasn't completely enamoured with them when I popped in with a recent issue.

It's not really their fault the paint was not covered though, but I'm very sure if you call they will do you a good deal on your belt.

Maybe just me expecting too much!

I'll be in touch with them re: the belt when it is time to change and see if they can make me a happy driver! :-)

Does the 199 cambelt change include the 2.0 tfsi? If so then I may consider going back to west end garage...although I wasn't completely enamoured with them when I popped in with a recent issue.

Nope, apparently it's for the 1.9TDI's only (so no use to any Octavia vRS owners, petrol or diesel).

Thanks for confirming. I'll still give them a call at the time to see uf a deal can be struck!