Following on from this thread here: http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/221327-fabia-2-htp-alarm-going-off/

Dealer says I need a new front-passenger side lock at the cost of £180.00!

The cars 08, so not long out of warranty, and a lock failing is clearly not something that's my fault, so it's a bit of a joke.

I asked about Skoda good-will and maybe paying toward it, but they said as the car is second hand and the first owner didn't stick rigidly to the service schedule it's unlikely.

Really unsure what to do, looks like I'm going to have to stump up £180 for a door lock that's barely ever used and has broken due to terrible build quality - anyone experienced something similar?

Ask them at which part of the service schedule the door locks are actually serviced...

Ask them at which part of the service schedule the door locks are actually serviced...

That's a very good point - but he was extremely offish with me for even mentioning it. Plus he said I'd have to pay them in full first, and then they could ask Skoda later (at which point they've already been paid, so can;t see them pleading my case).

There's another Skoda dealer near where I work, may run it by them.

Is it worth me trying to contact Skoda direct?

You can have your car serviced by any garage even within the 3 year warranty period, it hasn't got to be done by SKODA.

You can have your car serviced by any garage even within the 3 year warranty period, it hasn't got to be done by SKODA.

The problem isn't where it's been serviced, it's the intervals:

-The car was serviced at 10,000 miles by the first owner (Great)

-I purchased the car at 25,000 miles and serviced it immediately (5,000 miles late and a year late - but beyond my control)

-I am then planning to give it a full inspection service at 30,000 to get it back on schedule (currently 26,000)

I've just emailed Skoda's customer service department, so will await a response. Until then I'll shop around for the best door price.

Edited 8 December, 201114 yr by MiNiMaL_FuSS

In the first instance ask them to contact Skoda before you pay anything, if they refuse you have two courses of action you can take:

1. Go to a different garage (maybe try contacting Allams).

2. You can contact Skoda CS directly. Put your case across and see what their stance is on the matter.

EM

Every garage I've ever been to it goes like this: I have X problem, they confirm it's X problem, they offer a quote on the cost to fix X problem.

I just went to collect my car from Robinsons Skoda Norwich, and they asked me for £80.00!

I asked what for, and they said for spending time diagnosing the problem.

I calmly explained that I had told them the problem, down to which door it was and that a sensor was being triggered...I even gave them the Vag-com print outs before hand, they were just supposed to get me a quote on the part needed to fix it.

They never mentioned doing a full diagnosis, I never asked for one, and they certainly didn't quote me on any service charge before I dropped my car off.

This argument went round and round until the gentleman I was talking to used an example about me buying sweets from Tesco and not paying for them in an extremely patronising tone (I'm 25 and he was in his 50's, I took this as a clear reference to me being a young driver), I also pointed out that Tesco don't ask you to pay for the sweets retrospectively after putting them in your hand and not mentioning a price.

Regardless I refuse to pay for a service that I wasn't told about or quoted a price on before hand - if you're going to charge somnebody for something, you have to tell them before hand, end of.

So I took my key any left. Fuming.

Every garage I've ever been to it goes like this: I have X problem, they confirm it's X problem, they offer a quote on the cost to fix X problem.

I just went to collect my car from Robinsons Skoda Norwich, and they asked me for £80.00!

I asked what for, and they said for spending time diagnosing the problem.

I calmly explained that I had told them the problem, down to which door it was and that a sensor was being triggered...I even gave them the Vag-com print outs before hand, they were just supposed to get me a quote on the part needed to fix it.

They never mentioned doing a full diagnosis, I never asked for one, and they certainly didn't quote me on any service charge before I dropped my car off.

This argument went round and round until the gentleman I was talking to used an example about me buying sweets from Tesco and not paying for them in an extremely patronising tone (I'm 25 and he was in his 50's, I took this as a clear reference to me being a young driver), I also pointed out that Tesco don't ask you to pay for the sweets retrospectively after putting them in your hand and not mentioning a price.

Regardless I refuse to pay for a service that I wasn't told about or quoted a price on before hand - if you're going to charge somnebody for something, you have to tell them before hand, end of.

So I took my key any left. Fuming.

Good on you - i would have said its like Tesco putting sweets into my hand which i didn't ask for nor want and then expecting payment for them

Hate patronising people who just because they are older, think they know best......few of whom are on here

Whether the car is serviced or not it shouldn't cause a door lock to fail.. nor should a car be designed so that a door lock fails after 3 years?

Asking if the car has been serviced is just a cheap was of them trying to get out of paying, it serves no relevance to the fault in question.

Whether the car is serviced or not it shouldn't cause a door lock to fail.. nor should a car be designed so that a door lock fails after 3 years?

Asking if the car has been serviced is just a cheap was of them trying to get out of paying, it serves no relevance to the fault in question.

After the way I was treated I'm just writing off that particular dealer.

I've found the alarm car be stopped but the car still locked by opening the passenger door, clicking the lock button in the centre console, and then closing the passenger door - locks the car, but doesn't set the alarm, making the problem less urgent.

I've written to Skoda directly and will see what they say - but I shall not be bothering with Robinson's again.

My never ending quest to find a trustworthy local garage seems impossible!

Is it just me that didn't know about http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/

The scheme itself may not be much, but the shear level of of feedback on the site is amazing - picked out a couple of local garages that I'll be asking for quotes tomorrow - might have a bit of a drive round and find a nice new place to go

Is it just me that didn't know about http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/

The scheme itself may not be much, but the shear level of of feedback on the site is amazing - picked out a couple of local garages that I'll be asking for quotes tomorrow - might have a bit of a drive round and find a nice new place to go

It's always better to get opinions from people who have used the places Any company can say 'We give excellent service' but if their customers say otherwise I know who to believe!

Is it just me that didn't know about http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/

The scheme itself may not be much, but the shear level of of feedback on the site is amazing - picked out a couple of local garages that I'll be asking for quotes tomorrow - might have a bit of a drive round and find a nice new place to go

Had forgotten about that site as where I used to be there wasn't a decent selection. Will have to check it out again.

Every garage I've ever been to it goes like this: I have X problem, they confirm it's X problem, they offer a quote on the cost to fix X problem.

I just went to collect my car from Robinsons Skoda Norwich, and they asked me for £80.00!

I asked what for, and they said for spending time diagnosing the problem.

I calmly explained that I had told them the problem, down to which door it was and that a sensor was being triggered...I even gave them the Vag-com print outs before hand, they were just supposed to get me a quote on the part needed to fix it.

They never mentioned doing a full diagnosis, I never asked for one, and they certainly didn't quote me on any service charge before I dropped my car off.

This argument went round and round until the gentleman I was talking to used an example about me buying sweets from Tesco and not paying for them in an extremely patronising tone (I'm 25 and he was in his 50's, I took this as a clear reference to me being a young driver), I also pointed out that Tesco don't ask you to pay for the sweets retrospectively after putting them in your hand and not mentioning a price.

Regardless I refuse to pay for a service that I wasn't told about or quoted a price on before hand - if you're going to charge somnebody for something, you have to tell them before hand, end of.

So I took my key any left. Fuming.

I have to say I'm really surprised about you having problems with Robinsons as i've always found them excellent.

Two things strike me as odd. Firstly, they have ALWAYS told me up front if they are going to charge me (they get you to sign a piece of paper when you hand the car over and I always write "not agreed, all work to be authorised before being carried out") and secondly that you left the car with them to give you a price on a part. Normally they just pull up the relevant screen, confirm that that's the bit you want with you verbally and then they order it in if they don't have it. I do usually have to pay in advance these days. What dId you think they were going to do to your car for free while they had it?

Like you, I would refuse to pay for any work they had carried out that I had not authorised.

Very strange.

I have to say I'm really surprised about you having problems with Robinsons as i've always found them excellent.

Two things strike me as odd. Firstly, they have ALWAYS told me up front if they are going to charge me (they get you to sign a piece of paper when you hand the car over and I always write "not agreed, all work to be authorised before being carried out") and secondly that you left the car with them to give you a price on a part. Normally they just pull up the relevant screen, confirm that that's the bit you want with you verbally and then they order it in if they don't have it. I do usually have to pay in advance these days. What dId you think they were going to do to your car for free while they had it?

Like you, I would refuse to pay for any work they had carried out that I had not authorised.

Very strange.

I often leave a car with a garage for an hour or so while they check my diagnosis and write up a quote.

Even on occasions where I've not known the problem it's typical to go in and say "there's an odd noise from this area" and the garage to look and say "we believe it's an exhaust babel, it'll cost XXX to fix", and then you elect to pay or not if you think their price is reasonable. Okay they do a little checking/diagnois for free, but they have to do that to get the job and it doesn't usually take long.

Now if robinsons had said - ah we appear to have had a misunderstanding, sorry we didn't mention the cost of our checks...

I would have offered to meet then half way. My problem wasn't so much the cost (although this was still an issue as I hadn't been asked), it was the plain rudeness of the salesmen and his refusal to even consider the possibility that they should have asked me first.

Edited 9 December, 201114 yr by MiNiMaL_FuSS

You've also got: http://www.motorcodes.co.uk/

Which should cover main-dealers

I would have offered to meet then half way. My problem wasn't so much the cost (although this was still an issue as I hadn't been asked), it was the plain rudeness of the salesmen and his refusal to even consider the possibility that they should have asked me first.

I'm 100% certain you would have signed a document that says "I agree to pay any costs" or something to that effect. If you signed that then they can charge almost what they like.

I have paid Robinsons diagnostic fees in the past - they spent 2 hours figuring out why my 312mm brakes were making a rubbing noise that was down to an incorrectly fitted brake pipe that only contacted the steering arm when the car was sat on the springs on the ground and it wasn't in contact when the wheels were off the ground - but they've never been unreasonable or rude and on that occasion they told SWMBO up front that they would charge a fee.

I don't work for free and I don't see why anyone else should. Robinsons are by far the best of the Skoda dealers in Norfolk and Suffolk and you have to go down to ALS Lock in Ely in my opinion to even get close to them. I know that they monitor the reports in the dealer feedback section so it's probably worth making your unhappiness clear there as well, but before you do that, why not contact them again and see if you can't sort something out?

What is the matter with every one. When a car reaches three years the warranty expires! Why should Skoda have to give goodwill to a customer who has just bought a car which has not got the correct main dealer servicing. To get goodwill the customer needs to show the brand and the dealer goodwill. Try taking a washing machine or anything else back to Comet, Tesco's etc out of warranty after they stop laughing they will be happy to show you the replacements available. Having the car serviced out of the network does not effect the warranty unless the failure is due to something which was caused during the service.

When you dropped the car off you must have have known they would be charging you to look at it, or did you think they would do it for nothing. Do you also think it's correct for them to fit parts and spend time on your car and let you take it, then wait for Skoda CS to decide if they will contribute. If they don't or you do not agree with what you are offered will you go straight back and pay the difference.

Would you go to work for nothing, give customers parts free of charge. NO, then why should they..

What is the matter with every one. When a car reaches three years the warranty expires! Why should Skoda have to give goodwill to a customer who has just bought a car which has not got the correct main dealer servicing. To get goodwill the customer needs to show the brand and the dealer goodwill. Try taking a washing machine or anything else back to Comet, Tesco's etc out of warranty after they stop laughing they will be happy to show you the replacements available. Having the car serviced out of the network does not effect the warranty unless the failure is due to something which was caused during the service.

When you dropped the car off you must have have known they would be charging you to look at it, or did you think they would do it for nothing. Do you also think it's correct for them to fit parts and spend time on your car and let you take it, then wait for Skoda CS to decide if they will contribute. If they don't or you do not agree with what you are offered will you go straight back and pay the difference.

Would you go to work for nothing, give customers parts free of charge. NO, then why should they..

Think you might want to do a Google search for sales of goods act.

I've had a 2year old laptop repaired quite recently as well as many other items in the past, well out of warranty.

What is the matter with every one. When a car reaches three years the warranty expires! Why should Skoda have to give goodwill to a customer who has just bought a car which has not got the correct main dealer servicing. To get goodwill the customer needs to show the brand and the dealer goodwill. Try taking a washing machine or anything else back to Comet, Tesco's etc out of warranty after they stop laughing they will be happy to show you the replacements available. Having the car serviced out of the network does not effect the warranty unless the failure is due to something which was caused during the service.

When you dropped the car off you must have have known they would be charging you to look at it, or did you think they would do it for nothing. Do you also think it's correct for them to fit parts and spend time on your car and let you take it, then wait for Skoda CS to decide if they will contribute. If they don't or you do not agree with what you are offered will you go straight back and pay the difference.

Would you go to work for nothing, give customers parts free of charge. NO, then why should they..

You appear to have missed the point entirely, I wasn't complaining about the service history or the warranty. I was complaining largely about the level of service and the ridiculous cost quoted. But that's all covered in the thread, so please peruse and familiarise yourself.

Also if any item is out of warranty, or never had warranty, but developed a fault within 6 months then then you are automatically entitled to a replacement unless the vendor can prove the fault is your fault (a concept know as the burden of proof), further more any product that develops a fault not due to user error is entitled to a replacement within a 'reasonable time dependant upon the product' - meaning that if you buy a TV and a year later it fails due to manufacturing faults/build quality then you can seek a refund as such a product should reasonably be expect to last longer.

What is deemed reasonable is to be agreed between you and the vendor, and if it can't be then it's down to a judges opinion in small claims court.

I've previously worked for the CAB, so am well aware of my rights on this issue and the pointlessness of buying 1-2 warranties for electrical goods, as they are likely already covered under the sales of goods act.

Dear god! I just realised that I bought the car only 5months ago...so I'm covered under the burden of proof of the sales of goods act (this still applied to second hand cars), and so all my repairs have to be done for free by the dealer I bought it from! I may even consider returning it (less the value of my mileage) as frankly I've been put off Skoda's by the whole experience.

If I'd realised this earlier it would have saved a lot of hassle - thanks to Vokey's reminder I've just saved me quite a bit of cash!

Edited 12 December, 201114 yr by MiNiMaL_FuSS

Garages should not just replace parts because a customer tells them what's faulty even if they have vag print outs. How would you feel if you came back to collect your car and get told the part has been replaced that will be £180 but it's not fixed the fault. This is why they carried out the diagnostic check. If the repair is then carried out and the part is replaced and the fault is not fixed it's down to them to sort it FOC. If you were aware that the fault was the control unit why was the car booked in, a price for the replacement unit could of been given over the phone.

Garages should not just replace parts because a customer tells them what's faulty even if they have vag print outs. How would you feel if you came back to collect your car and get told the part has been replaced that will be £180 but it's not fixed the fault. This is why they carried out the diagnostic check. If the repair is then carried out and the part is replaced and the fault is not fixed it's down to them to sort it FOC. If you were aware that the fault was the control unit why was the car booked in, a price for the replacement unit could of been given over the phone.

again you've missed the point. He's realised he's had it less than 6months anyway so any diag to find the fault would be covered.

I would be EXTREMELY surprised if you can return a car 5 months after you bought it for a faulty door lock. Even on new cars you have to give the supplying dealer LOTS of opportunity to fix the problems before you can reject it. Most aspects of consumer legislation are there to protect the original purchaser. The rights of people purchasing used are significantly reduced. I think you'll be lucky to get any mileage out this one.

Car manufacturers supply warranties on cars for a large number of reasons, but you knowingly bought a car with a very short warranty period and a part failed. Well, parts fail. If you want warranty cover, buy a warranty or buy a newer car. That would be my position if I was the car dealer, especially if they offered to sell you an extended warranty or the car was sold with the balance of the manufacturers warranty such that you had time to discover any faults. 5 months is plenty of time and in any case, a door lock is, in the overall scheme of motoring, a very small thing.

And as for being put off Skoda, well, maybe so, but some of your statements like "my never-ending quest to find a dealer" make it sound like you've fallen out with a few already. If that's so, and you're only 25 then Norfolk's not got that many car dealers....

I'm truly amazed in this day and age of the total lack of knowledge of the sales of goods act. The act is there to protect you regardless of any warranty period.