Just stumbled across this forum while doing some research on my car. I have a Skoda Fabia 1.4 16v comfort Automatic 2002 car.

It is my first car bought in October '11

Hoping to get some advice from fellow skoda owners.

I took my car in today for a brake check I was a little concerned I could feel something wasn't right. They checked it over then showed me the brake shoe on the back was cracked and had come away? and the break discs at the front was worn down to 18mm and had a lip? Two of my tyres also needed replacing all together it cost me £420. Have I been ripped off?? Having now done some research I should have probably got a seconed opion but it was my brakes and I was quite worried. This was at a garage which is part of a large chain. I had previously taken it for a full service (Dec '11) to an independent garage and they had not picked up on any of these issues.

Thanks in advance.

Don't tell me, was it 'Kwik Fit'?

2x budget tyres - £100

2x front discs - £30

New pads - £30

That doesn't include rear shoes as I'm not sure on their price (never had them) but it would seem you have been overcharged yes. Maybe I'm being synical and there is more to there justification for what would seem to be an inflated price :think:

oh dear feeling rather silly now they did the tracking and balancing, brake fluid all that but that can't add up to much. Certainly sounds like they have had me there :(

My panic head got the better of me sensible head didn't set in till i got home oooops.

I will know for next time.

Damm

I just replaced the discs and pads on my 1.4 fabia cost me £38 after the discounts at eurocarpart. At most a 1hr job. and 2 tires like say £100 MAX if they are budget tires.

So I think you did overpay personally

A pair of 15" Michelin energy savers is only £112 fitted (from Costco so at a national fast fit place will be a bit more add £20? for a pair) , filled with nitrogen and balanced, obviously if you have larger wheels they'll cost more, brake fluid is going to be circa £5 + the time to do it (2 people for 10-15 mins), rear shoes hardly wear at all and are circa £20, front disc's and pads are circa £40, that's circa £200 in parts + labour to fit them, you mentioned tracking as well so another £25-40. Either way way you've got the labour on top, only you know how long they took and how many of them worked on your car but i'd suggest it possibly wasn't £200 worth of time, the other thing to consider is although the prices I quoted are the going rate and as trade they may get more off, they need to make a markup on them so in fairness they probably aren't that far out for what they've done assuming it was required.

I know you're new to your car but 'free brake check' should be read as 'come in and we'll find work that needs doing', brakes are very easy to work on and you'll save yourself a small fortune learning how to check and maintain them yourself, same with tyres so that you'll know if you need your tracking done and when your tyres are getting close to the wear limit.