Hi all,

I have had my Superb for 3 weeks and have discovered a fault... basically going along on straight motorways the car ever so slightly pulls to the right and therefore I have to compensate ever so slightly by steering left...and the steering wheel is thus not level. It's not the end of the world, but it's annoying, especially considering that a new car is a sizeable expense.

So, I phoned the dealer and they said that adjusting the geometry is not covered by the 4 year guarantee and free service...so I will have to pay!! I told them that I'm not paying for anything considering it's not a fault I caused and I couldn't identify such a problem on the forecourt when I acquired the car. Furthermore, what's the point of free servicing and guarantee if it doesn't even cover a manufacturing fault? Gets me wondering what their guarantee and free servicing actually covers.

What should I do and what are my rights in these circumstances? I told them that they either fix it or I can leave the car there, they give me my money back and then they can do whatever they want with the car! Has anyone else had similar issues and problems with dealers, should I contact someone from Skoda directly?

I'm booked in for half 10 tomorrow, should I stick to my guns and not pay for anything?

Cheers, your advice is much appreciated!

I wouldn't be paying for it!

Not a penny.

A brand new car shoudln't be pulling to the right. Just a thought though - have you checked the tyre pressures?

Speak to the dealer / service manager in person tomorrow and then make a decision. This could be someone who has no idea about what is included in the warranty but I would have thought any dealer worth their salt would simply get this is, checked and out again, corrected.

If you still have no joy tomorrow, then a call to Skoda UK Customer Service is a good starting point

Actually this isn't as black and white as it seems. Consider the following.

1. If you drive over a glass bolttle and puncture a tyre, is it covered by warranty? Of course not.

2. If you drive through a large pot hole and puncture a tyre, is it covered by warranty? Of course not.

3. If you drive through a large pot hole and knock out your tracking (so the car pulls to the right), is it covered by warranty?...

I suspect thats what you're dealership is saying. They are assuming that the car was aligned correctly from the factory and the tracking has been knocked out in the time you have had it. This may not be the case and even if it was, I would expect a level of goodwill under the circumstances as you have had it such a short time. If you had this issue after 2 years I would not expect any manufacturer to address it under warranty.

Agreed - but we're assumming the OP would have told us if there were any contributing factors like those you've listed.

I presume the OP believes that nothing untoward has happened and it is a manufacturing issue?

I had an alignment problem with my Superb when it was 6 months old. Unfortunately it seems that the Superb "likes it alignment to be just so" - and if you want get good Tyre life, you need to keep it that way.

But even then, the moment the issue came to the surface, the dealer arranged a full alignment check and there was never any question that I would have to pay for it.

So stand you ground and tell them where to shove it. They're taking the ****.

According to Skodas own warranty booklet, steering geometry is covered on new cars:

www.skoda.co.uk/GBR/Documents/SKO0418%20Skoda%20A5%20Warranty%20Booklet%20b.pdf

It clearly states that steering geometry is not covered on cars older than 6 months / 6500 miles, so by default it is covered if less than.

Happy days

Edited 22 May, 201214 yr by 999pooch

Stick it to the toe rags for trying to get out of their duty.

Thanks for the warranty info...that should be a great help and written proof that I should not be charged for it. Will see how I get on tomorrow and will keep you posted.

On a second note...how long would the adjustment take and if it takes long am I entitled to a replacement car for the day? Having to wait hours at the dealer for it to be done is rather inconvenient...

Which dealer are you talking about?

If you bought the car from Progress Skoda in Bedford, STS Wheel Alignment Centre is just about next door and can do a full four wheel alignment check. Alternatively, TTS Roadsport at the other end of Bedford have Hunter four alignment equipment. I have used both but prefer the latter since they are VAG specialists.

I'm living abroad in Slovakia at the moment so its not a UK dealer...I have a feeling if it was indeed a UK dealer the level of service would be far more superior...

Arrived at dealer, showed them the warranty leaflet...no more questions asked... they just got down to it and did it...and gave me a free coffee. Happy its done, though could have done without the fuss...

At least it is done.

Arrived at dealer, showed them the warranty leaflet...no more questions asked... they just got down to it and did it...and gave me a free coffee. Happy its done, though could have done without the fuss...

Good stuff, glad it helped

A good result and your car should be nicer to drive now.

Yep, it definitely helped! Thank you for posting it up, much appreciated