Hi,

Just got my Fabia 1.6 TDi (90) back from its 20k service. Was done through the fixed price servicing which I'd taken out a month ago for £329.

Got the car back with no paperwork to say what's been done/looked at. Service booklet stamped, that's it. Wheels didn't come off (wheel trims are cable tied on and those haven't been changed) so presumably brake pads not checked.

Is this usual?

Thanks

Well a 20k or two yearly service is classed as major service on the Skoda UK website, which mine had a few weeks ago. The wheels should have been removed for a brake inspection, perhaps the technician replaced the cable ties?

http://www.skoda.co.uk/gbr/owners/national-pricing/pages/servicing.aspx

You don't need to take the wheels off to check the brakes, even with hubcaps and steel wheels.

You should of however got a parts list and invoice for the work completed, since a stamped service book is not proof that a service was carried out at all.

If I'm not mistaken, your car has drum brakes at the back (correct me if I'm wrong). If that's the case, they should have cleaned them, which means taking the wheels off and taking the brakes apart.

Having said that, and considering what I've heard and seen at dealers, I would not be the least bit surprised if they skimped on several servicing items.

One of my sons friends got a job in the spares department of the garage that I had my last car, Honda, serviced at.

After he had worked there for thee weeks he advised me via my son to take my car elsewhere for servicing.

The reason, at this dealership cars on a service plan were not serviced in accordance with the correct schedule.... It was basically an oil and filter change.

I did once query why 8 weeks after a service an MOT revealed I needed new rear pads......after seeing the pads the MOT inspector was correct in his advisory

Anyway I went to another Honda garage for my next service, what a difference...,I had a full check list ticked off showing tread depth, pad and disc percentage wear etc etc

Not all dealers are the same

Following this experience I did not take a service plan with my Skoda

Regards all

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Edited 8 November, 201213 yr by Its me

Just to add something, so the original poster knows...

I too have been on fixed price service plans with my dealer, the last one being £299 for 2 services and one MOT. I still got a full check list ticked off, showing all the details, and an invoice with all the items that have been renewed (didn't pay for it obviously).

That doesn't really make me any happier with my dealer, the cons far outweigh the pros. But at least I have been able to confirm myself that they have done all they said they did, after I got the car back and scrutinized it.

To see that, in your case, they never even bothered to print an invoice is infuriating. Just out of curiosity, what exactly does your service plan include for the £329, if you don't mind? It seems your dealer charges more and does less...

Thanks for all your replies. The cable ties were defintely not renewed - there was one odd one before and there still is now. Am going to go back to dealer and ask re paperwork.

As for what's included (and annoyingly I can't find the paperwork at the mo) - my understading was 2 services or 2 years servicing whichever came first. To have an MOT included was an extra £20 I think.

Thanks

Different car,

but on a vRS, the 1 year/10,000 mile 'il change service' is that. £85 or so.

then the 2 year/20,000 'inspection service,

oil change etc, Pollen filter replaced, no wheels off. £170-£200 plus.

3 years would be a Brake Fluid change if you got that done, & if not, no guarantee the wheels would be coming off unless you were changing pads,

or requesting such work.

No idea about yours, but best not assume anything.

Check your wheels come off easy enough in the comfort of giving them a try at a time that suits you.

Better IMO than being stuck if a puncture happens.

george

Well, before you go back to your dealer, have a look to see if your car has drum brakes at the back. I had a 1.6 tdi 90 estate as a courtesy car once and I noticed it did have drums. If indeed your car has rear drum brakes, they are supposed to be cleaned every 20k or 2 years. Obviously, anything to do with brakes is an important safety item and must be carried out no matter what. Make sure you let them know about that, it's actually listed in the service book as well.