Just taken my car to the dealer for one of three free services afforded to me following damager caused to my climate unit when fixing the Columbus under warranty.

Day started well, service advisor agreed with my assessment that a major service was needed as the fuel filter was over 50k miles old, and the air filter was getting on too. Plus I got a run in a well specced Yeti as a courtesy car, which was nice.

However, just picked car up to find that neither the air nor the fuel filter had been changed, although the latter is because they think the fuel filter housing top could not be removed as sealant had been applied to the top. I put KURUST on there sometime ago, but wouldn't have thought that would damage it in the way suggested, so I'm guessing the rust I found there after I purchased may have already caused too much damage?

Also there's a quote of nearly £2k (yes £2k) for the remedial work, which includes a replacement fuel filter housing, replacement of both rear bump stops, replacement of left side outer drive shaft boot, and a new premium tyre. The parts are not too dear and so this is made up of mainly labour, but can anyone shed light on why they might quote 4hrs to replace fuel filter housing, 10hrs(!) for replacing the bump stops and 4.5hrs for replacing for the drive shaft boot???

Needless to say I'm not planning on getting them to do any of this but I'm going to speak to them tomorrow as my particular advisor had left for the day when I picked it up, and I want to at least get the air filter done, and have explained to me why the labour costs are so high. However, I know little of the potential work involved so if anyone can spend the time to explain why the labour time might be so significant and help prepare me for the conversation, I'd be most grateful.

Thanks in advance

Adam

Apologies that I can't comment on most of your queries, but just one tyre doesn't sound right. If it's not the spare, you need to replace both on the same axle at the same.

What the hell is a "service advisor". Never heard of such a person. But this maybe because i do not use main dealers. Prefer to use an independent garage who do not need to employ a "service advisor". Unfortunetly it is employing such people and the constant updating of Car show rooms that increase the hourly labour rate that the service user gets stung for.

The amount of time they are expecting to take is just unbelivable ! Cheeky b******

Thanks, yes agreed on the tyre, but to be fair on this one, the tyre is just a bit low on the one side because they've been changed at different times sometime before I bought the car in April. I'm not really bothered about that - its the labour times I can't fathom. On reflection I think the 10 hours could be a rogue zero, but the 4 and the 4.5 still seem very high for the other things that need doing.

Hugh: couldn't agree more on using an independent but this was a "free" service, but someone not knowledgable could pay these prices!

Adam

Skoda UK agreed to pay half of the total bill when I needed the fuel filter housing replacing on my 2007 vRS a few months ago.

I paid just short of £100 which was half of the total bill incuding the parts and labour. This dealer charges £90/hour labour.

The lids of the fuel filter housings are a weak point on some cars and are plagued with corrosion

It is worth noting that when Skoda agreed to contribute to the cost my car was two years out of warranty.

Both rear bump stops can be done in about 15 minutes! Assuming they have a four post lift and an air gun that is :-)

Replacing a fuel filter housing is all of about 15 minutes work as well!

Seeing as yours is a PD you don't really need to bleed the system, just fill the housing before the lid goes on and then fire her up.

Admittedly, CV boots are a PITA without the correct tool for doing up the wonderful clamps that VW use. Even so, it is only an hours work tops.

And this is why i dont use dealers!!.

Thanks all

Andy: suspected as much on the labour times

Silver: did you have full skoda service history, and did you go through Skoda UK?

I am aware of the rusting weakpoint on the lids and also that they do not supply them separately from the housing. The whole part is £150 inc VAT on skodaparts.com so add say even an hour labour and I'd accept a quote of £220 or so, as if something genuinely needs doing then so be it. But adding their quote for 4 hours labour and its £550 to replace it!!!

In my case I suspect they will use the fact there is what they termed sealant on the lid (its actually kurust which I applied as the lid was already pretty rusty when I bought the car) and my high mileage to argue against a contribution.

Adam

Yep, took mine in in the summer for the Air Con Service that was on special offer - not only could they not regas the system, they diagnosed £2000 of work that needed doing, including replacing a pipe on the Air Con system.

Took it elsewhere and it regassed fine, no problems and no leaks and is still fine now.

As for the front wishbone bushes (all 4) and 1 CV boot that needed replacing, it passed the MoT without an advisory a week later!

I'll let you know what they say tomorrow, be interesting to hear their justification for the labour, and what happened to the air filter.

Yes, and yes.

I contacted Skoda UK, opened a case, pleased poverty and won the sympathy of the lady on the phone.

I have full Skoda main dealer service history.

I'm not a betting man but judging by their blatent attempt to rip you off I'm guessing that it is unlikely that your fuel filter housing needs replacing. If it isn't leaking fuel then it's fine. It is obvious if its leaking as the diesel fuel sits in the top of the lid.

Yes, and yes.

I contacted Skoda UK, opened a case, pleased poverty and won the sympathy of the lady on the phone.

I have full Skoda main dealer service history.

I'm not a betting man but judging by their blatent attempt to rip you off I'm guessing that it is unlikely that your fuel filter housing needs replacing. If it isn't leaking fuel then it's fine. It is obvious if its leaking as the diesel fuel sits in the top of the lid.

.... and ends up all over your cambelt causing all kinds of problems

Thanks, pretty sure its not leaking as there is no smell or fuel sitting there, although my mpg suggests otherwise!

My plan is to get the dealer to give me the air and fuel filter they haven't fitted yet - for nothing as they agreed to a major service and then didn't deliver. I'll then take it to my independent mate, and get him to change them. If he also has a problem with the housing then I'll bite the bullet and get a housing. I can also source the other parts cheaply off skodaparts.com and I'll take them with me (I can see both bump stops are knackered so I have no reason to doubt they need doing).

I contacted Skoda UK, opened a case, pleased poverty and won the sympathy of the lady on the phone.

I have full Skoda main dealer service history.

I did the same when the LED indicator on my wing mirror failed. After all LEDs are supposed to last 50,000 hours so its either a duff part or shoddy design.

Skoda did offer a discount but it was far cheaper to get an independant to fit the genuine part sourced by me off another dealer rather than what DMK quoted even with the Skoda discount.

In this case I suspect that an Indy would be far cheaper.

I'm now at 5 years so goodwill running thin despite full Skoda service history so its an independant specialist from now on for me.

Edited 9 January, 201313 yr by Web Ferret

Besides my local steeler seem to be more interested in selling me a new one over maintaining what I have.

Edited 9 January, 201313 yr by Web Ferret

I've found that dealers can 'advise' you about everything if it's not almost showroom condition. They chance their arm, but I guess some people just go with it.

Sounds like every dealer is turning into Kwik Fit.

I've found that dealers can 'advise' you about everything if it's not almost showroom condition. They chance their arm, but I guess some people just go with it.

Yeah, its amazing the list I got on a previous service None of which were mentioned on a subsequent MoT at the same dealer a couple of months later

totally agree with the labour hours being excessive, just take it to an independent to get the work done, I just got my cv boots done this week for £30 labour while skoda wanted £100 for labour.

Put some Waxoyl (available from most good motor factors) on your fuel filter housing rather than something which sets hard. The Waxoly is just thick wax. It will help prevent corrosion but won't hold the parts of the filter housing together. It's good for protecting any parts of your car which could do with keeping rust free. Have used it for years - top stuff.

Dynax S50 is the new waxoyl.

http://www.bilthamber.com/dynax-s50

I can see nothing that has set hard to be honest, the kurust has just done its stuff and it looks ok.

Update: the dealer apologised for the inflated labour estimates but still quoted near a grand for these jobs. They also said the air filter was not done as not due.

So I told them I'd have the fuel filter due on service for nothing, pay for the other parts except the housing and take them to my mate to fit. 60 for the parts and he reckons an hour labour. The tyre can wait a bit and the air filter will also be done, so 100 in total!!

Bit of a difference eh chaps?? Although granted he may still have trouble with the filter housing, if so another 150 for a replacement. If that happens though, will approach Skoda.

Thanks for all the advice

Adam