Hi, I've just had a service done on my Fabia 1.4 16v ambient, (35,000 miles, reg 55) and have been advised to get the cam belt etc changed.

I'm a bit shocked by the price quoted, but reading here I realise it's about standard (sigh...)

Ive been getting quoted from non-skoda garages and one has asked if I want to use non-Skoda parts for the cam belt etc. Could anyone advise if they would be as good as the official Skoda parts?

Thanks, Marian

Going non genuine is a Mind Field.

I work in the parts trade (at dealers mainly)

Altho manufacteurs source bits for various places that factors can also get, they are some cheaper brands that factors choose to use which can hinder quality.

No i would normally chance suspension and brake bits even driveshafts from a factor but things like sensors cam belt kits id always advise to go to a dealer.

The reason you pay more at a dealer is the support you get. If fitted but a giod garage or a dealer even the warranty support is better.

Id would enquire what parts warranty you get from skoda

As Mercedes vans would cover you for 2 years and that warranty would cover the labour at a mercedes workshop and any other damaged cause buy the faliure (this providing said item is fitted to the right standards)

Now obviously you wouldnt expect it to fail in that time but if a timing belt snaps look at the damage that could be caused...

As for quality anything from Skoda would meet skodas standard.

If you brought a factor part theres no garuntee that standard meets or exceeds that of Skoda or VWG

I'd get oem , most of the cost is the labour rather than the parts

OEM from the dealers as allways for very important bits like that!

Thanks everyone, your advice is much appreciated! It's off to the Skoda dealer then...

OEM parts, possibly supply yourself to save you the garage add-ons

Does this site not have any arrangement with TPS to nationwide discount for members?

critical engine always the real deal due to cost and time to fix,

braking, and suspension parts always the real deal as your life and those of your passengers and other road users depend on them not failing

critical engine always the real deal due to cost and time to fix,

braking, and suspension parts always the real deal as your life and those of your passengers and other road users depend on them not failing

While agree with your theory of genuine bits,

Your post kind of implies, factor parts are could be unsafe.

Thats not the case all parts have to be fit for purpose and be safe, and meet certain standards.

Iit is possible to pick up parts that are close to genuine quality if you use head and do research.

For example,

Brakes, car manufacturers don't make the pads they are made by companies like jurid or duratec etc etc, now ive been told altho this pads are made in same place those made for VWG may meet slightly different standard to those that leave in their own branded box, altho those differences maybe minimal. Same can be said for clutches springs shocks etc etc.

The things you need to take in account when comparing factor parts to genuine.

The warranty and support (normaly dealers will excel at this hence some of reason the difference in price (the rest can put down to the supply chain dealers have to use)

Quality and make if you want to save money find out the make of the part you need and find a factor to supply it.

And finally whats the worse that can happen?

Ie cam belt, if a belt snaps it can cause a lot of work, and altho factors offer warrantys they may not cover any damage caused by the faliure (seen this with euro car parts)

If shock fails, its mostly like you will jus need another shock in this case a factors warranty would be enough.

I know you shouldnt expect a part to fail soon after replacing it, but it something that should be considered.

sorry, should have worded that a bit better

i didn't mean to infer non OEM parts are unsafe

in fact many of the parts are made by the companies that provide the OEM parts

what i ment was in many respect you get what you pay for, and key parts there is a safety implication if they fail

Edited 2 February, 201313 yr by bluecar1

sorry, should have worded that a bit better

i didn't mean to infer non OEM parts are unsafe

in fact many of the parts are made by the companies that provide the OEM parts

what i ment was in many respect you get what you pay for, and key parts there is a safety implication if they fail

I agree with you there

Does this site not have any arrangement with TPS to nationwide discount for members?

Nope, it a depands on the local branch, up to them if they serve the public

Shame really as it would be more benifical to members as it VWUK rather then individual dealers.

Luckily i work in the trade and have an account with TPS

The Cardiff branch serves anyone, some do, some don't !!

The Cardiff branch serves anyone, some do, some don't !!

what, even you :think:

what, even you :think:

Yes it's true, I could paper the walls with the reciepts I've collected in there

its about £250 for a genuine skoda timing belt kit for the 16v engines and that doesn't even include the water pump! there's nothing wrong with factored pattern parts really, it's alll down to personal choice.. I tend to buy the gates automaster kits from my local motor factors and I've never had a problem with them, I did the timing belt kit on my grandads lupo about 3 weeks ago and that ha the same timing belt kit as the fabia and it was just under 90 quid for the whole kit including the water pump, 2 belts, idler, 2 tensioners, even came with new bolts for them too.

oh yeh, a genuine skoda water pump is about £45 too plus there is a surcharge on top which gets refunded on return of your old pump

Well just in case you are still interested my timing belt kit is made by Gates Powergrip (look them up). They make high quality products and they ain't cheap. Also Lucas which produces a number of parts for Skoda make good kits regarding belts. I wouldn't be surprised if the Skoda kit is made by Lucas. Whatever you choose go for quality over cost.

Yes the genuine belts are made by gates, thats why I buy those kits.

As a mechanic myself I always fit genuine parts to my cars mainly because I can afford to due to no labour costs! On the other hand, many genuine cambelts are manufactured buy other companys (none genunine) such as Powergrip, Continetal and Mitsubishi so are the same quality. I have fitted many none genuine cambelts to friends and familys cars with no problems and are all still going strong. I do agree that some none genuine parts are totaly rubbish and made of chocolate! Tps is always the best option for VAG, genuine parts at a fraction of the cost.

When I had my cambelt changed it was made by 'Gates'. Obviously never had a problem with it

I belive it's the quality of water pumps you have to be careful with. I've read Skoda water pumps have a plastic impeller, which has been know to break up. You are better to buy a non-genuine pump with an metal impeller. http://www.briskoda....for-vrs-please/

P.S. A 55 plate Fabia is a Mk1 not a Mk2.