I've just had to fork out £390 to get the cambelt and water pump replaced yesterday...

My question is - the car was an approved used vehicle purchased from a main dealer, it's been maintained since new by main Skoda dealers (in Scotland) but all the records (and visual inspection) indicated that the cambelt had not been replaced.

To confirm - i checked the Skoda database (via main dealer against both the reg and chassis number) and also had a free safety check done by my local Halfords Autocentre (manager used to be a Skoda Master Technician).

Based on Skoda recommendations - cambelt is due at 4 years or 80k miles. This means the cambelt should've been done November 2011 based on age (car registered 11/2007).

Obviously I paid the £390 as that was considerably cheaper than a new engine if the belt snapped!

Do I have any come-back on Skoda UK or the dealer for this?

How long have you had the car and did they say that the cambelt had been changed when you bought it?

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Purchased the car in January this year.

The dealer did an oil service before I picked it up - no mention of cambelt.

Cheers

So the car was overdue a cambelt at the point of sale and the dealer didn't tell you? Get on to SUK and tell them you want a refund as it should have been done by the retailer. I doubt you will get it, but worth a try.

For future reference, if I agree a deal on a used car and suspect the cambelt is due I agree the deal, get them to fill out the paperwork then at the last minute throw the curve ball that they will of course replace the cambelt as it is due just before I sign, and write it on the order form so it forms part of the contract. You only get bitten once .........

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To be honest - I was too trusting with this one...

I assumed that because it was "Approved Used" there would be no issues...

Do you think it's better to write to to dealer or SUK?

Do both, making it clear to each that you have written to the other. What does it say in the small print of the Skoda used approved in regards to servicing?

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Ours was due a cambelt change when we bought it.

They serviced it and changed the belt and water pump before we bought it.

Phil

Cheers andyvee - I'll check and take it from there.

Was it the same dealer you bought the car from that replaced the cambelt?

Reading Skoda UK's blurb below about the advantages of buying a Skoda Approved used car, there is no mention that such vehicles come with a full service history. OTOH, buyers should get a warm fuzzy feeling at being offered 'a whole host of checks, warranties and the like...'.

http://www.skoda.co.uk/used-cars/advantages-of-skoda-used-cars/

I think it may be down to the buyer to check everything is done and up to date.

 

I checked all the service history and enquired about it being due a service and cambelt change. Asked if they would do these before buying and they agreed to do them.

 

Phil

Yep, if you don't ask you don't get.

I spent many years working for Vauxhall, and when the cars came back from the workshop with a huge quote for things that needed doing to pass the Network Q check the first thing the sales manager asked was which of these could they get away with claiming for under warranty once the car was sold.

It's all about maximising margins.

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Before I bought mine I got the salesman to get the service book out of the car and went through it with the guy and agreed that they would service it, MoT it, change the cambelt, water pump and change the oil in the Haldex.  They still managed to not change the brake fluid, so it went back a couple of weeks later and they did it.

Thanks for all the advice / info.

I'll let you know how I get on.

My supplying dealer rang me a few days ago to say that my Octavia is due for a cambelt change under the four year rule, even though it has only done about 39k miles

I thought it strange, thinking that the car wouldn't be four until November this year, and they were ringing four months early, but I've just twigged that I bought it in November 2008, so they are actually ringing me eight months late :0

I'm sure the explanation will be that they've 'had changes of staff in the service department, and they've only just flagged it up

My supplying dealer rang me a few days ago to say that my Octavia is due for a cambelt change under the four year rule, even though it has only done about 39k miles

I thought it strange, thinking that the car wouldn't be four until November this year, and they were ringing four months early, but I've just twigged that I bought it in November 2008, so they are actually ringing me eight months late :0

I'm sure the explanation will be that they've 'had changes of staff in the service department, and they've only just flagged it up

Nah, your doing yourself an injustice Bri.... Its took them 8 months to pluck up the courage to ring you

Nah, your doing yourself an injustice Bri.... Its took them 8 months to pluck up the courage to ring you

I'm not that scary.........honest

wouldn't it be nice if the whole VAG group could come up with a universally agreed time/ mileage/ Kilometer for each car? I find it so confusing as neither the dealers, Skoda UK or VW seem to have a concrete answer.

This is a simple one, fraud has been committed. The car has been sold as approved, thus means the car must have the full servicing/repairs as directed by SUK. This car has not been worked on according to SUK, so if they don't want to play ball get trading standards involved or make a small claim against the dealer.

Your contract is always with the dealer, never with Skoda, that applies even when buying a brand new car, if for any reason you have issues with that you have to sue the dealer.

 

I would suggest a polite but firm letter to both the dealer & to Skoda explaining the situation, Skoda should be able to apply pressure to the dealer "IF"  they consider you may have a case. 

 

Did you have the work carried out by a Skoda dealer ??

 

It would have been better had you argued this before forking out for the work, you could then have argued you were driving a car with a potential issue that could destroy the engine & you would expect them to pay etc etc

"ŠKODA APPROVED multi-point vehicle inspection check

 

Just so you know your used ŠKODA is in good shape, our fully qualified technicians will give it a comprehensive workshop check before it’s delivered to you."

 

If the cambelt and waterpump haven't been changed as per Skoda service schedule, then I would suggest the car they've sold you is not in good shape, especially if the belt snaps and the pistons turn your valves to mush. Shudder!

 

 

 

dont know wether to do mine or not?

after 4 years it will have about 23,000 miles on ...just dont know what to do

A few hundred for the cambelt vs many thousand if the belt snaps. It's a no brainer for me. Thing is it's not just the miles that wear the belt out its also the number of engine starts too, so if you're doing a fair few short journeys not worth the risk IMO, but ultimately it's your choice

I've written to the dealer and cc'd Customer Service Manager at head office.

I'll let you know how I get on.

A dealers by law need to give you three months warranty.........I bought mine from a main dealer who actually owned the vehicle from new.....previous owner didn't know how to drive and basically ruined the vehicle.....Car was constantly serviced by Skoda.......silly driver ruined the engine by allowing the cam chain to ping off thus destroying the engine.... Now before i bought or even looked for a new car i spent hours on the tinternet looking for advice about what to look for and every site including this one mentions check the cam belt has been changed....even my mechanic said it to me.....now if skoda are suppose to do a through check of the vehicle (which includes a cambelt) and stick to the service intervals then by right they have sold you a dud..... whether its 4 years of 80,000 miles then one or the other will apply cause as with all service intervals the main text to watch for is "whatever comes first".

 

Again my dealer praises themselves on a 120 point check.......passenger sill was dented and so was a few little things missing.....sorted with one phone call....