Hi all,

I am new to this site and have been recommended to ask if any of the members know of a good independent garage in the Essex area (I am in Southend on Sea) that would give me a quote to fit a new cam belt, tensioner and water pump on my Octavia ambiente Mk1 year 2003. I have had the car from new and have covered 45,000 miles. I have had one quote from a Skoda main dealer of £658 which was a bit of a shock to me. Any help would be appreciated

Skoda do fixed price repairs if you look on the skoda site.

You should looking about £350-400 for the belt and pump

Yeah mine was sub £400 on the tfsi not long ago from dealer.

Hi Gadgetman and Scribbler,

Thank you very much for your replies and I have just looked on the Skoda site and see that a fixed price cambelt replacement with tensioner and all bits and pieces is £349 and if I need a water pump its another £100. Thats a heck of a difference from £658 that I was quoted so I am going to see the dealer tomorrow.

Thank you both for all your help, I think this is a great site.

Got my Octy Tdi done yesterday at Pulman VW/Skoda Durham, New belt kit, Waterpump and new aux belt, £449.

Might be worth asking Unit 18 for a quote. OK,it's about 90 miles away, about an hour and a tad, but they might just give you a quote to make it worth your while. These blokes are good.