Hi,

 

My car went in for a service the other day and afterwards I received a sheet of paper which was a healthcheck on my car, with a list of things that needed doing, as the full price of things to do came to £1276.46 I wondered if anyone could please offer me some advice on the following. I drive a 2004 Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI PD comfort.

 

1)Alternator belt perished, requires replacement - £108.88 - Is this a reasonable price?

 

2)Timing belt due for replacement? - £348.99 - My belt was preciously changed at 63,517 miles, I now have done 108,000 miles. In the service book it says that the belt is changed every 100,000 miles? In a big stamp on the sheet it says "We now recommend Skoda owners replace there timing belt every 4 years, which it would be 4 years since last replaced. Do you think this needs changing or is it a way of making more money?

 

3)Front pads 70% worn. Front Brake Discs ExcessivelyLipped replace with pads - £208.99 - Obviously these need replacing but is this price reasonable?

 

4)Exhaust rear box corroded - £326.74 - How urgent would you think this is? I know there might be different severity of corossion but a lot of people are driving around with rusty exhaust boxes and they seem ok? 

 

5) Under the "Driveshafts/Oil Leaks" section it says - bumpstops perished - £199.00 - I have looked online and can't even find anything about bumpstops on Driveshafts? I know there are bumpstops on the suspension but this isn't under that section. Is this a reasonable price?

 

Then there was a few other bits and bobs like windscreen wipers, a tyre with 3mm thread e.t.c. I don't dispute Skoda's findings but am just a little shocked at the price and wondered if the prices seem a bit steep. I mean I inspected the alternator belt myself at the weekend and although no expert the belt didn't look in poor condition. Maybe take the car to another garage and get a second opinion. They told me the car is old so it's all just wear and tear. If I got the work done, I would have to do it in stages as couldn't afford the whole lot done in one go, so which bits are the most urgent and should I get done first?

 

Thanks, any help would be appreciated.

Ouch, not a nice sheet of paper to receive!

 

Personally I'd head to a independant VW specialist, and ask them to check.  Timing belt interval has changed, it is now 4 years vs the old 100k miles or 5 yrs (IIRC).  Personally I'd strongly consider getting this done if you are keeping the car for another few years.

 

Good news is, if you get the timing belt changed they should also changed the alternator belt for parts cost only, or I would expect them to anyway!  Downside is they would likely advise a water pump change at the same time, again this should just be another £40-50 for part no labour as they are already stripping it down to change the belt.

 

Brakes, again, either specialist if you want genuine parts or head to a chain if not, prob get them done for half that if not less with a decent deal at Kwikfit, F1, Autocentre etc.

 

Exhaust could be an MOT failure, I'd personally leave this til last unless it's blowing?

 

Bumpstops, get the independant to check - I'd imagine they mean front lower suspension bushes (mine just had a set) as they wear on the derv models.  Again, could be an MOT failure if bad enough.

 

If you go to an independant you might get a bundle deal, certainly reduced labour cost for doing the belts and water pump at least.

 

Hewesy

Took mine in yesterday for a full service. Had the same 'health check'. Came back with N/S droplink wearing, £86 please. Er, no ta, I'll do it myself for £15 for the part and 25 minutes on the drive Also told me about the hatch gas struts, another £100 Again, er, no ta, I'll do them myself aswell for £16/side (or cheaper off Devonutopia )

 

If you're comfortable doing the front pads yourself, they are pretty inexpensive from Eurocarparts or TPS. Get the Pagids.

Cam belt, as mentioned is every four years and as also mentioned, get the water pump done at the same time with the alternator belt. If I were you I'd source the parts myself and find a reputable VAG specialist for all those jobs.

Cheers for the replys I am more confident of making my decision now of what I am going to do, going to ring up and ask to do timing belt and water pump at same time which is £399 and ask if we can negotiate a price for alternator belt, because as you rightly say there shouldn't be as much labour charge while they doing cambelt anyway. Also when looking the other day the prices I have noticed that the prices I have been quoted on the healthcheck are for other Skodas and not the Fabia, so will bring that up with them as well. Think will get the brakes and suspension bushes done somewhere else to get a cheaper price. As you say with the Fabia, my bushes are constantly needing changing! The exhaust has some time in it left, something to do later hopefully, it isn't blown and I looked under the car and doesn't look in too bad a condition but will need looking at later. Thanks for the help, if I hadn't posted here I wouldn't have even thought about getting the water pump changed at same time bt makes good sense. Looks like I am goign to have to do a lot of budgeting in the next few months lol! 

Forget the rear silencer until it is blowing. I had advisories on my MOT for 4 years on the rear silencer being corroded but it was all on the outside and no sign of any leakage. Never did change it.