I have a Jan 2013 Octavia VRS DSG Estate with 23k miles. It is in superb condition except that the driver seat RH bolster has collapsed. As we are halfway through the warranty period I assumed this would be a warranty repair.

 

The local Skoda Service garage claim that Skoda UK won't honour the warranty and Skoda UK claim that it is the garage's call that I have misused the seat and it is their decision not to repair under warranty. 

 

Who is responsible in this situation ?

 

What do I do next ?

 

Is the small claims court the next step ?

 

 

Please Help.

£800 to repair a seat on a new car that has been well cared for seems somewhat ludicrous.

All those claims. Have Skoda UK actually rejected the warranty claim as a result of a report by your local garage? If  such damage to the upholstery is not held to be a manufacturing defect but wear and tear which is not included in the warranty than you are on your own.

As for me I'd be polite and mention the full service history, disappointment in the premature problem with your car and mention that it might put you off buying another car from the VW group in future. This has worked for me in the past and I have had substantial discounts off out of warranty repairs. I am guessing that more expert advice will be along regarding upholstery repairs. £800 seems ludicrous though- I'd hope it could be repaired for much less if it is out of your own pocket.

 

As for the damage I'd say it was unusual for an seat to suffer such damage when subject to normal use. Might be impossible to argue against that in court. My opinion only and based upon car seats of all types never collapsing over 46 years. And I weigh 90kg.

Edited 11 November, 201411 yr by gregoir

Dealer, Leicester Sandicliffe, dismantled the seat and said it was obvious that it had been mistreated and therefore could not be repaired under warranty.

They quoted £880 to repair the seat including the minor leather damage or £350 to replace the foam but leave the leather damage.

 

I told them that was too expensive and to put everything back as it was in its damaged state and that I would go somewhere else for the repair. They then offered to replace the foam for £147, which I reluctantly accepted.

 

Still leaves a very bitter taste due to the fact that I no longer have any faith in the Skoda warranty and  my next new car will have to be a manufacturer whose warranty I trust.

 

Got to have seats that last longer than 20 months.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. You should have stuck firm and asked them to reassemble the seat and taken it to another main dealer.

 

The poor side bolsters on the vRS is a well documented weak point, and Skoda UK are well aware of it.

 

As the dealer claims the damage was clearly down to wear and tear / misuse then what evidence did they put forward to support their theory versus a manufacturing defect?

 

It's easy for me to say from behind my keyboard but I think I'd be digging my heels in on this one.

 

Any pictures?

Here's one...

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/264843-collapsed-drivers-seat-bolsteranyone-else-had-this-happen/?hl=%2Bseat+%2Bbolsters#entry3859857

And another...

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/322457-another-worn-seat-query/?hl=%2Bvrs+%2Bseat#entry3864823