Caffyns Skoda (Tunbridge Wells)

Lamberts Road

North Farm Industrial Estate

Tunbridge Wells

Kent

TN2 3EL

08433 193702

Services: New, Used, Repair

I'm afraid I must give them a bad writeup. I took my Octavia down there with an air conditioning fault. I knew from the independant garage I normally take my cars to (convenience and trust more than anything) that power wasn't getting to the compressor and it was an electrical problem. I told all this to the woman on the service counter at Caffyns but all she took down as notes was the compressor wasn't working. They looked at the car and came back to me to say I needed a new compressor at a cost of £936. When I asked if they were sure it was the compressor they said "Yes, 100% certain".

I took the car to another Skoda dealer who listened to me and found the problem was a burnt wire near the relay, total cost to rectify £76. So I'm afraid I have no trust in Caffyns whatsoever.

Had a few problems with my car lately (the usual Fabia leaking rear doors plus a failed electric window motor) so have seen a fair amount of the service department lately.

Can honestly say I can't fault the service I receive; always happy to fit me in at short notice and provide a courtesy car.

Went there with my parents who are looking for a new car to have a look at the New Fabia and frankly customer service was apauling.

Whilst I am a huge fan of the marque the way we were treated has meant a lost sale :thumbdwn:

... I took my Octavia down there with an air conditioning fault............

Funnily enough I was there just yesterday with the same potential problem and I too got the £900+ price - though today I have discovered it's not the ****y hub falling off the compressor ...it's the evaporator, which is still going to cost a good £500 (probably double or triple that at a dealership). Still, one thing Caffyns IS good for ....smallish accessories - bought a set of Octavia floor carpets there for just £13:D

Edited 1 December, 200817 yr by Guest
Quote abbreviated.

An update to my earlier post from Jan 07:

Whereas the (customer) service did seem good, in hindsight I'm not so pleased with the actual work carried out.

Won't go into details but after my local garage did a service and noted that Caffyns hadn't stamped the service book, so I phoned to ask if they could do it retrospectively, which they agreed to (even though they couldn't actually print me off an invoice as I had mislaid mine). Within minutes, I had a call expressing concern that I had taken my car "out of franchise" despite it being out of warranty. It was taken to a VAG specialist that all of my family members have been using for 20+ years without any problem.

Sadly I didn't have the presence of mind to query Caffyns' efficiency over the three years I was taking it to them (like their inability to notice the brake lights weren't working at the PDI and them fobbing me off for 25000 miles before having my gearbox looked at).

Service and cambelt due imminently so shall be getting quotes from my local specialist and Saunders Abbott.

As from the 15th December 2008 their new address will be:

Caffyns Skoda - Tonbridge

Sovereign Way

Tonbridge

Kent

TN9 1RS

Yep, I got that letter to say they've moved too.

Reading one of the posts above I realised they never stamped my service book either... better get that sorted out!

I'd just like to post to say how impressed I've been with Caffyns in terms of buying spare parts.

In the last 4 or 5 months I've been in there practically every other week to buy something or the other, on many occasions it's been things as small and ridiculous as a 30p engine cover screw or a £2 throttle gasket but they've always come up trumps and there's always someone there when I go in on my way home from work at 6:00 to pick up the parts.

Used them last week to have the water pump replaced on SWMBO's Ferbi. They also fixed the constant noise and faults with the front suspension, that A N other service centre said did not exist!!

Very freindly, efficient, and great workmanship

Had the Octi in there today. 2 out of the 3 faults fixed, back on Friday morning for 30 mins work to fit a new part.

Why can't all service centres be like this?? Freindly, efficiant and willing to help

See my post "Warranty Woes" in the Octavia II area.

In there again today for a new part fixed on the rear passanger window. All done quickly, mimimum of fuss, briiiliant

Ist Service on my Superb yesterday at 24000 miles, excellent service by Caffyns at Tonbridge, carried out speedily and efficiently, the car even came out of the workshop as if it had just come out the showroom, washed and valeted. Used their courtesy car (Fabia Scout 1.9TD) service. Darren on reception very helpful and polite.

Will be using them again.

Had my car serviced here yesterday, they were very helpful and polite. Picked up / returned vehicle to my house all clean, great service. Also used for parts in the past, lady on the parts desk was extremely helpful. Car was all healthy too, which was good.

Just took my car there today to check over some other dodgy work an independent had done. They were really polite, knowledgable and helpful. Will be taking it there again and would recommend them.

Always get good service from them, parents have bought 2 (maybe a 3rd soon) cars from them. Use them for all our vehicle servicing inc our works T5. Always happy to help out, Darren is easy to wind up

I bought my new Vrs there this year and my current fabia 16v comfort too. I can definately say that their prices are astrononmical when it comes to repairs etc (670 quid for a cambelt purchase and fit???), but they are curteous and well meaning They did fail to spot a problem with my back screen washer two years running also.

I agree about Darren, bless him. The sales reps can be very hard to negotiate with too.

I do think they are reasonable people to deal with, but the after sales costs make them difficult to recommend.

Have always had amazing service from Caffyns tun wells/ tonbridge - Aftersales are fantastic , Theresa is a god send and john in the workshop is really really clever - As for costs I have never paid above the odds for work . I have also bought many skodas from caffyns and always shop around but find myself comming back as the Sales department are very Proffesional and knowledgable to deal with its not always about the best deal.

Having just collected two new cars from them this weekend (myeslf and my Dad) I can safely say they are doing a great job. Would recommend them anyday of the week. Pricing is fine, always had competitive bills from them

PLEASE BE AWARE.....!!

As of Monday 31st October 2011, they will have moved to LAMBERTS ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

The last trading day in Tonbridge will be Friday 28th October 2011.

Edited 4 November, 201114 yr by richie

Spelt Lamberts Road

Better base for them, Vauxhall are moving in a years time so will be a nice big Skoda dealer soon!

Had my service done by them the other day and all was well as always. Drove past to see it all deserted today after the move...I wish them luck at the new place. Although the estate is a nightmare for traffic. Definitley drop in the back way down sandhurst road off the pembury road rather than go in through past john lewis and b&q etc

I wouldn't use them if they were the last dealership left on this planet. Theresa nearly cost me a big bill with my lease car company telling them it was my fault I was having DPF problems!! and I was responsible for the associated repair costs on my PD 170 a couple of years ago.

Had two more vrs's since then, not supplied by them I might add.

Had my car serviced there today, all good and nothing wrong (even got an overdue wash). The only thing I was a bit peeved about was the crafty bottle of oil installed in my boot, which I didn’t ask for but featured on the bill. If it wasn’t my wife collecting and paying, this would have been questioned. My car has hardly used any oil in the last 10k, so will probably never get used and will probably end up getting crushed and split.I think they should lay off the Vauxhall literature in the glove box too… it’s all about the green badge