Hi All

 

The wife's Fabia has gone in for it's 2nd services at only 9000 miles. The service is costing £208. 

 

When she dropped the car off this morning they told her due to it's age they rear drums would need removing and the brakes checking. Now I no longer work in the trade but a large service usually entailed removing the drums and checking the brakes anyway, but skoda now want £40 just to do this.

 

I did ask the difference on the phone between 1st and 2nd service and they said a pollen filter and safety checks (which I thought the checks are done on each service) So this service is £100 more for a pollen filter.

 

Anyone got their view here before I speak to Skoda UK about this dealer which has recently been bought out

Unfortunately..Thats pretty much what Dealers charge and do.

Been there and have the T shirt!!!

The only way around the 'Rip Off' is to go to an independent and get them to use Genuine Skoda parts, to maintain your warranty

I'd go in on the "it's part of the service" angle as the brakes are being checked, not replaced.

 

Where are you taking it if you don't mind me asking? I'm on the South Coast and have tended to go to Birchwood Skoda in Eastbourne where the Service Manager is very understanding and will listen to any concerns.

Really. It's outrageous. From the gist I got they will do an oil change, pollen filter and safety check for £208. I should get out of IT and back to the motor trade

 

I have already told them they have lost further servicing for her and my Fabia in the future. 

 

Thanks Lee. It's what used to be Birchwood in Worthing but they sold it to the JCB group. Used to be a great garage until about 2 years ago and all the good staff are gone. I have already said to service I would take it up with Skoda UK.

 

Thanks

 

Glenn

My Octavia VRs Tdi has just had its second service at 15.500 miles £165 inc Vat.

 

Back to the OP " Can you tell if the drums have been removed, have the wheels even been off ? "

From the gist I got they will do an oil change, pollen filter and safety check for £208. 

 

 

£208 ? According to the fixed price servicing thats £139

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/service-and-maintenance/simply-fixed/pages/default.aspx?gclid=CIqg-Z6E4MkCFdZsGwodPnQGKA

Wheels have never been off. 

 

Mine Monte had to have new tyres after the 1st variable service due to bulges on the inside of the tyre. I took it to people I know well the day after the service, they said the wheel had not been off on mine as they were stuck on.

 

Apparently this is the norm for a 1st service not to tale the wheels off and just look through the wheel. How they think they can check rear shoe ware from there is beyond me. 

 

Service is nothing like it used to be

There's usually a rubber bung (or two) in the backplate of the drum brakes. Remove and you can see the shoe thickness, in theory. Doable without wheel removal, 'cos it's from the inside.

 

I say 'in theory' because I've never actually tried this myself.

At 9,000 miles, I recon the rear brakes should be fine in theory at least, wear wise! They should be good for at least double that as most of the braking (Around 70%) is on the front brakes. That said, if you had a sticking caliber or similar, it could wear brakes artificially quickly. I would tell them not to and just get the brakes replaced at a local brake specialist. It'll probably be no dearer then the so called "Inspection" that will incur extra cost anyway, if they need replacing!

As for a pollen filter, about a tenner and them mins fitting time! You should ask the dealership if they have bi-focal windows in their showroom asI think thay saw you coming!

Thats dealers for you.

I use an independant Skoda Specialist for my servicing. Payed £160 inclusive for my second service, and he goes the extra mile to do a good job (its in his interest). He did do the drums for that.

All too familiar a complaint :(

 

Although working in IT you are hardly in a position to cast the first stone

 

Have you had a look at the Good Garage Scheme?

Yup. Rip off. My last two services, I've taken it to my local independent garage. I bought all parts directly from skoda and just paid the garage for the service. The last service, Think they charged me 70 quid including brake fluid change! skoda charge around 50 quid just for the fluid change.

My first service (I'm on variable servicing) @ 5500 miles/15 months was £195, basically for an oil/filter change.

 

My next one is due at about 30 months of age and would be £295. No thanks Skoda, I will get it done at an independent garage considering the warranty will only have six months left to run.

My first service (I'm on variable servicing) @ 5500 miles/15 months was £195, basically for an oil/filter change.

 

My next one is due at about 30 months of age and would be £295. No thanks Skoda, I will get it done at an independent garage considering the warranty will only have six months left to run.

 

your warranty will be covered anyway, as long as you get the independent to use genuine Skoda parts