Out of Warranty - Chance of Goodwill gesture?

[dsab]

I recently bought a 62 1.6 Greenline SE Estate, which I love so far. But I have now discovered one Issue that (from reading around a bit on Briskoda and other VAG forums) could potentially be expensive.

 

My Dash is displaying a Green Warning light, usually relating to Kessy or the DSG Gearbox. Unfortunately I don't have either, so it is really strange that the light comes up at all. Strangely enough the Green Light only shows up when I switch the lights on or set them to Auto. If the lights are set to off or Parking, then it is not illuminated. In addition to that at the same time I also get the right indicator Icon illuminated. Not as brightly as when the indicator is actually on, but clearly visible. Thirdly, when setting the Cruise Control it also illuminates the left Indicator light on the dash, again not as brightly as when the indicator is actually on, but clearly visible.

 

Looking around some of the forums it seems a new Panel might be needed, at considerable cost (read that it could be costing somewhere between 1200 and 1500 pounds).

 

I have booked the car in with a local Skoda Garage, who have not serviced the Car before. Should the Issue really be with the Panel, do you think there is a chance for a successful good will claim with SUK? The Car has a full Skoda Service History, and is now 3 years and 4 months old.

Edited 15 February, 2016 by dsab

[silver1011]

I would 100% be pushing for a goodwill contribution from Skoda UK.

 

4 months out of warranty, full Skoda main dealer service history and less than 5 years old, all these tick the right boxes.

 

The only issue might be the mileage, what its it currently on?

 

You are right that this is a quite common issue, and not just on the Superb, it is a common complaint on the MkII Octavia too. Some were lucky and it was down to the car being damp inside, something to do with electrical leakage in the moist air. Once the weather improved and the car became drier the issue went away.

 

See what the dealer says first, but if they come back with a silly price, or aren't prepared to push the issue with Skoda then contact Skoda UK directly yourself here...

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/about-us/contact-us

 

Skoda UK will always insist on getting one of their dealers to look at the car first, before even mentioning goodwill. If you are paying the current dealer to look at the car already then contact Skoda UK now to save you having to book it back in at a later date and paying their diagnosis fee again!

Edited 15 February, 2016 by silver1011

[jonathan.tong]

We successfully had failed parking sensors on our Mk1 Superb at over 6 yrs old covered under goodwill - not 100% but substantial nevertheless. We were the first and only owner and had always had it serviced (only three times in that period) at the same main dealer.

[Raptor]

Agree with has been said, SUK do look favourably on a car that has full history via Skoda dealerships. I have found Skoda UK to be very helpful if a little on the cautious side. Present your case well with a reasoned argument and I would be very surprised if they will not help. They will most probably refer you back to a dealership near you for them to evaluate and feed back to SUK.

[jonathan.tong]

I had the dealership on my side too with helpful remarks like "valued customer" and "looking for a new Skoda soon" etc etc.

[dsab]

Thanks for all the replies. Much appreciated.

 

I have raised a Ticket with Skoda UK, and they have obviously referred me first to one of their Main Dealers for Diagnostic/Investigation. But at least it is on record with them already. Is £69.50 (incl. VAT) normal price for Diagnostics these days?

 

I have now found the following Issues relating to strange Lights behavior on the Dash:

 

- Green "Automatic gearbox lock" light on Dash when Lights on or set to Auto (Car is manual without Kessy)
- Left Indicator light slightly illuminated when Lights on or set to Auto
- Right Indicator light slightly illuminated when Cruise Control on
- Brown "Electromechanical power steering" light slightly illuminated when Fog lights on

 

Nothing major in terms of Driving, but highly annoying at night to see half the Dashboard brightened up.

 

 

[dsab]

I had the Car in with the Skoda Dealer today, and it was confirmed that a new Instrument Cluster is required. The cost would be approx. £920 incl. fitting and VAT. SUK and the dealer are now discussing chance of goodwill gesture, and extent of it. Should have a response within the next 2-4 days.

[Auric Goldfinger]

I recently bought a 62 1.6 Greenline SE Estate,

 

 

When did you actually buy the Superb.  If it came from a Skoda Dealer it should come with a 12 month warranty anyway.

[dsab]

When did you actually buy the Superb.  If it came from a Skoda Dealer it should come with a 12 month warranty anyway.

 

Only bought it a few weeks ago, but not from a Skoda dealer. The 6 month warranty provided by the Dealer only covers Engine, Gearbox & Brakes.

[MarkTB]

Just about to start the same process with my Drivers Window Regulator, broke over the weekend. Had RAC out to raise the window as it was jammed and secure, and the cable was sticking through and wrapped itself around my motor - and the cable is showing signs of rust. Bought the Car Jan 2015 so only 1 month out of used car warranty. Spoke to my dealer who have advised as above that they have to diagnose and send a report to SUK before the will evaluate, but handy to know to put a call in and get a 'heads-up' on the process prior to going into the dealer.

[LS8Pilot]

If SUK dont play ball remind them of the sale of goods act.

 

Good must be fit for purpose and should last as long as a reasonable person would expect them to last.

 

Depending on the item you should have rights up to 6 years after purchase. A reasonable person would expect the non consumable (Brakes, tyres, normal wear and tear items) parts of a car to comfortably work properly for the full 6 years so you should be covered by these rules.

 

To be fair SUK can ask you for a proportion of the work cost based on how old the car is but at 3 years and 4 months I would push for them to pay at least half. Don't mention this when you first bring up your Sale of Good Act rights as many manufacturers do not know this bit and often cough for the whole cost.

 

Cheers and good luck,

 

Ian.

[dsab]

OK, had an offer of 45% Skoda Contribution as a goodwill gesture. Not completely happy with it yet, especially as the price has miraculously gone up since last week. Last week the price was £920 all in, and now it is suddenly about £1170. So it would leave me with about £650 to pay, in addition to the £70 I already forked out for the diagnostics.

[MarkTB]

Tell the dealer to take the £70 towards your part of the contribution! They normally say any diagnostics that lead to work, the fee is then deducted.

[dsab]

Just to bring this to a conclusion. Neither Skoda UK or the dealer were willing to look into any further contribution, so I went ahead and got a used replacement cluster installed and coded by my local VW specialist, at a cost of £150 all in.

 

It's an interesting system they have, as Skoda UK leaves the Dealer to make the final decision on a goodwill contribution. As I don't have any History with the dealer in question (Car was bought a few hundred miles away) I am not surprised that they weren't as flexible as they might have been with a customer that maybe bought their car with them and got it serviced etc. I was hoping Skoda UK would be able to be more flexible, but they weren't willing to go over the Dealers head.

[kevberlin]

Just to bring this to a conclusion. Neither Skoda UK or the dealer were willing to look into any further contribution, so I went ahead and got a used replacement cluster installed and coded by my local VW specialist, at a cost of £150 all in.

 

It's an interesting system they have, as Skoda UK leaves the Dealer to make the final decision on a goodwill contribution. As I don't have any History with the dealer in question (Car was bought a few hundred miles away) I am not surprised that they weren't as flexible as they might have been with a customer that maybe bought their car with them and got it serviced etc. I was hoping Skoda UK would be able to be more flexible, but they weren't willing to go over the Dealers head.

Interesting post. Good work by you too. Glad you saved some £.

[petrolbloke]

Only bought it a few weeks ago, but not from a Skoda dealer. The 6 month warranty provided by the Dealer only covers Engine, Gearbox & Brakes.

 

Did you contact the dealer you bought it from? The warranties used car dealers provide are rarely worth the paper they're written on, but consumer rights are actually pretty good. In this case the dealer you bought it from probably should have paid to fix it.