Found a 4 inch crack in my windscreen on 10th March so phoned the insurance Glass Line who said they didn't have a screen in stock but would phone me when they had one.
Yesterday I got a call to say they now had the glass and gave me an appointment - 31st March. Is a 3 week wait the norm for an 03 screen? They're hardly an uncommon car after all. Luckily, the crack is on the nearside and doesn't interfere with vision.

I had a bit of a wait for a new windscreen - can't remember how long but it certainly wasn't next day - probably a few weeks.  The delay seemed to be about sourcing a heated windscreen - this was when the Mk3 was very new so they hadn't done many.

They must be very busy or just not have many fitters if they have the glass and yet can not fit it until the 31st March.

I would have been wanting some other company to do the work as that time scale is not really acceptable when you have a cracked screen. 

Well IMO.

1. The wait is because they're understaffed and/or overrun. It has nothing to do with stock availability.

 

2. You are not tied to one supplier. Even if your insurance company nominates them, or imposes restrictions on the policy, you have a good enough reason to get it done by your own preferred supplier.

Just seen your location; call Euro Windscreens.

http://www.eurowindscreens.co.uk/

When I called Autoglass  recently they came next day with a heated screen, rain sensor/camera fittings.

Edited 23 March, 201610 yr by Paulius55

When I called Autoglass  recently they came next day with a heated screen, rain sensor/camera fittings.

 

this is more like the response I would expect.

A couple of days max not multiple weeks.

When I had my heated windscreen replaced it was 3 days, and that was about 18 months ago

Autoglass took three weeks to source my replacement windscreen. On the day of the appointment I was advised the screen was damaged and reordering a new one would be arranged. Cue another 3 week wait and exactly the same phone call on the fitting date saying it was damaged. After a complaint was raised the three week wait reduced to about 3 days as a nearby depot had one in stock, presumably the whole time.

The other kicker was the letter a week after they changed the windscreen saying for safety reasons I should arrange to have my Lane Assist recalibrated...they didn't acknowledge I could have been exposed to danger for at least a week following their own handiwork, that they should have warned me prior or provided a recalibration service themselves. Luckily the fitter didn't upset the electronics so the car didn't flag up an error message and I rarely use Lane Assist anyway.

... The other kicker was the letter a week after they changed the windscreen saying for safety reasons I should arrange to have my Lane Assist recalibrated...they didn't acknowledge I could have been exposed to danger for at least a week following their own handiwork, that they should have warned me prior or provided a recalibration service themselves. Luckily the fitter didn't upset the electronics so the car didn't flag up an error message and I rarely use Lane Assist anyway.

So assuming that the replacement was arranged via your insurance, if you have a frontal accident and you can't prove, even though you think the camera doesn't have to be recalibrated, that you had the lane assist and city brake camera checked as per Autoglass advice, will your insurance pay out? I only say this as I did pay for the recalibration for peace of mind and to avoid any future problems. I didn't relish paying out the extra money but thought that it was worth it.

I haven't arranged it because of the inconvenience getting the glass changed and I saw forums saying other owners had to go to Audi garages and pay £375 for recalibration with no help from insurance. Was hoping Skoda would obtain the kit and do it cheaper if I waited a bit. I'll be booking the first service soon so will be asking my local dealer what they charge, assuming they have the kit. If it's £75 or less I probably will get it done; any more and I would argue I'm not getting the usage out of it. Especially as my Octavia seems more prone to stone chips than my previous Fiesta and I'm concerned that a new screen may be required again.

How much did recalibration cost you, please?

i had an 8 week wait for a new heated windscreen last year mainly because i requested an oem replacement from skoda instead of the one that autoglass fit. not all skoda dealers can do the recalibration due to equipment cost. mine did not require it but my insurance would have covered it as its part of the replacement, not all will cover it though

Auto glass fitted an OEM to mine without asking

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Last year my VRS screen cracked. Claimed under insurance who used RAC Windscreens mobile service. Lots of problems culminating in new screen being damaged by fitter who broke one of the lugs that retains the lane assist camera. Had to wait for new screen to come from factory! When RAC fitted the replacement screen the camera didn't work properly as it was realigned incorrectly. RAC admitted that they haven't got equipment to set up these windscreen cameras as used by VAG Group manufacturers [skoda, VW, Audi, Seat]. Hunted around Skoda dealers but no-one had got the expensive set-up kit for these cameras - as one dealer principal said "Until it's made mandatory workshop equipment by Skoda I'm not buying it - we've never needed it yet!" Eventually local[ish] dealer worked out that the Audi kit would work with the Skoda laptop computer programme, they had an Audi franchise within the group so they took my car to their nearest Audi workshop, stuck on the four wheel alignment machine, hooked up Skoda computer to Audi kit and eventually got the camera lined up correctly. Needless to say the RAC paid for all this faffing around. Their technical department did admit in an unguarded moment that lane assist cameras are going to be a big problem as they, and therefore their fitters, haven't got the specialised equipment to do the job properly. Conversation ended with the comment of "It's not like carrying a universal fault code reader" !!!

Just had a crack start in mine yesterday after the helpful car in front took a trip on to the verge! its about 10mm in length and outside of the wiper area so hopefully get a repair and not have to go through this rigmorale for a while yet!

Its a bit like if you are unlucky enough to have something hit/damage the ACC/Front assist radar. I gather that also need calibrating and is likely a dealer job that VW/Audi would need to sort.

Just booked my first service and asked about recalibrating the Lane Assist at the same time. Turns out my local dealer does not have the kit and I would have to go to Wakefield. I didn't get as far as asking how much it would cost!

Until more of the Skoda dealers carry the kit I don't see why I should recalibrate a system I don't use and has not produced any error messages.

I still think Autoglass were negligent in replacing my windscreen, waiting a week and telling me I should get recalibration done. They should have turned down the job if they cannot recalibrate themselves.

Edited 31 March, 201610 yr by ndw

Auto glass should pay for the recalibration as part of the windscreen replacement

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I agree but the wording of the letter was such that I would have to arrange and fund myself or via my insurer not Autoglass.

"Be there between 8 am and 1200." they said on the phone/email & text.  Fella arrived at 8.04am and was done and dusted by 9.05am.

Lovely job, OEM screen and everything tested and working as it should.
Replacing a screen has come a long way since the last time I saw it done though. No cracking or breaking of the old one - all out in one unbroken piece.

"Be there between 8 am and 1200." they said on the phone/email & text.  Fella arrived at 8.04am and was done and dusted by 9.05am.

Lovely job, OEM screen and everything tested and working as it should.

Replacing a screen has come a long way since the last time I saw it done though. No cracking or breaking of the old one - all out in one unbroken piece.

Exactly as it should be

Its a bit like if you are unlucky enough to have something hit/damage the ACC/Front assist radar. I gather that also need calibrating and is likely a dealer job that VW/Audi would need to sort.

Coincidentally I have just had to have front assist radar moved back into place and recalibrated.

Local Skoda dealer did it all in house. £147. Yikes!!

I've just had Autoglass replace my VRS windscreen. Arrived at first appointment to be told I wasn't on their list (despite ringing up in the morning and checking). Second appointment raised for 3 days time. I had to go to one of their 'Specials' locations as they only have the calibration kit there (the fitter did say they could fit the screen at home, but calibration would have to be done at their centre). Screen fitted & lane assist / auto wipers calibrated. Then the next day, when it rained the autowipers aren't working... Autoglass 'Specials' seems rather appropriate now. Time to give then a call...

Edited 19 May, 20179 yr by nickyrobbo

I got my car under PCP from the local Skoda dealership with 1 year warranty. There's a visible chipping on the windshield right in the middle and they said that it was a repaired one and otherwise they would not have passed the MOT. However, I am a bit concerned as some people said to me afterwards that sellers usually can pass their own MOT as they are about to sell that car. When I contacted them back to get a confirmation if they have repaired it (otherwise I could take to some garage and repair it so that it wouldn't crack at some point) but they said "everything is in order". I am wondering what should I do here. Just not to worry, or get it checked by a third party? 

 

However, does anyone have an idea of what would be cost if it comes to replacement of the front heated windshield?

 

Thank you.

Go to a council MOT centre and ask an opinion... if they say fail go after the dealer?