Should I get my 3rd service done at Skoda Dealer?

[JonBRapid]

Hi All,

 

So our 2013 rapid has just sailed through its first MOT...but our dash says we need a service soon (like 10days soon!).

 

We bought the rapid last August (the last one got hit by a lorry and written off - oh how I loved our little white one) and it has had two dealer services (1st one minor and 2nd one major). My question is do I get the 3rd one done at my local Skoda dealer (Blade Gloucester)? The car has an extended skoda warranty till August 16 so I'm thinking it might be a good thing to do and get the latest software updates.

 

Lets face it all they do for the 3rd service is an oil and filter change, look at it and take the car for a drive (probably scratching it when they do the wash and vac!) and charge me £139 for the pleasure.

 

I could go to a skoda specialist that offer revo mapping and would charge me £90 for a service and £399 for a remap.

 

I also need to swap the wheels from back to front and get the tracking and balancing done...

 

Any advice welcome...

[RickTT]

For £139 is worth getting the dealer to do it in the event you need to use the warranty, Having full dealer servicing can some times just give you that edge for a warranty claim or gesture of good will.

[Ootohere]

Your Brake Fluid is due to be changed at 3 Years, then each 2 years unless already done.

[chrisgreen]

If you are out of warranty, which you must be if you've had an MOT done, then I would run a mile from the dealer network and take it to a decent independent garage.

[RapidPaul]

I think the OP said he has an extended warranty until August. Personally I'd go main dealer this time around.

Edited 6 April, 2016 by RapidPaul

[crampedsky]

My local Skoda dealership decided that £139 wasn't enough for a minor service, so they upped the price to an inflation busting £169.....that's a lot of money for something that's little more than a glorified oil change.  I guess they have a sort of captive market since although you can take your car elsewhere, you won't get updates or a spanner left somewhere on the engine bay.

 

Good luck if you need to claim something under warranty after visiting an indie garage.

[RapidPaul]

My local Fiat dealer wanted £179 for a first service on my wife's Panda (presumably including a reach around). In the end I got it done at a smaller (but still franchised) dealer 15 miles down the road for £99 and it was in and out inside an hour. It pays to shop around.

[chrisgreen]

I think the OP said he has an extended warranty until August. Personally I'd go main dealer this time around.

My bad - missed the line about the August warranty.

In which case I concur. While its under warranty, suck it up and go main dealer (especially on the last service before the warranty expires, as this is a good time to get every niggle, fault, recall and software update done that falls under the warranty).

However, once that warranty runs out - the world of non-dealer garages is the OPs proverbial oyster.

[MarkRawlinson52]

From what I know id makes no odds to the warrnty where ever you get the service done as long as they use skoda parts 

[crampedsky]

From what I know id makes no odds to the warrnty where ever you get the service done as long as they use skoda parts 

 

Indeed, that's how it should work in theory. However, you will have a tough time trying to convince the dealership. 

 

As others have said, whilst the car is still under warranty, I would bite the bullet and begrudgingly have it serviced at a dealership, but I would shop around to see if other dealers offer better prices.

 

Once the warranty is out,  then it's bye bye dealership, unless their prices match those of a reputable independent garage, but that ain't gonna happen, is it?  And even then, I think I would still stick to good indie garage.

[theandywaite]

I've known of a couple of occasions where faults that occur in the 4th year (i.e. just out of warranty) have been repaired as a "good will gesture", but on the condition the vehicle had a main dealer service history.

 

My mum's Peugeot 207cc needed a gearbox refurb at 3.5 years old, and had only done 20k miles.  They replaced for free but needed proof of servicing in the dealer network.  I had a similar experience with an airbag wiring fault on my Octavia vRS a few years ago.

[MarkRawlinson52]

I cleared this with my nearest Skoda dealer it was merely and oil change service

[Ootohere]

A Major / Inspection Service is also just a Oil & Filter Change, Fluid Check, Washer Top Up, and an inspection and report, 

and on the diagnostics, and any Software Update or Enhancements, and a road test. 

Body Inspection.   So the Same as a Minor Service.  Or should be.

(then Parts changed if needed at the technicians decision, so maybe Air, Pollen, or Fuel Filter, maybe Spark Plugs, 

lots of maybes but they still want £259 or so.)

 

Odd how Dealership Employees so easily dismiss a Minor Service as just a Oil & Filter Change, 

yet they are happy to take £139 of your money from you.

Money for old rope, 

just as they will take £259 even when the parts used might be £40 more than was used on the rip off Minor Service.

[MickA]

I was once quoted £60 to remove a wheel nut by a dealer. If they couldn't remove it with their equipment a specialist would have to be called in, that would be £75 not instead of but on top of the £60, then vat on top of that.

Admit the wheel nut was a locking nut slightly chewed up. I told them to forget it, in the end I asked my local garage to have a go. The did it in 5 mins, removed all the other locking nuts and fixed a puncture for £10.

[RickTT]

I've known of a couple of occasions where faults that occur in the 4th year (i.e. just out of warranty) have been repaired as a "good will gesture", but on the condition the vehicle had a main dealer service history.

 

My mum's Peugeot 207cc needed a gearbox refurb at 3.5 years old, and had only done 20k miles.  They replaced for free but needed proof of servicing in the dealer network.  I had a similar experience with an airbag wiring fault on my Octavia vRS a few years ago.

 

Fully agree here with BMW and that approach... even on 5 / 6 year old cars.  You give them a track record of business you will stand a better chance of good will

[edbostan]

I paid £99 for the 1st oil change. The next service due in May will cost me £259 and includes spark plugs replacement. The car will have done 13k miles so spark plug replacement is unnecessary at that mileage. Air filter probably and pollen filter may be exchanged but it is at the jurisdiction of the dealer. I am worried that I will be paying for unnecessary parts and work

[RapidPaul]

The pollen filter will be changed. The plugs and air filter probably won't be.

[Tech1e]

Software updates aren't carried out unless there is a fault and they are instructed to do so or if there is an outstanding Service Action or Recall.

[Ootohere]

As you likely know even though Skoda National Pricing says a Diagnostic and a road test will be carried out there are many places that do not as a matter of course so Fault Codes might not be found, and then there are establishments where Service Campaigns are not checked for.

These may be few in number, but then Customers Trust that what they expect is done.

 

Likewise with Skoda Approved Used Cars that get a 'Workshop Safety Check'.,  that might not be while getting a Service if one is not due, 

and outstanding Service Campaigns or Sofrware Updates and Enhancements might not get done.

All a bit of a Lottery really at Main Dealerships. 

Sad really, because it is Customers Paying and keeping employees in employment.

 

http://master.skoda-auto.com/mini-apps/recall-actions

** Not a faulty link,  just an example of Skoda & IT,  Web Page not working....**

Edited 10 April, 2016 by GoneOffSKi