The car was at the local dealership today, primarily to check out the B Pillar buzz, plus a couple of other little bits.

 

I'd advised that the noise might have come from the fuel line (comes in pretty much at 2250rpm and lasts for a further 2-300 revs) When I picked the car up I was advised that the engineer had removed the B Pillar cover and 'insulated' it. No mention of checking the fuel line. As soon as I got in the car and drove away, the noise was still there. £40 lighter for the check and no resolution  :notme:

 

I had to get back quickish, and as it was 5 pm, I couldn't be bothered to turn round, so I will be calling them tomorrow. When I got home, I thought I'd check to see if the noise came on while revving the car while stationary. Sure enough, keeping the revs at 2250 brings in the noise. I tried to have a listen around the car while Mrs Isocrem held her foot on the throttle. I could hear the noise from outside. Maybe it comes from below the car, but it's not easy to pin it down. I have some sympathy for the technicians in that respect as it's difficult to track it down. I would have thought a buzz coming on revs while the car is not moving might be more of a hint that something connected to the engine might be causing the issue rather than a trim rattle? 

 

I'm not quite sure where I stand with regards to this. The dealership clearly haven't come to the conclusion that it's a Warranty claim, hence the checking charge, however, having now paid £40 for essentially nothing, I think I have a cause for asking for further action, without cost? Any hints on taking it forward would be appreciated.

 

 

 

 

Buzzing at revs is probably the exhaust or heat shields.

Although back left of the engine bay fuel and brake lines go down through a tunnel.

Not sure why you were charged. Its a defect? Should be a warranty job.

Has a Dealership employee come to a conclusion there is a noise to diagnose and that needs resolving?

 

If so, and it is so, then pay nothing.

They have neither diagnosed or resolved, so they need to escalate to someone that can fix the matter.

The fact they can not complete the claim to Skoda to get paid is now their problem.

 

The noise is not a characteristic or design feature, it is a fault. 

Buzzing at revs is probably the exhaust or heat shields.

Although back left of the engine bay fuel and brake lines go down through a tunnel.

Not sure why you were charged. Its a defect? Should be a warranty job.

 

I've never had a cause to return a car for a buzz, before, so I'm a bit naive on the situation, in all honesty. I was advised when I booked the car in that if it was determined the cause of the buzz was not a warranty claim, there would be a charge. On picking up the car, I was advised that as it was determined it was a trim issue, clips etc were not covered under the Warranty. If that turns out not to be the case, I will be more than happy to speak with the dealership, however, they now have my money..

Has a Dealership employee come to a conclusion there is a noise to diagnose and that needs resolving?

 

If so, and it is so, then pay nothing.

They have neither diagnosed or resolved, so they need to escalate to someone that can fix the matter.

The fact they can not complete the claim to Skoda to get paid is now their problem.

 

The noise is not a characteristic or design feature, it is a fault. 

 

I've not had anything but good service from my dealership in the past, so I'm more than happy to go back and test their service, with a genuine issue. It was advised on the job card that the B Pillar was looked at and the 'Customer to try', so I have no reason to believe at the minute that they will leave me in the lurch and will give them an opportunity to resolve. I was caught a little unawares on the checking charge as I thought this might be covered on Warranty, but as I had no counter argument at the time.. 

Be happy, just not ripped off though.

£40 should be refunded ASAP.

Be happy, just not ripped off though.

£40 should be refunded ASAP.

 

So, if I go back and ask for a refund, my grounds being, the car is under warranty, so it shouldn't have a rattle, or something else? I'm genuinely interested because I certainly don't like being ripped off. 

That is a good start.

The Dealer Principal can discuss it with you.

The car can stay until resolved / fixed and you could borrow his / her noiseless Demonstrator or a car the same as yours.

Edited 19 December, 20169 yr by Offski

So, if I go back and ask for a refund, my grounds being, the car is under warranty, so it shouldn't have a rattle, or something else? I'm genuinely interested because I certainly don't like being ripped off. 

Yes!!

 

My car has the same rattle which I believe is the fuel lines which I will want sorted under warranty but I can live with it until its first service as I don't have the time to keep popping to my dealers.

Edited 19 December, 20169 yr by LHVRS

http://skoda.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Brochures/Warranty-Booklet-single.pdf

ŠKODA customer services - 03330 037 504

Thanks, guys. I've owned 3 Brand New Cars and two cars within warranty period. I've made non payment claims for parts before, but this is the first time I've had to take a car back for a 'minor' non mechanical or engine based part, so I am green on these issues. 

 

I'm going to fess up to another thing they charged me for. I don't care if you think I'm stupid, I'd rather someone else learned from my mistake. Just checked the itemised bill. I was charged £40 for a leak test on my front doors (collecting water on sills). No issue found, charged?

 

The dealership stated that if no issue was found due to warranty, a charge might be made. I think they charged me for pressure washing my car!! (my opinion of this dealership is changing rapidly). I think I'll blame the Christmas rush for my mental incapacity..

Sadly I think you have been ripped off.

Take it back and discuss it further.

Possibly ring Skoda UK too.

The water collecting on the sills is the water that gets into doors and escapes usually when the door is open.

(and in temps below freezing might freeze in the door if not opened.)

 

Being a Skoda Garage they know about H20 running out of doors.

Your DEalership must be getting a nice Christmas Outing from 'Job Creation', or actual conspiring to deceive.  Near enough theft the barstewards.

Thanks guys. I like getting my teeth into something. Better than Christmas shopping..

 

I will ring Skoda Customer Services tomorrow and discuss. Then I will ring the dealership and see what they have to say for themselves. Feel a bit foolish, but better to know you're foolish than not, I think...

Edited 19 December, 20169 yr by Isocrem

Thanks guys. I like getting my teeth into something. Better than Christmas shopping..

I will ring Skoda Customer Services tomorrow and discuss. Then I will ring the dealership and see what they have to say for themselves. Feel a bit foolish, but better to know you're foolish than not, I think...

Well done for asking for advice I say.

We all make mistakes.

Edited 19 December, 20169 yr by tubbytommy

Who is the dealer so I know never to darken their door?

That's blummin cheeky. :o

I have had quite a few minor and some major issues on new cars and every visit to the dealer has never been charged, as it is under warranty.

I did get one young lad at the service desk at the time of booking the car in, once ask if I was happy with the charges.... I very quickly reminded him it was a new car and that there would not be any charges to me for the work.

I spoke with the Service Manager at 9am this morning. He's looking into it and will call me back... I will advise when I hear..

OK. I spoke with Ashley, at Winchester Skoda today. The £80 charge has been refunded and the car is booked in for two days in early Jan to look at the buzz again. 

 

I have to say that I've had nothing but good Service from them in the past, however, it's a bit disappointing that the charge was put down to a 'new person' making a mistake. That might have been the case, but I'll certainly be a bit more wary in the future. Hopefully they can resolve the issue re the buzz and rectify the poor experience.

 

Thanks to everyone for the advice. Lesson learned! 

sounds like a lie to cover up a rip off.

now you have questioned it they are back tracking.

 

personally id take the refund and go elsewhere as they obviously cant be trusted,

The B pillar buzzing and door seal modification is a very well known issue. The local dealer sorted the seal issue. I have been thoroughly cheesed off by the occasional buzzing which only happens on poorly surfaced roads....I can always tell when I am back in Lincolnshire! It is a really good car and excels in some areas but I will not automatically upgrade to a newer Octavia. Thst said, other manufacturers suffer problems, I believe the Ford 1.0 litre 3 cylinder is having head gasket/coolant problems.

sounds like a lie to cover up a rip off.

now you have questioned it they are back tracking.

 

personally id take the refund and go elsewhere as they obviously cant be trusted,

 

Could be. However, I can only summise. The internet is full of accusations following dodgy customer experiences. I'd rather stick to what I know at this time and allow the Garage to attempt again to fix the situation and I will be very wary from here on in. The reality is, the Garage I bought the car from (Aldershot) is not an option as too far away.  I've vowed never to step into a Sparshatt group garage again (two alternative nearest Dealers). This leaves my one and only localish Dealer a 20 odd Mile drive away in Brockenhurst. If I walked away from Winchester too quickly, it would be a pain in the bum. I've got the evidence from this situation and I'll walk away if anything else occurs in the future.

The internet has loads of Dealerships that crap them selves if named and shamed.

 

Your Dealership did the right thing,

but blaming new staff is really not on, they need to blame poor management and training.

They concentrate on Up-selling and forget Customer Service & Honesty.

 

Simply Clever, for Skoda Main Dealerships is

don't cheat customers or attempt to and you will not get caught cheating customers,

& if Skoda UK are hard to get to pay up on Warranty Issues get the CEO on the case with the Skoda UK Brand Director or Senior Management.

*If Factory Build Quality is sh!te quite often tell Skoda UK & Skoda CZ and get that sorted and dont sell not fit for purpose stuff while boasting 

of build quality and value for money.*

Edited 20 December, 20169 yr by Offski

The internet has loads of Dealerships that crap them selves if named and shamed.

 

Your Dealership did the right thing,

but blaming new staff is really not on, they need to blame poor management and training.

They concentrate on Up-selling and forget Customer Service & Honesty.

 

Agreed. I made the point that at least 2 other people saw my job card and should have questioned the charge. I also pointed out that the guy who handed my car back claimed the charge was justified. I can only hope that the message will be fed back and more importantly, taken on board by Management. 

 

I also get the impression that Management at some dealerships live in a bubble and don't take the fact that its now very easy for customers to get the 'facts' about a car very easily and discuss real issues online. The saving grace was the Service Manager, despite playing the newbie card (irrespective as to whether that is true, it's lame) didn't try to come up with  BS to justify the charge. He simply said 'I don't know why you were charged and you shouldn't have been', so I'll take that as a positive crumb.