Non-Dealer services on a ~3 year old car.

[Maffu]

Just looking at the Jabba website [a terrible thing, especially as my credit card is within reach...] and I note that they do 10k services, amongst others.

Has anyone done this? Not Jabba specifically, although I'd be interested to know if you have, but non-Skoda dealers on a car that's still in warranty. I read on the site that as long as they're VAT registered and use VAGgie parts it shouldn't be a problem...but is that really the case?

I'm being lazy and pondering whether I can get my 10k services [in 4k time..] and suspension done in one go...

[Tech1e]

No problems with a specialist doing a service. Usually the staff know just as much about the cars (sometimes more) than the guys in the dealers.

Ive worked for both tuner and dealer.

[northernlights]

I read on the site that as long as they're VAT registered and use VAGgie parts it shouldn't be a problem...but is that really the case?

What about within the 3yr period? My local dealer doesn't like me! *sob* & I don't like him!

Mainly for not buying through him & has already stated they won't let me have a courtesy car when mine goes in. (It's 2 miles outta town). So I'd prefer to get it done elsewhere.

And I'll bet he won't allow mods like an rear ARB etc either, claiming invalidated warranty. He seemed the kinda guy to hold a grudge, and went particularly cold at the end of his 'pitch' when I stated my intention to try a broker first & if it fell though to come to them.

And the reason I don't like him is that during said pitch he told me some shocking lies to try & dissuade me. It was all I could do not to laugh at the time, I know a lot of people value dealer support, but I'd heard some bad things anyway but I was willing to give the benefit of the doubt but that just sealed it for me...

When he was shown the quote, by the saleman, who to his credit was going to allow me to walk out there & then telling me he couldn't match it. Instead the boss made an ahhhh noise, & took over the pitch.

'Facts' stated by the boss were:

They had an email from Skoda UK about these 'scams' & that I would have a car that didn't exist on order for months, then they would call me & offer me a price on a different make of car instead.

That my deposit was in real danger of being lost to 'cowboys', (despite the fact it was a Visa payment & could be claimed back even if it was).

Also claimed that the head of Skoda Scotland had been up the previous day to reassure his dealers that the (I assume, company car) loophole that these brokers were using would be closed almost immediately, ie before I could order it. (This could have been true, I guessed, so i ordered it on the way back from the visit).

All I asked was could he match the quote & being perfectly reasonable about it...I'm not hard to get on with, I don't mind haggling/the hard sell, water off a ducks back, but I don't like being lied to & my bull**** meter was off the scale!

Thing is, if he'd just said he would be good to us with servicing & after sales that would have been enough to swing it.

Some people, it'll be a cold day in hell before I have his dealership sticker on any car I ever own.

TBH I'm surprised he's still doing business but then he is the only dealer north of Perth, I think.

Anyway back on track, it's late & thinking about it just wound me up, apologies for the hijack!

I just wanna know what I need to get all the warranty work done from an independant instead. Or is this just for servicing? Does this mean my local garage, never having seen a vRS before, could do the work? Given there aren't many VRSs about I was thinking of going to another VAG dealer, or VAG specialist (if I can find one up here) lol

[northernlights]

Double post - deleted

[DGW]

I just wanna know what I need to get all the warranty work done from an independant instead. Or is this just for servicing? Does this mean my local garage, never having seen a vRS before, could do the work? Given there aren't many VRSs about I was thinking of going to another VAG dealer, or VAG specialist (if I can find one up here) lol

This is what Skoda UK's site says about servicing (in the FAQs):

You are of course free to choose where you have your vehicle serviced. However, we would always recommend that a Skoda Retailer is used as they receive full training in the servicing of Skoda vehicles and are kept up to date with technical information. Having a service completed at a non-franchised retailer will not in itself invalidate the warranty. However, should any difficulty arise that is deemed to be as a direct result of incorrect/incomplete servicing, any remedial work required would not be covered under your new vehicle warranty.

The New Vehicle Warranty states that:

In the event of a vehicle becoming defective due to faulty manufacture or material, it must be returned to an appointed Skoda Retailer where it will be repaired free of charge.

Put another way, warranty work can only be carried out by a Skoda dealer.

[northernlights]

Ah should have read the FAQs, my bad!

Thankee kindly squire, not the info I was wanting to hear tho lol...

Best I pop round on Tuesday with a card & some chocolates then, show him some :orb_for_y

[RobClubley]

I had my last service at JBS - very impressed with their price and service.

Just watch that Sarah - she'll sell you stuff!

Won't be going back though as 12000 miles is a little too far to travel.

[JBS Auto Design]

I had my last service at JBS - very impressed with their price and service.

Just watch that Sarah - she'll sell you stuff!

Won't be going back though as 12000 miles is a little too far to travel.

Hey Rob you resisted though

Yes I am sorry I do try to sell bits too

It is the Skoda drivers that tend to see the Milotek book.

Rob will admit to this.

Anyway yes we do servicing.

A 10k service with us retails at

[ap0gee1978]

Ever since Gorners in Warrington closed, I've been getting mine serviced at the VAG specialist round the corner from my work, and they've been very good. I still have 18 months of warranty left, and am aware that I'll need to get any warranty repairs done at a dealer - not that I've had any (yet! )

While the parts they use have a VW logo on them rather a Skoda one, they're exactly the same (in fact most bits seem to have a combination of VW, Audi, Skoda and/or Seat badges on them!)

I'm more than happy with things the way they are. Admittedly, the garage is only about 10% cheaper than servicing used to be at Gorners, but it's a million times more convenient, which is something you can't necessarily put a price on IMHO...

[Maffu]

I guess the dealer that I bought the car from won't be too impressed when I get the yearly service done with them, only to see the book stamped with someone other than them for the 10k!

Okay - cool. Thanks for the help, people. I'll start looking at VAG tuners near me, who can do the services, as well as the Eibach upgrades in one visit.

[Mort]

We had a service in few weeks ago.

It was noted that the reverse lights was not working.

This was found to be a switch.

This was noted and the customer then went to the dealers to get this resolved.

That was me' date=' or it's very common

Took it to the dealer, who had a bit of a [i']"you know getting it serviced by someone else is bad, blah blah"[/i] talk, but then changed the switch with no problems. Had Josh's sumpguard on too, which they didn't mention.

I didn't want to go to the dealer for teh service, as a) they are extremely expensive and everytime I've been there for bits and pieces or advice they always act like I'm such an inconvenience. I gave you 12k and, believe it or not, I love my car. So why do you feel it's ok to treat me like you don't want me in your building?

[SteVRs]

I got a quote from my local dealer but bought up north - the dealer seems to be fine with it & has serviced it and done a few niggles under warranty - even gave me a demo Octy vRS as a courtesy car

I guess you just got a bad one :(

[JBS Auto Design]

That was me' date=' or it's very common

Took it to the dealer, who had a bit of a [i']"you know getting it serviced by someone else is bad, blah blah"[/i] talk, but then changed the switch with no problems. Had Josh's sumpguard on too, which they didn't mention.

I didn't want to go to the dealer for teh service, as a) they are extremely expensive and everytime I've been there for bits and pieces or advice they always act like I'm such an inconvenience. I gave you 12k and, believe it or not, I love my car. So why do you feel it's ok to treat me like you don't want me in your building?

You would be supprised.

We had another in just like yours a few days later.

But again we just advised and off they went.

I do know I have seen some right services done.

As I worked in Mansfield there are quite a few taxi companies with quite a few in their fleet.

Blimey I have seen a Ford brake light switch wired in :eek:

Then wanted us to do a warranty claim to get it right

But hey I did it but against my better judgement.

So the dealers can be awkward if they want.

But the savings that can be made is quite alot.

So yes shop about.

Talk to people to see if they know what they are talking about.

Even now on the service side when a car is still under warranty they do not have to use OEM parts.

So this should ease the service side of things for the likes of us who can help the likes of you save your money.

Sarah

[sharkrider]

I had my last service at JBS - very impressed with their price and service.

Just watch that Sarah - she'll sell you stuff!

Won't be going back though as 12000 miles is a little too far to travel.

I had my 20k service at JBS recently, no probs, and cheaper than the dealer, the best thing is, they don't have the stupid dealer attitude you tend to come accross, I would recommend them, and will be going back, assuming I have no warrenty issues. (I just been there and am already on 23k, so I'll be there in a few weeks again!) Sharky

[JBS Auto Design]

I had my 20k service at JBS recently, no probs, and cheaper than the dealer, the best thing is, they don't have the stupid dealer attitude you tend to come accross, I would recommend them, and will be going back, assuming I have no warrenty issues. (I just been there and am already on 23k, so I'll be there in a few weeks again!) Sharky

Hi Mate

We look forward to your return trip to us.

Blimey you are getting the miles in.

I thought actually that I saw you up our neck of the woods on saturday at around 5.3to 6ish?

Sarah

[JBS Auto Design]

I had my 20k service at JBS recently, no probs, and cheaper than the dealer, the best thing is, they don't have the stupid dealer attitude you tend to come accross, I would recommend them, and will be going back, assuming I have no warrenty issues. (I just been there and am already on 23k, so I'll be there in a few weeks again!) Sharky

Hi

So we will you again soon for the return journey?

Wow you do clock your miles up?

I did think that I saw you on saturday evening time.

About 5.30 to 6ish round our area?

Was it you?

Sarah

[sharkrider]

Hi Mate

We look forward to your return trip to us.

Blimey you are getting the miles in.

I thought actually that I saw you up our neck of the woods on saturday at around 5.3to 6ish?

Sarah

I just started a pupil who is a doctor working at the royal hospital in chesterfield, he's doing his test out at buxton, (he doesn't like the chesterfield roundabouts!lol..) so we pass quite near you everytime he has a lesson, on our way up that nice big fat dual carrigeway to Sheffield

[Buster]

Ap0gee,

Which garage did you use? I live in Manchester but work in Warrington. Can't be bothered with Claybank Skoda which is only a mile from me, as they seem expensive, and heard some bad things about their workmanship. Would much prefer a little expert garage.

Used Horners Bury for my 10K service as bought car from there. Courtesy cars are rare as chickens teeth, so you have to book months ahead to get one. Not practical as I can't predict accurately quickly I will do 10k.

Jabbasport are near parents home. Think might coincide visit home with visit to Jabba for next service and hang me nose over some mods!

[ap0gee1978]

I use MK Automotive in Birchwood. I'm guessing from your profile that you work for EA, so if you're at Appleton House it'd be handy for you, but not so much so if you're at Fairclough House, 'cos it'd be completely the other end of town...

Here's a Multimap link anyway

[steady eddie]

Last year my 20,000 ml./4 year service cost me

[JBS Auto Design]

Hi

If you had the 20k service done last year then I suspect that you will be requiring a 30k in respect.

This would include the oil and oil filter replacement.

As for the technologies that the dealers have it is VERY good.

But I have seen here some real horror stories as to what the dealers have done.

So in thar respect it is ok to have the technology but need someone to work it.

We have 2 technicians here who can put a 1.8T engine in to a Skoda Felicia Fun.

So I think that yes our technicians know how to use the computers that they have.

The brake fluid is required every 2 years.

So if you had the 4th year service then it would not require this until the year after.

I was a service manager for a Skoda dealer for 4 and a half years and 1 in sales.

So I do know the cars well.

We also have the respect for your cars and do treat them as if they was our own.

All that on top of £40.00 + VAT labour rate then you should know that you are getting all the benifits in return.

Sarah