1 hour ago, rum4mo said:

Yes, but the need to service brakes can be a bit subject to location and annual mileage, I live in an area where lots of rock salt is used in winter months, that takes it toll on exposed stuff, if you live and drive in the relatively balmy South it might be a different story. As a minimum starting with a new car, every 2 years is a good period to carry out a "wheels off" bit of work. As the years by maybe even every year as corrosion has taken a hold.

 

Yes, as i said, it depends on mileage and of course operating conditions come into it. It's drum brakes that are the issue though, not disc brakes. The calipers are shielded from muck and salt and don't give any issues usually for years even in harsh climates. Drums are a bit different as they build up dust as you know. 

Offski, regarding the shiny showrooms...a couple of the specialist service garages had those. And a nice receptionist. They were a medium sized outfit I wouild say with lots of employees. The receptionist knew almost nothing about cars I'd say from the quote I got.  So I think it's a problem all over. You have to be careful wherever you go and that's why reputation can be so useful when you decide to go to a particular garage. 

Yes buyer beware.

The big sign on the building with Skoda, VW, AUDI or SEAT is no guarantee of the standard of service or employees within.

Go by recommendations on establishments and staff still working there, as staff and management changes over the months and years.

 

Not all 'Garages / Repairers' is low cost out of the way buildings are going to be rubbish or untrustworthy, just as all Franchised Dealerships are to be trusted.

Back in 1994 I bought a new car.  At it's first service at 6,000 miles, I supplied the oil which was Mobil Formula 1 Fully Synthetic.

Was rung to be told that the oil was not suitable for the Diesel engine and the the front brake pads wanted doing.

 

I printed off information from the API ( American Petroleum Institute ) who grade oils to prove that the oil actually 'exceeded' the API oil grading's listed in the car's handbook.

The front brake pads I said to leave for now. They were listed on the invoice at 55% worn.

I changed them at 36,000 miles when they needed doing, another 5 services later.

This was the biggest dealer in London and was owned by the same manufacturer. Not Skoda.

 

I take apart the front and rear brakes every year in the autumn to clean and re-grease them.

The last car I had was sold at 13 years old and 131,000 miles.

Front pads fitted at 55K and again at 120K. Front disks at 90K.

Rear pads at 90K, but with solid rear disks still original at 131K and still above minimum thickness.

Rears can suffer from sticking on more than fronts I find. I do brake, honest. 

 

My present Skoda Fabia bought in June 2016 has had the brakes removed cleaned and re-greased twice already.

The Skoda Dealer I use ( by Choice ) is listed as the 6th closest to me. So not close at all.

 

Thanks AG Falco