So ive had my VRs for almost a year now (where does the time go) so the car is going to need a service. I have already had a call from the dealership i bought it from (which ignored) saying that the car was due maintenance and to call them to book it in, in all honest id rather deal with a specialist than the dealership as in the past have always been charge an arm and a leg where i could get the same work done at a specialist for half the price, and as theres a big Skoda specialist not too far form me (Unit 18 Automotive) i was considering taking it to them

 

If i do decided to go with a specialist do all Skoda specialists have access to the Skoda database to update the info on the car to say its had a service?, as this is the first car ive had that doesn't actually have a physical service book and is all on Skodas database

 

What does everyone else use dealership or specialists ?

While my car is under Skoda warranty, I really have to stick with, as you describe them wisely, Stealership. Once out of warranty, I will take it to an independant specialist. If your car has a Skoda warranty, it would be wise to do the same, if not, good independant all the way.  Skoda like other car manufacturers, love to have a way out when paying on a warranty claim! The specialist you mentioned, Unit 18 Automotive, sounds like the garage in Milton Keynes, are extremely good. I have dealt with them in the past, with my previous Octavia VRS. They did a remap on the car and other work. They also seem very honest, as when my old motor had a problem that was hard to sort out, any work they did that did not fix it, they did not charge me for. Bloomin electronic problems with that car at the time!  

Yeah thats the one in MK.

 

Its a 65 plate , so should be out of Skodas warranty now? .....hope so was thinking on getting a remap at the same time as the service depending on the price

Edited 6 August, 20196 yr by BlockABoots

You really don't need a "specialist" to work on a Skoda. Dealership or any garage of your choice.

12 minutes ago, Stoofa said:

You really don't need a "specialist" to work on a Skoda. Dealership or any garage of your choice.

 

What about getting the service documented though the Skoda database, i mean is that even a think when selling the car on to show its been service regularly ?

1 hour ago, BlockABoots said:

So ive had my VRs for almost a year now (where does the time go) so the car is going to need a service. I have already had a call from the dealership i bought it from (which ignored) saying that the car was due maintenance and to call them to book it in, in all honest id rather deal with a specialist than the dealership as in the past have always been charge an arm and a leg where i could get the same work done at a specialist for half the price, and as theres a big Skoda specialist not too far form me (Unit 18 Automotive) i was considering taking it to them

 

If i do decided to go with a specialist do all Skoda specialists have access to the Skoda database to update the info on the car to say its had a service?, as this is the first car ive had that doesn't actually have a physical service book and is all on Skodas database

 

What does everyone else use dealership or specialists ?

 

Only the specialists that see the value in spending a large wedge of cash to get themselves on to the database. Unit18 have that and also full dealer level diagnostics. 

 

Says something about the business when they invest in that level of equipment equipment and support. 

I've always gone to a VAG specialist outside of warranty.

 

But on a Mk3 diesel DSG with all the coolant problems and DSG gearleaver issues etc a full dealer history will give some leverage on Skoda UK if you have issues and what to play the goodwill card.

 

It really depends on how much you are saving.

1 hour ago, BlockABoots said:

Yeah thats the one in MK.

 

Its a 65 plate , so should be out of Skodas warranty now? .....hope so was thinking on getting a remap at the same time as the service depending on the price

They did a Shark remap on my old car. Shark now bought out by Racing Line. I will be looking into their price of remap when my motor is out of warranty also. Not sure what their price is now, but when I had mine done there about 18months ago , it was around £350. 

Edited 6 August, 20196 yr by roaddetective

Shark weren’t bought out by RacingLine. Ben moved across to them. Shark are still going through their dealer network. 

Had numerous awful experiences with main dealers. I don't trust any of them.

 

My cars go to a great specialist in Derby called Sunset VW https://www.sunset-derby.co.uk/. Experienced ex-dealer techs, with the proper VAG equipment & ability to update service record. Workshop is immaculately kept, their prices are fair and they only do what's needed. Wouldn't go anywhere else.

 

As has been said - the only advantage of going main dealer is there is potentially some goodwill if a "just out of warranty" repair is required.

 

On a 65 plate just go to the specialist.

I use a local VAG independent, cheaper than the main dealer, very helpful and just round the corner from where I live. I tend to use local independents (previously for Ford cars) having had some "interesting" recommendations of work needing done and steep servicing prices. 

52 minutes ago, Tech1e said:

Shark weren’t bought out by RacingLine. Ben moved across to them. Shark are still going through their dealer network. 

Well blow me down tech1e, I thought Shark were gone, at least as a name anyway. Must have been reading some posts the wrong way.