Agreed ' date=' and in a lot of cases the vehicle might be identifiable but the owners details wouldn't be known.

It's probably standard to go through the dealership.[/quote']

Very good point, and its usually how things are done.

The point here isn't what invalidates a warranty ffs. We are all well aware that modifying a car will invalidate a warranty, unless dealer approved, which Skoda do not offer.

The issue, is the way in which this is taking place. Be my car modified or standard, be it that I have made the whole thing up, or whatever. An employee of Skoda, is lurking, gathering information, even looking on ebay, and using that information to issue blocks on warranties.

If I had recieved a telephone call directly from the department concerned, or a letter, I wouldnt have been bothered at all.

Skoda havent given me an opperunity to do anything.

But you said

I have been invited to let a representative of Skoda Technical inspect and test my car for any modifications to see if it is modified' date=' or indeed standard.[/quote']

Which seems to be an opportunity to do just that.

As for digging up posts' date=' yup, cheers.

In that particular one, it doesnt say my car has "been" mapped, only i was enquiring, and gathering information.

If based on that post, "its clear to you that my car has been modified", then I will have to tar you with the "shallow and narrow minded" brush[/quote']

You stated that it's had a new exhaust and will be getting remapped.

That's been sat there for months for all to see , even though you have now edited it and is not speculation at all. The posts about your furby were even more clear.

I'm not trying to have a go at you at all , just stating my opinion that they don't seem to be in the wrong. It makes no difference to me if skoda do or don't honour your warranty , and unless you were lying at Weston I do know if your car was remapped.

They would void it...put it this way...if I bought something off you' date=' and then went away and f**ed it up by getting someone cheap to modify it, how would you feel about paying to repair it?

Manufacturer approved modifications are a way forward...but then you usually pay more to get these modifications then if you went for the same products elsewhere (just look at how much Brabus charge to remap a smart).

Rob.[/quote']

I asked if anyone had any experience with other marques and how they deal with modified cars still under warranty and I take it from those comments that you havn't?.

I think you a right in suggesting that Skoda could do more in 'approving' some aftermarket modifications as do other marques indeed do all the other VAG cars so why not Skoda?.

I'm with you on this one Shifty.

They obviously know who you are, so at least a phone call from them personally would have been appreciated, surely ?

In my opinion there was never any need for this to come to this or for Skoda to use this forum as a hunting ground for modified vehicles. There has been no warranty claim for any damage other than a small amount that Dave says is unrelated. If an issue occured I would hope that the Skoda dealer would take the appropriate response and say it is not claimable because....

If Skoda Uk do not have faith in the technical ability and honesty of their dealers then why the hell should I or any other paying customer.

All that skoda have achieved is upsetting people for very likely no cost benefit.

Exactly.

They obviously know who you are, so at least a phone call from them personally would have been appreciated, surely ?

They may not, they might just know the car. Then have contacted the dealer about the car rather than the owner. Maybe to find out if any of the mods have been dealer sanctioned, especially with all the dealer remapped threads popping up, its no wonder they are taking notes.

Skoda is still very small, especially so when compared to the rest of the VAG brand. Maybe they will do approved modifications like remaps in the future. Maybe they are just learning to walk before they try to run.

Just playing a bit of devils advocate again.

And they have offered an inspection on Daves car, if they inspected it and found nothing untoward then his warranty wouldnt be effected. Maybe they just want to find out what has been done so they no what claims to look for. I would say they havent stopped his warranty, maybe have it on hold for the moment.

Loose lips sink ships, we are all members of the Wolverhampton aqualung society and our yearly trip is verry important to us....the rest of the year we use the local resevoir loik.:lol:

and unless you were lying at Weston I do know if your car was remapped.

:confused: I dont remember speaking to you.

The "opportunity" only arose after I went into the dealer to see what was going on after my phonecall.

My dealer raised the question with them.

It wasnt suggested by Skoda. They just called to say that the warranty was void on my car due to information gathered on a website. End of.

It wasnt noticed in a post it seems either, they had to look in "My Skoda" on my profile.

It wasnt noticed in a post it seems either' date=' they had to look in "My Skoda" on my profile.[/quote']

PMSL as this been changed recently cos it can't have been taken serious?

Without being rude I have enquired about ARBs and shock upgrades and yet I know 100% that my car is totally standard down to the skoda purchased floor mats and VAG screen wash.

I have no intention of doing them at all until my 3 years is up and to be honest the main reason for finding out is to do a price comparison.

I mean if i find out now and do my research I can get prices and then work out how much it would cost to make my old car handle like a newer better handeling car. Then I can compare this to the cost of buying a MKII Octy and see if it is worth upgrading the current car or upgrading to a new car and which I can best afford.

I have to say I was debating a new Octy II 2.0TDI and comparing it against the seat Altea FR with the 170BHP TDI and wondering when a Leon version is comming or if the octy would get the 170 TDI. I really hope for skoda that this is some mix up or a mistake, because if it isn't it will really put me off buying one.

I'm not into modifiying a car, mine is totally standard and only dealer serviced, but i find the stalking around a bit creepy. Kind of makes you loose faith in a company, and for now I will be putting any thoughts of a trade in for a new Octy on hold pending a resolution to this.

Now for my fence sitting, while i agree this is disgusting and I wouldn't expect any modified part to be covered I find it a bit odd to say the least.

I would certainly get the dealer to inspect it and prove one way or the other and if they are right they are right and if they are wrong they better fire somebody and make a very good compensation package for acting in this way, such as some free servicing etc.

:confused: I dont remember speaking to you.

You didn't , but I was standing less than a meter away when you were talking to someone else.

It wasnt noticed in a post it seems either' date=' they had to look in "My Skoda" on my profile.[/quote']

So that would be information that you put there yourself then.

If you were claiming to have a remap then they are going to assume you are telling the truth unless proven otherwise.

Oh , and I like the comment about using bell wire to save weight.

I think thats what Alfa's come with as standard

PMSL @ shiftys profile, but since its in there it must be true!!!

How much do you save on the wiring?

Modding your car invalidates your warranty.

The medium over which its conveyed to you is irrelevant.

This goes for all mfrs around the globe and pretty much all items anyone who thinks different is lying to themselves or plain daft.

If you changed the element in your kettle to make it boil water quicker do you think currys would want to replace it when it failed?

As for skoda emplyees lurking on the board - im sure they do. I dispute the term lurking. They are free to join, they are welcome members of the community. What they learn here will filter through. Sure warranties will be voided (quite rightly) - lets face it paying for a few repairs on an octy is still cheaper than many of the cars that modding it enables it to challenge. The underecurrents and feeling of the board ref handling / spec / power et al will filter back also.. ...wonder where skoda uk got the idea to start offering leather for the fab vRS.... ?

I asked if anyone had any experience with other marques and how they deal with modified cars still under warranty and I take it from those comments that you havn't?.

The comments that they would void it...? Yes, that's based on knowledge of people experiencing warranty refusal from other marques on modified vehicles...

I was also trying to illustrate on a personal level why manufacturers void warranties.

Also, you mentioned there being loads of options for aftermarket modifications out there - yes, it is a strong market. However, amongst these options are several less ethical people who don't really know what they are doing...

I think you a right in suggesting that Skoda could do more in 'approving' some aftermarket modifications as do other marques indeed do all the other VAG cars so why not Skoda?.

Skoda aren't a "sporty" brand...for that you'd buy a Seat which are similarly priced...

Rob.

Without being rude I have enquired about ARBs and shock upgrades and yet I know 100% that my car is totally standard down to the skoda purchased floor mats and VAG screen wash.

.

see earlier post re wolverhampton aqualung society:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

AS much as it pains me, I agree with Paul (redbaron - how you doing fella?)

We've had numerous 'incidents' with information posted on this forum being used by Skoda UK in connection with various members before now, why is it any suprise that, sooner or later, the next logical progrssion was to it being used against the cars themselves?

This is a PUBLIC forum, which is why we tend not to post peoples full license plates etc. If you don't want people to know about what you've done to your car or done with it etc, then why post it?

sorry, I didn't realise that simply buying a product entitled us to a dedicated staff member. Thats what a dealership is for.

I really don't see what the problem is. If anything, Skoda have followed the terms they clearly lay out when you purchase the vehicle. If we as consumers can't be bothered to read all the print and consider the implications of that, it's our problem.

Technically, and legally, by carrying out a modification to the car, we're in breach of contract.

Course, if it's such an underhanded, dishonest and sneaky way to do business, I'd be interested to see what the position would be - so, if anyone wants to, and judging by this thread going to three pages, there is a real depth of feeling and assumed principle on this, go and chat to Trading Standards, CAB or consult a lawyer and sue Skoda for attempting to renege on their obligations. My legal consult informs me you'd not have a leg to stand on.

Skoda aren't a "sporty" brand...for that you'd buy a Seat which are similarly priced...

Rob.

but surely by producing a vRS and competing in WRC Skoda are proclaiming to be a sporty brand:confused:

Modding your car invalidates your warranty.

The medium over which its conveyed to you is irrelevant.

This goes for all mfrs around the globe and pretty much all items anyone who thinks different is lying to themselves or plain daft.

If you changed the element in your kettle to make it boil water quicker do you think currys would want to replace it when it failed?

As for skoda emplyees lurking on the board - im sure they do. I dispute the term lurking. They are free to join' date=' they are welcome members of the community. What they learn here will filter through. Sure warranties will be voided (quite rightly) - lets face it paying for a few repairs on an octy is still cheaper than many of the cars that modding it enables it to challenge. The underecurrents and feeling of the board ref handling / spec / power et al will filter back also.. ...wonder where skoda uk got the idea to start offering leather for the fab vRS.... ?[/quote']

Nobody is disputing that modifications = no warranty. And nobody has suggested that claiming for broken bits on modified cars has happened. I havent made any claim that would be likely to have been caused by any modification that I can think of.

@ Gwilo - neither have i mentioned that i'm pi55ed that I have no warranty at the moment, nor suggested that I am going to sue, or seek any legal advice. All I have to do is take my car to my dealer, and a bod from Skoda Technical will examine it.

Too much jumping in without a full understanding going on.

see earlier post re wolverhampton aqualung society:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Say what? Have i missed a joke here?

Nobody is disputing that modifications = no warranty. And nobody has suggested that claiming for broken bits on modified cars has happened. I havent made any claim that would be likely to have been caused by any modification that I can think of.

then in what way are they underhand?

Its been commented on many times that they read this board. They are fully aware of it cos many cars they see that come in for service have stickers on them...

Say what? Have i missed a joke here?

AufPet 2 originall quote by B.Taylor (all types of work undertaken etc etc) Sorry ignore me v.sad man TA

then in what way are they underhand?

Its been commented on many times that they read this board. They are fully aware of it cos many cars they see that come in for service have stickers on them...

See first post :confused:

but surely by producing a vRS and competing in WRC Skoda are proclaiming to be a sporty brand:confused:

Admittedly it's a subjective thing...however, if you look at Seat - even on their Arosas they used to have a sticker about doing Formula 2 or something. On Skodas you don't see much (any?) mention of WRC.

The vRS'...well, producing a "sports" model in each range doesn't a sporty brand make - since the early 80s, most manufacturers have stuffed big alloys and a large engine in each model range, but it doesn't transform them into being sporty brands. For example, Nissan have produced some stonking cars (350z, previous generation Primera SRi, Micra Turbo), but how many people would say Nissan are a sporty brand?

Rob.

then in what way are they underhand?

Its been commented on many times that they read this board. They are fully aware of it cos many cars they see that come in for service have stickers on them...

I believe this to be underhand:-

they believe my car to be modified' date=' and have issued a block on any warranty claims concerning my ecu, and related parts.

In fact, they went as far as to reclaim a small amount of money from my dealer for a small unrelated warranty item from a few weeks ago.[/quote']

Based on speculation, without seeing the vehicle first.