Mostly as a result of the "Shifty" situation, I have to ask a few questions.

I am of the opinion that if you mod. your headlights, for example or get leather seats, or change your alloys or suspension, then you would not be covered by the car's warranty on the specific parts fitted and maybe related parts. Say driveshafts or bearings if the suspension is lowered. As an aside, you may get a warranty on parts fitted by the aftermarket manufacturer or their agent(s).

What I can't quite believe is that a car can immediately be put onto a "black list" where no warranty work will be undertaken. This all seems very wrong. If I have a remap and my Fabia's rear door carriers leak, I damn well want them fixed under warranty. If Shifty's boot leaks, he should be able to get the car booked in and fixed.

Obviously there are grey areas and Skoda (& VAG group) are much larger than any individual but they also have their own responsibilities under UK and European law.

J.

What you have described is really down to the individual dealer but in no way constitutes the official line from SUK, which is basically any mods and your warratny is invalidated.

Common snese would suggest that if you mod your headlights then these only should be invalidated from warranty work BUT where do you draw the line?

The UK is unique in Europe wher our dealers don't have approved mods..e.g I believe ABT can supply warrantied remaps for VW/AUdi/Skoda.

Generally these maps are generic and fairly "mild" thus having less effect of reliability and thus reduces potential warranty claims.

The legal position is in fact pretty clear - assuming you purchased your vehicle in the UK then UK consumer law applies, and regardless of edicts from Skoda HQ you have a right to expect your vehicle is "fit for purpose"and if it is not then you have clear rights to appropriate redress. Obviously they cannot be accountable for any problems directly related to non-approved modifications. So if your crank up the turbo and blow the engine tough! but if the tailgate leaks then you still have every right to demand Skoda fixes it assuming the vehicle remains within the warranty period.

Your local Trading Standards Department will be happy to advise if you encounter any problems othewise call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or check their website on http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/.

Obviously they cannot be accountable for any problems directly related to non-approved modifications. So if your crank up the turbo and blow the engine tough! but if the tailgate leaks then you still have every right to demand Skoda fixes it assuming the vehicle remains within the warranty period.

unless of course the increased torque from the remap was to cause the bodyshell to flex thus causing the boot seal to not "seal" in which case the dealer would have every right to bill you for the diag / fix. (And lets face it you would have to find (and pay) the expert to prove they were lying if you took them to court to argue.)

would be entertaining to watch of course.

HI there

It seems similar to my warranty I had with my Previous subaru but they have a different approach to modifying they allow certain mods but are strict in some ways like you said crank up the power engine goes it`s tough,

but change the back box and the drive shafts pop they would replace as long as the process to change the back box didn`t mean playing with the drive shafts to get back box on.

I'm pretty much assuming I'm out of warranty now

but change the back box and the drive shafts pop they would replace as long as the process to change the back box didn`t mean playing with the drive shafts to get back box on.

Out of interest, do you still have a copy of your Subaru warranty? Would be interesting to see if they say that any modification invalidates it, or only non-approved ones do. If it's the same as the Skoda one, then you may find it was just down to dealer generosity that it got fixed under warranty.....

Chris

The legal position is in fact pretty clear - assuming you purchased your vehicle in the UK then UK consumer law applies' date=' and regardless of edicts from Skoda HQ you have a right to expect your vehicle is "fit for purpose"and if it is not then you have clear rights to appropriate redress. Obviously they cannot be accountable for any problems directly related to non-approved modifications. So if your crank up the turbo and blow the engine tough! but if the tailgate leaks then you still have every right to demand Skoda fixes it assuming the vehicle remains within the warranty period.

Your local Trading Standards Department will be happy to advise if you encounter any problems othewise call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or check their website on http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/.

Good to see someone talking sence

We're in a similar situation with one of our cars, although its not modified.

Cant really go into details yet, though.

Before pursuing any warranty claim through the Courts, you should first go through the dispute procedure set out in the SkodaAuto New Vehicle Warranty. This says:

Settlement

Any dispute relating to or arising under the terms of this warranty shall be referred in the first instance to an authorised Skoda Retailer who will where appropriate liaise with SkodaAuto.

In the event of failure to reach a solution, the consumer may refer details to:

Skoda Customer Service Centre

PO Box 114

Wallington

Surrey SM6 7QJ

Telephone: 0845 7745 745 Fax: 020 8288 2440

e-mail: [email protected]

If you still remain dissatisfied you may refer the matter to:

Consumer Affairs Department

SMMT Ltd

Forbes House

Halkin Street

London SW1X

These terms of warranty do not in any way affect the statutory rights of the consumer.

Would it be an idea to condense some of this good warranty advice, DGW's post above, the consumer advice link, CAB and Trading Standards links and then sticky a post somewhere?

Maybe in the parent forum 'maintenance & performance'?

In reality UK consumer laws relate to the contract you have with the company that sold you the car. That is rarely if ever Skoda. Your redress is therefore with the supplier.

Strictly speaking the right to have "fitness for purpose" is just one of the considerations to be taken into account when deciding if the goods are of "satisfactory quality". See S2 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 as amended by the Sale and Supply of Goods Act 1994.