What can you fit without affecting the warranty? I'm thinking specifically of the Jabba ARB the Cupra intake, filter, uprated brake pads, and strut brace? The car will be brand new, and I just don't want to jeapordise any potential claims.

Cheers

Nick

you cannot fit anything.

as with every other mfr.

Thats not entirely true, My Dealers are great with mods, Had no probs so far! Think it can be down to the dealers really!

I think some dealers will turn a blind eye and fix under warranty but as far as the manufacturer is concerned then this is a big no no and i'm sure if the dealer was found to have replaced something under warranty on a modified car then they could find them self in trouble with the manufacturer

Nick,

The anti mopd policy does not not exist...also the concept of an increasing anti modification policy should be dropped.

The policy is standard and most if not all manufacturers clause out any modifications.

The policy as far as an owner goes, should therefore be, if you can't pay; don't play, or if you change the suspension in some way, be prepared to cover any faults relating to it out of your own pocket.

It would be unreasonable to assume that if your boot catch fails and you've replaced your air filter to not be covered. However nissan do operate such a strict policy. Indeed in the US one chaps warranty was denied (blown engine) as the rear tyres showed excessive signs of use.

Skoda's policy is standard, but in 99.9% of cases works. In over three years of ownership and a highly modified vehicle I've had warranty work done, but I've never ever tried to claim on areas where I have modified.

They have bneen active readers on the site since it's firs year, I know of only a handfull of events, if that really which have resulting in problems with warranty. Sadly nobody really shouts about the positives.

Please bear this in mind when reviewing other posts and forming your opinion

Thats not entirely true, My Dealers are great with mods, Had no probs so far! Think it can be down to the dealers really!

Yeah the key here is your dealers. The warranty is with Skoda UK so if they start to clamp down on claims or investigate them more closely the dealer's stance may have to change. Alternatively, your dealership may change service manager's or get taken over by another company. In either case, they could become much more strict and take Skoda's warranty letter for letter!

At the end of the day, if you can't pay then don't play, same as with every other manufacturer

Chris

Can I suggest that one or more people takes the time to actually write to Skoda UK and ask them what their policy is.

That way you'll have a definitive answer rather than speculation.

Will they invalidate the whole warranty if you make a minor change such as adding an ARB or different stereo?

Will they only refuse warranty claims in affected areas , such as electrical faults after a new stereo has been fitted?

That way you have it in writing and this would be handy in the event of any future disputed claims

Makes sense to get it in writing - good advise indeed

That stated, when I had a problem with a wheel bearing I mentioned I had work done to the suspension before it was booked in. The dealer involved investigated and found it was unrelated to the suspension changes that were made to my vehicle. As a result the work was carried out under warranty THAT TIME. However they told me I would most likely be refused warranty claims related to the suspension or wheel bearings from now on as they had seen the modifications now.

I didnt quite get why they'd do it under warranty and then state it wouldn't happen again, but I was up front with the dealer, and they were with me. Had they said 'nope you'll have to pay for it' I would have gone elsewhere to get the work done probably (for cost reasons) but not claimed it under warranty.

The rear ARB shouldn't impact on a fault with say your radio, but at the same time it is a proper modification/add-on. Ditto for replacement HUs causing electrical faults - if fitted properly it should not cause a problem but it wouldn't be the first time the switched & permanent 12V lines were switched..

Some people prefer to hide their mods from their dealer(s). Although I can understand it in some respects, basically warranty should be considered void unless you have a dealer who is trying to be helpful within reason. You couldn't expect a free replacement turbo if a remap has (over)stressed it. Similarly a clutch slip problem wouldn't be reasonable to expect a freebie replacement for.

I've had to save hard to get mods done, but also to pay for insurance + spare cash so I can replace a broken part or two if I need to.

Yes you would have though SKoda could be a liitle more active in this area. For eample I have a hands free kit in for work but yet in thoery that is warranty void. Now while it may seem stupid upholding the letter of the warranty means it should be removed. It is perhaps a case of them needeing a modification approval policy. I.e you can do this but we will not then cover the following items. At least people know exactly where they stand. I would be preety miffed if my turbo blew up and they said sorry you have a hands free kit fitted, no claim.

Absolutely I couldn't agree more.

I got my Parrot kit fitted by the dealer so as far as I am concerned that's a dealer-fit option which shouldn't void warranty on the vehicle. I was actually told that AS they fitted it, warranty on the HU + cd changer would be upheld.

I took the time to type this out in one of the other related threads but as no one seems to believe me perhaps a scan of the document will clarify things a little.

Making a modification to your car will not invalidate your entire new car warranty, only anything that can be attributed to being caused or affected by any such modifications.

You should all have this card in your 'drivers pack' in the glovebox.

You can also read or download the PDF here - http://www.fabia-vrs.com/downloads/files/warranty.pdf

To be honest its down to the dealers in my experience, when mine was in warrenty had a simple agreement, if its mod'ed, dont come to me, if its not then I will fix it. So fitting suspension would not stop him fixing the heater but would stop him fixing the suspension. Sensible solution but thats only 1 dealer.....

To be honest its down to the dealers in my experience, when mine was in warrenty had a simple agreement, if its mod'ed, dont come to me, if its not then I will fix it. So fitting suspension would not stop him fixing the heater but would stop him fixing the suspension. Sensible solution but thats only 1 dealer.....

But that's exactly how it should be Andy, which is not at the dealer’s discretion that is conforming to the requirements of the Skoda New Vehicle Warranty.

I agree that some dealers will always be more accommodating than others but the scenario you quote is a minimum standard.

I'm very grateful for all you guys input on this.

Think I'll wait a year or so until I think about modding, to get any teething niggles sorted out first.

Thanks very much, you are all mines of information and advice.

Problem is as soon as some dealers see ANY mod they have a wig out! Even fitting VAG (ie seat sport brace, air intake) parts can be seen as a mod Ive heard!