I bought my car last year and could drive more than 2500 miles afterwards due to COVID lockdowns. Now it has 54060 as the total Milage. The Marshall Skoda dealership garage mentioned that the cambelt has to be replaced as it is reaching the 5th year. This (dealership) is a place that ripped me off once and once and when I requested them to accept accountability of it, they acted very irresponsibly by passing the blame to individuals (who did the MOT before selling the car to me) and refused to answer throwing a lot of BS and wild guesses claiming that they were not able to answer (Because the person who talked to me over the phone wasn't involved in the process of selling the car to me). So I don't trust them anymore for anything.

 

1. First I would like to know how crucial it would be to replace the cambelt at this stage (reaching 5th year but 540060 miles)?
2. What happens if the cambelt gets broken? Does it damage the engine?
3. How crucial is it to put 'The Original Parts' as this Dealership garage claims that they would use? (I couldn't find any information about what Original Cambelt for Skoda Octavia means).
4. They quoted £900. Does it seem like a genuine deal? 
5. Whatever it is: If it is crucial, what are the other places that fit the same other than Marshall Skoda Dealership garages?

 

Thank you.

1 minute ago, Chathura said:

I bought my car last year and could drive more than 2500 miles afterwards due to COVID lockdowns. Now it has 54060 as the total Milage. The Marshall Skoda dealership garage mentioned that the cambelt has to be replaced as it is reaching the 5th year. This (dealership) is a place that ripped me off once and once and when I requested them to accept accountability of it, they acted very irresponsibly by passing the blame to individuals (who did the MOT before selling the car to me) and refused to answer throwing a lot of BS and wild guesses claiming that they were not able to answer (Because the person who talked to me over the phone wasn't involved in the process of selling the car to me). So I don't trust them anymore for anything.

 

1. First I would like to know how crucial it would be to replace the cambelt at this stage (reaching 5th year but 540060 miles)?

Sorry, this is not 540060 miles, it is just 54060 miles.

1. What happens if the cambelt gets broken? Does it damage the engine?
2. How crucial is it to put 'The Original Parts' as this Dealership garage claims that they would use? (I couldn't find any information about what Original Cambelt for Skoda Octavia means).
3. They quoted £900. Does it seem like a genuine deal? 
4. Whatever it is: If it is crucial, what are the other places that fit the same other than Marshall Skoda Dealership garages?

 

Thank you.

 

You've not said what engine your car has. We'll need that to provide you with answers to your questions. However:

 

5 years is fairly normal irrespective of mileage for Vw group cars. 

New engine if it fails or very big bill.

Shop around for prices. 

My tdi cambelt and water pump at an independent with genuine skoda parts last month cost £430 all in. (Genuine/original are recommended if any warranty left?) 

 

Thanks. 

Edited 1 February, 20215 yr by paulski

I had a major service, cambelt, brake fluid change etc at a main dealer and it was only £730 so that is way too expensive.

 

It's 5 years or 60000 miles, whichever comes first. Either way, you are close to the right figure so get it done. If you don't and it fails, you'll wish you had...

 

Nick

1 hour ago, paulski said:

You've not said what engine your car has. We'll need that to provide you with answers to your questions. However:

 

5 years is fairly normal irrespective of mileage for Vw group cars. 

New engine if it fails or very big bill.

Shop around for prices. 

My tdi cambelt and water pump at an independent with genuine skoda parts last month cost £430 all in. (Genuine/original are recommended if any warranty left?) 

 

Thanks. 

 

The engine of my car is a 2.0 L - TDI.

 

Also, thank you very much for the advise as well. The manufacturer warranty isn't there anymore. However, £430 seems to be a very appealing price!

42 minutes ago, NikTheGeek said:

I had a major service, cambelt, brake fluid change etc at a main dealer and it was only £730 so that is way too expensive.

 

It's 5 years or 60000 miles, whichever comes first. Either way, you are close to the right figure so get it done. If you don't and it fails, you'll wish you had...

 

Nick

 

Thank you for the advise. I think the car reaches the 5th year next month and I will be getting this done maybe this week.

My Vrs Tdi is due its 5 year belt change and my local dealer Wings quoted £500 for the cambelt change and £600 for cambelt and waterpump Inc all parts and labour. So what you are being quoted is excessive. Definitely worth shopping around. 

1 hour ago, Liteboy said:

My Vrs Tdi is due its 5 year belt change and my local dealer Wings quoted £500 for the cambelt change and £600 for cambelt and waterpump Inc all parts and labour. So what you are being quoted is excessive. Definitely worth shopping around. 

 

Thank you very much. I will get a few quotations and get this done by a trustworthy place

My car will be a similar sort of mileage and age in September so planning on having the cambelt and water pump replaced when the car is MOt`d. As others have said, the price quoted by Marshall`s seems over the top. 

 

Shop around. 

Google "VW or Skoda Independent garage" I've never used main dealer since having my vRS (6 years) or ask around on here for recommendations within your area! I use (unit18) for all my servicing & add-ons, plus you get that proper client satisfaction service from an independent garage.

36 minutes ago, threadbear said:

My car will be a similar sort of mileage and age in September so planning on having the cambelt and water pump replaced when the car is MOt`d. As others have said, the price quoted by Marshall`s seems over the top. 

 

Shop around. 

 

Yes. I mainly wanted to get everyone's opinion as I was someone who believed in the phrase "Approved Dealership" thinking that there would be a significant difference which gives the total peace of mind to the customer. If they didn't chose to deceive me by issuing a MOT report with hidden details at the time of the sale, I would have always chosen their garage without even comparing costs with others.

 

(By the time of the sale they excluded a minor damage of the windscreen and the MOT report was immaculate. When I questioned they confirmed/promised it has been repaired. But a year later, they gave me an estimate of £800+ to replace the windscreen mentioning that damage as a minor defect in the latest MOT report. They forgot they sold me that like that until I referenced the last year emails mentioning that I have the images on the Google Drive with dates to prove it. But they acted very irresponsibly and continued to give answers saying MOT rules changed and they don't know who did the last year MOT etc. But I proved that MOT rule change this year had no impacts on the very matter by quoting the government website and they continued to answer based on wild guesses without accepting responsibility).

 

This time also, I actually approved the job of cam-belt replacement at £900 along with DSG Oil Change and Brake Fluid change etc. But, once I realised they are trying to avoid accepting accountability of the matter related to the windscreen, I called them back and asked them not to replace the cam-belt. I felt like spending that money happily at a place that I can trust, but got the DSG oil and Brake fluid change done as I wasn't sure if that work had already been started or not.

 

I thought of writing an article with no judgement but explaining my experience as a car-buyer in the UK. Because I am sure there are many people out there who fall for the phrase "Approved Dealership" & "Manufacturer Trained Professionals" etc and be willing to spend extra money for the sake of having total Peace of Mind. But what is the use of "Manufacturer Trained Professionals" who feel OK to prepare disingenuous MOT reports for the benefit of their dealership?

 

2 minutes ago, BATVANVRS said:

 

Thank a lot! This is really helpful. I could use this to predict and prepare for the potential services and parts  Also, it shows that this so-called Skoda Authorised Dealership hasn't done the DSG Oil Change at the correct Year & Milage. I got the DSG Oil Change done with my first service at 54000 miles. I hope it would not be a problem.

Looking at some prices I think I fairly well. Vollservice in a blackpool did my timing belt and waterpump with genuine parts for £385. Then the DSG service was £170.

I wouldnt get it done at a main dealer as they rip you off with prices. 

51 minutes ago, Ecomatt said:

Looking at some prices I think I fairly well. Vollservice in a blackpool did my timing belt and waterpump with genuine parts for £385. Then the DSG service was £170.

I wouldnt get it done at a main dealer as they rip you off with prices. 

 

The DSG service costed me £248.22  

 

But, now I notice a delay in gear change after this service. Thanks to the chart provide by BATVANVRS now I know that they haven't changed the DSG service at the correct Year or correct Milage.

20 hours ago, Chathura said:

• First I would like to know how crucial it would be to replace the cambelt at this stage (reaching 5th year but 540060 miles)?
• What happens if the cambelt gets broken? Does it damage the engine?
• How crucial is it to put 'The Original Parts' as this Dealership garage claims that they would use? (I couldn't find any information about what Original Cambelt for Skoda Octavia means).
• They quoted £900. Does it seem like a genuine deal? 
• Whatever it is: If it is crucial, what are the other places that fit the same other than Marshall Skoda Dealership garages?

1) Sure you meant 54,060 miles not 540060 miles :-) .  Its 5 years or 60,000 miles for a cambelt change.

2) Yes, the TDI engines are interference engines.  Bend valves will occur.  That will kill the engine.

3) It will be a VW Part - not necessarily a Skoda part.  A VW Group 2.0TDI engine is generic across the range and frankly a job that can be done by either VW, Skoda or Seat dealers.  In terms of how crucial, its all peace of mind.  Genuine hardware is better made and will be made to last another 60,000 miles / 5 years. Patented parts are not going to give that same guarantee.  Its peace of mind.

4) Ouch - nope - too expensive.  Independants charge between £300 and £500.  I wouldn't want to pay any more than £550 for the job.  Somebody is taking the P***.

5) Yes, it is crucial if you want the life of your car to continue and not expect expensive bills further down the line.  Go and have a chat with Darkside Developments.  They are top guys! https://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/

They quote £405 for genuine cambelt and waterpump change out....

BTW is there anything else which is good to be changed during the 5-year cambelt and waterpump service? Maybe another well known failing part? Old TDIs had the weak thermostat and sometimes temp sensor. I plan to do such service this summer, so it's good to know what else should I ask for.( I plan to do it in Skoda Dealer because they give me 24 months warranty ).

1 hour ago, varaderoguy said:

1) Sure you meant 54,060 miles not 540060 miles :-) .  Its 5 years or 60,000 miles for a cambelt change.

2) Yes, the TDI engines are interference engines.  Bend valves will occur.  That will kill the engine.

3) It will be a VW Part - not necessarily a Skoda part.  A VW Group 2.0TDI engine is generic across the range and frankly a job that can be done by either VW, Skoda or Seat dealers.  In terms of how crucial, its all peace of mind.  Genuine hardware is better made and will be made to last another 60,000 miles / 5 years. Patented parts are not going to give that same guarantee.  Its peace of mind.

4) Ouch - nope - too expensive.  Independants charge between £300 and £500.  I wouldn't want to pay any more than £550 for the job.  Somebody is taking the P***.

5) Yes, it is crucial if you want the life of your car to continue and not expect expensive bills further down the line.  Go and have a chat with Darkside Developments.  They are top guys! https://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/

They quote £405 for genuine cambelt and waterpump change out....

 

Thanks a lot for the advice and for the recommendation. One of my friends also recommended me a place nearby and they also mentioned that it would be a VW part (with proper gauge etc). And they also quoted £500 for the Cam-belt & the Water Pump.  The "Darkside Developments" you recommended seems appealing, but I think they are based too far away from where I live (Northamptonshire).

14 minutes ago, fr1nklyn said:

BTW is there anything else which is good to be changed during the 5-year cambelt and waterpump service? Maybe another well known failing part? Old TDIs had the weak thermostat and sometimes temp sensor. I plan to do such service this summer, so it's good to know what else should I ask for.( I plan to do it in Skoda Dealer because they give me 24 months warranty ).

 

I think the chart which BATVANVRS has shared above provides that information. But if you bought a used car like I did, it would be best to check service history and validate if other services have been done in time. On the car I bought, both the previous owner and the dealership garage have ignored it.

Try https://www.unit18.co.uk/

Located in Milton Keynes, if not that far from you.

 

Or https://www.vrsnorthampton.co.uk/

In Northampton.

21 minutes ago, BATVANVRS said:

Try https://www.unit18.co.uk/

Located in Milton Keynes, if not that far from you.

 

Or https://www.vrsnorthampton.co.uk/

In Northampton.

 

Thanks a lot! I just requested quotations from both of these places too

30 minutes ago, BATVANVRS said:

Try https://www.unit18.co.uk/

Located in Milton Keynes, if not that far from you.

 

Or https://www.vrsnorthampton.co.uk/

In Northampton.

 

I got a quote from unit18 as "Price for cambelt and water pump replacement would be £380 incl parts, labour and VAT."   This sounds unbelievable. On their website they have also mentioned that they are using genuine parts.

 

I've been using unit18 since 2015, not just for servicing but add on's too, from retro fit cc, changed my steering wheel to the flat bottom version, remus exhaust, R600 intake, front grill change to the superskoda honeycomb version & servicing every year since 2015 & everything is always spot on from these guys, quality workmanship, service & most of all they are very honest & fair. Just say to Alistair that Richard with the blue Skoda vRS combi recommended you from the forum, you won't get a discount unfortunately but what you will get will be a reoccurring visit every year as you will be very happy with there service etc...

 

I come all the way from London to travel to them (1 hour) there is plenty garage's in around the London area but I don't trust them. I've always received great service from unit18 so I've had no reason to go elsewhere & lets say even if they did do something wrong (which they haven't) I would always give them the benefit of the doubt purely for all of the good times outweighs. Also I believe in mistakes can sometimes happen but you know with a main dealer most of them try to cover this up.

Edited 2 February, 20215 yr by BATVANVRS

5 hours ago, Chathura said:

 

I got a quote from unit18 as "Price for cambelt and water pump replacement would be £380 incl parts, labour and VAT."   This sounds unbelievable. On their website they have also mentioned that they are using genuine parts.

 

 

So as you have now seen, genuine parts and labour at Independent garages,  are much more reasonable than the main dealers. TPS (Trade Parts Services) are owned by VW and supply all the genuine VW group parts to all main dealers (Vw Audi, Skoda, Seat) but independents get can get an account as it all just sales and income for the umbrella company. The hence Unit18 will use genuine parts too but save you on labour costs so the price is under 400. 

 

I've always shopped around for big service items and the local main dealer price was £550 and another local Independent was more! I got my cambelt and water pump done for £430 with genuine parts. The garage I used has two owners that both previously worked as mechanics in VW and Audi garages and just set up on their own. I have a good relationship with them now, and just had inspection service with them for £139 and they give me loan car for the day too as I travel 45 mins to go there on the way out to an area I work in. 

 

You clearly have a good recommendation here from @BATVANVRS and as you say the price is excellent. I'm sure your car will be in safe hands with them. 

On cambelt change, there're a few references in this thread to 5 years or 60,000 miles, but I'm pretty sure it's actually 5 years or 140,000 miles. Skoda confirmed this when i booked mine in earlier this week