Hi, 

I am new to Briskoda and hope you can help me. 
 

Im a lady driver and fully admit to being not mechanically minded! 
 

I have an Oct 2017 reg Fabia and only has 8200 miles on the clock. My radio suddenly went blank - no car play, no Bluetooth nothing. It came on again then within a few minutes  then went off and went blank! 
 

I took my car to the local Skoda dealer for a full service and mentioned the problem. 

Over 3 hours later the service adviser said the mechanic had tried to upgrade the software but it didn’t work. He said  I’m unlucky and it’s common problem but my control head unit needs totally replacing and it will be expensive. He Took my £185 for the service and said goodbye. There’s nothing they can do and to consider buying a new car as there were good deals! He didn’t mention any cost at the time other than it would be expensive - I was imaging in the hundreds of pounds which would’ve been bad enough and I think he just wanted me to go to be honest. 
 

He said to try auto electricians or source one from eBay as it would be cheaper. 

Apart from getting me 2 cups of coffee  ( I have mobility problems and coffee machine was the oppposite side of the building where I was asked to wait) the experience was awful. 
 

I came away feeling totally on my own with the problem. I have had my car regularly serviced by Skoda and it’s like a new car! This car  was expensive enough and I can’t afford to buy a new car and I thought afterwards I shouldn’t have to. 
 

As I processed what had happened over next few days and phoning  quite a few Auto- Electricians - who all said it’s probably the radio but it’s inbuilt into the head unit and they wouldn’t touch it - they said it can only be done by Skoda and to buy a speaker for the car. 

 

I foned Skoda Customer Services on Friday and they spoke to the Service Manager of my local dealer concerned and came back with a quote for a new head control unit costing £5786!! 
 

The Service Manager and Skoda were both supposed to be phoning me back with 48hrs  - so far no contact at all! 
 

I am in complete and utter shock and feel I have a case for complaint especially due to the fact my car has done such low mileage. This audio system should have lasted longer. The car is less than 5 years old. As you can probably tell I’ve gone from disbelief and shock to anger! 
 

Has anyone else had this problem and can anyone help/advise  please? 
 

Many Thanks 
 

 

 

 

I'm very sorry for all the troubles you have. Pls let me know on private message VIN of your car, I will check what is the unit model number and prepare a solution.

Thank you for your reply. I will find the VIN no . I’m v new to Briskoda and not  sure how to send a private message? Please could you advise? Many Thanks. 

My son was told by BMW that his system that needed replacing would be £3,800 and was not covered by Warranty or Goodwill as the car had not a FMDSH.

It did plus additional servicing. 

As it was the job was £800 and they did cover the cost as the fault was a common one and the part was available for £450. 

 

Skoda are taking the pith as normal. 

 Skoda Customer Services is contracted out, so that is the communications & resolution managers.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 13 April, 20224 yr by roottoot

Thank you for that helpful information. I will try to find out how to contact Skoda Resolutions Manager. 
Bery best wishes

3 minutes ago, AJJD said:

Thank you for that helpful information. I will try to find out how to contact Skoda Resolutions Manager. 
Bery best wishes

Sorry that was meant to say - Very! 

8 hours ago, AJJD said:

I am in complete and utter shock and feel I have a case for complaint especially due to the fact my car has done such low mileage. This audio system should have lasted longer. The car is less than 5 years old. As you can probably tell I’ve gone from disbelief and shock to anger! 

 

Did you buy the car from new and have you had it serviced at the required intervals by Skoda?

 

If so then you might get somewhere but only likley to get a contribution towards a stupid cost so in my world not even worth considering.

 

The mileage of the vehicle has no relation to the longevity of an audio system, your vehicle is 5 years old and out of warranty, the system is an accessory, I know its a standard factory fitment but an accessory nonetheless and in no way affects the primary function of the vehicle, I say this in case you are thinking of consumer law and phrases like "fit for purpose", "merchantable quality" etc, you bought a motor nvehicle and not a hi-fi system.

 

The garage knew what the cost would be and the response from Skoda, they rightfully didn't want to get into the dispute so sensibly suggested that you find someone who can fit an aftermarket radio for you.

8 hours ago, AJJD said:

I came away feeling totally on my own with the problem. I have had my car regularly serviced by Skoda and it’s like a new car! This car  was expensive enough and I can’t afford to buy a new car and I thought afterwards I shouldn’t have to. 

Apologies, I see now that you had said the vehicle was regularly serviced by them.

 

There is no question of you having to buy a new car, you can simply stop using the radio system.

No auto electrician will touch this. I will seek further Consumer Advice on this. It is more than a radio problem as I can’t get access any information up on my car but thank you for your reply. 

37 minutes ago, AJJD said:

Thank you for your reply. I will find the VIN no . I’m v new to Briskoda and not  sure how to send a private message? Please could you advise? Many Thanks. 

I have found the VIN no. I’m genre and just getting used to navigating this site. Do I return your message but switch off “allow others to follow you” Option?  Sadly I’m not technically minded! but I’m hopefully not stupid! 😊

 

Thank you for your help with this. 

36 minutes ago, J.R. said:

Apologies, I see now that you had said the vehicle was regularly serviced by them.

 

There is no question of you having to buy a new car, you can simply stop using the radio system.

The problem is a “suspected” radio problem but don’t know this as can’t access the radio due to Skoda putting everything in one head control unit! I believe previous models can sensibly be accessed and therefore no extortionate cost. 
 

thank you for your input. It is appreciated. 

@AJJD. Why do to you say no Auto Electrician will touch it.   Plenty will. As will others professional or not.   People that do that Type of work all the time.      People with more of an idea than a Technician or Fitter at a Skoda Dealership.   Hopefully somebody here can point you in the right direction.  ??? Where are you based?

Edited 13 April, 20224 yr by roottoot

1 hour ago, AJJD said:

not  sure how to send a private message? Please could you advise?

Mouse over Pab's username to the left of his posts, and a pop-up will appear under your mouse pointer, at the bottom left of this pop-up will be a button called 'Message'. Click on this.

29 minutes ago, Pete_Ex-Wino said:

Mouse over Pab's username to the left of his posts, and a pop-up will appear under your mouse pointer, at the bottom left of this pop-up will be a button called 'Message'. Click on this.

Thank you so much! 

No problem. 

 

Thank you very much. 

42 minutes ago, roottoot said:

@AJJD. Why do to you say no Auto Electrician will touch it.   Plenty will. As will others professional or not.   People that do that Type of work all the time.      People with more of an idea than a Technician or Fitter at a Skoda Dealership.   Hopefully somebody here can point you in the right direction.  ??? Where are you based?

The 3 Autoelectricians I phoned said this to me.  That I need to go back to dealer. Or to buy a Speaker. 
 

To be honest I haven’t got a clue where mechanics/ audio electronics are concerned. But thank you for reply if you can help me with any contacts ir phone nos. I  am based in Bournemouth area. 

7 hours ago, pab567 said:

I'm very sorry for all the troubles you have. Pls let me know on private message VIN of your car, I will check what is the unit model number and prepare a solution.

Many Thanks to Pab for taking the trouble to find info for me. 
I apparently have a Bolero unit and he gave me an idea on cost of replacement for This and Amundsen units - a lot cheaper than quote. 

UPDATE ON THIS- 

 

I phoned Skoda Customer Services back as gave up waiting and wanted to know if this quote was right. I finally spoke to a Case Manager. I had received the wrong quote on Friday!  It wasn’t £5876 but £587.69 to be precise! It’s a huge relief! 
 

Now it turns out that they don’t think it’s the radio but the Control Unit at a cost of £652.94  +£218 labour + Vat Totalling £1045.13. 
 

A big difference. I got an apology for misinformation on quote but not prepared to offer any good will payment to help with this.  

At least I know where I stand now and exactly what it is. It’s s shame I couldn’t have this information when i had my car serviced and I discussed the problem with  my local dealer. 
They did check but couldn’t get it working. That was basically it and No written information on problem or likely costs. 
 

I have this now which is a good starting point to get the problem sorted. 
 

Many Thanks to all who contributed with help - I am new to this site and not v technologically or mechanically minded and have struggled a bit on my own with Skoda, but this site has been very helpful and I didn’t feel alone with it. 
 

Thank you for your patience and non judgemental stance too. Again very appreciated. 
 

I wouldn’t hesitate using the Forum again and will pass this website on to other Skoda owners  in the future. 
 

I wish you all a very Happy Easter and Thank you again. 
 

Aj

 

 

 

It’s good to see relatively new member OP coming back to report an outcome, let alone showing gratitude for the help given.  So often nothing is heard.

 

Hope you get it sorted, AJJD.

 

🤞🤞

Thank you and for your nice words.