I've a 2018 Kodiaq 190TDi Edition which was bought at 2years old and came with a hefty list of options fitted that raised the spec' to something very similar to the L&K which came later. With 63000 miles on it now, I'm starting to look at things which could replace it in the next 12 months. I'd spoken to three Skoda dealers recently about a more or less like for like replacement , all were keen to push an order through before the April 1st price increase but I'm still to be convinced another Kodi is the answer.

 

I've had Skodas in the family for all bar one year in the past twelve, Superb and Fabia have figured in addition to the Kodi, but much though I love the car and would have another, it has to be said that the build quality isn't brilliant and dealer service with it even less reassuring. It currently has a KESSY start button issue which is getting worse, the dealer has investigated twice and says it performs as expected. I don't regard having to press it, hold it and generally fiddle with it as starting performance anyone would expect!

 

This came after a seven month wait for an oil seal to have the DSG service completed, I called religiously every month only to be told "its still on back order, no need to call us, we'll call you when its available". So I did stop calling and guess what? after seven weeks without a call I had to book the car in for service and mentioned it again, to be told "the parts have been available since last month, you should have called us!!!"

 

All this was on the back of a visit to have the Haldex oil changed where they did the work and then mentioned on collection that the DSG service was due, which really hit a nerve as when it had been booked in for that visit, having had an Audi previously, I'd questioned the service interval for the DSG and been told it was now 80k and didn't need it. To add to the woes, it took six calls over a three week period to establish what the correct interval was for my particular car. The dealer claimed it was because the car was built during the crossover period when the service interval was extended and the VIN was "indeterminate" as to which group it fell into.

 

All this has led to me questioning whether I want another Skoda, or indeed any other VW group car; whether to keep the current one and hand service needs to an independent specialist (harder to do with a new car); or go for something completely different such as a Volvo XC60 or BMW X3.

 

I've used the same dealer for servicing all of the Skodas owned and their service was one of the reasons I continued with Skoda and returned to the marque after seven years of Audi ownership, but the recent efforts leave me with the feeling that they're falling short of the mark. My experience of others is limited to Audi in the past decade or so (great service but came at a price!), and Nissan for a short and very recent period so not really qualified to judge yet. Is it just me or are dealers losing sight of the traditional service Skoda customers had come to expect of them?

Sounds like a dealer issue and not a car issue. Go elsewhere for aftersales…

6 minutes ago, ZacDaMan72 said:

Sounds like a dealer issue and not a car issue. Go elsewhere for aftersales…

Undoubtedly it is, but its holding me back from replacing it with another Skoda which would be more difficult to have serviced by an independent specialist

57 minutes ago, ZacDaMan72 said:

Sounds like a dealer issue and not a car issue. Go elsewhere for aftersales…

 

My thoughts exactly. Another couple of thoughts:

 

If you're happy with the servicing at Audi then why not have your car serviced at Audi?

Can you guarantee that an indi specialist is any better? There are plenty of reviews which say different.

Are you saying all Skoda dealers are similar?

 

49 minutes ago, Ranger said:

...its holding me back from replacing it with another Skoda which would be more difficult to have serviced by an independent specialist

 

Why? As long as the car is serviced according to the manufacturers schedule using manufacturer recommended parts, any bona fide garage can service your car.

 

Can you guarantee BMW or Volvo servicng is any better? They'll be people with BMW's and Volvo's who have similar stories. Plus, like your Audi, both cars are substantially more expensive so I'd hope they'd be better. ( the only difference between an Audi servic and a Skoda service is you might be offered coffee from a better cup ).

The XC60 has it's merits ( the seats in particular - best in the business ) but it's smaller and I'd have a play with their infotainment system b4 commiting yourself - I found it awful. There are also a few pieces of trim which doesn't exactly square with the prices they ask and their cars are nowhere near as practical as Volvo was once known for. Not in anyway saying it's a good car but is it any better than Skoda.

PS - according to nearly every survey I've read, as a brand both Volvo and BMW are less reliable than Skoda.

 

Those of us who live North of the border will be well familiar with Arnold Clark. Their Volvo dealer was the reason I've never returned to Arnold Clark in the past 20 years to have any car I've owned serviced. It never stopped me buying Volvos, my cars  just never went anywhere near Arnold Clark.

 

 

 

 

Edited 19 April, 20224 yr by kodiaqsportline

I’ve been looking a changing my car over the past few months and even though I’m getting something else, I was immensely impressed with the latest Sportage. It seems to have come on tremendously from the earlier versions and would be worth you having a look at.

Most of the OP comments seem to be dealer related...   as opposed to car?  However, the start button is a common fault and an easy fix as it simply needs a new button fitting which is quick and easy - so not sure why the dealer hasn't done that yet (again dodgy dealer?)

To be honest, if you like the car why change it.  Any replacement will not be new either in year or two so just deferring a problem.

 

If your local dealer is rubbish, they will be just as bad at repairing any replacement.   And unless the dealer has anything in stock it could be a year before a new car arrives (and prices have jumped)
 

If you are concerned about cost of warranty repairs then consider the all in one service (20% off price for next 2 weeks), which includes warranty and breakdown and MOT for not much more than cost of servicing.

 

But it might be worth seeking out another dealer, or even a VW Group independent repairer.   VW and Seat dealers near you might be lot better so worth checking there too.

 

Definitely a dealer issue.

 

My start button was replaced whilst in for a routine service. I'd mentioned it when booking it in and they said they'd order in a new button just in case, negating the need for a second visit. They said they were aware of issues with the button but that mine wasn't showing the typical symptoms, but they replaced it anyway.

 

They also were more than happy to clean the filter during the Haldex oil change, even though Skoda claim it isn't needed, their master mechanic disagreed.

 

Always prompt, always polite, always free courtesy cars available, the service team know their product and enjoy their job, probably because they're treated well by their employer (Des Winks, Scarborough), probably the closest you can get to a small family run Skoda franchise. Then there is an example of the complete opposite, DM Keith in York. I hate been fobbed off when my questions or requests don't fit the dealers agenda.

 

The ability of the dealer is as important as the car itself, at least for me. Vote with your feet, but be sure to feed back as you leave.

 

Edited 20 April, 20224 yr by silver1011

I think you will find issues potentially with most mainstream manufacturer dealer networks nowadays. It’s just how it can be. Doesn’t matter if it’s Skoda, Mercedes or Dacia…they are all prone to sometimes offering poor service or fault issues.

 

They are so hit and miss. And of course their staff change over time so a dealer can be great, their service dept management change and suddenly it goes down hill and visa versa.

 

I spent a lot of time looking at cars to replace my karoq and ended up going for the Kodiaq just because of the space and the fact it was very nice for the price. Feels like a very solid, not quite luxury but not too far off car. For under £40K.

 

The Volvo for me would be the dream. An XC60 or 90 but they are just expensive. And are the benefits of them over a Kodiaq enough for me to justify the price? Not for me. They might be for you though. I think Volvos are about the best you can but personally without being stupid money or wanting a sporty thing.

 

The problem I had is that there isn’t much significantly better in the large family suv segment that isn’t significantly more. If I went for a 5 seater I probably would have gone for the Kia Sportage like every other person in the U.K. seems to be as that’s a lovely car and comfortable and very modern inside. The Sorento though is a bit ugly. And expensive. The Santa Fe similar. The Tiguan Allspace feels like a kodiaq but to get stuff like electric seats is hella expensive. So why bother? And the Taracco is just a slightly less plush kodiaq with a greater emphasis on tech, like most seat cars are the youth tech ones, Skoda the good value slightly plusher ones and VW are…I don’t even know….the overpriced not quite as nice inside as the Skoda ones….

 

 

 

 

For me the Kodiaq is still the best solution out there for my needs.  The value for money has come down, but it's still ahead.

 

I wanted a petrol SUV, preferably 7 seats and not stupid running costs.

 

Fundamentally this came down to the Kodiaq/Tiguan/Tarraco.

 

Ignoring price and choosing simply on suitability for me, the Kodiaq was miles ahead

 

Had I wanted a diesel, I may have gone down the Sorento or even Taureg route, but a diesel was a non starter (no pun intended) for me.

 

Next time around when it comes to an electric car (provided I am still here), I suspect the choice will be much wider.