Thought this is best in here - despite model, I presume the AWD thing concerns multiple models but feel free to move.

 

Had an email from local dealer to say all-wheel-drive-system oil change is due. Superb 280, March 21 reg, 13.5k miles. I thought from posts on service that it (assuming ’it’ is aka Haldex oil change?) wouldn’t be due for a while. So 2 questions:

1. Are they right? When chatting to HQ they couldn’t find my car on private plate which doesn’t give me masses of confidence. 
 

2. Warranty will be to March 24 - do I absolutely have to go to a dealer to maintain or is there anyone else that can do so?

 

Not looking to sacrifice warranty or cut costs; just have no faith in dealer and the others in the area aren’t much better seemingly  - have been searching with not much luck on a direct answer.

Edited 21 March, 20233 yr by travs
Typo

?

Is your car going in for it's first service including pollen filter change, or was it serviced last year on a Fixed Service Regime?

Did they not include the AC as being due a service as well?  They must be slipping on up-selling!

 

The Haldex Oil change and if done properly, clean out is due at 3 years / 30,000 miles.

 

*VAQ Diff oil changes, Front Diff non Haldex Octavia vRS are now at 2 years / 20,000 miles.

they were at 3 years / 30,000 miles.*   

Maybe that is an error from whoever contacted you. 

 

When that time comes not just allow them to just do an oil change and not a proper service of the haldex. 

They should know the job, what a shame so many do not.

 

?

What HQ were you chatting to, Skoda Customer Services?

They would know little about very much.  They might not even be in the UK if you are chatting to Skoda Customer Services.

Plenty cars like yours are on private plates. 

 

 

Edited 21 February, 20233 yr by toot

Re the Manufacturers Warranty.

The car has to be serviced to the Manufacturers Recommendation, Guidelines, Schedule or Specifications using the factory parts, fluids etc,  (The term Schedule does not appear. Not VAT Registered, it changes what is in the T&C's over the years, it used to be 'guidance', at one point 'Specification'.)

record kept, VAT registered place etc.

So what ever terms they use.   

 

Pity a Main Dealership does not know the Recommendations, Guidelines, Schedule or Specifications and often who not to service a Haldex properly.

They even sell Skoda Approved Used cars with a FMDSH but not serviced as per recommendations, guidelines, schedule or specifications and they put a warranty on them.

?

Is the car a keeper?

If so decide what you want and are you extending the warranty beyond 3 years?  Read the T&C.s.

SKODA_Warranty_Terms_November_2021 (1).pdf

 

 

Edited 21 February, 20233 yr by toot

As above, it seems they’re asking for it to be serviced early. I did mine early as I’m just overly fussy, but we were able to add it to the online service system at my mates garage. 
the dealer won’t remove the pump and clean the gauze in most cases, they will just drop and replace the oil and hand it back to you. 
so you could have it carried out by a specialist as long as they can add it to the online service, or leave it until it’s 3yrs old instead. 

Thanks for the responses and info chaps. 
 

History of the car: Was GMs company car at Carr’s Exeter for 6m/4900 miles from Mar21. They gave it an early oil change at the point of selling to me. First service was Sept22/11500m using scheduling on the car. Then this email out of the blue. No mention of AC. Unsurprised if upselling is just as incompetent.

 

I queried it with the guy at Skoda HQ and he reckoned I could be on some other schedule (don’t have the details to hand) but they also couldn’t find the car initially, and then reckoned it was Crystal Black when I’ve always been under the impression it was Black Magic (no stickers in the boot or in any door jams confirming); that was about the engine cover recall and he was rubbish on both counts so figures with your info that they’re outsourced toot I’m not surprised.

Car’s def a keeper. Wasn’t looking to extend the warranty.

Ok so to be clear I’m not reading this incorrectly, the warranty can be maintained using someone that can service properly using OE parts and processes and can then update the online database? And that the main dealers are given a bit of a Carte Blanche that they will achieve that, but they’re not the only ones that are eligible?
 

12 hours ago, travs said:

Ok so to be clear I’m not reading this incorrectly, the warranty can be maintained using someone that can service properly using OE parts and processes and can then update the online database? And that the main dealers are given a bit of a Carte Blanche that they will achieve that, but they’re not the only ones that are eligible?

The warranty yes, but in the event there are any 'goodwill' campaigns you will likely miss out on those if you don't have a full Skoda service history.

We can forget the 'Goodwill' factor.   That is a thing of the good old days. 

Getting a genuine claim is difficult these days. 

 

Main Dealer Servicing money for old rope.

All important stuff is extra cost. Ridiculous priced extras. 

 

Edited 23 February, 20233 yr by toot

43 minutes ago, toot said:

We can forget the 'Goodwill' factor.   That is a thing of the good old days.

That's not my experience - in the last 5 years I've had 'goodwill' repairs done by the Skoda dealers in Barnstaple and near Trowbridge, and the Toyota dealers in Barnstaple & Trowbridge.

 

Even though it usually costs more I always have my cars serviced at a dealer whilst under warranty and then switch to a word-of-mouth recommended local independent.

@PetrolDaveThat is good to hear. 

What sort or work was done free gratis under 'Goodwill' on your Skoda's that the warranty was not covering or where there was no warranty ? 

2 hours ago, toot said:

@PetrolDaveThat is good to hear. 

What sort or work was done free gratis under 'Goodwill' on your Skoda's that the warranty was not covering or where there was no warranty ? 

Car was just out of warranty but still with full Skoda dealer service history when:

1) a parking sensor failed, was told cost would be in excess of £200 to get correct sensor fitted and painted, I said it should not have failed in normal use and after dealer had discussion with Skoda UK they agreed to cover the full cost.

2) right rear wheel speed sensor failed (car had Park Assist so correct sensor required) cost was quoted at £500, I argued this was excessive for a wheel speed sensor so again delaer got OK from Skoda UK to pay half the cost.

Edited 23 February, 20233 yr by PetrolDave

Good.

That was nice of them to do that.

Good Dealerships there.

  If Skoda UK are still being as generous in 2023 because someone has a FMDSH but are out of warranty that is wonderful.

 

Those Dealerships deserve a nice review in that section.

Edited 23 February, 20233 yr by toot

So Haldex oil change including pump dropped and gauze cleaned by great independent place as recommended by @numskull . Digital record updated and took pics before and after. 
 

Before:

 

 

After:

 

This is on a car with less than 13.5k miles on the clock. So definitely something that should be advised. God knows why VAG don’t recommend it if they care about cars running for as long as capable.

 

Really grateful for the forum for stuff like this 👍🏼