Skoda garage rings me up to tell me it requires a service.

[kentdale]

Had a phone call this morning from the superb suppling Skoda garage from a pleasant lady who did a security check then proceeded to advise that our superb required it's four year service ( no doubt because of the safety recall that is booked in for next week).

I mentioned it was not four years old until September.

Anyhow strangely I received an e-mail from the dealer 3 days ago, in this e-mailed guff amongst extended warranties it mentioned that the superb's  service was due from just £220 with a minute star symbol.

She asked me for the cars current mileage and I said approximately 21,000.

I asked what the cost would be and she said there were three service prices, minor, intermediate and major.

She advised it probably required a major service although as it was low mileage it may just need an intermediate service but that was up to the senior  technician.

Costs for each were mentioned and a major was over £400.

I then asked what each service included-parts materials and work carried out.

She could not advise on this and said a technician would e-mail me this information today.

As yet no one has sent me the relevant info, obviously I understand if anything is found outside of the service carried out it would cost more .

Am I not within my rights to ask what I would be getting for my money from a professional concern.

Thoughts please.

Thanks

[Ootohere]

Be sure to find out what is being done. Every Single thing. 

Is it getting its 2nd Pollen filter change. Has it had one changed before?

Has the Brake Fluid been changed?

Has the Air filter been looked at.      *Can you not do those yourself?*

 

So,

Top chart is Fixed Price cars 3-10 years old as it was pre 2020. Prices.   

How much are they wanting in 2024 for any of these. Interim or Major service?

 

..................

 

Then a Fixed Service Regime guidance as Skoda started showing when they went Oil & Inspection Services in 2020.

 

Has the Haldex been serviced at 3 years / 30,000 miles.  @ the Last Service.

 

If you have a DQ381 DSG the service is at 80,000 miles, or best before that. IMO.

Edited 5 April by Rooted

[Ootohere]

@kentdale  What is the RECALL for?   Is it to check the protective Mat, car with DSG, protecting Brake Master from heat.?

[ApertureS]

 

3 hours ago, Rooted said:

Be sure to find out what is being done. Every Single thing. 

Is it getting its 2nd Pollen filter change. Has it had one changed before?

Has the Brake Fluid been changed?

Has the Air filter been looked at.      *Can you not do those yourself?*

 

So,

Top chart is Fixed Price cars 3-10 years old as it was pre 2020. Prices.   

How much are they wanting in 2024 for any of these. Interim or Major service?

 

..................

 

Then a Fixed Service Regime guidance as Skoda started showing when they went Oil & Inspection Services in 2020.

 

Has the Haldex been serviced at 3 years / 30,000 miles.  @ the Last Service.

 

If you have a DQ381 DSG the service is at 80,000 miles, or best before that. IMO.

 

 

 

 

It always angers me to see the difference between a service and an extended scope service! For the nearly £100 price difference you get the following….

 

Wheels removed and brakes checked - I mean this is one of the first things that should be done on any vehicle a mechanic will be driving even if it’s not in for a service… it takes all of 2 minutes (without having to remove the wheels)

 

Check/adjust drive belts - I’d love to find a Skoda tech and ask to see their drive belt tension checking tool - and adjustable tensioners haven’t been on vag cars for the last 25 years almost.

 

Check/replenish manual gear oil - seen as most cars are dsg this is fairly moot and even then will very likely be a cursory glance at the gearbox for any leaks and a box tick. Seen as gearbox oil doesn’t just disappear either, offering to replenish it is all well and good when you’ve got a leak that needs fixing.

 

check of final drive oil - will most likely be exactly the same as above and not include the haldex coupling which is arguably more prone to failure

 

check suspension system - again, a glance at the underside which should be part of even the most basic service and if you’re lucky (and hopeful) a little pull, push and wobble to check for worn out suspension parts.

 

check heating/air con - I very much doubt this is a full air con check involving pressure/weight testing or such (as they charge extra for this is a separate ‘aircon service’) and checking the operation of the heating again is a very basic check that should be part of every service

lubricate door mechanisms - a lovely spray of white grease that within a few weeks will be blasted completely in dirt, but it is a visual to the customer that ‘we have done stuff to your car’ when in reality it doesn’t do much bar make a mess (except the bonnet latch which is fair to grease)

 

 

that’s my rant over…. In a nutshell the ‘extended scope’ is the bare minimum that should be done on any service and charging £100 on top for it is an absolute con.

 

in my opinion - a service should include all checks no matter what level and an oil and filter change. After this the additional service parts required either through time/mileage/request/dirty should be charged accordingly. That way you know a full check has been done and you know exactly what parts have been changed on your car.

Edited 5 April by ApertureS

[numskull]

For numerous reasons, like those the OP cites and others, I stopped using main dealers as soon as the 5 year warranty expired. Find a decent VAG specialist and stick with them. 

[09facelift]

1 hour ago, numskull said:

For numerous reasons, like those the OP cites and others, I stopped using main dealers as soon as the 5 year warranty expired. Find a decent VAG specialist and stick with them. 

I know there are many honest Skoda dealers out there so I don't want to tar them all with the same brush, but there is definitely some cowboy behaviour going on in terms of serious overcharging. Skoda would want to get their s*** together before it kills off all of the good will us loyal customers have.

[kentdale]

20 hours ago, Rooted said:

@kentdale  What is the RECALL for?   Is it to check the protective Mat, car with DSG, protecting Brake Master from heat.?

Hi Rooted, yes that's the supposed reason for the recall, thanks for the comprehensive service info, have yet to read it.

They quoted £359 for 3rd year service and £475 for the 4th year service.

Regards.

[kentdale]

Appreciate all members comments, as I have stated still no advice from the Skoda dealer on what service it requires, I get the feeling that they are not really interested once you buy the car.

I had an independent local garage fit new brake discs last year on the Superb ,change the haldex rear hub oil last September but not clean/replace the filter as I was told the old oil from when it was built was in quite good condition, recommended though to change the plastic filter when it requires it's next oil change.

All the works carried out by a recommended owner boss time served mechanic that takes time to show things when the car was raised on the hoist (brake disc condition)

My families vehicles were all well looked after by a different independent garage own boss again but sadly he passed away very unexpectedly.

I was just interested in how the Skoda dealer would deal with my questions, the silence says it all which is very disappointing as we have bought a new Skoda from them previously.

Independent for me and as mentioned do some things myself as well.

Regards

Martin.

[numskull]

6 hours ago, 09facelift said:

I know there are many honest Skoda dealers out there so I don't want to tar them all with the same brush

I don’t doubt there are, but i don’t want to have to travel hours to go to one. And I baulk when

• there is no availability for two months 
• “courtesy cars” that are actually hire cars (so I had to wait in the reception area, cos I was damned if I’d pay £30 for a Citigo for 3 bloody hours). 
• ridiculous hourly pricing
• work not carried out
• and rude and ignorant staff and GM’s who don’t give a toss…

Well, that was my experience of the three main dealers I had to use on this car before the warranty ran out, but I don’t suffer any of these main dealer features anymore. 

[Penpusher]

If only there was an ApertureS in every major town across the country............

 

Is there anyone out there who offers a cloning service?

[numskull]

They already do, but unfortunately they’re cloning the Lookers Group, as apparently they’re the pinnacle of advanced customer service. (my ar$e)….

[Berisford]

Doesn’t answer the OPs question but in all my dealings with VW & Skoda service departments (since 2004 - a Ford man previously) I’ve always found them qualified in bovine excrement.

The long list v short list service looks impressive on the face of things but in reality (as ApertureS mentions) there’s very little actual work / parts involved.

My service last month and my ongoing battery woes has left me overly disappointed in the service department, they come across (more so than previously) as mercenary sharks, always looking to increase their £££ bottom line, not at all customer appreciative.

As for wash & vacuum, never, in fact it would be difficult to find space in the yard to do such a job - why do all main dealers appear to have little or no space for customers to park?

[Coled]

I am lucky in I have an Independent Garage I can trust near to where I live.  Being a volunteer Driver and taking people to Hospitals and Treatment Centres they go the extra mile when I have a problem.  Dealers equals stealers.

[MarkyG82]

This discussion comes up every few months when new members join. There are a large number of people out there who think an annual service covers everything a car needs.

[numskull]

On 06/04/2024 at 11:36, 09facelift said:

I know there are many honest Skoda dealers out there so I don't want to tar them all with the same brush, but there is definitely some cowboy behaviour going on in terms of serious overcharging. Skoda would want to get their s*** together before it kills off all of the good will us loyal customers have.

I note you’re in Dublin. I recall another member very recently having a good experience of a Indy called MAD in your fair city. Their website is here. I had a particularly bad experience at DMG in Donegal a couple of years ago. 

[09facelift]

6 hours ago, numskull said:

I note you’re in Dublin. I recall another member very recently having a good experience of a Indy called MAD in your fair city. Their website is here. I had a particularly bad experience at DMG in Donegal a couple of years ago. 

That was me 😂. Sorry to hear of your bad experience.

[numskull]

Ah.. 😂

Well, don’t worry about the dealer network as you’ve found a better alternative. As for DMG, they have the whole county to themselves so they don’t care. 

Unfortunately, Skoda no longer have to have a better customer experience than the rest of the main VAG group to gain and retain, as they’ve been established as a mainstream brand for >20 years now.