Perhaps a strongly worded letter to Skoda HQ is required? In which, you should list at least one other (cheaper) alternative manufacturer that has let you have a car for 24hrs (just make it up).

I cant believe dealers acting in this way.

As a salesman (and a bloody good one - excuse me blowing my own trumpet) We went leaps and bounds to sell our products. 90 percent of sales were based on referrals and customer care after service.

We had great rapport with our customers - Yes the occasional complaint (some people complain about anything) but on the whole people came back again and again and when they did we would sell them something else - and so it goes on .... They were happy - we were happy - Sales manager happy - HQ happy.

I have noticed a few things in this country of ours starting to go down the pan - I hope it never gets to the level of Spain where its really hard to get goods and services on time.

IMHO - Briskoda is in a way a union that must represent a good few million sales. Perhaps we should have more clout when it comes to demanding good service and getting poor dealers to take notice.

Who is Skoda UK MD - a well worded letter to the very top often goes a long way in my experience.

One interesting snippet: Whilst on the phone with the lady who called me from Skoda UK she stated that "We have no intention of bringing a diesel VRs or a 170bhp Octavia into the UK". When I challenged this statement in light of what some dealers are saying regarding delivery dates' date=' the lady said "They must be mistaken".

Perhaps we shall see?[/quote']

I'd put money down that it was the same Skoda UK lady who recently told me that they have no intention of introducing a 2.0 TDi 4x4 to the existing line up.

What is wrong with these people?!

I had a similar problem myself when my local dealer refused a test drive on the basis of 'we don't do test drives for buisness sales'. I asked our fleet manager what to do and he said that they will always try to obtain the car from a nominated dealer (sounds the same situation). I was told to tell the salesman that if I should decide to go for a Skoda, I'd nominate their garage as the supplier. Got a test drive. Ordered an Octy.