After purchasing a high mileage Skoda superb 1.6  mk3 estate 2018 with a FULL MAIN DEALER SERVICE history I have been questioning either the seller or Skoda main dealer have been…… well let’s just say questionable.

 

I like to get my hands dirty and have been doing some routine servicing and preventative repairs, and I keep on finding cheap pattern parts installed which have been invoiced by Skoda themselves! I have the invoices going back 6 years and seems legit.

 

Do Skoda dealers use non genuine parts? Or has the past owner not been honest?

 

 

See attached pic of the pollen filter that has been changed 7 times by the same dealer and last changed in May 2024. 

 

 

18 minutes ago, BigTony said:

After purchasing a high mileage Skoda superb 1.6  mk3 estate 2018 with a FULL MAIN DEALER SERVICE history I have been questioning either the seller or Skoda main dealer have been…… well let’s just say questionable.

 

I like to get my hands dirty and have been doing some routine servicing and preventative repairs, and I keep on finding cheap pattern parts installed which have been invoiced by Skoda themselves! I have the invoices going back 6 years and seems legit.

 

Do Skoda dealers use non genuine parts? Or has the past owner not been honest?

 

 

See attached pic of the pollen filter that has been changed 7 times by the same dealer and last changed in May 2024. 

 

 

 

Blimey...   That looks like it's never been touched!!

Certainly would not expect the pollen filter to look like that after 9 months unless it's been on the Paris - Dakar.

Jeez - at least you get a cheap improvement to performance. Pretty sure genuine dealers should use what they're told by Skoda to maintain warranty but perhaps after that there's some licence to manoeuvre...

@BigTony   Did it actually have a FULL MAIN DEALERS SERVICE HISTORY? 

 

So including the stuff not done to the Manufacturers Recommendations, Guidelines, Schedule or Specifications,

and not just a list of when the car was in to be Serviced,  and possibly not properly.

 

Skoda Approved Used Cars can often have stuff that is overdue still not done and yet given a warranty.

 

A not accurate list, and even if followed it requires the Tech to do the job, or check the likes of filters. Plenty Customers do not want to pay them for parts.

4 hours ago, BigTony said:

After purchasing a high mileage Skoda superb 1.6  mk3 estate 2018 with a FULL MAIN DEALER SERVICE history I have been questioning either the seller or Skoda main dealer have been…… well let’s just say questionable.

 

I like to get my hands dirty and have been doing some routine servicing and preventative repairs, and I keep on finding cheap pattern parts installed which have been invoiced by Skoda themselves! I have the invoices going back 6 years and seems legit.

 

Do Skoda dealers use non genuine parts? Or has the past owner not been honest?

 

 

See attached pic of the pollen filter that has been changed 7 times by the same dealer and last changed in May 2024. 

 

 

What did the engine air filter look like?

14 hours ago, Warrior193 said:

What did the engine air filter look like?

 

10 kKm 10 months, most of official intervals must be split by half

 

 

Wow, that pollen filter looked to be an oroginal one from the car was new...

As @Ootohere suggests, a FMDSH doesn't mean it has received the correct maintenance. In this case I think some stuff has been ticked off and not actually done. Not necessarily a lemon but definitely a dealer to avoid.

I found the same with two main dealers during the first 4 years with my Octavia - which is why I only use independents now.

It's a five minute job, why would they not do it?!  Crazy stuff.

53 minutes ago, Steviedakota said:

It's a five minute job, why would they not do it?!  Crazy stuff.

look to positive side 

as in previous visit dealer weren't change filters, i did it by self

and now, on all next visits i doing the same, it saves me 30 euros as it isn't complicated at all

 

A lot can go out the window when the warranty expires. Otherwise you're just held to the requirements for that which seem to subordinate conscientiousness.

As soon as my warranty ended, it was all about finding a VAG specialist who knows and cares. They even did non-warranty work within the period, like the proper way to do the Haldex oil change etc.

Changed my air and fuel filters today since coming to the end of 5 year extended warranty (oil and filter to do on a warmer day)

my old air filter looks just like yours in the pic above: this after 37k miles albeit mostly rural long runs)

5 hours ago, Steviedakota said:

It's a five minute job, why would they not do it?!  Crazy stuff.

Time charged but not worked per service, plus the sum charged for parts specified but not fitted - likely to amount to a considerable sum over a year. 😒  

Did service an octavia mk3 for a friend now. All filters in car were Mahle, but also stamped VW/Audi. So, it is safe to say that do these things at home and save hundreds of euros. That particular carbon/2.5micron filter from Mahle, LAO 888 costs about 15 Gbp and to replace it is maybe a 7min job on a lhd car. Dealership serves customers in Norway approx 129Gbp to replace this....

I just dont get it...why charge 129 gbp for a replacement pollen filter (carbon, anti bacterial, anti allergic, 2.5PM) and 30 gbp for a airfilter replacement? Air filter is maybe 10 min job due to more screws and maybe some dustblowing....

I have seen this happening on other vehicles as well, both Skoda and non. It is a pity that quality of the "branded" service has to be questioned this way.

I can't wait until I am out of warranty ... and deal with the car on my own terms, after all ... I "own" it 🙄

16 hours ago, rbhelle said:

 

I just dont get it...why charge 129 gbp for a replacement pollen filter 

 

There's a fair amount that contributes to the charge.  Front desk staff need paying.  Site lease charges.  Electric costs.  Training of the staff (technical and non).  Insurances.  Service staff wage. Etc, etc.

The time taken for a pollen filter will be more like 1.5 hrs. 

Initial booking,

receiving the car for service,

moving the car into the bay,

getting the parts from stores,

FITTING,

waste of old filter,

putting car back into temp storage,

keys back to front desk,

call to customer for collection,

collection.  

 

This might all seem trivial but someone has to pay for it.  They are there to make money from us as car owners.  Makin sure it is done correctly is the most important thing and that takes training.  If you paid someone to change a filter and it was done wrong, one of the first things asked will be who did it and are they capable.

@MarkyG82 I do see your point. Know how, experience and education is why craftmanship is what it is, craftmanship.

So in that context it makes sense. 

I also agree ... in the contect of paying for a service and not having it done ... that is an interesting one 🙄

3 hours ago, leolito said:

in the contect of paying for a service and not having it done ... 🙄

 

That's fraud

In the UK charging the same price to replace 3 spark plugs in a 1.0 TSI as 4 in a 1.2 TSI or some other 4 cylinder engine.

Not as a Loss Leader, the plugs and labour and VAT seem to be exactly the same price.

Odd as with the 3 cylinder 1 plug is left in the parts store, & do 4 3 cylinder cars & you can have 4 spark plugs to do a 4 cylinder and it is the VAT @ 20% being taken somehow.