21 Plate 1.5 Petrol Estate. 25000mls. Bought it with 3300mls on it as an ex demo' in late 2022 from local (ish) dealer. First 4 services chucked in with it, along with my first M.O.T. Had M.O.T in July, notified that all discs (and therefore pads) need replacing (which they do, as they're lipped) and that air-con service due.
Car told me at the weekend that an oil change service is due. Normally the annual email from the dealers arrives before that notification pops up, but not this time.
Rang them this morning, receptionist told me "nobody on service desk". Took some details, said someone would ring me back today. They didn't, which got my back up a tad.
Question is, should I sack them off, as they're an hour's drive, and find someone more local who would no doubt be cheaper, or is dealer service history worth having for the car? My experience tells me that this is a very fussy car. Is an inependent likely to have the right knowledge and specialist equipment to keep on top of things (software updates for example)? Plus, it's a minefield finding someone reliable.
Following a mini-stroke I am unable to do any work myself so I'm completely at the mercy of everyone else. Obviously, I'd like as not save a packet leaving the dealer but there is a sort of peace of mind that using them brings.
There is a VW dealer a couple of miles from me under the same corporate umbrella. Would they be set up for Skoda and worth a look? It is virtually a Golf, isn't it?

Any thoughts and opinions (good or bad) welcome, thanks.

Edited Monday at 21:571 day by Tried5UserNames

Look for an independent who specialises in VAG motors, there are some out there who can service your vehicle and update the service log just as the dealership would

Depends how long you're looking to keep it. At 5 years old independents are defo an option but there are still people that will put main dealer history first when buying.

Sounds like you’ve either lost confidence or don’t have a good rapport with the dealer (or both), in which case I would be looking elsewhere. A good independent should be able to do everything a dealer can, but as you say finding one is easier said than done.

Interestingly a Škoda dealer near me is advertising servicing for VW and Seat as well as Škoda - would be worth a chat with you nearby VW dealer, hopefully you’ll get a positive response.

although I rate a good independant better than a dealer, I'd prefer a dealer full history if I was buying from a stranger. The VW dealer uses ODIS which is exactly the same system as the Skoda dealer and it will flag any compulsory software updates that need to be applied to your car

Find a decent VAG Indie.

I wouldn't trust a dealer as far as I can throw them. I've been sold a crash-damaged car, and lied to more times than I can count.

You're paying more money for garbage!

Independents can have Licensed VW Equipment and do Software Updates and keep the Service Record available. Even do Warranty work in some cases. You just need to know who and where they are. Many have Ex VW Group master techs who want return customers and are giving a damn while many Franchised Dealership / Motor Groups could not. You have a Service History of many things never done or even looked at.

@Tried5UserNames Where abouts are you based mate?

1 minute ago, scotthugh3s said:

@Tried5UserNames Where abouts are you based mate?

I'm in the wilds of West Cumbria.

eg http://autohausedinburgh.co.uk You need to check your own regions.

Discs do not fail because they're lipped. Overall thickness, visible corrosion on disc surface, runout, cracking (and a few more reasons) are valid reasons to change - but your disc will start corroding at the edge the moment they're installed. 25K quite a low mileage for discs and pads but you may be an "energetic" driver or parked too close to the sea.

Air-con service pretty pointless waste of money. If it works, it works; maybe worth an independent air-con specialist checking and refilling your system. They will certainly be better at it than the dealer. Strange gurglings or weak performance normal clues it needs looking at. If you survived this summer it's fine.

If this is Carlisle I have had issues in the past with them. They do not ring back and there have been trust issues in the past with them. I even had the service manager ring up and apologise and state the technician in question had been "let go". Find a local independent! Full dealer service history not important as long as you have an invoice trail of work carried out.

PS you are mistaken if you think VAG are that bothered about rolling out software updates for a 5 year old car.

27 minutes ago, Tried5UserNames said:

I'm in the wilds of West Cumbria.

A bit of a journey, although not too far (I travelled further to see him) But I'd highly recommend giving @East_Yorkshire_Retrofits a shout. He can do everything we've talked about here, and much more.