Following my letter sent ages ago (13/07/06), I have at last recieved a reply back from Skoda Customer Services this morning.

In the letter, I listed all the various issues I have experienced, primarily around the repeated turbo issues, then the wiper linkage seizing (which is a dangerous design issue in my view).

"I have discussed your concerns about the turbocharger with . They advise that your vehicle has not been in their workshop since August 2005, but he will be happy to discuss any concerns you have have"

So not much help there then.... On to the linkage

"With regards to the window wiper linkage being corroded, I can advise that corrosion occurs naturally on bare metal items and this is not a manufacting or material defect. Therefore, as your vehicle is 2 years outside of the warranty period, I regret that we are not in a position to offer a contribution towards the cost of repairs".

What he seems to fail to understand is that I was objecting to the poor design of the linkage that allows water in the first place, and created a potentially dangerous suitation. Fortuantely the road I was on was not too busy at the time mine failed (just approaching rush hour) and I was able to find a laybe to pull into about 1/4 mile down the road, but still that was not fun driving that short distance

I guess the best thing I can now do is contact Westover (being that CS have now spoken to them) and see what they can can suggest. Obviously if they were going to do the work for free I would accept this, but having already been charged for replacement MAF, n75 and then a new turbo and still have the same problems I am un-keen to part with any more cas, which promted my move to Loders Skoda instead, who have so far only charged me for parts (and labour for the new clutch pipe).

All the other points in my letter seem to have been put down to general wear and age of the vehicle, which is just rubbish. My parents drive an L reg 1.7 diesel astra estate and that just keeps going with no problems. It has now covered over 150,000 miles and is still going strong, where as my Octy (96,000) is falling to pieces around me. Currently it needs new shocks all round, new disks (as the front ones are warped - not by my driving!).

"I have discussed your concerns about the turbocharger with . They advise that your vehicle has not been in their workshop since August 2005, but he will be happy to discuss any concerns you have have"

lol.. what a farce. Just phoned Westover to speak to the Service Manager "Adrian Williams", who Skoda Customer services say they spoke to about my car.... apparently no-one of that name has worked there - and certainly not under the title of "Service Manager".

I have left a message for their current service manager to phone me back, but being that Westover never return my calls I won't hold my breath! (still waiting for the calls about metal sump protector from a few months ago....)

The service manager is Martin somebody is it not.

Westover told me it was a 'Andrew Matters' or something like that. Needless to say he has not phoned me back yet....

Well I have just spoken to Andrew Mathis, and he sounded quite helpful. He is going to pull the job cards for when my car was last in, and see if they can glean any usefull information, and give me a call back on Monday.

Hopefully we will be able to work a way forward on this - so maybe not all is lost - yet!!

Im sorry but dampers and brakes are all serviceable items and its harly suprising they are worn or need doing @ 90+k.

As for the linkage, its a vehcile out of production so no changes can be made there. And its a VAG issue with the same thing happening on A3's, Golfs and Leons and as they arent doing anything i'd be suprised if Skoda would now.