"st Andrews" Bad Dealership?

[tincanfabia]

Hello all, please please will someone offer us some advice , We bought a second hand Fabia from St Andrews Skoda (Glasgow) it had about 30,000 miles and one previous owner. OK HERE WE GO.......

1/ WITHIN 2 MONTHS THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT LIGHT WENT ON AND YET WE WERE ADVISED IT WAS A SOFTWARE UPGRADE IT NEEDED, is this why I had to travel to the dealership just so I can update the cars computer?......unlikely.

2/ AT 35,000 The SUSPENSION FAILED being that the Anti-roll bar had snapped on the off side.

3/Now we are at 40,000 miles and the service is due (

[ncarring]

Take it to another dealer if you have one within a reasonable distance. Also ring Skoda Customer Services and explain your position. They can be very helpful.

Welcome, but please don't post all in capitals - it comes across like shouting.

Good luck getting the car sorted out.

[VRStu]

Bugger Nick you closed the one I was replying to!!!

Here is my reply anyway

The problem with your steering will almost certainly be the consoles not re-aligned after having the bushes changed. A good four wheel alignment garage should be able to sort that.

It is possible a software upgrade was required - difficult to say as you don't have the fault code.

EGR's are a known issue so no worries there.

Your best best is to seek the advice of SUK customer services. Didn't the car come with a Skoda Used Car Warranty?

[~~****~~]

Not the advice you'll want to hear but unless you want the agro of possibly taking the dealer to the court then get shot of it.

It sounds like a lemon, I've had 3 fabias and all of them have had little issues. My second one, a vrs, was a complete headache (forever on and off the road) I got shot of it. I have also found the customer service poor at my local dealer, how ever speaking to Skoda UK Customer Services did help when I was having problems.

[tincanfabia]

Sorry bout the caps lock thing but today was the last straw. Yes the warranty was bought with the car. Is 9 breakdowns and steering faults that don`t seem to be acknowledged, all in less than one year the norm for a Fabia??? I used to drive a VW Golf tdi 1.9 all it needed was servicing, tyres etc none of this hassle at all. As for the fault code for the "software update" the screen prints I have show none. As for the four wheel alignment , fortunately I`m quite familiar with a branch manager of National Tyres and Exhausts they have a four wheel laser tracker alignment device and they cannot get it to settle. three times we tried today test driven after each time and they gave up saying there may be a fault with the rack. Kwik-Fit also advised this after checking tracking twice. Folks thanks for the replies, it`s very much appreciated. I have come here to moan as I came here for a browse when selling the Golf, looking for a new car and there was good info on here. So I have caps locked and bolded my cry for help. I`m not the sort of chap who is gonna sell this dodgy car on e-bay knowing its not right. RAC arrive tomorow to do a ten-mile test drive and visual inspection. (£168.00) if the RAC agree with me, St Andrews will consider looking at the rack. Still not great customer service tho??? Again thanks folks it`s appreciated hugely. simon.

[tincanfabia]

Briskodian, I know this is what I have to do but I`m an honest bloke and tell rubbish lies!!!! this things gonna be hard for me to sell, yet it looks great, immaculate in fact....offers??? Seriously, deep inside I know this is what the dealer wants and what I`m gonna be forced to do. Some poor bugger is gonna be buying a nightmare from me.....but no-one will want a car that does not go in a straight line. Have V.A.G dropped thier qaulity on engine builds in the last few years? Harsh truth is E-bay looks like the answer.

[Dmac1969]

If you need a new rack , then I paid

[skodayouth]

Briskodian, I know this is what I have to do but I`m an honest bloke and tell rubbish lies!!!! this things gonna be hard for me to sell, yet it looks great, immaculate in fact....offers??? Seriously, deep inside I know this is what the dealer wants and what I`m gonna be forced to do. Some poor bugger is gonna be buying a nightmare from me.....but no-one will want a car that does not go in a straight line. Have V.A.G dropped thier qaulity on engine builds in the last few years? Harsh truth is E-bay looks like the answer.

If you have the car on hire purchase and you have paid for at least half of the car ring up skoda and tell them to take it back.

I did this with both my Fabia and Octavia. Freindly chap put them on a transporter and took them to an auction house.

Then I bought a Hyundai

Then I received a telegram from the queen

[tincanfabia]

Ah see we paid up front with a big cheque??? I assumed this means its mine like it or not...ie the statutory rights of 14 days to return anything bought is well past. I used to drive cars that had almost recieved thier "queenie postcard", they broke down less than this bad thing. I think the advice and damn good sense of humour(Skodayouth) is just what me and my Mrs needed... Again thanks, I knew this would be the place for sensible advice. I`ll let you` all know what the RAC man says...probably exactly what Briskodian thinks....sell it.

What a shame it looks great ( er does this mean I`m a bit wierd?) Did I mention the passenger side electric window is broken too, switch that is as it can be lowered from drivers side switch, happened on my home from picking it up after todays news from the dealer...just what I needed. Point still is... there is definately a bad atmosphere in this dealership and I cannot wait until this is over and I dont have to sit and have a battle of null/dull and void words with some car salesman. I said lemon ...he said "we`ll it is a bit oddball" today he even advised "its over between me and you" I think he thought we were lovers. If only I`d got a good one. (car that is, my mrs is wonderful thanks) cheered me up no end folks..just need to think about what to get next, once I`ve done the filthy deed of selling it on to some poor person.

[stuart_hatch]

Been their today, were ok with me, but if i was you, i would simply just take the car elsewhere, there is nothing stopping you

[Big A]

Both my dad and myself have used St. Andrew's and have found them to be nothing short of excellent. My dad has bought, sold and maintained 2 Octavia's though them and I have even taken my VW for them for servicing and to have my timing belt changed as they were so much cheaper than VW and their service was 100% better than VW dealers. The other place to try might be Queensburgh Skoda if St. Andrew's are satisfying your needs but I've heard a few stories about them too. Anyway, hope it all gets sorted for you mate.

[ncarring]

Bugger Nick you closed the one I was replying to!!!

Here is my reply anyway

The problem with your steering will almost certainly be the consoles not re-aligned after having the bushes changed. A good four wheel alignment garage should be able to sort that.

It is possible a software upgrade was required - difficult to say as you don't have the fault code.

EGR's are a known issue so no worries there.

Your best best is to seek the advice of SUK customer services. Didn't the car come with a Skoda Used Car Warranty?

Sorry Stu - I closed the second one and left the first - my practice in such cases.

Simon if the rack has been bent by a knock, it will try and centre itself at the bottom of the curve, whatever you do with the tracking - this might be the cause of the steering fault.

[tincanfabia]

OK so the RAC man was just out and he confirmed the car is drifting into the offside(right). He pointed out that the front wheel nearside was buckled and that was likely to be cause of not being able to get the tracking sorted for any length of time, this also goes with the subtle vinbrations i feel thro` the steering wheel. Also he advised the steering wheel is needing centred via the spline nut beneath it. He reckons the wheel that has a bend in the hub is THE issue and to replace it get the tracking done and if the steering wheel is not sorted then get adjusted after the tracking, currently it needs to be about 3 degrees to the left to go straight. RAC man advises car is in good shape once wheel is changed(spare is worse apparently.) All this still makes me think there could well be a bend in the rack?? So I`m off to get a wheel from a breaker, and another from Skoda to replace the spare and nearside, get it tracked and then hopefully all will be well, when SKoda re -align the steering wheel it should be as good as new.

IMPORTANT BIT.....St Andrews have called , I explained the RAC`s verdict they then advised they will do the steering wheel, and have a chat about how I feel about the service I have recieved. Sounds like they are going to listen and possibly try to do something to make me feel like I got the service you would EXPECT from a dealer like them. So its looking like its getting fixed and there is a possibility of getting something towards the cost of RAC inspection. Fingers crossed as I hate being a moaner. (believe it or not!!) cheers folks and if this is the resolution, I shall be quick to post how I was treated by the service manager at St Andrews (hopefully good stuff!!). They do have a reputation for being a good dealer, hence why I have felt so let down by them..... here goes I`m off to the breakers to see if this wheel is gonna do the trick. I`ll keep this all up to date if anyone has any other input or idea`s I`m extremely grateful for any input. Cheers All. simon

[Dmac1969]

I hope you get things sorted , good luck!

[Td-eye]

Then...

THE SERVICE MANAGER AT ST ANDREWS SKODA IS A VERY UNHELPFUL CHAP AND I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE. HE WONT SPEAK TO ME IN PUBLIC AND WONT ALLOW ME TO RECORD OUR CONVERSATIONS.

Now...

IMPORTANT BIT.....St Andrews have called , I explained the RAC`s verdict they then advised they will do the steering wheel, and have a chat about how I feel about the service I have recieved. Sounds like they are going to listen and possibly try to do something to make me feel like I got the service you would EXPECT from a dealer like them. So its looking like its getting fixed and there is a possibility of getting something towards the cost of RAC inspection. Fingers crossed as I hate being a moaner. (believe it or not!!) cheers folks and if this is the resolution, I shall be quick to post how I was treated by the service manager at St Andrews (hopefully good stuff!!). They do have a reputation for being a good dealer, hence why I have felt so let down by them..... here goes I`m off to the breakers to see if this wheel is gonna do the trick. I`ll keep this all up to date if anyone has any other input or idea`s I`m extremely grateful for any input. Cheers All. simon

Hmm, that's a bit of a change in attitude, now if I were a cynic I might wonder if they read Briskoda ?

[ric04vrs]

As for the four wheel alignment , fortunately I`m quite familiar with a branch manager of National Tyres and Exhausts they have a four wheel laser tracker alignment device and they cannot get it to settle. three times we tried today test driven after each time and they gave up saying there may be a fault with the rack. Kwik-Fit also advised this after checking tracking twice.

the RAC operative is correct that the tracking will never be right with a bent N/S/F wheel rim , but what would really concern me was that it has been allegedly tracked 5 times and no-one has picked up that it had a bent rim , one of the first things you do when you're using the laser alignment is do a wheel run-out check , this would have shown the bent rim , the vehicle sounds like it has been kerbed pretty hard maybe something else is bent also , track rod , steering knuckle or wishbone

[VRStu]

one of the first things you do when you're using the laser alignment is do a wheel run-out check

That's why I discarded that theory when I thought it was the console.

[Big A]

Hmm, that's a bit of a change in attitude, now if I were a cynic I might wonder if they read Briskoda ?

I think certain members of their staff do check on here now and again

[tincanfabia]

Me too.......!!!! This is well known site, if not the site for Skoda fans, It was this site that made me decide to chose Skoda and in particular "St Andrews"!!! Anyways, I actually took the car to a National Tyres and Exhausts place, as mentioned earlier. Those lads know customer service!!!!! they worked late on my car alone, even although they should have been heading home they took off all wheels balanced them and put the new rim on, hammered the spare into shape(perfectly) re balanced that, re tracked the car. Then they hung about whilst I went out and drove it to see if it was any better!!!!! these lads should have been home eating thier dinner!!!!Instead they are waiting for me to drive a few miles and come back and report what is happening. I ended up with the place shuttered down except for my little fabia and both mechanics working hard on it whilst dishing out orders to the younger trainee types. RESULT!!!! car goes in a straight line, little or no vibration. But the steering wheel does need to be held a little to the left, Hardest part was trying to pay National. They just did not seem to want any money as I had a tracking job done previous when fitting a new tyre. That car had been put on the ramp and tracked no less than 4 times in a couple of days I have paid for one!!!!!! All that is left is to see if St Andrews can make me feel this way......ie like a customer should!!!!! fingers crossed. Thanks all for listening in and all advice and cheer ups. All the best and safe driving to you all.

[tincanfabia]

Righto,

better post an update on this mad fiasco,

RAC inspection paperwork came in post yesterday, I called up St Andrews and advised of it`s content....On paper it advised " steering" "coolant loss" and "final road test all got an "x" unservicable,

Steering wheel needs to come off and be realigned during tracking, something I dont think they can do. They have no 4 wheel tracker? ( thier words ). I said "fix it fix it fix it"...... So I could have the RAC inspection re-done..polish it up,new tyres, two replaced rims,.....off to e bay. whilst it all works. They have however made a solid commmit to try to repair(coolant right thro to the dodgy leccy window switch).......I`d say thier trying a lot harder. However, I dont feel comfy at all posting the rest of any conversation had down there now...they are doing much better but keep managing to get me fairly upset, is all I can say just now. The manager is very much looking to swap vehicle...Only thing is we`re looking to buy something totally different. Summary...I used to enjoy driving, you know any excuse to get in the old VW Golf tdi and just go somewhere (far) now I hate everything about driving this car and its ruined all this years driving fun (and a load of fishing too). ...Any guess what they`ll do...1/refund??? (unlikely ;-) 2/ swap it for something whilst they are still pocketing a few hundred or more quid he he 3/ offer market value and auction it??? 4/fix it? 5/?

PS anyone who lost the will to live thro reading all this, I`m sorry and well, you deserved a better death.

[fatbob]

deleted

[tincanfabia]

Enthusiasts? Are you sure? I wonder if anyone from that dealership has lost any enthusiasm they had. I certainly have lost all enthusiasm in owning and driving a car. Transit van here I come. Just need to know how much its worth.

[fatbob]

deleted

[Husky]

sounds like you got a friday night job, had one of those, my skoda dealership is still trying to sell it 9 months later. im surprised they can start it up to demo it. i dont feel sorry for the dealers, they make alot of money doing what they do and if they want they can dump it in auction. and if your willing to buy a car in an auction without testing it you deserve it.

[veryRS]

I haven't had any trouble with St Andrews. I think I've had the usual series of issues with my Fabia and there's never been any problem with the dealership. Would go back to them without a second thought.