Hi all,

Can anyone recommend a Skoda specialist near Milton Keynes. I had the last service done at Pillings and have been left a bit confused.

I specifically asked about whether cambelt change was needed (2000 W reg 1.4 16v manual, 20k miles) and they inspected the car and said no - but a search here suggests a change is overdue.

They also advised me that the front anti-roll bar bushes were worn and so the whole anti-roll bar needed replacement. They also said the brake needed replacment. All this suprised me as it had just passed an MOT test.

Any suggestions :confused:

VW Kettering is worth considering - they did a fine job on mine Fabia (vRS)

Auto PS might be able to help you as well, they are in Brackley, not sure if this is too far to travel but they are friendly, use OEM parts and have lower labour rates which looks good.

As for it needing brake pads - this is quite possible, although you may have a few thousand miles left for example. It would have passed the MOT as still sufficient to pass test, but might not last you the year. I'd give them a call, just to check.

APS number is 01280-840491

I presume your car is still on the original cambelt? If so, then it needs replacing. Skoda say that all cambelts should be changed every 4 years. 6 years is pushing your luck in my opinion (regardless of mileage).

By the way, you can't inspect a cambelt as such. By the time wear is noticeable it's normally too late.

I used AutoHaus at Kettering, totally recommended.

If Peterborogh isnt to far try Jabbasport, they will service cars & are cheaper than the main dealers as well as probably better

1.They also advised me that the front anti-roll bar bushes were worn and so the whole anti-roll bar needed replacement.

Not unusual, the collars come off the arb meaning it can move side to side. Not technically an MOT failure and can be mssed by some (Pillings would not have done the MOT).

They also said the brake needed replacment. All this suprised me as it had just passed an MOT test.

As above, unles they were dangerously corroded or very low they wont be an MOT failure as long as the efficiency is fine.

Any suggestions :confused:

...

Another vote for APS - VW Audi vehicle servicing and performance tuning ask for Andy and say Phil sent you........

Phil

AMD are in Bicester.

There number is on here somewhere.

AMD are in Bicester.

There number is on here somewhere.

Yes but three of their ex employees now run APS

Phil:cool:

just to follow this up, anyone know... again specialists in MK? Or any recommendations on nearby places with regards to doing mods e.g. exhausts, dampers, ARBs etc.

Indetech - Run by three of my ex workmates. They are in Bletchley.

VAGtech in Soulbury, just outside Leighton Buzzard - sorted my car a treat!

VAGtech in Soulbury, just outside Leighton Buzzard - sorted my car a treat!

When did they do that?

Ooh - 3 weeks ago?

Ahh ok then.

A few of the staff have left there recently. Greig who did the majority of the work there has now left and set up TotalVAG (also in Leighton Buzzard).

Yeah, it's very incestuous round these parts in't it! It was a toss-up between the two but I had a personal recommendation for VAGtech by a friend at work who gets his Leon Cupra done there, and they didn't disappoint.

There are a fair few independants setting up in the area and unsuprisingly I have worked with a fair few of them.

Indetech

TotalVAG

APS

Vagtech

They all contain or at least did contain old workmates. Not much hope of setting up on my own aroudn these parts, competition is fierce.

just to follow this up, anyone know... again specialists in MK? Or any recommendations on nearby places with regards to doing mods e.g. exhausts, dampers, ARBs etc.

Jabbasport isnt too far & worth the trek

Have you owned the Fabia since new? If not , could the cambelt have been changed by a previous owner at either 4 or 6 years? As your car is W reg , it should be coming up for its 2nd cambelt @ 8 yrs old , IIRC Skoda now specifies 4 years/40,000miles between belt changes , but when your car was new it was 6 yrs/60,000 miles I belive it was revised around 2004 (ish?)

Have you owned the Fabia since new? If not , could the cambelt have been changed by a previous owner at either 4 or 6 years? As your car is W reg , it should be coming up for its 2nd cambelt @ 8 yrs old , IIRC Skoda now specifies 4 years/40,000miles between belt changes , but when your car was new it was 6 yrs/60,000 miles I belive it was revised around 2004 (ish?)

I would have hoped its been done by now, thread was started in Jan 07

Oops , I never look at the dates of threads!

I'd vote for TotalVAG in Leighton Buzzard. Used them just under 2 weeks ago and I'm definately taking it back to them for any more work.

Ahh ok then.

A few of the staff have left there recently. Greig who did the majority of the work there has now left and set up TotalVAG (also in Leighton Buzzard).

I have always followed Greig around, he has always sorted any of my issues serviced my cars, now running with Leigh and Charlie has a great work force at totalvag i wouldn't go anywhere else. Friendly good mechanics are hard to find. Having 3 in the same place is amazing! Plus there building 2 24 hour 1.9pd race cars for a customer!

Total VAG Ltd :: Independent VW AUDI SEAT SKODA Specialists in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. to have alook at there site details etc