Just comng up to third year service (only 15K ) for my Fabia vRS and wondering where to take it. I live in SE London - any particular recommendations or places to avoid? Or maybe even take it to my friendly neighbourhood non-Skoda garage?Thanks....

Hello. I think there are only two main Skoda dealers actually in SE London, though if you have a look in the dealer reviews section, I believe there some further afield.

Saunders Abbot, 180 Halfway Street. Sidcup DA15 8DJ. 020 8300 2450

Formerly Sidcup Auto Centre and not sure if exclusively Skoda now, but tend to carry a fair stock of Skoda parts. Never had any problems with them and they are very professional. They will sometimes lend you a car, though it's not part of the deal, so perhaps ask when you book to see if they might have one available for your date.

Elmside Garage, 35/37 Upper Elmers End Road, Beckenham BR3 3QY. 020 8289 1846

Never had any problems with service from these people either, although I've found Saunders Abbot to be slightly more friendly and on the ball.

Both are expensive for repair work, IMO, though probably the same standard pricing for service.

Volkspares in Newlands Park, Sydenham, SE26. 020 8778 7766

Used to be very expensive when exclusive to VW, though now service all makes and seem to be more competitive on pricing than they used to be. Specific parts seem to need to be ordered, so might mean two trips or a holdover in the garage. Again, I've no problems with work they've done.

All three are busy, so check whether a month or so's lead in time might apply to get a booking.

Hope that helps.

Might be an idea to ask for notice during a Skoda service before proceeding with any repair work and see if that could be done cheaper elsewhere? Might be an idea to plan in advance though in case you overrun your MOT date from having to re-book.

Can't say about independents as my 8V is likely to be rather less complicated than a VRS

Regards

Mo

Hi - Thanks VERY much for all that - must have taken you quite a few minutes, and it is very helpful. I'll phone round and get some quotes, also from the dealer I bought the car from, H L Austin in Wandsworth. I'll let you know how I get on - thanks again.

BW,

Chris

Hello. I think there are only two main Skoda dealers actually in SE London, though if you have a look in the dealer reviews section, I believe there some further afield.

Saunders Abbot, 180 Halfway Street. Sidcup DA15 8DJ. 020 8300 2450

Formerly Sidcup Auto Centre and not sure if exclusively Skoda now, but tend to carry a fair stock of Skoda parts. Never had any problems with them and they are very professional. They will sometimes lend you a car, though it's not part of the deal, so perhaps ask when you book to see if they might have one available for your date.

Elmside Garage, 35/37 Upper Elmers End Road, Beckenham BR3 3QY. 020 8289 1846

Never had any problems with service from these people either, although I've found Saunders Abbot to be slightly more friendly and on the ball.

Both are expensive for repair work, IMO, though probably the same standard pricing for service.

Volkspares in Newlands Park, Sydenham, SE26. 020 8778 7766

Used to be very expensive when exclusive to VW, though now service all makes and seem to be more competitive on pricing than they used to be. Specific parts seem to need to be ordered, so might mean two trips or a holdover in the garage. Again, I've no problems with work they've done.

All three are busy, so check whether a month or so's lead in time might apply to get a booking.

Hope that helps.

Might be an idea to ask for notice during a Skoda service before proceeding with any repair work and see if that could be done cheaper elsewhere? Might be an idea to plan in advance though in case you overrun your MOT date from having to re-book.

Can't say about independents as my 8V is likely to be rather less complicated than a VRS

Regards

Mo

Le Car Centre's (service and sales) are both very good. Give them a call and get some prices

In the end went back to the dealer I bought the car from, HL Austin in Wandsworth, because they were prepared to fetch and drop it off afterwards, which no one else was. Excellent service, they repaired a niggling window fault with free parts from Skoda even though the car was over two months out of warranty, and the car is going even better than when I bought it a year ago. Very impressed.