Just something I though I better make people aware of - don't know if its just my dealer that is doing this, but....

If you ask for one of your alloys to be replaced (i.e. peeling paint) the dealer may state that you will have to buy a new alloy first and then you will get refunded the difference once SUK have accepted the claim (if they do!). This is complete rubbish all you need to do is speak to SUK and state that you have a dodgy alloy - they will then ask you (or the dealer) to send in some pictures of the alloy which they will then inspect and make a desision on whether to replace them or not.

Was furious when the dealer told me I had to pay for something under warranty!

Which dealer? Name and shame mate. Name and shame.....

The dealer can send a pre repair approval to Skoda, they will either say yay or nay.

Sounds like the dealer couldnt be bothered to do this an would just wait to see if the claim would get thrown out or not.

I work at a garage that has the franchise of another manufacturer, when doing wheel claims we have to get prior authorisation by way of submitting a report and photos, we are basically told whether it is warrantable or not. If it is we have the customer in and do the job, if not they have the option of buying a new wheel, it's clear cut then.

As to refunding the difference, this seems a money making ploy by the dealer. Skoda will only pay cost plus maybe a percentage parts handling fee which will not bring it up to retail price, seems a bit fraudulent to me sellig the same part on two invoices. The first time at retail, the second time to Skoda and then issuing a partial credit for the first one.

Which dealer? Name and shame mate. Name and shame.....

Well they live close to me

The reason I was told they do it is because they had previously replaced alloys only for Skoda to turn around and not accept the replacement, thus the dealer got charged for it. However still annoys me that they don't just take a photo and send it to Skoda :confused:

I used to get the area technical guy to come have a look at them

Mind he was pretty fit

He then had the final say as to weather these was warranty or not

Mmmmm he was fine

Sarah

I used to get the area technical guy to come have a look at them

Mind he was pretty fit

He then had the final say as to weather these was warranty or not

Mmmmm he was fine

Sarah

lol, wasnt Brian Hales then (Hello Brian if your reading this).

lol, wasnt Brian Hales then (Hello Brian if your reading this).

Hey Lummox

No I was in a differnet area to you.....

Suppose it is a bad thing to put his full name , but his first was James mmmmm

Nice

How``s Lummox then?

Sarah

Well they live close to me

The reason I was told they do it is because they had previously replaced alloys only for Skoda to turn around and not accept the replacement, thus the dealer got charged for it. However still annoys me that they don't just take a photo and send it to Skoda :confused:

Reason I ask is that my car came from a certain Nottingham Skoda dealer......

As you'd expect, the sales service was fine. It's the stuff that comes after that tells all.

I also currently have corroding alloys (all 4) after less than 2 years and 18000 miles. 3 dealers came up with this same stunt you have to pay for replacements if skoda say no 2 wanted money up front 1 would send the wheels and I would have to pay if they were not replaced under warranty.

Issue is even if they said corrosion on the back edge of the spokes and around the valves on a set of un-marked wheels was my fault (though I can't see how it can be). Worst case senario I would have the wheels re-furbished which would be much cheaper.

I contacted SUK who gave the pretence of being helpful but rather than give the dealers a boot up the backside they suggest I try a different dealer! Eventually I have found one that does the sensible thing and takes photo's to send in, though I have not had a chance to get to them yet.

I do suspect that the problem is actually down to SUK it is only a guess but if dealers replace a customers alloy wheels with new ones and send the old ones to SUK if SUK make up some reason not to replace them it will cost the dealer a fortune.

At the end of the day the reason they corrode is because they are very poorly finished, on my wheels the back edge of all the spokes are very sharp and abrupt thus when laqured it will naturally thin over this area leaving the wheel with an inadequate level of protection from road material, heat and brake dust. What they really need is a smoothed bevelled edge to prevent this.

Its a shame really as they do look nice on the car.

On a similar note my front suspension has the creaks already a bush worn I suspect and the dealer tells me they are wear and tear items FFS SUK your supposed to have good customer service.

My fellow skoda owners and myself should not have to fight and trawl around dealers miles away to get items on our cars replaced that have failed because they were not fit for purpose.

SUK if you read these threads do something about it. Its not rocket science if you don't you will lose customers.

Rant over

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

A month ago and prior to me changing my 05 Fabia VRS to an Octavia VRS, I got fed up looking at the pitting and corrosion on the Fabia's alloys. Took it to Victoria Garage in Maud, Aberdeenshire and showed them. A week later they phoned me to advise to come in and have all four wheels changed with brand new alloys. If they can do it, all dealers can. First class service on a 30 month old car. So impressed, I didn't even think about going to another manufacturer. Skoda every time!!

I have noticed already that the Octavia's alloys are better quality, why oh why didn't they improve the quality of wheel on the Fabia. Too late now.

Do any of you have any photos you could post which shows the corrosion etc that Skoda have agreed to change.

My vrS has a couple of bits / bubbles on it but not sure if this is what has been covered by warranties?

Does the rest of the alloy need to be in mint condition for a claim to go through as I have some scrapes, kerbing etc on them but the corrosion, as mentioned above is in the inside where the spokes are razor sharp.

Any advice appreciated,

According to the Service Manager, Danny, Victoria Garage, Maud, Aberdeenshire, the key is showing the pits of corrosion inside edge of the spokes (beside the razor edge as you have described), as apposed to on the outside surface where they could be stone chips. Mine weren't that bad really, but like the rest of you I'm a fussy bugger. This said, I had no problem at all getting them changed. I took the car to them clean with the wheels as clean as I could get them. In addition the middle stickers were coming loose. Again no big deal, but it may of helped I suppose.

Re damage, both my front wheels had minor kerb scuffs (the wife I promise). These didn't factor in the decision at all.

Danny advised me that they have changed a few. He inspected the issue advising if he thought it was bad enough, as he had done in previous cars, Skoda would not reject the claim.

If anyone is experiencing difficuly having corroded wheels changed, I would let them know other dealers are pursuing and I certainly did not have to cough up any money at all at any time!!! Best of luck and let us know.

Finally ready to get mine replaced (albeit after nearly a month)!! Thanks for Chris @ SUK herehttp://www.briskoda.net/forums/fabia/praise-chris-suk/86293

Well further to the info on this thread, a few weeks ago took my vrS into Henry's Skoda in Glasgow as one of my alloys had the corrosion / lacquer bubbling. They took photos of it and emailed away to Skoda. Couple of weeks later I get a call that my wheel is in and to come in and get it changed.

After speaking to the Service Manager I was allowed to go in and collectthe wheel and take it home over the weekend so that I could apply some polish and Autoglym sealant to it.

Took it back into Henry's today to get the wheel changed over. When handing keys over, I asked if there was anything they could do to clean the seats as they were really dirty.

On collecting my car I find that not only have they washed the outside, but they have cleaned the seats and they are looking almost like new again! That as well as cleaning windows and hoovering the mats!

And not a single penny charged!

Henrys, thank you for exceptional service!

Like bobbyG , had no problem getting a new replacement alloy for my Feb 05 Furby vRS under warranty through Henry's Skoda, Glasgow.

Didn't get the seats cleaned though!