Can anyone recommend a dealer/garage for servicing in North Hertfordshire?

[patrickd]

Hello,

I'm based in N herts and looking for somewhere to get my Fabia serviced. I've been using MKG Motors in Stevenage for a while who have a been pretty good but i have a few persistant problems and as its next service is due i wondered if anyone could recommend somewhere else???

It doesn't have to be an authorised dealer, just someone who can be trusted and knows their way around a diesel engine

many thanks

[Fezboy]

I have used VagTech for all my cars and they do a very good job

[patrickd]

Thanks for the suggestion, I think they're a wee bit far away from me but I will check them out.

[mannyo]

There are not that many specialists in North Herts. I use MKG, but they are very convienient for me as they are within walking distance of home, and I know the staff there really well.

[bahnstormer vrs]

Hello,

..... have a been pretty good but i have a few persistant problems and as its next service is due i wondered if anyone could recommend somewhere else???

It doesn't have to be an authorised dealer, just someone who can be trusted and knows their way around a diesel engine

many thanks

What sort of problem have you got? Technical or relationship with dealer?

We are a bit tucked up for choice in N. Herts. I've used MKG from time to time to buy parts but not for servicing, they seem a friendly bunch who know what they are on about. If you have been getting on with them OK and it is a Technical problem then I'd stay with them and persist for them to get it right.

Alternatives perhaps are Progress Skoda in Bedford (A1 side of the town) and they are due to be opening a second dealership in Letchworth soon (but I think not yet).

[patrickd]

Thanks for all the responses.

I have a Fabia SDI which has developed a a strange metallic whining at high revs or when it's under strain. As you can probably tell I'm not that technically literate and as I have no idea what the problem could be I find it hard to explain to the dealer what is going on. I've always found MKG decent enough to deal with but this problem is only really apparent when you drive the car and they seem reluctant to ever take it out for a test run. i did persuade them once to run it around the block when there was a problem with the rear wheel bearings but this would require a longer run at higher speed and I'm not convinced they will do that. I just thought a fresh approach might help but if there are no other candidates that stand out in people's minds then i suppose I'll stick with MKG. either that or take it to the local dealer up in Bolton where my girlfriend lives. They seem pretty decent and a wee bit cheaper, just 200 miles away.

Incidently, if anyone has any idea what that whine under the bonnet might be I'd be grateful for suggestions. MKG changed the cambelt about 9000 miles ago but thats the only major work on the engine and performance/ economy are no worse than usual.

Many thanks

[bahnstormer vrs]

Is the whining road speed related (wheel bearing, gearbox bearing, perhaps) or engine speed related (cambelt, water pump, altenator bearing, perhaps)?

How long have you had it? Before, after or since the cambelt change?

A good idea with this sort of problem is to get a mechanic or the service manager to come out on a 'test drive' with you to experience the problem. You can then make sure he/she knows what it sounds like.

Sods law will, of course, dictate that on this test - all is quite!!!

[patrickd]

The noise seems to be speed related but sounds as if its coming from the engine bay.

It's been there since the cambelt was changed and I did take it back to the dealers a couple of times because the engine seemed more noisy and fuel economy dipped a bit but they tested it on 2 occasions and said that they could find nothing wrong. hence my reluctance to return to MKG and try to explain the whining. I think they're pretty geniune but I do wonder if they put the cambelt on correctly or if they are qualified to identify subtle stuff like the causes of engine whines.

havaing said all that, tghe perfoemance seems about the same and economy is around normal again. It just doesn't sound healthy

[matt_theforce]

I have to say that I never had a problem with MKG when I lived in Hertfordshire. I know of another garage who I would recommend to anyone, when I last used them they were a Ford specialist but were more than happy to work on anything and quite often did jobs on my vrs.

St.Albans Car Clinic - SCCPerformance.com

My wife and I have used SCC Performance from the Day that PTS Tuning moved from St Albans to Luton and their Chief mechanic Rob Oldman decided to setup on his own as SCC Performance.

[neilwilliams]

Alternatives perhaps are Progress Skoda in Bedford (A1 side of the town) and they are due to be opening a second dealership in Letchworth soon (but I think not yet).

They were advertising in some of the local press at the end of last week so I think they might be open. The address given was Works Road in Letchworth.

Having just checked the Skoda website (thought it might be a good idea before submitting the reply!) they are now listing on the site:

Address:WORKS ROAD

GB - LETCHWORTH SG6 1JUTel:01462 676999Fax:01462 674100

[VRS195]

Progress Letchworth is now open.