Octavia Vrs only 470mls and Breaksdown

[MJMuch]

Bit of a tale,

Picked up new Octavia Vrs 5th October well impressed, 16th October 6.00pm driving home car brokedown (lack of power turbo gasping for air), 470mls on the clock. Phoned the Dealer, Specialist Cars Aberdeen told couldn't help phone Skoda assist. Drove home (slowly) phoned Skoda assist 6.30pm, told RAC would be about an hour, received call saying no RAC available local Mechanic would attend. Mechanic from Argyle Garage Huntly turned up at 8.30pm. Mechanic removed protective cover from underneath the engine and pushed hose back in for Turbo (driver side not sure what hose but level drivers side wheel right at the bottom), cover re-instated. Drove car up the road and off it popped again. Mechanic tells me car will have to go to Specialist cars and he would pick it up at 9.00am to-morrow (17th October). Phone Skoda Assist at 9.30pm to update them and sort out transport for myself for the next day, told " no problem, will call back shortly and arrange transport either car hire or Taxi to Aberdeen" - No one called back.

Next morning 7-15am conned my wife into taking me to Aberdeen (30mls away) on the way a Van comming the other way decides to turn right about 5yds in front of us and we have a large shunt and my wife's car (Audi TT roadster) is cratered and the Van hits another two cars whilst sliding up the junction on it's side. Were both taken to A&E in an ambulance, I get out at 11-30am and phone Specialist Car Brand Manager (Skoda/Seat) and eplain what's happened and I still need a replacement car, he tells me it's not his probem and I should phone Skoda Assist. I call Skoda assist and they say they will call me back (just like the night before), my son takes me Specialst Car so I can wait it out.

When I get there they tell me my car has been repaired and is ready so of I go heading for home to get some things for my wife who is still in Hospital. Skoad Assist call me on the way home to arrange a car hire ( to late now) I tell them I have the Vrs back and now don't need it. About 1/2mls from my home guess what? yes, were gasping for air again. Phone Skoad Assist and this time an RAC man arrives dosn't bother try to fix but takes it away to Specialist Cars. Phone Skoda assist and eventually get a hire car ( Skoda Diesel Est _ couldn't pull your socks off) for 48 hrs.

Friday afterenoon (19th October) arrives (2.30pm) and I havn't heard anything form anyone, so I call the Car Hire Company to find out when they expect the car back, they tell me 6.00pm. I now call Skoda Assist and ask what's going on they tell me to call the Dealer.

Call Specialist Cars they tell me they have now had to order parts and they are on back order and can't tell me when they will arrive. I phone Skoda Customer Services they tell me I can keep the car until the Vrs is ready. I tell them they can keep their hire car and their Vrs, they tell me to put it in writing to the dealer. I have now delivered a letter to Specialist cars telling basically to keep the car and I want my money back under the Sale of Good s Act 1979.

I have been running two cars ( all sorts of makes and sizes) for over 30 years and can state that in all that time Skoda Customer Service, Skoda Assist and Specialist Cars are by far the worst Group of individuals I have had the displeasure to deal with.

If Skoda assist had kept to their contract by providing me with transport then my wife would not be in Hospital and her car would not be a write off.

PS Going on Holiday Tuesday if my wifes gets out of Hospital and is able to travel on a plane.

[G.K.]

What an absolute nightmare!! You are dead right returning your keys. Specialist cars are part of the John clark group and in my opinion John Clark himself should hear about this and heads should roll. My brother runs an elderly BMW here in Perthshire and JC's in Dundee have kept him mobile way beyond what could reasonably be expected from any dealership. That is how they built their reputation.

[djgritt]

This sounds like exactly the same trouble i had from Skoda's Customer Support and Assist schemes.

However, i havent been able to give my car back, its been bought via a lease company.

But, i know what you are saying about Customer Service, it does seem appauling... Good luck with it all though!

[andy2407]

I thought the Skoda Assist was administered on their behalf by the RAC.

Not that this is an excuse for poor service.

Anyway hope you and your wife both make a full recovery.

[DaveO]

MJMuch,

I drive through that junction everyday and saw that accident. At the time I thought 'how on earth' as I drove right past the the nose of the van (on to Skene) directed by the policeman of course.

I hope that you are both alright and your wife makes a full recovery! It honestly looked like the sort of accident where it might have been touch and go for someone:thumbdwn:

I guess that you were the silver/grey TT over on the verge as I went past. Looked pretty mangled.

Spec Cars in are useless - I went 450miles just to not use them and am very happy with it all at the moment!

Dave

[Gluck202]

Well. It really does no sound good. They should give you immediately new car. If something like that could happened in my coutry, the dealer be finished. Because we have many dealers in all area, and everyone needs many happy customers. Send letter to main office Skoda UK. It should not happened anymore. Hope that your wife will allright soon.

[Skoda-Msport]

I have been running two cars ( all sorts of makes and sizes) for over 30 years and can state that in all that time Skoda Customer Service, Skoda Assist and Specialist Cars are by far the worst Group of individuals I have had the displeasure to deal with.

If you read other forums such as Peugeot, Renault and VW people complain and have had similar experiences to you. It shouldnt really be indicative of the brand as a whole, maybe its just a management problem or a select few people.

[VRSPhil]

I hope your wife is ok to go home soon :(

[motr]

Jesus. So sorry to read all that. I bet you never want to see a Skoda car again eh and who would blame you.

Truly hope your wife is ok and that you can have, at the very least, an enjoyable holiday.

Shocking.

I wonder how many more Skoda dealers are there to avoid. We should have a list of shame dealers.

[Tom_vRS]

Blimey!!! Thats quite some episode.

I really do feel for you, what a terrible set of circumstances.

Fingers crossed the rejection goes through OK. I'd get some legal advise, because for starters you need to stop using the car. CAB will be useful.

Good luck with it all, and I sincerely hope your wife recovers quickly.

[ap0gee1978]

MJMuch,

Sorry to read of your troubles - like everyone else, I hope your wife makes a full recovery very soon.

I've posted this link regarding rejecting cars a few times in the last few weeks - a shame I think, as neither my wife nor I have had any problems with our Skodas... All the same, I hope everything gets sorted to your satisfaction...