Well my vRS reached 60 k Miles and today it went in for a service.

I expected around £400 for service & cam belt change, went to pick up car and had to sit down.

£525 :( - as the water pump was noisy, so they replaced it with a new one.

I was very surprised that they had to remove the water pump in oder to do the belt, and so they decided to save me a return journey and another 2+hr expense and replace.

The way I see it is that done now, so that is new belt, new water pump, and a new clutch 20K miles ago.

Comments?

Shall we expect to see a slightly used Kidney on eBay soon then??

I agree that if the water pump was noisy it should be changed while the cam belt is off anyway.

But....in the garage I run, if extra work is required that will add to the cost of the job I would contact the customer to get authorisation BEFORE doing it, not hand over a larger bill and justify it AFTER the job has been completed!

Damn right David!

I would be extremely unimpressed if they had told me a price and then hand me a bill for way more without calling me to let me know the situation first.

For all they know, you might not be able to afford a new water pump (or whatever it mey be)!

Just my 2p worth anyway!

Joe

Just a question.... How do you know they have changed it?

That is what I asked myself when I had the Fabia Tdi 100...

Some people advise changing the pump with the belt as a matter of course. However, they should have got your permission first.

Just a question.... How do you know they have changed it?

That is what I asked myself when I had the Fabia Tdi 100...

My old service garage used to put all the old replaced parts in a heavy duty plastic bag in the boot, you could then take them home, or ask them to ditch them for you (best to take home and then ditch, then they can not give the same replaced parts to the next customer )

I was going to say, a reputable dealer would not risk their reputation on it

Though what I have seen done, has blown that out of the window

The only person you can trust is "yourself" and if you are unable to do the job then you have to place that trust with others

Again my old service garage, I could pop in with a small fault, blown headlamp lamp, faulty wiper blade, lost filler cap, and they would do the job whilst I waited

the cost would be parts only added to my regular service bill later in the year

Today my service dealer I find guilty of sharp practice (allegedly) IMHO

SKODA XXXXXXXX @ XXXX

Sir we are needing to see your vehicle as soon as possible for possible work

(oh eck a recall) if you could bring in at your earliest convenience etc we will

proceed with the work

Small print, we can do your oil service and quick winter check for £xx only whilst this special winter offer lasts Yeah RIGHT :thumbdwn:

National

I was going to say, a reputable dealer would not risk their reputation on it

Though what I have seen done, has blown that out of the window

The only person you can trust is "yourself" and if you are unable to do the job then you have to place that trust with others

Again my old service garage, I could pop in with a small fault, blown headlamp lamp, faulty wiper blade, lost filler cap, and they would do the job whilst I waited

the cost would be parts only added to my regular service bill later in the year

Today my service dealer I find guilty of sharp practice (allegedly) IMHO

Same here I would trust my independant with my life because I know he will tell me it straight and how it is.

He also does the small jobs for nothing if I pop in but this prob explains why on the very odd occasion I get the odd bill which seems a few pounds more.

The trick is finidng someone you trust at a reasonable price.

My car got looked at by the skoda dealership and I still took it to him the next day because I wasn't convinced.

I didn't feel Skoda had given me a good enough explanation and knew he would tell me in simple terms if they were right or wrong.

The price sounds about par for the course and a lot of people recommend changing the water pump (especially if cars have been breathed on) because the OEM one has a plastic impeller which can break and cause ££££s of damage. Do you know if they replaced it with another OEM one or with one with a metal impeller?

Chris

I agree that they should have phoned me before doing the work, and couldnt get an answer as to why they didnt when I asked. :(

I was miffed that it was additional expense as there is an irritating rattle that I wanted to get sorted, but already expecting around 450 for this work, I told them I was going to leave the noise till after xmas

I do actually trust my local Skoda dealer as they have been honest in the past, the mechs guys have been there as long as I have had Skodas, 3 of them now in 10 years.

Thanks for the tip Chris, I will get an answer about the impeller blades tomorrow.

Hmmm did you specifically ask for the belt to be changed at 60K? Don't think it's officially due until 80K...

Hmmm did you specifically ask for the belt to be changed at 60K? Don't think it's officially due until 80K...

Current Skoda/VAG guidance is now 60k or 4 years whichever is sooner...

Chris

Well Steve mines up for its 60K too. I was aiming for around £550. Well least it'll last another 60K

Well my vRS reached 60 k Miles and today it went in for a service.

I expected around £400 for service & cam belt change, went to pick up car and had to sit down.

£525 :( - as the water pump was noisy, so they replaced it with a new one.

I was very surprised that they had to remove the water pump in oder to do the belt, and so they decided to save me a return journey and another 2+hr expense and replace.

The way I see it is that done now, so that is new belt, new water pump, and a new clutch 20K miles ago.

Comments?

i thought most water pumps are driven off the main belt? i would always get my water pump done at the same time as the cam belt as if the pump goes so can your engine. but as everyones saying you could refuse to pay for the extra work as you havent asked them to do it or been contacted to have been asked. but if they are usually honest then its probably not worth the hassle of peeing them off

at least your dealer replaced yours, when vx did my cambelt they left the noisey pump, even though THEY recommend changing it at the 80k belt change! i had to pay them to do the whole job again 3 weeks after as you cant reuse the belt

At my 30k service my dealer advised that the belt would need changing at 40k as the car will be 4 years old by then. They also stated that they order a water pump anyway so that it's in stock ready to replace if required. They advised budgeting for circa £400 for the service and belt change + water pump part price if required.