Car Recommendations

[Lord Tyrion]

Out of interest, how are Skoda main dealers for service and aftercare. I've had a Golf from new for the last 5 years and VW have been pretty dismal. Basically the same car with the same issues. Wondering how your experiences have worked out.

I've had a Superb for 4 years now. Never given me any trouble so I have not exactly stretched my dealer. Saying that they have a good reputation locally so I hope they would have stepped up if required.

I have found dealers really can vary from site to site but Skoda had to work hard to gain the confidence of customers and I think that is still ingrained in the company and its dealers. This may be perception above fact but that has been my experience. Bascially, a thumbs up..

In terms of servicing costs, they are okay, an oil service every 9k or so, full service around 18k. Prices not excessive, they may even be fixed price across the network but I would not swear to that.

 

[BiMGuy]

Out of interest, how are Skoda main dealers for service and aftercare. I've had a Golf from new for the last 5 years and VW have been pretty dismal. Basically the same car with the same issues. Wondering how your experiences have worked out.

I tend not to use main dealers as they can be very expensive compared to a trusted independent specialist. Plus I have had some shambolic service from some of them in the past. Volvo and BMW being the worst for aftercare.

VW and Citroën were by far the worst when trying to buy.

The wife has taken her Octavia in to skoda for servicing a few times when there was a local franchise. They were been fine, but expensive.

 

[RichA]

Thanks. Only recently discovered a local indie, who will now take care of the Golf.
Twice it's come back from its annual main dealer service with advice like, "It's due a brake fluid change" and "new discs and pads needed," without bothering to actually do it.
They don't publish the service schedule but expect the customer to know what needs doing when they book it in. The last service identified a faulty coolant pump. They didn't have one in stock. I found the indie who had several on the shelf because,"they're always failing."
Shame, because it's a terrific car.

 

[Mandofred]

Pssst...again....Suzuki Vitara....auto trans.....just so easy to drive.

 

[stefanovic]

Are you allowed to park a Skoda or Suzuki in your golf club car park?

 

[GB72]

Are you allowed to park a Skoda or Suzuki in your golf club car park?

Not a member currently and would never be a member of a club that made any form of judgement on the car you drive.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Are you allowed to park a Skoda or Suzuki in your golf club car park?

I've parked my Skoda in 5 top 100 course car parks and only been asked to move it to the main road at 3 of those .

In reality, those days are thankfully long gone.

 

[Robster59]

Out of interest, how are Skoda main dealers for service and aftercare. I've had a Golf from new for the last 5 years and VW have been pretty dismal. Basically the same car with the same issues. Wondering how your experiences have worked out.

I've had mine serviced at our local dealer who have been excellent. And if you check them they can offer some decent deals.

 

[sunshine]

I've parked my Skoda in 5 top 100 course car parks and only been asked to move it to the main road at 3 of those .

In reality, those days are thankfully long gone.

Small sample size. You’ve got a long way to go to visit all the top 100 golf course car parks.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Small sample size. You’ve got a long way to go to visit all the top 100 golf course car parks.

If I could afford to play all of those 100 I'd be driving a more expensive car in the first place ?. Then again, after all of those high end green fees perhaps I'd be catching the bus ?

 

[sunshine]

If I could afford to play all of those 100 I'd be driving a more expensive car in the first place ?. Then again, after all of those high end green fees perhaps I'd be catching the bus ?

You don't need to play all the courses, that would be far too expensive. Just visit the car park and write a review on golf monthly

 

[Slime]

If I could afford to play all of those 100 I'd be driving a more expensive car in the first place ?. Then again, after all of those high end green fees perhaps I'd be catching the bus ?

If I could afford to play all top 100 courses I'd buy a beaten up old Escort van just to see the looks on their faces!

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Thanks. Only recently discovered a local indie, who will now take care of the Golf.
Twice it's come back from its annual main dealer service with advice like, "It's due a brake fluid change" and "new discs and pads needed," without bothering to actually do it.
They don't publish the service schedule but expect the customer to know what needs doing when they book it in. The last service identified a faulty coolant pump. They didn't have one in stock. I found the indie who had several on the shelf because,"they're always failing."
Shame, because it's a terrific car.

Sadly VW Financial services (who administer all the VW group warranties) are the problem and pin all the dealers down to very strict processes. The days of the small dealership are gone, and it's all multi brand chain dealerships with gym palaces for showrooms. However no matter what the EU may say, not using a main dealer for anything other than using a toilet will make it a challenge to get any warranty work done.

 

[KenL]

Are you allowed to park a Skoda or Suzuki in your golf club car park?

???????

 

[KenL]

Sadly VW Financial services (who administer all the VW group warranties) are the problem and pin all the dealers down to very strict processes. The days of the small dealership are gone, and it's all multi brand chain dealerships with gym palaces for showrooms. However no matter what the EU may say, not using a main dealer for anything other than using a toilet will make it a challenge to get any warranty work done.

Any evidence of that?

 

[Smiffy]

However no matter what the EU may say, not using a main dealer for anything other than using a toilet will make it a challenge to get any warranty work done.

Incorrect. Although all manufacturers recommend that you use their dealer network for servicing, they cannot enforce it. As long as you have your servicing carried out at the correct intervals, using manufacturers parts, keep your invoices and can prove it's been done, your warranty is still good to go. The only thing the manufacturer will not do is get involved with a dispute between you and a non franchised garage. That's down to you, and a chance you take.

But I've said it before, and I'll say it again...... using a non franchise garage for servicing on a new car to save a few bob is false economy. What you "save" by going to Joe Bloggs auto's will be countered by how much less you will be offered for your car in part exchange when it comes to trade in time. A used car with a fully stamped service book by an franchised dealer will command a higher price on the forecourt than one full of "Kwik Fit" stamps. And this will be reflected in it's value. Guaranteed.
In the case of the perceived "quality" marques, (mainly German), non franchised dealers stamps in the service book will prevent that car even making the dealers used car forecourt. This will be reflected in your part exchange valuation. So the £500.00 you saved over three years has just been wiped out by the £1,000.00 less you've just been offered for your car.

 

[BiMGuy]

Incorrect. Although all manufacturers recommend that you use their dealer network for servicing, they cannot enforce it. As long as you have your servicing carried out at the correct intervals, using manufacturers parts, keep your invoices and can prove it's been done, your warranty is still good to go. The only thing the manufacturer will not do is get involved with a dispute between you and a non franchised garage. That's down to you, and a chance you take.

But I've said it before, and I'll say it again...... using a non franchise garage for servicing on a new car to save a few bob is false economy. What you "save" by going to Joe Bloggs auto's will be countered by how much less you will be offered for your car in part exchange when it comes to trade in time. A used car with a fully stamped service book by an franchised dealer will command a higher price on the forecourt than one full of "Kwik Fit" stamps. And this will be reflected in it's value. Guaranteed.
In the case of the perceived "quality" marques, (mainly German), non franchised dealers stamps in the service book will prevent that car even making the dealers used car forecourt. This will be reflected in your part exchange valuation. So the £500.00 you saved over three years has just been wiped out by the £1,000.00 less you've just been offered for your car.

Why is that? Because main dealers creating those conditions? Therefore frightening people who don't know any better into using them for servicing.

I veiw things slightly differently. When I have bought performance cars second hand in the past, I have looked for ones with a service history carried out by independent specialists.

My current car had its first couple of services at BMW, as they were included with the purchase. But since then I've taken it to a local specialist who uses the same parts as BMW. My last service, which also needed the breaks doing was £800 cheaper then BMW quoted.

I wouldn't touch any car that had been serviced at kwikfit or Halfords.

 

[Smiffy]

Why is that? Because main dealers creating those conditions?

No. Customers are.
If you were buying a 3 year old BMW/Audi/VW/Merc wouldn't you prefer to buy one with full dealer service history?
If not, trust me............... you are in the minority.

 

[KenL]

Incorrect. Although all manufacturers recommend that you use their dealer network for servicing, they cannot enforce it. As long as you have your servicing carried out at the correct intervals, using manufacturers parts, keep your invoices and can prove it's been done, your warranty is still good to go. The only thing the manufacturer will not do is get involved with a dispute between you and a non franchised garage. That's down to you, and a chance you take.

But I've said it before, and I'll say it again...... using a non franchise garage for servicing on a new car to save a few bob is false economy. What you "save" by going to Joe Bloggs auto's will be countered by how much less you will be offered for your car in part exchange when it comes to trade in time. A used car with a fully stamped service book by an franchised dealer will command a higher price on the forecourt than one full of "Kwik Fit" stamps. And this will be reflected in it's value. Guaranteed.
In the case of the perceived "quality" marques, (mainly German), non franchised dealers stamps in the service book will prevent that car even making the dealers used car forecourt. This will be reflected in your part exchange valuation. So the £500.00 you saved over three years has just been wiped out by the £1,000.00 less you've just been offered for your car.

In my experience (about 8 brand new cars in the last 20 years), I can't really recall any dealer asking me if my car had a full dealer service history when valuing my trade in. They are mainly interested in selling the next car.

 

[Smiffy]

In my experience (about 8 brand new cars in the last 20 years), I can't really recall any dealer asking me if my car had a full dealer service history when valuing my trade in.

Then I would say they are not doing their job properly Ken.
One of the first questions we ask when appraising a car for part exchange.
I need to know if we are going to be re-selling the car from the forecourt, or trading it.
No service history?? It won't be going on the forecourt.
I've been doing the job for 35 years and cannot remember not asking about it.
Maybe if the car was a 25 year old wreck that was only worth £100.00 then I guess it doesn't matter.
But something with a retail future??? We'd need to know mate.