All i want is a service...

birchy · 11-04-2008, 18:45

My octy vRS is due it's first service as it's 12 months old. So last Friday, i googled my local Skoda dealer which turned out to be Bay Horse Motors in Hereford which was no surprise considering i live in Hereford. It was 4.33pm and the website says they're open for servicing 8.30am til 6-00pm, so i phone them. After about 3 minutes of ringing, a bloke finally answers and tells me "sorry mate, servicing have gone home, i'll get them to ring you tomorrow morning". Hmmm, seemed odd that they'd finished an hour and a half early but hey-ho, it was a Friday so i can't blame them. Saturday came and went....no phone call. Monday i phone them again at about 2.30pm. This time, i get transferred to "Service" but the phone rang and rang and rang until i got p'd off of waiting (which was best part of 5 mins). An hour or so later, i ring AGAIN. Servicing is currently busy and "i'll get them to ring you when they get a moment". I went to work and started my night shift at 6pm - and still no phone call.

Jeeeeez, is THIS what i can expect for owning a Skoda? The best bit is that after THREE phone calls, i still don't know how much a service will cost or when it can be done. So now i'm stuck between a rock and a hard place - i want the Skoda service stamp in my book but Bay Horse Motors seem to be a bunch of *********.

What do i do now? Take it to South Hereford VW??

Babs · 11-04-2008, 18:45

Come to Capitol in Newport

dstev2000 · 11-04-2008, 18:49

Oh dear..............

Is there another Skoda dealer you can try?

The standard of Skoda dealerships is very hit and miss but they aren't all bad.

Bear in mind it could be something as simple as the service manager being on holiday/ill or whatever meaning things are a bit chaotic at the moment. I know this isn't your problem but it's worth considering.

Either that or stop by and ask to speak to the top bod and air your views.

birchy · 11-04-2008, 19:04

Well i'm trying to find out what their reputation is like, but i've asked around the locals but nobody seems to have dealt with them. That could well be advice in itself.

The car's only done 1200 miles so i can't imagine the service being much more than an oil + filter change. The quesion is, do i HAVE to take it to a Skoda agent? The garage i used to take my BMW to have always been excellent but will the absence of a dealer stamp reduce the value?

auroan · 11-04-2008, 19:23

So long as the garage is VAT registered you can take the car anywhere with out the warrenty being voided

Tom_vRS · 11-04-2008, 19:26

Auoran is correct - block exemption means you can use any VAT registered garage as long as they use genuine parts your warranty remains intact.

However, theres a lot to be said for building up a rappor with a dealer. Also, Skoda have been known to repair faults out of warranty as a good will gesture, but this would only apply if you had a full Skoda history etc etc.

dstev2000 · 11-04-2008, 19:28

Indy servicing is OK but you can miss out on technical service bulletins and ECU updates which the main dealer will be privvy to.

This thread makes for a good read:

http://briskoda.net/forums/general-c...vicing/102213/

fordfan · 11-04-2008, 19:35

You may well find that your Octavia wouldn't be due for a service until it is around two years old. Have a look in your service book at the data sticker, if there is an entry saying QG1, it will be on variable servicing. When it is due for a service it will say on the dash display. Any oil to ups between services must be done with the correct oil, I think that the current one is VW 507.00.

birchy · 11-04-2008, 22:25

fordfan yeah, i'm on variable services but first service is due after 10k or 12 months and the spanner has appeared on the dash.

I actually WANT to use a Skoda service agent but if Bay Horse can't even organise their customer service department, how can i trust them to start changing bits on my car?

dstev2000 · 11-04-2008, 22:34

Our vRS is a QG1 but has been dealer set to a fixed 12 month interval due to the 3 years free servicing deal. Maybe your vRS was set in the same way when it was PDI'd?

allan1888 · 11-04-2008, 23:27

my vrs had its first service at 12months .Had only done 5500 miles so i asked my dealer to set it up for variable servicing as it was set up for fixed at pdi.. they have marked it as variable in my service book but did not change the interval in the car itself. i dont think they knew how to so im going to take it to another dealer as i would never use them again ... my service cost me £107 for the varibable oil to be used for normal fixed servicing i was quoted £80

birchy · 12-04-2008, 01:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by allan1888

my service cost me £107 for the varibable oil to be used for normal fixed servicing i was quoted £80

I used to pay £30 for an oil + filter change on my old BMW 325i and they used Castrol Magnatec. Mind you, i got on well with the mechanics and they only charged 4 quid for the oil which was probably cost price out of a 45 gallon drum.

Back to my original question: can i use a VW service agent and get the same service??

sibart · 12-04-2008, 03:24

Winner Garage in Cinderford (Forest of Dean)01594 829800, Skoda dealership and very friendly and helpfull bud, plus a nice road if you go via S.Hereford VW throu Goodrich.

ATB,
Simon

andy2407 · 12-04-2008, 08:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by birchy

Well i'm trying to find out what their reputation is like, but i've asked around the locals but nobody seems to have dealt with them. That could well be advice in itself.

If you do decide to say with a Skoda agent (and in my opinion that adds value to the car, even though I appreciate you don't have to from a waranty point of view) you can read Briskoda members' reviews of many dealers at ....

Review Centre - BRISKODA - The Skoda Forum and Community

You might even consider adding details from your first post to the Bay Horse Motors review so that others will know to be wary in future.

11-04-2008, 18:45	#1
birchy Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 27 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	All i want is a service... My octy vRS is due it's first service as it's 12 months old. So last Friday, i googled my local Skoda dealer which turned out to be Bay Horse Motors in Hereford which was no surprise considering i live in Hereford. It was 4.33pm and the website says they're open for servicing 8.30am til 6-00pm, so i phone them. After about 3 minutes of ringing, a bloke finally answers and tells me "sorry mate, servicing have gone home, i'll get them to ring you tomorrow morning". Hmmm, seemed odd that they'd finished an hour and a half early but hey-ho, it was a Friday so i can't blame them. Saturday came and went....no phone call. Monday i phone them again at about 2.30pm. This time, i get transferred to "Service" but the phone rang and rang and rang until i got p'd off of waiting (which was best part of 5 mins). An hour or so later, i ring AGAIN. Servicing is currently busy and "i'll get them to ring you when they get a moment". I went to work and started my night shift at 6pm - and still no phone call. Jeeeeez, is THIS what i can expect for owning a Skoda? The best bit is that after THREE phone calls, i still don't know how much a service will cost or when it can be done. So now i'm stuck between a rock and a hard place - i want the Skoda service stamp in my book but Bay Horse Motors seem to be a bunch of ********. What do i do now? Take it to South Hereford VW?? Last edited by Tom_vRS; 11-04-2008 at 19:11. Reason: Removed swearing.*

11-04-2008, 18:45	#2
Babs Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newport/Preston Posts: 3,863 Thanks: 138 Thanked 118 Times in 105 Posts	Re: All i want is a service... Come to Capitol in Newport __________________ - Andrew

11-04-2008, 18:49	#3
dstev2000 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: All over the place Posts: 3,825 Thanks: 37 Thanked 150 Times in 136 Posts	Re: All i want is a service... Oh dear.............. Is there another Skoda dealer you can try? The standard of Skoda dealerships is very hit and miss but they aren't all bad. Bear in mind it could be something as simple as the service manager being on holiday/ill or whatever meaning things are a bit chaotic at the moment. I know this isn't your problem but it's worth considering. Either that or stop by and ask to speak to the top bod and air your views. __________________ MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely! SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

11-04-2008, 19:04	#4
birchy Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 27 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: All i want is a service... Well i'm trying to find out what their reputation is like, but i've asked around the locals but nobody seems to have dealt with them. That could well be advice in itself. The car's only done 1200 miles so i can't imagine the service being much more than an oil + filter change. The quesion is, do i HAVE to take it to a Skoda agent? The garage i used to take my BMW to have always been excellent but will the absence of a dealer stamp reduce the value?

11-04-2008, 19:23	#5
auroan Why me ? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 2,558 Thanks: 143 Thanked 88 Times in 76 Posts	Re: All i want is a service... So long as the garage is VAT registered you can take the car anywhere with out the warrenty being voided __________________ '96 AUDI A4 AVANT 2.6 V6 with a few modifications

11-04-2008, 19:26	#6
Tom_vRS Briskodaholic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fenland, Cambridgeshire Posts: 10,788 Thanks: 573 Thanked 362 Times in 244 Posts	Re: All i want is a service... Auoran is correct - block exemption means you can use any VAT registered garage as long as they use genuine parts your warranty remains intact. However, theres a lot to be said for building up a rappor with a dealer. Also, Skoda have been known to repair faults out of warranty as a good will gesture, but this would only apply if you had a full Skoda history etc etc. __________________ 97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green. << Clickable for boring info. My Journal

11-04-2008, 19:28	#7
dstev2000 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: All over the place Posts: 3,825 Thanks: 37 Thanked 150 Times in 136 Posts	Re: All i want is a service... Indy servicing is OK but you can miss out on technical service bulletins and ECU updates which the main dealer will be privvy to. This thread makes for a good read: http://briskoda.net/forums/general-c...vicing/102213/ __________________ MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely! SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

11-04-2008, 19:35	#8
fordfan ECUless Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,885 Thanks: 28 Thanked 216 Times in 188 Posts	Re: All i want is a service... You may well find that your Octavia wouldn't be due for a service until it is around two years old. Have a look in your service book at the data sticker, if there is an entry saying QG1, it will be on variable servicing. When it is due for a service it will say on the dash display. Any oil to ups between services must be done with the correct oil, I think that the current one is VW 507.00.

11-04-2008, 22:25	#9
birchy Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 27 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: All i want is a service... fordfan yeah, i'm on variable services but first service is due after 10k or 12 months and the spanner has appeared on the dash. I actually WANT to use a Skoda service agent but if Bay Horse can't even organise their customer service department, how can i trust them to start changing bits on my car?

11-04-2008, 22:34	#10
dstev2000 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: All over the place Posts: 3,825 Thanks: 37 Thanked 150 Times in 136 Posts	Re: All i want is a service... Our vRS is a QG1 but has been dealer set to a fixed 12 month interval due to the 3 years free servicing deal. Maybe your vRS was set in the same way when it was PDI'd? __________________ MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely! SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

11-04-2008, 23:27	#11
allan1888 Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: erskine.... Posts: 101 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: All i want is a service... my vrs had its first service at 12months .Had only done 5500 miles so i asked my dealer to set it up for variable servicing as it was set up for fixed at pdi.. they have marked it as variable in my service book but did not change the interval in the car itself. i dont think they knew how to so im going to take it to another dealer as i would never use them again ... my service cost me £107 for the varibable oil to be used for normal fixed servicing i was quoted £80

12-04-2008, 03:24	#13
sibart K04 Equipped Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gloucestershire Posts: 210 Thanks: 19 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: All i want is a service... Winner Garage in Cinderford (Forest of Dean)01594 829800, Skoda dealership and very friendly and helpfull bud, plus a nice road if you go via S.Hereford VW throu Goodrich. ATB, Simon __________________ Car: Factory freebies, JKM Performance K04 Turbo Upgrade, JKM Performance BIG Brake Upgrade, Koni / Eibach Suspension, Eibach ARB's, Revo Map, KMD fuel pump, Columbus toy+ BT Kit(cheers Stu) ,light assist, maxidot,rear park sensors,cruise control. Last edited by sibart; 12-04-2008 at 03:33.

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