Are we going to see a turnaround in Skoda/VW servicing?

[K1W1]

There is not a bad car on the market today. Even Alfas and Renaults are reliable (allow me some latitude here). The only decision is whether what you look at meets your price, performance and comfort/quality expectations.

[Umai Naa!!]

Another problem VGA are suffering from is allowing multi-franchise dealers to mix Skoda and VW in with the rest.

It simply doesn't work. VAG have some pretty stringent rules about procedures, workshop design, etc. Many of these clash with those of other manufacturers. The procedures are there because they're tried and tested, and they work for the product. Alot of dealerships tend to go in their own direction, or do it XYZ Car Company's way. Some dealerships are struggling to keep their head above water on Customer Satisfaction Indexes because of this.

[woofy]

My take is that the VW brand was growing so strongly in the last 5 years that they didn't feel the need to deal with this issue. Times were good and people were not worrying about service - they wanted the badge. Different for Skoda, where people were buying the product based on good background research.

Problem is, with serious flaws in the product range (Golf rattles in past models, 118 engine failures, 7 speed DSG issues, random issues across the board that seem more common than Japanese competitors etc), pretty consistent negative feedback about VW dealers and to an extent Skoda dealers and most competitors moving to fixed price servicing, something was going to bite sooner or later.

I won't go into detail, but let's just say the survey company intimated they had received plenty of negative feedback on VAG product and my experience was not isolated.

I have a deposit on one of the last German built Focus. In terms of service, 6 years or 105,000 km capped price service, all but one are $335, one is $470. Annual service intervals. Could the service turn out to be poor? Sure, but at least there is a far greater dealer choice and more likelihood of finding one you are OK with. Have done exactly this with other brands in the past.

Next year's 4 year service on the Octy quoted by Richmond $2,600. Typical minor service quoted cost about the same as the major on the Focus, etc. Independents are cheaper but still not cheap; for the 4 year I have been quoted $2,000. Yes, I know timing belt, DSG fluid etc; don't care. I have yet to mention these costs to anyone without a horrified reaction and instant, unprompted calls to sell it...

Time for VAG to fix it!

Really timing belt? I was told that a few years back but repeatedly have been told its now 105k/7 yrs. I have been meaning to call them, but when I last asked it was $800 for the 60kservice, plus another $1200 when the belt was due as well.

[K1W1]

Gee I was told 120,000 kms for the belt. I guess the inconsistency of information and pricing leads credence to the point of the thread.

[BluChris]

Stuffed if I know. I suggested it when quoting and Richmond agreed. The independent I spoke to also said timing belt at 4 years without being asked. I have a DSG so fluids as well. Brakes likely on top. You're right about impossibility of a straight answer being part of the problem.

I don't want to reignite the timing belt debate; the issue really is you have to go with what they say or you are on your own when problems occur. Plenty of UK posts saying 4 years regardless of mileage, but your call.

[K1W1]

There is no way on earth you will get to 4 years without having changed the brake pads possibly twice and the rotors at least once unless you only drive a few thousand kms per year. European brake systems use the rotors as a wear item so that you get better wet weather braking but that means exactly that, that the rotors wear. Try running your finger over the outer edge of the front rotors when they are cold and feel the lip. The lip was not there the day you took delivery,
Brake replacement is anothr trap for the uninformed ex Japanese car owner. They don't expect or understand why it's required.

[kamold]

Be interesting watching this unfold.

On the one hand you have the marque wanting to continue its inroads into capturing market share. Which it has been doing despite most reviews ending with 'its a good car but BEWARE THE SERVICING COSTS!!!!!!!!!!!!'

So if there is a move to reign in that (possibly deserved if dealer serviced) perception amongst Joe Public, then I can see the dealers trying to offer some resistance to this as its a bit of a cash cow for them at present.

If there is a determined effort from VWA to address the cost of dealer servicing its models then I can only see their market share growing here significantly. The breadth of offerings (across their multiple brands) is really speaking to the market here in a way that most established brands in Aus can only be envious of.

But at the end of the day, as others have said repeatedly- find yourself a good independant specialist mechanic and you'll never look back. Better service, more experience and better prices.

[Transporter]

Brake replacement is anothr trap for the uninformed ex Japanese car owner. They don't expect or understand why it's required.

Well, that will be the big fat bonus for the dealers or the pay back time. I mean, you pay back the difference between the low cost servicing and the cost of today's servicing.

...and since the brand that has no need for the aftermarket servicing parts and other parts, there won't be any aftermarket parts for your new car and you know what that means....

Well, that could still be far away, but who knows?

Be interesting watching this unfold.

On the one hand you have the marque wanting to continue its inroads into capturing market share. Which it has been doing despite most reviews ending with 'its a good car but BEWARE THE SERVICING COSTS!!!!!!!!!!!!'

I have somewhere in my PC the pictures of my customer's invoice, who paid $350 for the 7,500km/1 year service on her new Hyundai Accent and $450 for the 15,000km/2years service. What makes that more interesting is that, she went to that dealer with the special offer that she received in mail from the dealer, the letter was saying "low price $159" it could be even less than that, I don't remeber exactly, but I'm looking for that picture and will post it here.

[Umai Naa!!]

Finding a good independant that's clued-in on the latest models, specs, and procedures is half the battle. There's plenty of warranty killers out there.

Part of the high-ish servicing cost that we see with the VAG products through the dealership, can be attributed to the amount of mandatory gear the dealerships have to equip themselves with. Even rural dealers are having to lease close to $1mil in tooling. Somebody's got to pay for it.

[Yao]

I'm a new Skoda convert. Just had my Superb Elegance for 5 months and I gotta say, reading this thread depresses me! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Skoda but I'm beginning to dread the time when I have to take it for servicing.

My experience so far with the dealer (Richmond) has not filled me with much confidence. Having picked up the car, I discovered that the AM radio wasn't working. Four trips later to the dealer to have it fixed, finally got it sorted. Along the way, they disconnected my GPS and didn't seem to know what they'd done wrong and how to fix it. Thanks to the very kind souls here, found out it was the aerial connection swapped the other way round. I told them and they didn't believe me at first but sheepishly conceded in the end I was right.

Needless to say, I'm really dreading going back there for my first service.

Very sad, if you ask me. Takes some of the joy out of owning such a fantastic car.

[wombatoutofhell]

My brakes were replaced at 90000km. Oddly the front rotors were ok-I guess they were replaced in the 13000km before I got the car. As it was a media demonstrator originally I'd imagine the brakes copped a but of a hard time. They weren't done by Skoda though-no doubt they would have just replaced everything.

[kamold]

Finding a good independant that's clued-in on the latest models, specs, and procedures is half the battle. There's plenty of warranty killers out there.

Part of the high-ish servicing cost that we see with the VAG products through the dealership, can be attributed to the amount of mandatory gear the dealerships have to equip themselves with. Even rural dealers are having to lease close to $1mil in tooling. Somebody's got to pay for it.

Thats what these forums are all about. Connecting owners with the experiences of others. There are plenty of great independents out there with recommendations from forum members.

I guess its all well and good for those in capital cities at the moment, but I acknowledge it's definately a different story for those in regional areas. But things are going to have to change over the medium term as Ford and Holden dealerships continue to close and multi-franchise operations open in their wake.

It used to be a fairly easy decision for those in the regions. You bought a Ford, Holden or Toyota if you wanted some form of local support. Otherwise you travelled for service or took your chances. Now who knows what will transpire? I only base my opinions on Mudgee and the Southern Highlands in NSW as they are the two regional areas I visit most regularly to see family. A lot has changed in the past 5 years wrt dealerships in both locations.

[PassatB6]

Skodas are quite inexpensive to service as far as I can tell. I paid $299 for my first service 15,000 km on my Scout. According to Transporter a Hyundai Accent would cost $800 because TWO services would be needed by 15,000 km. Sure the services might cost a little more but they are required less often than other brands.

[Umai Naa!!]

I only base my opinions on Mudgee and the Southern Highlands in NSW as they are the two regional areas I visit most regularly to see family. A lot has changed in the past 5 years wrt dealerships in both locations.

Yep, a lot have come and gone down here. No Ford dealership anymore, unless you head to Goulburn, or Campbelltown.

Skodas are quite inexpensive to service as far as I can tell. I paid $299 for my first service 15,000 km on my Scout. According to Transporter a Hyundai Accent would cost $800 because TWO services would be needed by 15,000 km. Sure the services might cost a little more but they are required less often than other brands.

Funny thing is, Hyundai are one of few manufacturers that actually push the intermediate service. Dealerships love it.

[PassatB6]

Funny thing is, Hyundai are one of few manufacturers that actually push the intermediate service. Dealerships love it.

Toyota too apparently.