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

[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.