colling
24-07-2009, 03:31 PM
My car is 2003 and I have had from new always serviced by same main dealer.
Following a loss of turbo power I was recommended to have a diagnostic check for £59. The dealer says that this revealed that I needed a new turbo, cost £1500. I also needed 4 new motors for the aircon. Cost £880. I obviously queried whether there were any other options and why had 4 motors failed simultaneously and why had I not noticed.. There was no alternative and the motors failed from general wear and tear.
As this was to be the third £1000+ bill in a year, somewhat against the grain, I took my car to a local VW/Skoda specialist who was not a main dealer.
The fault proved intermittent so he kept the car for 3 days trying to reproduce the problem. He succeeded and the problem is resolved. Two pipes had come apart. (I am no mechanic). He reconnected them using an extra length to avoid a repetition. There was no discenable problem with the motors. His bill was £57.50 but I am being unfair. His bill included VAT and a diagnostic check!
Are main dealers too ready to take the easy and costly option?
Following a loss of turbo power I was recommended to have a diagnostic check for £59. The dealer says that this revealed that I needed a new turbo, cost £1500. I also needed 4 new motors for the aircon. Cost £880. I obviously queried whether there were any other options and why had 4 motors failed simultaneously and why had I not noticed.. There was no alternative and the motors failed from general wear and tear.
As this was to be the third £1000+ bill in a year, somewhat against the grain, I took my car to a local VW/Skoda specialist who was not a main dealer.
The fault proved intermittent so he kept the car for 3 days trying to reproduce the problem. He succeeded and the problem is resolved. Two pipes had come apart. (I am no mechanic). He reconnected them using an extra length to avoid a repetition. There was no discenable problem with the motors. His bill was £57.50 but I am being unfair. His bill included VAT and a diagnostic check!
Are main dealers too ready to take the easy and costly option?