Have garage thrashed my S3

[obtc101]

Hi,

Would appreciate any thoughts on a recent experience I had at an independant VAG specialist.

I took my S3 in for repairs to CV joints, bushes and to fix the wiring on my brake pad sensors.

It's the 225bhp model. I average 25mpg, and it was 25.1mpg (avg.) when I dopped it off. When I got the car back, 8 miles had been added to the clock and the avg mpg had dropped to 17mpg.

Even driving fast, I've never managed 17mpg. Worst still, this drop ocurred in just 8 miles, without the trip computer being reset.

My question then is - has the mechanic thrashed my car? Or has he gone out to do an honest 8 miles, left it idling and it's dropped to 17mpg. I've read on some sites that leaving a car idle could achieve these figures.

Any advice would be appreciated. Realistically I know I cannot do anything about it, they have my money. However it annoys me to think some oik thrashing the hell out of it.

Thanks

[STEWY L]

i get horrendous figures if left to tick over to clear ice or misted windows etc.
mines a bora,but the figures drop dramatically,
regards,
stewy.

[zollaf]

after taking your car for repair work, you want to know that its safe and a good job has been done,and so does the mechanic concerned. now the mechanic doesnt know how you drive. maybe you potter around at 30, maybe you drive like the devil posessed. either way, you dont want something to fall off your car if you do drive a bit enthusiastically. so in that 8 mile test drive, the mechanic needs to check you car drives and handles as it should, and the only way to do that is to drive fairly hard. anyway, your car is designed as a high performance car and thrashing it will do no harm whatsoever.

[moose-P]

over a recorded distance of 8 miles, if the car was left idling for 10-15 minutes whilst doing something with it, that'd kill the ovrall mpg average ;)