Skoda repair bill

Faults and Technical chat for the Skoda Karoq
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drushe
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2021 12:55 pm

Post by drushe »

Hello,

I've just registered and hope someone can help please? I recently brought my Skoda Karoq to be serviced in Plymouth and was told that a rubber seal by the boot has come loose allowing water to enter the steering rack, subsequently removing the lubricating grease and increasing the failure of the steering rack which now needs to be replaced at a cost of over £2,000.

The garage state that this work is not covered under warranty and is down to wear and tear and that the seal could have come off by something as simple as being hit by a branch or debris in the road. We were not aware of any problem when driving the vehicle and would question the solidity of the rubber seal and linking parts as it seems very unusual that something as simple as this could break so easily, causing so much interior damage on a three year old car with approximately 30,000 miles on the vehicle.

I have asked the garage in Plymouth and Skoda head office would they contribute to the cost of the repair work, but both have rejected my 50-50 split request and opted instead to reduce the labour and new tyre costs dropping the price by a very small amount. Although I understand that this may be deemed to be classed as wear and tear, but the fact of the matter is, it is impossible to prove that the damage was solely caused by us driving the vehicle, as the rubber seal and adjoining parts could have been faulty otherwise this would be a very common occurrence. So in my opinion a shared contribution to the cost would seem to be the fair outcome.

I've received second opinions from various garages and motoring experts who all shared the same opinion that they were surprised that something such as this would happen in a relatively new car with a full Skoda service history and also that the garage were not willing to pay a considerable amount towards the cost.

The car is currently with the garage and deemed unfit to drive. We have been told that if we want to remove the vehicle for another garage to do the work, we will have to pay for a trailer to remove it. With this in mind and what has been mentioned previously, I feel let down by Skoda's customer service and manner in which this has been handled.

I am now faced with paying an expectedly high repair bill so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,
Dermot Rushe

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kodiaq
Posts: 841
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2018 6:33 pm
Location: Poole, Dorset.

Post by kodiaq »

What terribly bad luck,
You could take legal action starting with a solicitors letter, but you would probably have to get a qualified engineers opinion which, I am sure, would not be cheap.
You could see if BBC 'Action Line' or whatever it's called would be interested and the AA or motoring press,
Do we assume the car is now out of warranty?
If so find a specialist in your area and get a quote from them. I bet it would be a damn site cheaper than a Skoda dealer.
If the worst comes to the worst you could either get a specialist to refurbish the original or try a nationally linked car dismantler to see if you could find a rack from a, preferably, rear end write off.
Good luck.
Do let us know what happens.
these may prove useful.
Plymouth.
https://www.allansvehicleservices.co.uk ... ion-tyres/
Liskeard.
http://www.kellybraysteering.co.uk/
Bristol.
http://www.westernpowersteering.co.uk/
Colin Lambert.
Poole, Dorset.
Diploma Auto Eng.
Moderator Karoq & HR-V Fora.
(Kodiaq Forum Moderator, resigned!)
sanqhar
Posts: 142
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2017 9:55 pm

Post by sanqhar »

This has now "hit" Honest John, my favourite motoring correspondent.

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answ ... %20we%20do

tom
....and today was a good day in the life of....
drushe
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2021 12:55 pm

Post by drushe »

Hi and thanks for the replies,

Just wanted to update you with the outcome of this. So after taking my complaint to as high up as possible at Skoda UK, they have offered the lousy amount of £100 for my troubles towards the repair bill of over £2,000. I have contacted Honest John, Resolver.co.uk, spoken to independent, specialist Skoda garages, motoring journalists and everyone else I can think of to get some help and advice.

But sadly, I'm getting nowhere with this and have to pay up. I have also contacted the Motor Ombudsman and have an ongoing case with them but I'm not optimistic. It's safe to say I will never buy a car from Murray Skoda in Plymouth again and in fact, never buy a Skoda again.

So please be aware, if you damage your rubber boot on your car, you are at risk of water getting in, removing the lubricating grease and quickly eroding the steering rack which will need replacing at your cost. Skoda class this as wear and tear and fail to see that this is something they need to address.

Thanks,
Dermot
User avatar
kodiaq
Posts: 841
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2018 6:33 pm
Location: Poole, Dorset.

Post by kodiaq »

So sorry to hear this sad result.
Let's hope the Ombudsman comes up with the goods.
You could try suing The dealer/ Skoda in the small claims court?
I would agree with you. If I had this problem Skoda wouldn't see me for skid marks!
I will post your thread on the Kodiaq And Yet forums, although no Yetis are still under warranty.
Good luck.
Colin Lambert.
Poole, Dorset.
Diploma Auto Eng.
Moderator Karoq & HR-V Fora.
(Kodiaq Forum Moderator, resigned!)
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