Andrew Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 I dropped my LCR off this week for them to investigate a squeak on start up. After 5 seconds or so it goes away and doesn't return until starting from cold again. The dealer (nameless for now - can we name and shame on here?) rings me to say the a/c compressor needs replacing for which they want just shy of a grand. I said £1,000. I said not to do it for now and noted on their "health check" report they recommended 4 new tyres (2 are only 3 months old), a new battery, discs (which is fair enough) and a new indicator bulb because it wasn't amber enough (looks alright to me). When the car went into AMD today they reckoned it wasn't likely to be the compressor making the noise at all, more likely a pulley for an a/c drive belt which was a common fault. Discs do need doing but the tyres, bulb and battery don't. What is my dealer playing at? I have not had the AMD diagnosis verified as the car was too warm to replicate the behaviour but on the face of it, it looks like SEAT are having a laugh. Makes me wonder about the "supercar bills" thread too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 It certainly pays to 'know' your car. It is the same with all cars. If you know how to do the odd fix - aux belts are usually pretty easy, brakes, discs, bulbs, battery, filters and even oil changes etc then you can save a fortune in parts and labour.. I think you'll find most 'stealers' will be trying to get extra work out of you at the moment. All beware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 It like "washer fluid scam". Whenever you take the car for the service they always add on 10 quid of so for washer fluid no matter how full it was beforehand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted February 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 But potentially £1000 over the cost of a new pulley. Tantamount to fraud should AMD prove to be correct surely? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 It like "washer fluid scam". Whenever you take the car for the service they always add on 10 quid of so for washer fluid no matter how full it was beforehand! Skoda used to try that one on with me every single time they serviced my car, hence every time I went to pay the bill I ended up having an argument with them with me refusing to pay the bill untill they either knocked it off the price, or gave me my screen wash. Interestingly, the screenwash they sold in bottles over the counter was significantly cheaper than what they tried to charge for 'topping up' my washer level as part of the service, so I used to walk out holding about 6 or 7 bottles of the stuff. Local Ford garage just top it up as a matter of courtesy with no charge whatsoever, they do though for some reason always leave a 1L bottle of engine oil, and a spray tin of 'Handy lube' in the car after every service, I've no idea why though, but it comes in handy for topping up the Mrs oil as her old Polo uses quite a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 I would have said it would be more likley the belt was worn or the pulley and thats without hearing it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetrolDave Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 I think you'll find most 'stealers' will be trying to get extra work out of you at the moment. All beware. Some stealers have always behaved like this ... I remember collecting my car from a delaer in the Thames Valley are and being told that one of the tyres was so worn it was illegal, you should have seen the look on the reception persons face when I asked how that was possible since car had only done 20 miles since they fitted a new tyre the week before!!! The washer fluid "scam" seems to affect many Skoda dealers - happened every time we took my wifes car to the local dealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now