When I purchased the Yeti 5 years ago, somehow I had this make-belief hope that I would be one of the lucky ones that won't be bitten by the fame shoddy-scary Skoda Service. In a way, it was true to an instance when it was under 4 years warranty. However, passed the warranty, (one year since) I had been noticing a different trend where the dealer tried to fleece you with parts replacement that they found faulty after diagnosis.
My car is 5 years and 3 months old, with 53000 kms on the odometer, single driver, regularly maintained, parked at lower basement most of the time at my apartment building. In short, it's in excellent condition and looks and feel just like it's a new car hardly few months old. However, can't say any positive about the service experience.
1. 4 Weeks ago, gave the car to Nawab Motors to fix the AC not cooling. Instead informed me coolant is leaking, and water pump and timing belt needs replacement. And rear bush needs to be changed. Total cost around Rs. 60K apart from the AC cooling/evaporator coil replacement of Rs. 40K. I know my car inside out, and I didn't believe there was a coolant leakage. Anyhow, I requested for goodwill warranty or discount on the above expense as my car had run just 50K kms in 5 years and that it was serviced regularly at their dealer. However, they flatly refused. I decided to take a second opinion from an Independent FNG workshop (WOW @Noida). After inspection, the FNG tech didn't find any issues with coolant leakage/water pump issue. And the rear bushes are holding good and would need replacement around 80K to 1 lac kms only. The only fix required was the AC cooling/evaporator coil replacement which I promptly did at a reasonably cost (~ Rs 24K) from the FNG.
2. A week ago, Yeti won't start. Battery (varta make) was 20 months old since it was replaced (new). Discussed with dealer (Service advisor - Mr. Shankar) and I pushed for replacement of the battery under warranty which at that time was 2 years. They insisted it's for 1 year only. After some haggling, they reluctantly agreed but they need to keep the car for 3-4 days for the replacement. However, after some days, they refused the free replacement citing installation of 3rd party bluetooth module (i.e., Dension Gateway 5) with the RCD 510 (bolero) which "drained the battery". So, they had removed the Bluetooth module during the diagnosis, refused the battery replacement under warranty, and at the same time, they informed me that CAN gateway is faulty too and need replacement. Apparently they were not able to clear 2 fault codes (it comes back again and again) and that lead them to believe the CAN gateway needs replacement. So, effectively instead of getting a free replacement of battery, I was presented with a quote of Rs. 29K (10K for a new battery and Rs. 19K CAN gateway). Not to forget the One week I was without the car. Sensing something is not right, I asked the dealer that I am not paying a single penny and that will take the car 'as it is'. So, jump started the car from the dealer workshop, went to the nearest battery shop, and got a new 74 ah Amaron battery. Hooked my VCDS and found the following 2 fault codes:
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Address 19: CAN Gateway (J533) Labels: 7N0-907-530-V2.clb
Part No SW: 7N0 907 530 H HW: 1K0 907 951
Component: J533 Gateway H42 1620
Revision: H42 Serial number: 310511F1001422
Coding: 356303
Shop #: WSC 73430 790 00081
VCID: 3561C75F9CB4ADB6775-8060
2 Faults Found:
01303 - Telephone Transceiver (R36)
004 - No Signal/Communication
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100100
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 110
Mileage: 53325 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2061.14.12
Time: 00:00:05
03272 - Control Module for Audio Interface
004 - No Signal/Communication
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100100
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 110
Mileage: 53325 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2061.14.12
Time: 00:00:05
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I knew the minute that because the Bluetooth module (for Telephone, iPod/iPhone, USB supports) was removed by the dealer, the CAN gateway needs to be coded again (19-CAN Gateway > Installation List) which they didn't do it. I removed 'Media Player' and 'Telephone' from the list, coded and saved and voila, the fault codes disappeared! Everything just works...
What astonished me is the audacity of the dealer to not only honor a free replacement of a part within warranty, but also their greed to fleece the unsuspecting customer by insisting certain other related parts had failed and need replacements. Either they are doing these knowing they won't get caught or that they are technically not sound enough to properly diagnose a fault.
After these incidents, I have learnt that to own a Skoda car passed the warranty period, you need to be very knowledgeable technically about your car, should have VCDS cable and software for diagnosis and finding faults. Else, it is a risky proposition where you land up paying for parts that are in perfectly working conditions. I have now decided to completely stop servicing my car at Skoda dealers (especially Nawab Motors, Noida). Head commands me that I should sell it and move on. Heart reminds me of the good old time and that I should continue holding on. Who will prevail only the Almighty knows!