Skoda Fabia - is this a reasonable quote for works done

drc

We own a Skoda Fabia Y reg. Recently the ABS light came up as well as the engine management and another light on the dashboard.

We took it to a mechanic who has said they need to replace a faulty value and replace the computer which has a fault in the relay. They have quoted us approx £550 including labour and parts and our car should be out of action for a week.

Are there any Skoda experts out there. Does this sounds like a reasonable quote? We are probably also going to get a quote from a Skoda garage.

Thanks.

TiTheRev

Not a Skoda specialist, but have had dealings. There's a £20 temp sender that chucks up lights on the dash when it goes faulty, have you had the car checked on a diagnostic machine or is that just the mechanics guess? I dont know of any computers that have faults in the relay?!? A relay is only about £10-20. If it's the Engine ECU they are replacing (highly unlikely, but can be called the computer), £550 is about right, as they can be £300, but seems a bit extreme unless properly diagnosed as faulty. Either way though, no car need be out of action for a week with those faults, unless the part is back-order with the factory, or he doesnt know what he's doing and wants to keep it until he finds the fault

drc

TiTheRev wrote: »

Not a Skoda specialist, but have had dealings. There's a £20 temp sender that chucks up lights on the dash when it goes faulty, have you had the car checked on a diagnostic machine or is that just the mechanics guess? I dont know of any computers that have faults in the relay?!? A relay is only about £10-20. If it's the Engine ECU they are replacing (highly unlikely, but can be called the computer), £550 is about right, as they can be £300, but seems a bit extreme unless properly diagnosed as faulty. Either way though, no car need be out of action for a week with those faults, unless the part is back-order with the factory, or he doesnt know what he's doing and wants to keep it until he finds the fault

The mechanic has apparently done a diagnostic machine check but I think we should get a second opinon anyway. The valve that needs replacing is some sort of air valve and that alone is going to cost £100 + labour.

TiTheRev

They have an air mass meter, which reads the quantity of air going to the engine and has been known to be an issue, but should only be £60/70. Can't think of an air valve for that sort of money?

Would definately get a 2nd opinion.

drc

OMG!

My husband has just returned from the mechanics and they have charged him £215 :eek:in total for putting in a new EGR valve at £108 + £30 for diagnostic tests + £45 for labour and the rest is VAT.

I told my husband not to get them to do any more work and that we will get another quote.

TiTheRev

The EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve is about right at that money, as long as that was the problem. The diagnostics test and labour ok too really, but does the car still have the problems? I would ask for a print of the diagnostics report and see what they reckon it is on there. Trouble is, another diagnostic test will cost more money.

goldspanners

drc wrote: »

OMG!

My husband has just returned from the mechanics and they have charged him £215 :eek:in total for putting in a new EGR valve at £108 + £30 for diagnostic tests + £45 for labour and the rest is VAT.

I told my husband not to get them to do any more work and that we will get another quote.

OMG! :eek:

that seems fair enough. :eek:

jeannieblue

drc wrote: »

OMG!

My husband has just returned from the mechanics and they have charged him £215 :eek:in total for putting in a new EGR valve at £108 + £30 for diagnostic tests + £45 for labour and the rest is VAT.

I told my husband not to get them to do any more work and that we will get another quote.

Sounds reasonable to be honest. Be grateful that the EGR valve wasn't more - VW/Skoda parts are not expensive - generally speaking.

Our diagnostic charge is the same - but our labour is £40.

Price to pay for having a modern car. So many gadgets and so much more to go wrong.

goldspanners

jeannieblue wrote: »

Price to pay for having a modern car. So many gadgets and so much more to go wrong.

yep, thats the price to save the planet.