Car Service Light - Dealers refusing to reset

dan23uk

I have a Skoda Enyaq, which was due its first service towards the end of last year. 
The car has a countdown to the date it is due. 
I had the car serviced by a specialist EV company as they were significantly cheaper and do a more in depth service than my local Skoda dealers, and they are mobile so didn't have to drop the car off anywhere. 

The service was completed without issue, however the service reminder wasn't able to be reset as Skoda have software locked this so only their dealers can do it. 

I believe this goes against anti completion laws (rules?), in particular the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption.

I have spoken to multiple dealers to get the service reminder reset, who have all refused on the basis that they didn't carry out the service. The only way they will do it would be for them to service the car.
Skoda UK customer service say there is nothing they can do as the dealers are franchises, and that I have voided my warranty by using an authorised third party to do the service.

I have also been speaking to someone from the office of the Skoda Uk Director Matthew Bowden, who has said that whilst she understands my issue, if the dealers won't help then there is nothing they can do. 
She has offered a free service so I can get the reminder reset, but this won't help when the next service is due. 

As I see it, Skoda UK and their franchised dealers are breaching anti competition rules by forcing customers to use them to have their cars serviced. 

I have logged a complaint with the competition and markets authority and citizens advise/trading standards, 

I am hoping someone could offer some advice etc, on possible next steps to get this resolved. 

Thanks, 

Dan 

Mr.Generous

I'd be suprised if you can't reset the service reminder, ask on a Skoda forum like briskoda

dan23uk

Mr.Generous said:

I'd be suprised if you can't reset the service reminder, ask on a Skoda forum like briskoda

I've been through all the groups and forums. 
The reminder can't be reset by anyone other than Skoda, even with an OBD11.

I know other people have had some success in getting their dealer to cooperate as long as they have proof of service but I'm getting nowhere! 

Wonka_2

As technology changes and warranties become more critical the Manufacturers are going to protect their investments and ‘encourage’ servicing within the network. 

Not sure on VW group stance but when I had a similar issue with another group then £50 got it sorted (still leaving a £600+ saving) 

Mr.Generous

!!!!!!. Take the free service offer and get it done pronto, next service I'd probably bite the bullet and get it done at Skoda for an EV. Too much at stake to risk it.

Well worth anyone considering an EV to check this before purchasing, they could charge what they like for a service if this is allowed - pure extorsion.

Aylesbury_Duck

What's the consequence of reminder not being reset?  Does it make any difference to anything?  Can't you just ignore the reminder when it pops up and keep your own records, or is it more complex on an EV and take into account battery health?

I think voiding your warranty is the bigger concern here.  Did you realise that by saving money on the service you'd be voiding the warranty?

I'd also grab the free service.

dan23uk

Aylesbury_Duck said:

What's the consequence of reminder not being reset?  Does it make any difference to anything?  Can't you just ignore the reminder when it pops up and keep your own records, or is it more complex on an EV and take into account battery health?

I think voiding your warranty is the bigger concern here.  Did you realise that by saving money on the service you'd be voiding the warranty?

I'd also grab the free service.

It's affecting the resale value as most places won't take a car that has a warning light, and it looks as there is no service history when it is actually complete. 

Voiding the warranty is a complete fabrication on skodas part - I can choose to have the car serviced wherever I like.

This is from Kwik Fits website in regards to The Competition Act;
"The Competition Act, and the Motor Vehicle Block Exemptions Regulations (MVBER) that came with it, proved to be a huge benefit for drivers, as well as independent and franchised garages like us, because we were then able to offer quality maintenance and repair services that didn’t void your manufacturer warranty – all at an affordable price and with the same great customer service"

I plan on taking the free service as a means to an end, but was interested in the legality of what Skoda are doing. 

born_again

From the sound of it Op used "cleevely" who are well know in EV community as the best of the best when it comes to EV.

So long as they have used Skoda parts & listed no's etc on Invoice then warranty is not effected. TBH, parts should be at worst cabin filter.
Rest will just be inspection checks.

I would think that all service light does is flash on start up saying service due. OP can confirm. So other than finding another dealer who might do it for a fee. 
Other than that try visiting some Skoda forums 

Okell

There were several Block Exemptions originating from the EU and I thought I'd read somewhere that the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption expired last year(?).  What that means regarding its current status I don't know.

In any case I thought one of the requirements of the MVBE was that any independent garage had to use OEM parts.  Can your mobile mechanic guarantee that?

[Edit: just to clarify, I know very little about the MVBE but my understanding was that it was intended to allow relatively limited competition with respect to servicing etc.  It didn't mean that you could allow any old independent garage to do your servicing - there had to be a required level of quality assurance to protect manufacturers.

And if a manufacturer is putting their money where their mouth is by giving a generaous warranty, it might not be unreasonable for them to insist on main dealer servicing.  If I'd bought a new car I think I'd stay with dealer servicing until I calculated - or gambled - that the value of the remaining warranty wasn't worth the extra servicing cost]

Robin9

How much will a Skoda main dealer charge you to reset the warning light ?

My Dacia has a similar light - it went through the MOT OK with the light marked as an advisory

dan23uk

Okell said:

There were several Block Exemptions originating from the EU and I thought I'd read somewhere that the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption expired last year(?).  What that means regarding its current status I don't know.

In any case I thought one of the requirements of the MVBE was that any independent garage had to use OEM parts.  Can your mobile mechanic guarantee that?

The Motor Vehicle Block Exemption was extended until 2029. 
In terms of OEM parts, the only part needed (and changed) on the service was the cabin filter