Skoda Dealership Asks Rs 1.68 Lakh For Engine Failure; Local Workshop Fixes It For Rs 1000

oi-Abhinand Venugopal

By Vivek Sanjay

Updated: Friday, September 21, 2018, 17:52 [IST]

Mumbai-based Autobahn Skoda has been reported charging an exorbitant service cost for a Skoda Laura sedan on account of engine failure. The authorised Skoda dealership quoted Rs 1.68 lakh for fixing the car while a local workshop fixed the car for just around Rs 1000.

This is what has happened!

The image is for representational purposes only

On August 16th, the owner of the 2012 Skoda Laura was driving it in Mumbai when the car suddenly started acting strangely. The engine began to rev spontaneously and the car slowed down on its own. The two occupants pulled over to the side and turned it off, after which the car refused to start.

The receipt highlighting the issues

There were no other options for them other than towing it back home that night. The next day, the Laura was again towed from their residence to Autobahn Skoda in Kurla; the same dealer from which they purchased the sedan.

The total bill charged by Autobahn Skoda

Same day evening, Sameer from the Autobahn Skoda called the owner and gave a verbal estimate of Rs 2.5 lakh. Being quite knowledgeable about cars, the owner couldn't accept it and checked with Mr Mudassar, the service manager at Autobahn Skoda. He sent the client a written quote of Rs 1.68 lakh – 1.43 lakh for parts and Rs 25,000 for labour.

This is what the quote said:

Dear Madam,

Greetings for the day !!!

As discussed with you now, total parts estimate is 143185. Rs and labour charges will be approx 25000 including alternator service.

Request you to please go through it and confirm your convenient time so will have telephonic discussion on each work and I will explain you about jobs required.

Please feel free to talk undersigned.

Best Regards,

Mudassar Kelkar|Service Head
Autobahn Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.
Amar Enterprises Compound Business Complex No.117,
Kale Marg, Off LBS Rd.,Kamani Kurla (W)
Mumbai 400 070.
Office:+91 22-64568800 Cell:+91 9004097092
E-mail: [email protected] |www.skoda-auto.co.in|www.autobahn.co.in

The owner soon realised that the dealership was not being honest and, on top of that, are not following the principles put forward by Skoda Auto. The owner was clearly not happy with the dealership keeping the car and called up Nitin from Bharat Auto Associates, a reputed workshop in Mumbai.

The receipt for the inspection done by Autobahn Skoda

On August 21st, after being at the dealership for four days, the Skoda Laura was towed to the local workshop. However, getting the car out from Autobahn Skoda wasn't an easy task and the owner was charged Rs 3000 plus GST for doing 'service'. The 'service' part apparently ruled out to be the diagnosis done on the car to chart the estimate.

The cost of towing the car from Autobahn Skoda to Bharat Auto Associates

By evening, the car reached Bharat Auto Associates and diagnosis was initiated right then. Upon inspection, the workshop notified the owner that only the timing belt needed to be changed; the first thing which was marked on Autobahn Skoda's initial invoice. The belt was replaced right away.

The total amount charged by Bharat Auto Associates

The entire process took around two hours and cost the owner only Rs 1062, as opposed to Autobahn Skoda's 1,68,185-rupee bill.

The image is for representational purposes only

The Laura was running good as new and the owner took back the car by six in the evening, on the very same day.

Thoughts On Autobahn Skoda Charging A High Service Cost

Skoda Auto is one of the best-performing luxury car brands in India. Being a reputed global brand, Skoda Auto functions with some set standards and policies, aimed to provide the best customer experience. However, Autobahn Skoda has clearly performed against this by trying to squeeze out extra money from their client.

We hope that Skoda India will look into the issue and ensure that no other valuable customers of theirs would face such an ordeal.

Source: TeamBHP