Nov 24, 2014 02:01 AM
127489 Views
I have been unfortunate enough to purchase a Skoda Fabia 1.2 CRDI in July 2011 by putting my trust in a brand which I thought would be world class. Find below a list of my misery in order of occurrence:
1. July 2012(Engine Seizure)
After accidental oil leakage during a drive the engine of my car seized without any low engine oil warning light. The car was taken to Skoda Authorised Service(JMD Nerul) centre where an estimate of 3, 65, 000 INR(3 lakh sixty five thousand) was given to replace with a new engine. The insurance refused to pay initially calling a consequential damage, but after a battle with TATA AIG which lasted over 2 months they agreed to cover 50% of the repair cost but not engine replacement. Skoda refused to repair the engine and also refused to accept any liability in regards to failure of engine oil warning light and hence it was carried out externally at Modern Auto Garage, Grant Road, Mumbai.
==Net Bill: 1, 50, 000 INR(Insurance Cover 50%= 75, 000 approx)=
2. August 2013(Fuel Pump Failure)
Minor problem of fuel pump failure, diagnosed and repaired at local garage(Vhora Autoparts, Chembur, Mumbai)
Net Bill: 3000 INR
3. October 2013(ECM failure)
Due to some electric fault which apparently occurred during the Mumbai monsoons, the ECM of my car was found to be burnt. Neither the insurance company nor Skoda could give a definite answer as to how it happened. Skoda recommended repairs were carried out which included replacement of Engine Wiring, Main Wiring, Throttle Body along with the ECU Unit. The Insurance company(Bajaj Allianze) agreed to cover some repairs while some were not covered.
=Net Bill: 1, 10, 000 INR(Insurance Cover= 65, 000 approx)=
4. March 2014(Water Pump Failure, Cam Belt Damage)
After being repeatedly burnt by Skoda India, during the next coolant leakage issue I decided to take my car to a trusted garage in Modern Auto Garage, Grant Road, Mumbai. The leakage was found in engine water pump and it needed replacement. Also damage signs on the cambelt(at 20, 000 kms) was discover and it was replaced as a safety measure.
=Net Bill: 18, 000 INR(including labour)=
5. September 2014(Throttle Issue)
There was issue with throttle response, wherein the car would rev without pressing the accelerator. It was taken to Autobahn Kurla, Mumbai. The repair was carried out(recalibrating of throttle sensors or something like that). After a few weeks the problem kept appearing intermittently.
Net Bill: 4500 INR
This brings us to the present and my car is in Autobahn again, this time due to the failure of Fuel injector System. No definite cause, just some electrical failure and the net cost of repairs estimated around 40, 000 INR. Let me add all these figures and give you a picture:
=Total Spent on Car(service not included): 2, 85, 000 INR=
Adding the latest expense for fuel injector system this figure will rise to 3, 25, 000 INR. Please help me rationalise this. What kind of car have you sold me. I would very much like a meeting to discuss this will the authorities. This is high time Skoda takes responsibility of what product you have sold to me.
UPDATE:
I got a feeble response from Skoda India about how they couldnt do anything as the car was repaired at an unauthorized(although they were the ones who refused to repair the car) and I ended up selling the car back to Autobahn Skoda Kurla for 2, 00, 000(2 lakh). The ordeal is finally over
