To want my car fixed?

[GreyDuck]

We have a Skoda car, but live far away from the Skoda garage.
It has a problem, the dashboard has more flashing lights than a Christmas tree.
Last time we had a warning light, I spent hundreds of pounds at local garages who couldn't find the problem. In the end I had to do a 4h round trip to the Skoda dealership for them to plug in to their diagnostic computer. They didn't have the part in stock, but were able to write it out so I could get it fixed locally.
It's a normal family car, AIBU to think I should be able to get it fixed by a normal garage?
Surely in this day and age the diagnosis could be done on the internet or something? Why do I need to drive a broken car to use a special computer in one particular garage?

TBH I don't care if IABU or not, I'm just hoping someone can suggest a way of fixing the car without me having to drive to the main dealer again.

Have you googled your local area for any VW specialists? Ive no experience with the brand but would expect most decent diagnostic garages to be able to fault find a Skoda but I'll take your word that you've tried several with no joy. Thats why it would be worth seeking out a local VAG specialist. They may be nearer than driving to the main dealer.

Where in UK are you?

Any mechanic can plug it in if they've got the right equipment. You certainly don't need to take it to skoda. Where are you based?

I know people slate Kwik Fit but have you tried them ?

You just need VAGcom to run diagnostics. Join a forum/Facebook group, there could well be someone local to you willing to run it for you for a small fee. Try Briskoda (a forum, also has a Facebook page), lots of knowledge techs on there, in particular a guy called Ross.

I'm in West Wales. It's over 60 miles to the nearest Skoda garage all on rural roads.
We took it to the main VW dealer last time because someone said they were the same as SKODA. It was really expensive (and maybe the parts they changed did need replacing anyway) but they didn't solve the problem we went in with.

That sounds promising, thanks.

Somewhere like this, places that have the Skoda (VAG) diagnostics. They

https://www.audivwforge.co.uk/

https://www.pwmotorsport.com/

Note that disgnostic systems just read codes from the cars system.

You can get generic ODB readers online and read codes yourself, and various levels of specific manufacturer functionality such as those mentioned above, and then all the way up to professional systems.

The code may give the answer to the problem and then that can be fixed or the relevant part replaced. Or it could given the answer to a symptom resulting in ‘fixing’ or replacing a component then later having the problem reoccur. Which could be the case as you’ve had one fix only to have it reoccur.

It can be trial and error, combined with the right persons knowledge and experience to consider multiple potential causes

How did you spend £100s to not find the problem, can you explain that a bit more, Skoda diagnostics aren't only available to main dealers. What exactly where the local garage diagnostics saying and did you have it done multiple times?

I can't remember all the details. We took it to at least three garages at the time. The problem was that it would go into limp home mode about 10-15 minutes into a journey. It was tricky because it happened on most, but not all journeys, so we wouldn't know straight away if it was fixed. The warning lights would go out when the car was stopped, and the garages were saying that the diagnostic didn't work if the lights were gone.
The most expensive bill was replacing the alternator belt at VW. The thing that fixed it was the oil pump switch, which was diagnosed by Skoda, but we had the part changed locally.

This problem is different, and we haven't tried taking it to a garage yet. I want to avoid all the hassle like last time.

An OBD reader needs the diagnostic codes to be saved which probably won’t happen if the light clears but some do remain

Search Amazon etc for OBD reader and you will find many, this would allow you to self scan - not while you’re driving ! But you can pick up the code when you stop before switching off

As recommended by others check out Facebook groups, forums etc for advice on VAGCom either to find someone local with a scanner or for recommendations on which scanners would work for the wider range of codes

(I have a Ford so now have an OBD to computer cable plus ForScan software)

A system dedicated to your vehicle type/manufacturer will get more detail from codes and more diagnostic capabilities, they can often also be used to re-programme some settings of the car.
Both basic and specific readers can (mostly) also show live readings for areas of the engine system etc so then someone with the knowledge can identify more symptoms

Sounds like you got stung by VW, an alternator belt should not be expensive to replace, the belts aren’t expensive and I’d expect less than an hour’s labour.

Bloody love Briskoda - when we had our little fleet of VRS's I used to live on there. Haven't thought about it for years! But yes very helpful bunch on there.

Haha, I was on there a lot many moons ago before the days of Facebook, used to do loads of meets etc. got some good friends from that site!