Continue : Ownership Experience New Skoda Rapid Ambition 1.6 TDI

Sorry: Carwale didnt allow me to write complete in one, so putting it here down:

Areas of improvement

ASS = After Sales Service. Compared to prior horor stories, Skoda, especially doing pretty well.  

Story: Why I said the improvement is seen : It was very heavvy rain in my native, I had to park outside our garage since most cars resting inside due to rain & muddy road, I am 100% sure that i locked all the windows including glasses, morning noticed that front left passenger seat is wett and half window glass came down. Tried to put it up, power windows were not working. Covered it with polythin and put hair dryer to window & seat get it warm, no effect. Post lunch, i had to visit some relative went, parked just press lock - worked !! I realized that it started malfunctoning. Had tea and came back, left window glass was down and no other glass operated and worked including front left. Took to local guy, he realized motor went off, since VW parts are not available in my western ghat small village, i told him to put glass up and make sure it wont go down until i reach BLR.

I came back to BLR, went to service station (Tafe Access Ltd service sentre on Housur Road) service manager said parts yet to come and it may take 15 - 25 days. I am fine since i park it and only remove out when i go long drive. After a month, i just called them to check the status, no one knows what was my car's issue. Then i took it seriously and called up toll free of SKODA, they had no request of parts made for my car / in my name. Fresh request took and they confirmed that the parts are available at the same service centre. Again called and sent the rapid next day morning. I was told i will have it back by 4.30. (as you know - just remove dor pad, remove motor - that too VW made it so simple that just unpin and put new, no wiring & socet and stuff - if you have motor, you can replace it by yourself), then i called again, warrenty should be approved by SKODA INDIA so it is taking time, if you dont want warranty, pay 15,000 INR + TAX and take car now. I wanted warranty since i use it with much care and it is just 1 month old. Next day again i called (I had no problem waiting 2 days, but worried since it is at out side parked-away from home & me) they said they are witing. Ultimately 3rd day, I got car with so many mess inside, like - as you can see some one just handled it very rough, with dirty hands, some pait on front glass, greese on new, beautiful seats, wet mark on back seat, dirty arm rest & all door handles with dirt. First time i felt i didnt needed window to work (since i never run / drive with dusty / sunny weather window open) i told them to fix the issue, they made it more ugly.

Cost : just to make my car more ugly & replace small motor = 980 INR they charged as labor. + 500 INR for my driver to go - drop & go - pick. to clean that mess = 1300 INR

Then I gave it to 3M JP Nagar, for internal wash, they did justice to their work.

 Appreciation for service: Mr. Naveen - Service Centre Head is one man army. (gulliver & lilliput) rest entire people in service centre behave as if they do a favour to SKODA, and some one forcebly put them to work. Mr. Naveen - talk & meet with each clients, guide all sort of team members and continuesly roam around & see what is happening. Sadly no one I saw that passonate about their job. Each one is so used to of micro - management that they need Mr. Naveen to say, or else they are busy hatching eggs.

I appreciate Mr. Naveen (even though his immediate service not offered to my car however seeing his hard work), And i wish SKODA should retain such people / train rest people to make sure they dont loose the good team members & eventually good customers.

Thanks for reading this long note: my 1st free check is due @ 7500 KM, since 1st service is @15,000 KM. I am thinking of sending my both assistance + driver to watch out at free service, since i dont like some one dont treat cars as machines than friends.

Take care, have safe driving.