Five Oaks Audi

I use a Audi A3 in my role as a Driver Trainer, for both learner and advanced. I took my A3 to Five Oaks Audi, as my local dealership didn't have space for a few weeks. I suppose I should have been concerned that Five Oaks fitted me in very quickly, perhaps they were not to busy. My Car went in on Thursday 21 August, and later that day I was told they had found that fault (cam chain area) and it would cost £116 + Vat to fix on top of the diagnostic charges, so I gave the go ahead. Then the next day the story changed, I was told I need a new engine, bearing in mind the car is a 59 plate A3 1.8tfsi, I was a little shocked. Nothing happened over the bank holiday weekend, I was still without a car, then on the following Tuesday the scary news continued, firstly I was infomed the engine would cost in the region of £5989, which then went to £3100, finally to £2160, I then decided that this was out of my budget, so I asked for the initial repair to be completed. I was told the engine could blow up, things got difficult, wrong parts were ordered, Technician went off sick, in the end, at my own cost I had the car recovered from Five Oaks Audi, to an independent Mechanic (on Thursday 28 August, a week after in first went in) with over 20yrs experience, the engine was semi stripped down, main problem, engine was not timed. Within a matter of hours I was back on the road. Being honest, the service receptionist Alan is a good man and I believe he will go far. But being told you need a new engine, when clearly I didn't is a worry, so always seek another opinion, glad I did. I have complained to both the garage and Audi uk, and if they settle my complaint in a manor I am happy with, then I shall update this post.

Five Oaks Audi have been servicing my car for about three years now. I feel that people under-estimate the importance of using a main dealer - modern cars require specialist maintenance these days. In the case of Audi, the parts & labour warranty lasts two years. Not so the warranty at an independent garage. All the work at Five Oaks is priced clearly and as my car is now over ten years old I receive a 10% discount. My last service cost £340 including a brake fluid change (Audi A6 Avant 2.8 Quattro Auto).