I want to share my recent experience with my 2023 Škoda Kodiaq to highlight a serious breakdown in cross-border customer support.While on holiday in Marseille with my wife and two young children, the car completely failed to start — no lights, no ignition. The AA European Assist arranged recovery and confirmed it wasn’t a battery fault, suggesting a deeper electrical issue requiring a Škoda-approved dealership diagnosys.Despite my repeated efforts, for four weeks no Škoda France dealership agreed to inspect the car. The only solution offered was to repatriate it to the UK, a process expected to take 4–6 weeks.The AA were very supportive and extended their courtesy car well beyond policy limits. However, Garland Motors Škoda Aldershot — who sold me two top-of-the-range Kodiaqs (£100k+ in 4 years) — refused to provide a courtesy vehicle, citing the lack of a diagnostic. This is an internal process issue, not a customer-centric solution.The result? I am left paying finance on a car I cannot use, funding my own rental vehicle, and managing two children during the summer holidays without adequate transport. As a loyal customer, I find the lack of coordination between Škoda UK and Škoda France unacceptable. A global brand should provide seamless support across markets but they don't seem to have any relationships.I am still requesting that Škoda provide a fully covered courtesy/rental car until my own vehicle is repaired and returned. I am spending £80 a day on a smaller rental vehicle and I don't see the end of this terrible experience.I still hope Škoda will address this urgently and prevent other customers from facing the same experience.In the meantime, Skoda has great cars. If anything happens, you're pretty much on your own.
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