On holiday in France, my Skoda Superb TDI 170 DSG Elegance Estate kept going into 'safe' mode. This meant that the car would not drive at more than 80kmh on the flat and not more than 60kmh up hills. Skoda Assist sent two recovery drivers who did not understand the problem. Eventually I got the car to a French Skoda dealer myself. It then took from 11.00 in the morning to 19.00 in the evening to get them to authorise a replacement hire car, which was not automatic and which my wife could not drive. Skoda Assist could then not make up its mind if the problem was covered by the three year warranty.

Eventually I got Steve Cropley of Autocar involved, who kindly contacted Skoda Customer Service on my behalf. Despite promises to Steve, they did not arrange recovery. We needed to be towed to the ferry that was 340km away. Eventually I gave up with Skoda and availed myself of my 'any car' European classic car breakdown cover and that got us home. Skoda Ireland admitted its communication on this was poor. I don’t think that's much in way of an apology. They have offered me a free service in compensation for our experience. Do you think I should accept it?