Main dealers don't faff about fixing something (and its arguable they may not have the skills on site to rebuild a gearbox) they sell a complete new unit which is fitted by a technician.

Years ago very few buyers of cars out of warranty would bother going to a main dealer for any reason other than to buy genuine parts for DIY fitment, most sensible owners went to independent workshops where mechanics would repair things where possible.

This is exactly what you have done, the sensible common sense route to getting your car fixed, the dealer fix might have been slightly quicker, certainly it would have been a more efficient wallet draining method, those glass palaces don't come cheap.

I doubt the maker will be in the least interested in contributing to the repair, but you never know, pity that even with full Skoda service history (we assume this is the case as the OP is slightly ambiguous, but i may be reading it wrong, on who physically serviced the car) they were not more forthcoming, ref Madf's pertinent post, of course if you went outside Skoda for servicing that puts a different slant on things.

Edited by gordonbennet on 28/02/2019 at 15:49

Since when has any modern manual gearbox become a service item? The franchise or independent has a quick look around, oil change, brake inspection and away you go .Plugs and filters now last longer and if you want your aircon serviced, well that's another extra outside the service!