I am not sure there are too many current models using bits from a 23 year old SEAT.
Also most of the technicians in these places are likely younger than the car, probably haven't see one before.
When I had first car the local BMC parts man knew what bits it used for most common parts and could walk you to the tray on the parts department shelf where they were. .Parts people are not there exclusively for current models either. Its not new cars that need many parts and if they do stock is readily available at worst overnight via computer managed stock. If they dont support older cars it shows an absolute lack of confidence in their products to get to an age when parts are needed.
There are something like 8 A4 pages worth of vehicles using the same part. And its highly likely the new cars use it too. Problem is they are too B lazy to look and not bright enough to remember any compatibility. OK there are a lot more different models being served no than 50 years back, but VW Polo and Golf, Fabia, City Gos, some octavias Audi A3, Mii, Seat Ibiza, Toledo, Leon 1/2/3 all use these same bits so I stick to my original view. If I know this why don't they? I accept its possible its not a stock item but I would be suprised bearing in mid its a wearing item common to most of what they have made for many years. Anyway its firmed my daughters preference for her next car.
If all the parts people are so young (and I hazard you are correct) VAG dealers as a group should be should be investigated by the DWP for ageism under employment laws!
On customer service and my reaction to bad standards, I called in to Holden Norwich (Chysler Jeep, Volvo, Renault Kia etc to look for cars yesterday. Very polite chap there actually doing a decent job. I told him 30 years had elapsed since my last visit when their service department decided to get silly with a customer who bought 5 new cars in five years all pf which were maintained by them so at least 250K worthof servicing, 10 towbars and a pile of accessories.
Even with the rate of my car purchasing slowing due to driving company cars they lost any possibility of competing for 10 subsequent sales. At the very least that was £200,000 worth of sales potential. Car sellers just seem to think bad service is acceptable. The idea of going an extra mile seems to be alien to most of them. This Holden chap, to his credit did a very good job of responding to me outlining new ownsrship and current customer care ideas.
I was pretty shocked at the price of new Dacias. Also the latest Renault was parked next to where I was sitting. Prices for this hybrid monster started at £38Krising to £46K. I wouldnt want to be buying tyres for its vast wheels. They must have been 24". Cant remember the name of the thing but it had more ground clearnace than a Range Rover. Just what you need for todays driving, or do they know more about future flooding than I do LOL
On a happy note I was queueing on the A11 to get south and the traffic was snarled up. A fire engine came through baulked as normal by people dozing and not knowing how to react. The driving standard of that driver was exemplary negotiating a busy school crossing point and a difficult road layout with two sets of traffic lights and a bus lane in full operation. I have emailed the Chief Fire Officer and hope the driver gets a pat on the back. These guys do a great job and dont get enough recognition.
