Ajdude

If no one answers, do a couple of quick checks. Find out the head number, if it doesn't end in a letter then be afraid and check to see if you can change the units on the SatNav and Speedo. The dodgy ones have SatNav defaulted to Km and you can't change the speedo to show kmh. Oh and check the VIN plate to make sure it doesn't read 0 for GTW - if it does, you can't fit a towbar. Whilst the spec on first editions, especially those as ex demo with lots of bells and whistle, there are many with issues....I'm in the process of returning mine and I doubt, for the money I paid, I'll be able to get an issue free equivalent spec.

For those of you that are going through a rejection process or thinking about it. I spoke to a consumer law solicitor today and they were very helpful in their advice. Basically put, you have a right to full refund or replacement if you reject you car within the first 30 days. That 30 day period is put on hold the moment you request the seller repair the issue until the repair is completed! Which means that even if the seller takes weeks / months to try and repair or fix the issue, they cannot then ask for a depreciation markdown once the rejection takes place. Also, there is 2008 unfair trading regulations which apply to being sold goods misleadingly, if if they knew of the issue and did not tell you about it. This act provides for more series penalties under the trade standards including a criminal offence. If you are a member of Which they can provide you with a template letter for rejection and also provide legal clarity on your situation.

That’s tragic. I’ve a call tomorrow with my supplying dealer to discuss the financials of swapping the vehicle. I was thinking of getting a octavia phev but that’s does sound now like a daft idea! ! I also had another phone call from Kate today, just to say no more updates and she will ring on Thursday.

The 1.5 engine in my mk4 is a breathless pile of poop....another reason for it to go.....

Hi, I had the shame issue. And I contacted the likes of Titan, Hatchbag and Rhino covers. Titan said earliest May, whilst Rhino said they could one now. Nothing from Hatchbag. As for the dog guard, I ended up buying a Halfords universal one, which actually fitted quite well (I wanted the travall one). The only issue is that it leaves an indentation on the back of the headrest and seat where it clamps. Titan told me it was COVID impacting them getting templating the car. There is another thread on this forum where an owner of a Mk3 confirmed the Mk3 hatchbag seemed to fit okay. I'm am curious, as I'm having trouble with my Mk4 and speaking to the dealer, one option I'm looking at is going to a Kodiaq (so the reverse of what you have done). How does the practicality side of things compare between the two? i.e boot size...They'll be very different cars to drive I imagine.

Sadly that's how the system works until they get the message and provide a software update that fixes the return to a default state.

Brief update. Thanks @OctaviaFirstEditand @Nosnehm for the updates. A call with Kate this morning confirmed the process as described, with it being with the dealer not Skoda UK. I'm at liberty of doing that at anytime in the current proceedings. As for a fix, they're still not sure, it could still be a month or more before a fix has been developed and they're not sure if this is going to software or hardware.

@Nosnehmhave you had the buy back agreed with Skoda UK via Kate Laws? And what was the terms of the buy back? I’m in the same situation awaiting a fix but feel that buy back is now the most appropriate course of action.

My car is currently back at Skoda for the the futile mph/kmh fix so can’t check but as I remember this is a common trait of the new system. It won’t remember settings. Setting up a profile does help with some settings such as seat position, mirror position. The replacement hire car I’ve been given, a new ford Kuga, makes me actually appreciate the octavia infotainment system. It is terrible and very clumsy to navigate around. So it’s funny what you get used to, as initially I thought the octavia one was a little hard to work around.

I’d be fuming at the supplying dealer. Begs the question what else have the not done.

Mine has been in for 10 days now, however I’ve not had any previous indication of timeframes so hearing 6 - 8 weeks is news to me! That is ridiculous! And as lockdown is eased and we are able to travel more, the hire car is just not adequate for my family needs (no roof bars or tow bar is severely limiting us).

Thanks for the comprehensive review. Gives me some confidence. And it also confirms my view that the lower power engines are not what I need for towing and my fully laden trips to France in the future. Like you, the first edition model was very well specced along with matrix headlights, HUD, virtual pedal, 18inch wheels and a spare. So it’s really tough trying to find a replacement for it. Although I found the HUD pointless! Speaking to the supplying dealer, apparently there are “loads” of first editions being taken in at the moment. Depending upon how things go with finding a fix or not will determine if Skoda UK will support the dealers in contributing towards returns. irrespective of finding a fix, my car needs to be swapped as I’m not allowed to tow with the car I have.

Thanks for the feedback. I'd be really interested to hear your experience of the loan car, gives me some hope. I was hoping they would loan me a newer Mk4 to build back confidence but the gave me a ford kuga!. I really like the car, and I would consider the 1.4 iV as we can plug the car in every night and take advantage of the electrical range and have a biggish boot! Yes - I've looked at the superb....It's just that little bit too long and would struggle to fit in our garage, which is why I've not considered it further.

Paid a visit to the dealer to pick up something I left in my car, so took the opportunity to chat to them about status. They did a software update which removed the ability to change the units altogether. So no fix there. They had sent a report to Skoda UK Technical on Monday, it hadn't been read as of yet so they don't know what to do next. They told me that another vehicle was booked in for "multiple" faults but had told the owner to wait, as there's little point having two vehicles in the garage with no fix in place. They only need the one to experiment with. This car was a 70 plate so about 6 months newer. To my mind, I have lost confidence in the Mk4. in total and these conversations reinforce that view. I can imagine a life of constant niggles and issues so am moving away from swapping my car for another Octavia. The Kodiaq is the only other Skoda range car I would consider balancing size and practicality but I'm not a huge fan of SUV's and unnecessary bulk and lower fuel economy/higher CO2 emissions.

Thanks for condolence messages. much appreciated. Has anyone had anymore feedback from their garages about the current state. It sounds like for some it has been a number of weeks without any feedback and an indication of when cars will be returned to them? I know my car hasn't moved since last Thursday according to the mySKODA app.

I will say one thing which is slightly off topic but related to the fact we are dealing with a person on the other of the phone. Whilst organising a hire car, I required it big enough to transport a large dog, which after some effort Skoda managed to do so. Sadly though the day I picked up the car, our dog was diagnosed with bone cancer and had to be put to sleep. Very unexpected and upsetting! In an email response from a request by Kate to put blankets down in the boot I told her it was no longer an issue given the situation. Two days later, I received a food hamper and a condolence note from Skoda UK. it was a very thoughtful gesture. It just showed me that they do actually care about there customers.

I spoke to Kate yesterday and the only update was she would ring me next week ! Thanks. Ajay.

I find the last statement in italics Hilarious. The retailer has no clue about the towing issues. My supplying dealer happily fitted an aftermarket tow bar to a car with a 0 kg GTW. They are now in the process of taking the car back and finding a suitable replacement. They weren't aware, or made the assumption that the restriction was based upon a time lag for parts to be become available for a new model and so wouldn't be an issue.....go figure.

I agree with you that issues over the engine are a red line. Slow and glitchy infotainment systems can be lived with. The current hire car from Skoda (a Ford Kuga 21 plate) has a terrible interface and is probably more dangerous as it so unintuitive and clumsy, but it does work without glitches. Looks like my car is going to swapped by the dealer irrespective of the mph/kmh issue because of another issue (it's not approved for towing when that's what I asked for. The dealer has been exceptional and despite the problems with the car they've bent over backwards to help resolve it and always done the basics correctly (ringing back when they promise etc.). The question in my mind is do I stick with the Octavia, which as a car does everything I want it to do (when working) or do I go for a Kodiaq? I may lose the perceived newest model upgrade in technology, but honestly, I'm not sure I want to take the risk.,

Bit of an update. Spoke to the service manager at the dealers Friday and he said they did a software update and in doing so the option for changing units in the settings has now disappeared. They’ve reported that back to Skoda UK to see what the next steps are.

Pleased for you that your dealer had been reasonable and that you have not been significantly penalised financially. I have to have the conversation with my dealer about swapping cars. It’s complicated by the fact I paid them 750 pounds to fit a towbar and that my car is currently at another dealer due to the MPH/KMH issue and will be there for an unknown period. I’m for sure going to end up losing out somewhere.

Oh. It also took me 10 seconds to find where to switch the units on both the speedo and satnav to kph or mph....and it works!

My car went into yesterday and I was given a Ford Kuga. Brand new with 18 miles on the clock. Just done a 320 round trip. Not an issue with any of the systems, just works Not a huge fan of it for a number of reasons, but it does some things well and it’s also much quieter on the road from both road and wind noise then the Octavia. My latest saga is the fact that my octavia model (1.5 TSI, manual FE) isn’t approved for towing and so, even though the dealer fitted a tow bar, I cannot use for towing. Which is a redline as I need to tow a trailer on a regular basis. I’m now in early conversations with the dealer about swapping the car. At least this has kept me occupied during lockdown!

Keep up the negotiations. They’re in the wrong and should be bending over backwards to make sure you are not out of pocket. Is there any merit in contacting and consumer bodies so you know you legal writes. And which dealer is it? Good luck. I feel I may be in the same situation albeit a towbar has already been fitted complicating the whole situation.

Waiting for a fix.