OctyJackt

No I didn't know that was a thing actually. But no dpf lights have come on or anything as yet ... and indeed the cranking delay has now completely disappeared since I gave it a high rev 30 mins on the A303, so for the moment, I think it's resolved (famous last words) ...

It could be the battery but I don't think so as I kept a check on the charge of mine when I was experiencing problems and it was always either 70 or 80%. At the moment my money is on a build up of pressure caused by too few and infrequent completed dpf regenerations, possibly exacerbated by cloggy fuel filter. If your problems have stopped now you've started doing regen-inducing trips then that might support said hypothesis ...

Checked history and fuel filter was replaced at 28k after 2 years, so will look to get it changed at next service in a year or so, and in the meantime look to give it the odd glug of premium deez. Click Mechanic are quoting just over £100 to change it on its own so presume (hope!) it will be considerably less if done with a service. I'm in Shepton ... not intending to take it to Skoda for servicing unless some distant relative leaves me a lot of money as the previous services were done electronically by (what look like decent) Indys.

Will do, tx for your advice. I checked the battery charge twice a few days ago and it was at 70% then 80% which I take it is fine? Glow plugs all seem fine and no dash lights or other signs of anything unhealthy happening. Car has done 55K but all servicing looks very up together so I guess the fuel filters will have been replaced at least once ?

Cheers for this, ok now my next fuel will be the snazzy looking diesel I usually ignore

Sorry to reawaken this particularly annoying sleepy dog ... Just bought a 2014 Octavia vrs Tdi and experienced the cranking problems reported here. Love the car to bits, and the engine does start, just sometimes non- immediately. Any chance this could be connected with a dpf that is needing to regenerate and/or was trying to actively regenerate and was unable to do so when engine was last switched off? I have little tech knowledge of cars so this is a complete shot in the dark, but I noticed that the cranking delay happened at around the same time as the car was heard furiously trying to perform an active regen. Took it for the recommended high rev spin yesterday and today no cranking delay whatsoever ...