JamesK

I've got a 21 plate SEL First Edition, and it's great. I have no issues with it now. However, I had plenty of issues with it in the first year of ownership. The issues were all related to software - infotainment system, climatronic, telematics module, and probably a few others. Once the dealer had got all of these upgraded to the required, bug-free versions the car has been rock-solid - exactly the same as my Mk2 and Mk3 Octavias were. The problem is Skoda UK seem to have not dealt with the issues at a dealer level. I still see people coming onto the forum having brought a used Octavia that hasn't received the required updates. They go into a dealer, and go through the same process of "we need to investigate", "we need an answer from Skoda Technical", etc, etc. The wheel keeps being re-invented. Some issues such as the sync issue with the climatronic hasn't ever been acknowledged as an official problem, so there's no TPI for it. This is despite the newer firmware addressing the issue. So someone, somewhere realised it was an issue and fixed the firmware! Some dealers are even telling customers "the climate sync feature is supposed to work like that". Unfortunately many dealers simply attach the vehicle to their computer to see if there is any updates. If the "computer says no" that's the answer, and they seem reluctant to investigate. The situation is most dealers have probably seen many early Mk4 vehicles with the same issues recurring time and time again. But they seem not to be raising the matter with Skoda. In reality, Skoda UK need to produce a baseline of software versions that are known to be problem free. They should be instructing dealers to apply those updates before raising cases with technical. But the fact it hasn't happened by now suggests it never will, which is a shame because the Mk4 is a great car. I've had no issues at all with my car in over a year. If I were looking to buy a used Mk4 it wouldn't put me off. I would however be insisting that the firmware is all updated or walk away.

Finding somewhere to calibrate the lights may be a challenge. I could not find any Skoda dealers close to me that had the necessary equipment to carry out the work. VW dealers have more of the equipment, but cannot do it in isolation as the VW computer systems don't have the necessary license to calibrate a Skoda vehicle. In the end my local Skoda dealer took the car to a VW dealer that are part of their group, along with their laptop, and carried out the calibration. This was a bit of a pain to get organised. This was carried out under warranty, so I've no idea what the cost would be out of warranty. And you really would need to get them calibrated. My matrix lights were pretty much unusable in full automatic mode before they were recalibrated. Drivers were constantly flashing me. They seem completely fine now.

I had this happen a little while ago. I received the e-mail shortly after I'd used the car. When I got in the car that morning it had logged me out of the infotainment and I was logged in as a Guest. I only noticed it as it came up on screen "Changing user settings" or something like that. I assume when it logged me out it also deactivated all of the services you mentioned above. I logged myself back into the car, and also looked for a way to re-activate, but I think this happens by default when you login. I double-checked with the Skoda app and found I could still locate the car, and do "honk & flash", etc

Hello... The version numbers are the same, so you would want the infotainment to be on 1941 or 1969 at a minimum. Minor software updates have been applied to my car via OTA. However, I was under the impression that after 1941 was installed by the dealer it would allow larger updates to be downloaded and installed. As yet, my infotainment system has not downloaded 1969, and to be honest I don't expect it to. Given that you are buying a 2021 'early' vehicle, there are other software updates you may find need to be applied. I had the "Pop, Pop SOS" issue, climate control SYNC setting not being remembered, issues with the matrix lights not being correctly calibrated. It took a lot of visits to the Skoda dealer to finally get resolution. You will probably find any required updates will need to applied by a franchised Skoda dealer, so you may need to factor this into the purchasing decision. Certainly do not be fobbed off about the software issues on early cars. It'll be worth your time to browse the forum to get a good understanding of the issues you could face if you purchase a car with older software installed.

Hi @AlanOsborne Did you get your issues resolved by the Skoda dealer?

In my car I don't do anything to specifically "turn off" the WiFi, as it is needed for any wireless CarPlay or Android Auto. I just make sure the e-Sim is turned on. When I first owned the car I did try disabling the e-Sim, and connecting the WiFi to my home broadband in the home that it may help in downloading updates as I live in a poor mobile signal area. However, I seem to recall it didn't do anything. Is the issue you're experiencing that your phone will not connect to Android Auto at all? When I first had my Octavia I had many issues with the Bluetooth and wireless CarPlay. On some days it would not connect to Bluetooth automatically, or connect to Wireless CarPlay automatically. It usually required me to go into the car Settings and manually select the device. Then it would connect. It was very frustrating. Every time I used the car you never know if the phone would connect at all... or just to Bluetooth, or maybe even CarPlay. An infotainment software update did fix it, but I was originally on a much earlier version (1668). So... I do think you need to get your infotainment updated by the dealer to at least 1941 or 1969. I think that would fix the connectivity issues. However, I don't recall having issues with map updates being affected by it. Hopefully a dealer visit, followed by a software update will put everything right.

I've had a few updates this year that have been delivered OTA. They are mostly updates to apps, and fairly insignificant. In the description text I have noticed recently on these updates they do now explicitly state that the version number of the infotainment will not change. So for these smaller updates, it's expected. As for it being prep for the bigger update, I somehow doubt it - even though it would be good if it was.

I would recommend toggling the e-sim back on and see what happens. I suspect you may well find it updates the maps. As pointed out above by @WaveyDavey you should definitely ask the dealer to upgrade your infotainment system to version 1941 or 1969.

Hi @AlanOsborne If you're paying for the Infotainment online subscription then the system should be automatically downloading the map updates for you. There shouldn't be any need to manually download the map updates. I'm currently subscribed to infotainment online. I've just checked my map version and it's showing as 24.5, so it last updated in May 2024. The previous update was 24.2 (February). Maybe call your local dealer if it's not downloading for you, as it's part of the service you are paying for. If you're not subscribed to infotainment online, then you will need to download manually. I've heard the download portal does lag a little behind what is downloaded direct to cars, but 23.6 is nearly a year behind, which seems a lot.

I’m not convinced the early Mk IV Octavia infotainment has the ability to apply such a large update to itself. It may not have enough local storage to download the 10gb compressed files and then extract them internally and apply them. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’ve not seen anyone on here with an early car reporting that their infotainment has upgraded OTA from 1941 to 1969. I’ve deliberately left my system at 1941 to see if it will update OTA, and so far there has been nothing apart from a couple of minor app updates. If the early units DO have the ability to perform that size of update OTA, it may be Skoda that are not releasing it. Given the number of software issues with the early cars over the past 3 years, Skoda may be concerned about creating more. Given many early cars are now coming out of warranty, perhaps there is a concern of “what happens” if an infotainment unit bricks itself performing a large OTA update. I think it would give rise to an interesting discussion at a dealer as to who pays to rectify it.

I would escalate to the Skoda UK Executive Office. This is a typical example of dealer not carrying out any investigation. They've attached it to a computer which has returned saying no updates required. It's pretty much a "Computer says No" response. It's saying no updates are required because Skoda have never acknowledged the issue here. The reality here is that Skoda need to acknowledge the problem and issue a TPI. I guess I was lucky because my dealer acknowledged it wasn't the correct behaviour, especially when compared to 2022 Octavia which worked correctly.

Have you tried removing any fuses? Nearly 2 weeks to see a dealer is a long time to be without your infotainment screen. I know in the past some people have had success with removing fuses for a few minutes and then replacing them. I can't remember which fuses people were removing, but I'm sure a search of the forum would point you in the right direction.

The car was under warranty so I didn't have to pay for it. However, it is demonstrably not functioning as it should, therefore they should fix it free of charge - especially if they've had your car for 2 months! I'm surprised they've had your car for so long. They had my car in there for 4 weeks in January last year as Skoda UK wanted a car an early car to work with for them to understand all of the issues the "First Edition" vehicles were having related to software, and why some software updates were being applied but not fixing issues. Given the issues I was experiencing I was more than happy to hand it over in exchange for a new Superb, and they could've kept it for as long as they liked. I was just happy to be driving a car that just worked!

It’s the climatronic module that needs a firmware update. The issue in getting it done is that Skoda have never officially acknowledged it’s an issue, even though on later vehicles the issues is resolved. You will probably find your unit is at the following version: Getting it upgraded to version 0440, 0531 or anything later resolves the issue. The problem you will have is convincing a dealer that it is an issue and getting them to do something about it. I had to produce a video of the behaviour of my car compared to a 2022 loan Octavia which worked as it should. Here’s a link to a forum thread detailing the issue: Link to forum thread if you’re still taking the car for work at Marshall Letchworth, it was their lead technician, Mick, that finally managed to get the relevant update applied to the unit. So this is definitely a dealer that has seen and dealt with the issue previously. it really needs Skoda to formally accept this as being an issue and releasing a TPI.

I just took a video of starting the car, activating the sync function. Then turning the car off and and on again, and showing how SYNC had disappeared from the left control, but the left control would work to control temperature on the left and right side of the car. Finally followed by changing the right control which would then immediately break the sync and the controls would then operate independently. Then, when I had the loan car I took another video of activating sync, then turning the car off and on again, and SYNC still being active on the left control.

My local dealer initially said this until I showed them a video of the behaviour of my car, and the 2022 loan Octavia they had given me. They did eventually get directed by Skoda to update the climate control unit, but it took far more effort on my part, and in fairness the dealers part to get this update 'approved' by Skoda. It seems too much these days that dealers blindly look at their computer systems and if it says there are no updates available, then that is the absolute truth. They seem reluctant to report these issues back to Skoda, and if the dealers don't report the issues, then Skoda won't know. In this case though, they clearly do know, as there have been a few of us on this forum that have persisted with our complaints and got the necessary update applied.

I think the issue with this is that it's never officially been recognised by Skoda as being a problem. It's not helped by it only affecting right hand drive cars. It took for me to take a video of the behaviour of my car, and another video of a 2022 Octavia I had as a loan vehicle, where the climate sync function worked correctly for the dealer to truly understand the problem. Even then I was told the update had "come direct from the factory". I'm not sure why Skoda are not acknowledging the issue formally, as it very clearly is a problem, even if it is only a minor one with a workaround. I know of dealers that are adamant that this is how the unit is intended to function and therefore not a problem.

My 2021 First Edition is now completely fine. It has been a difficult journey to get to this point with the car going into the dealer numerous times and many conversations with the Skoda Executive Office. All of my issues were fixed by software updates, and Skoda investigating different methods of applying those updates. Unfortunately it seems all dealers have to go through the same process involving running a diagnostic, sending it off to Skoda Technical, then awaiting a response and being told what updates they can / cannot apply. It's frustrating as Skoda UK know exactly what the issues are, and what software versions are required to take an early car from having many software issues to no issues at all. Yet it still seems owners are having the same issues with the dealers. We've seen a few members join recently who've purchased 2nd hand early cars, where the issues have not been resolved by the previous owner who are getting the same run-around by the dealers. It does seem the dealers hands are tied on the process they have to follow. It is a shame that lessons aren't being learned by Skoda UK on this particular problem. I think if you're looking to purchase an early car I would have a read through the forum on the common threads regarding the "Pop, Pop SOS" issues, infotainment issues and climate issues, etc. All can be fixed with software updates. If the car is on early versions of the software insist it's updated before taking delivery.

It definitely doesn't crash. It pauses and continues when the car is next switched on. I had a similar thing with an update last year. If you press "more info" it tells you there that power cycling the car, and moving away from the update screen won't affect the update and it will continue. I've not been offered 1969 OTA yet. In the last week I've had a couple of app updates, but nothing else.

Completely agree with @spcdust. My SE L First Edition was an utter nightmare. All of the issues were (eventually) fixed via software update, and now the car works exactly as it should. Every Skoda main dealer in the country must be fully aware of the issues, the relevant Skoda Technical bulletins, and the required updates to resolve them as so many cars have the issues. The dealer doesn't really need to do a diagnosis, as they will be aware of what the issue is. If the dealer refuses to back down, maybe try another dealer or raise the matter with Skoda UK Executive Office. If they're doing updates, it's worth getting them to update the climate control module if your car is affected by the climate control SYNC issue. Details here: Forum Link In reality the dealers should have a package of updates available that can be applied to early cars in order to bring all of the modules with known issues to versions that are known to be good. Another forum member has recently had a bad experience with a used purchase, and that includes issues with old software: Forum Link

I had a 73 plate Octavia SE L as a loan car from the dealer a couple of months ago. The infotainment was running on version 1941. The car was completely fine in the time I had it. You shouldn't have any issues or anything to look out for with it.

The issue is detailed here, worth a read: Climate SYNC issue forum link

@sam8520 If the dealer deny there are available software updates, direct them to the lead technician at Marshall Letchworth (Mick). He sorted out all the issues on my SEL First Edition. If you use the Climate control SYNC feature, check that it retains the setting after turning the car off and on. If you find it doesn't hold, then that module also needs a firmware update. Again, Mick at Marshall Letchworth got that sorted out for me.

Hi @SteveTheElder Is your SE L FE running on the 17" wheels? My car was a dealer management car, so they ordered the upgraded 18" wheels, full leather and some other bits. I assumed with the 18" wheels they just put on whatever tyres they had in the factory. I think V rated tyres are the perfect rating for the 1.5 engine.

Thanks @petrolcan. I hadn't actually looked at W rated tyres due to the car being supplied with Y rated tyres. I wasn't sure if there was a potential insurance if I fitted tyres at a speed rating lower than was originally supplied by the manufacturer? Admittedly I think the chances of me getting my 1.5 SE L to 168mph are pretty slim!