NickGreen

Thanks All, for your replies. I actually wrote to Thatcham this morning (support.thatcham.com [in internet address bar] -> General Enquiries -> Other) and received a reply: Good Afternoon Nick , I can confirm that your vehicle (reg.) has a Thatcham Approved Category 1 Alarm and Immobiliser, fitted as standard by the manufacturer. Just as mumpsim says! Can't believe it was so difficult to find. Also, to note, insurance company auto-filled "category 2" online when I was completing the form so it appears their system didn't collect the correct information from the Thatcham database. Another concern was that Skoda showroom where I bought the car had no idea. Crazy! Anyway, will now complete insurance process. Hope this post proves useful to others in the future. Best wishes, Nick

I recently bought a manual 2024 Skoda Karoq 1.5ltr SEL car and it's now time for me to renew my car insurance. However, I just can't determine what type of Thatcham alarm system I have fitted and the insurance company need to know to complete the quote. I've had a look here (https://www.thatcham.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/September-2020-OE.pdf) from another Briskoda post but all I can see for Karoq Nov 2017 onwards is 'Security System V' (TC3 -1520/0714 RTSUML) and that pdf is also out of date. As far as I can tell there is Thatcham Approved Category 1 (with alarm and immobiliser) and Thatcham Approverd Category 2 (with immobiliser only). I did phone up the Skoda garage where I bought the car from, but all they could confirm was that it was 'manufacture fitted Thatcham system', which isn't enough information for the insurance company. Does anyone know how to find out the exact type of Thatcham alarm fitted to each car? I've also had a look in my owners manual and that doesn't say either (and covers all versions of the car so isn't much use). Thanks very much for any help, Nick

I agree with your comments StEdmund (and was something I was trying to explain in point 1 of my original post). With my 2005 manual Fabia I don't think I was changing gears as much in the city and, with the stiffer and higher clutch and break pedals in the Karoq, was finding it tiresome in the new car - certainly enough to make me notice and question my decision not to go for a DSG. The solution I found with the carpet off-cuts has made a big difference in terns of using the manual pedals but there still remains the increased number of gear changes in the city. Overall, I think I'm happy enough with the difference to stick with the manual Karoq. Like my Fabia (that I ran for 19+ years), I'm keen to keep it as long as possible so thought manual offered a better chance without more costly repairs down the line. However, I'm not sure if today's cars are built to last as long..?!

Hi All, Thanks very much for your replies and suggestions. So, after giving it some further thought, I checked and noticed that the brake pedal is as high as the clutch on my Karoq and even if I switched to a DSG, this would probably still be an issue. This led to another internet search and a post on this forum came up - DSG brake pedal height (DSG brake pedal height - Skoda Karoq - BRISKODA). In that post a forum member had the solution to use some carpet cut-outs placed under the official Skoda mat, thereby raising their feet higher (and the car pedals correspondingly lower). Intrigued, I bought some carpet off-cut and set to work copying the design and this has made a big difference 🙂 The pedals now feel a similar height to what I remember in my Fabia and, whilst the clutch is still stiffer, the drive is much more comfortable. I thought I'd post the update and link here in case anyone else has a similar issue.

Hi both, thanks for replies. First of all Warrioir193, you are correct, I know I shouldn't rest my foot on the clutch pedal and once I'm up to speed I settle it to the left of the clutch etc. However, in the city with slow traffic and lights, when changing up and down gears regularly, I guess my left foot stays (lightly) on the clutch pedal in anticipation of the next gear shift? In my Fabia, this was fine but in my Karoq, with the higher clutch pedal, my left foot is bent at a tighter angle, which isn't as comfortable. I have tried changing seat positions (backwards/forwards, up and down) and will keep experimenting. I would be interested to hear from anyone else with a manual Karoq and how they find it? Maybe it's something folk get used to? Thanks again, Nick

Hello, after owning a 2005 manual Fabia for almost 20 years, it felt like time(!) to get an upgrade and I settled on the 1.5 TSI manual Karoq. The car was exactly one years old with only 2,500 miles on the clock and feels almost new :) Overall, I've been delighted with it, however, there are a couple of things quite different to my Fabia that I wanted to check about on here: (1) I assumed I would change gears at roughly the same speed moments as my Fabia, but notice the Karoq prefers (by the sound of the revs and dash-display) to change up gears more quickly. I also notice on my parents automatic car, the gears change up quicker so maybe that is how newer engines are tuned (i.e. to improve economy)? (2) The clutch pedal has a greater arc of movement compared to my Fabia, meaning (a) I need to push it further to change gears and (b) when the clutch isn't engaged it sits higher, making it more uncomfortable to rest my left foot on it with heel on the mat. Also (c) the clutch feels considerably stiffer compared to my Fabia. As a result, with the quicker gear changes and stiffer clutch pedal I haven't enjoyed driving it as much as I hoped, certainly in the city. On the motorway the car sings and I've greatly enjoyed the higher view point, more comfy seats and all new gadgets in a modern car but, I do wonder if I would have been better getting an automatic (DSG). Could anyone who faced similar issues with a manual Karoq let me know how they have got on over time? Is the stiff/high clutch pedal something you've got used to and is there anything you did to help (i.e. get the pedal dynamics altered, change seating position)? Thanks very much for any advice/help, Nick

More great feedback. Thanks all, much appreciated 🙂

Thanks logiclee, I didn't realise that. Million dollar question (after quick internet search) is the DQ200 DSG considered a reliable gearbox? There seems to be issues with earlier ones (pre-2012)? Are you happy with yours?

I popped into my local garage today (that I use to service my Fabia) and they told me that whilst they can complete general service of Karoqs they don't service automatic/DSG gearboxes, so I'd need to go elsewhere for that. That got me thinking, how often does the Karoq 1.5ltr petrol DSG need servicing/oil change? Is it every 40,000 miles or every 80,000? Also, do most folk use main dealer for service when car is covered by warranty and then go local (cheaper) after warranty has run out? Thanks for all help.

@logiclee Thanks for heads-up Logiclee. I'm looking to buy a second hand Karoq (anything 1-3 years old depending on deal). Do you know what year the MFSW went standard on SE and SEL? Obs I can check at dealers but would be good to know in advance 🙂

@don_kiddik Thanks for heads-up Don 🙂 Just to check, does your Sportline have the standard steering wheel (same as in SE/SEL versions) or is it a multi-function steering wheel (MFSW)?

Thanks again for replies. I intend to visit Skoda showroom next week and test drive Karoq SEL. Another question (if OK) - I've had a good look online but not sure of answer. Do you need Multifunction Steering Wheel to control media player (and phone calls, sat-nav) without touching screen (i.e. from buttons on steering wheel) or can this by achieved with normal/standard steering wheel? Rather than touch screen, I'd like to change volume, skip/reverse tracks, go back to Spotify menu (or up a folder level on USB stick) as well as answer calls etc from the steering wheel. I've tried looking at online Karoq manual but can't seem to find answer. Thanks again 🙂

Thanks all for further replies. Seems to be that even though Karoq is obviously larger than Fabia, its overall shape and parking assist (including revers camera on SEL models) mean it isn't too hard to park. Good to know. Thanks for heads-up logiclee - I will do another test drive of Karoq to test out seats. Do others (with back problems) find driver seat to be an issue (i.e. slope) or do most find them OK? My Fabia seat is quite low and I'm pretty sure higher Karoq seat will help me there?

That's good to know, thanks both thamestrader and croquemonsieur (great names)! Sounds like my back will be catered for whatever model I get. Thinking SEL atm. Last question (honest) - how to folk find parking a bigger car like Karoq. It ticks all the boxes for me but, of course, my Fabia is easy to park as it feels quite small. When I actually compare the two together (carsized online) there actually isn't much difference in length (just 12 cm) or width (11cm) but I imagine it is a little harder to park. I know SEL comes with parking assist front and back as well as rear camera, so I imagine that will help. Is it just a case of getting used to it quite quickly? Thanks 🙂

Some more great feedback - thanks all. Couple more questions if OK: 1. How easy is it to turn off stop/start, lane assist and forward assist? Is it a single manual button press (hope so) or do you need to dive deep into menu on screen? You have to do this each time in my friend's Mercedes and it's so frustrating he has given up. 2. (Probably like many) I can suffer from lower back/sciatic pain, which is another reason to go for bigger/higher Karoq. I notice that SEL has option of electronic seat adjustment including adjustable lumbar support? Does the manually adjusted seat option also include adjustable lumbar support? How do folk find the Karoq driver seat overall? Thanks again👍

Sorry, forgot to add: 7. Many folk seen to recommend changing Bridgestone tires. So, 18" are OK but Kormoran or Vredestien tires instead. When I buy my car, can I ask Skoda dealership to change or is it best to do independently? Roughly how much will that cost? 8. My Fabia is manual but my friends Mercedes is automatic that I like to drive. I know this is subjective but any views either way? DSG vs manual? (I'm leaning towards DSG). Thanks again👍

First of all, thanks so much to all of you for your detailed replies. I never expected such a response and greatly appreciate it 😀 Reading through each a number of times, I've made a few observations: 1. Make sure to check the A/C works on chosen car as well as no leaks in the foot well. (This was actually an issue on my Fabia that took quite a while to resolve). 2. It appears that more recent 1.5ltr DSG engines run well. Some prefer 2.0ltr for the wet clutch DSG but 2.0ltr does impact fuel economy? Would anyone recommend 1.0ltr? Would performance dip outweigh fuel economy? I have 1.2ltr Fabia atm and can't imagine Karoq would move with 1.0ltr (although technology has probs improved over last 20 years)! 3. If I read correctly, lane assist option won't be in Karoq 1-3 years old? Hooray if so! My friend has lane assist in his Mercedes and it frightens the life out of me when it kicks in. 4. New EVO2 engines seem recommended. But are they only for 2024 Karoq models onwards (or 2023)? 5. I imagine servicing costs will increase compared to my Fabia (once I stop going main dealer after warranty runs out)? Or do folk find Karoq still reasonable in that sense? 6. Overall, my sense is that, barring buying a lemon, the Karoq is a good, well reviewed car. Initially I wanted something a little smaller (as I'm coming from my Fabia) but when I sat in showroom Kamiq it just felt very cramped (even compared to my Fabia). And when I got in the Karoq I felt I could breath again. Do you quickly get used to the bigger size when parking? SEL with rear camera parking assist seems a good idea here. Once again thanks for all help and, if I've missed a question out you think is important, please let me know. Much appreciated👍

Dear All, in early 2006 I bought a 6-month old Fabia that I still run today 😃 However, the time has come for a replacement and I'm after some advice/help. Caring for ageing relatives means I'm on the motorway much more these days so I have thought about something bigger and recently tried a Karoq that I liked. I'm looking for 1-3 years old Karoq and have some general questions (as well as SE vs SEL models): I'm keen to get an automatic but have read some issues about DSG? It seems there are some issues for DSG in 1.5 TSI engines? Is that correct? Any (model) years to avoid? Do 1.5 TSI DSG engines have an issue starting from cold (kangarooing)? Or is that just manual? Is Economy (ECO) mode available in SE model? Does ECO mode save much fuel? Again, I've read of a few ECO issues, are these correct or does ECO mode run fine in Karoq? When I test drove Karoq I did notice it was firmer/bumpier compared to my Fabia that might be due to larger 18" wheels? If I bought an SEL model could the wheels be swapped to 17" (or smaller)? Does it actually make much difference to the drive? Can 'Lane Assist' and engine auto 'Stop/Start' be turned off permanently (or do they reset each time)? Can both models (SE/SEL) run normal unleaded petrol (not just premium)? I think I read this somewhere but must be mistaken? My plan is to use the official Skoda 'Used Cars' website as it offers a good selection. Is this considered expensive compared to other options? What is the better factor to hunt for when buying a used Skoda (age vs mileage)? Finally, is it worth trying to buy as many warranty years as possible? Or does it cost more than its worth? Any answers to one or more questions above would be greatly appreciated. As well as any general advice I might have missed. Thanks in advance for any help, Nick