derryvolgie

You can get Smartlink for a lot less than a dealer will charge - see my post above. I Have to say I am very happy with the CPlay2air wireless adapter recommended by PetrolDave (big thanks). I have since found lots of wireless adapters advertised on Amazon but quite a lot of negative feedback about adapters stopping working after a few weeks or months,

Thanks PetrolDave, that looks like exactly what I want. I think I will get one. Cheers

Hi JD52, I did a search here for wireless adapters and Smart Link / Car Play but got no hits. Would you mind pointing me towards any reelevant information? Thanks in advance.

Pleased to say I now have Smart Link and Apple Car Play. I paid to download the files and procedure from this eBay page https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404559000150 It cost £55 but a local VAG centre quoted me £140+vat just for the "product" and was then planning to charge labour on top for the installation. I am very happy. I got a second hand official Skoda SD card which allowed the satnav to work but it is a pretty clunky system. Google maps via Apple Car Play is more user friendly.

Hi, I was in the same position regarding SmartLink. I downloaded the files and the procedure from this eBay page a few days ago and successfully installed it. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404559000150 You unzip and copy the downloaded activation files onto an sd card and follow a sequence of steps /screens on the Infotainment unit as per the guide provided. I paid £55, so not cheap but much less than a dealer. The seller asks you to send a picture of your software version to check if your car/system is suitable and that the activation files will work.

Thanks PetrolDave, Do you know if the sd card ID code can be accesssed and changed?

Thanks paulski, I am new to Skodas so didn't know I could use Smartlink and google maps on my iPhone. I bought a Skoda sd card but I will also try Smart Link - it would be good to have live updates from Google maps sometimes

Hi all, as I said I was away for a week and the sd card - https://www.speedcams.co.uk/shop/skoda-map-sd-card/genuine-5l0-skoda-map-sd-card-32gb-full-europe I bought arrived during that time. I installed it today and am pleased to say the satnav is now working properly. Thanks for all the useful advice. The seller operates a map update service (using the buyers sd card) but I think anyone can download these maps from the Skoda update portal and simply copy them over the previous map on the sd card. The same seller also offers spped cam warnings (presumably as poi's). Does anyone know how to get speed cam warnings without paying?

Yes I saw those Ali Express ones. But as the SD card needs a physical chip (as I understand it) that would be harder for the Chinese system to "clone" as it is not software/programming. Also they looked suspiciously cheap. I saw an offer - https://www.speedcams.co.uk/shop/skoda-map-sd-card/genuine-5l0-skoda-map-sd-card-32gb-full-europe - It's £39 + 3.99 delivery. It looks legit but I have asked about the chip /hardware and am waiting to hear what he says. I am away for 8 days from tomorrow - so I will not be here/online till I come back but still interestedto come back to this afterwards. Thanks to those who have responded to my query - really appreciate it.

Thanks Warrior193, that makes sense and is really helpful. I tried phoning Skoda customer support (it's in S Africa!) and was told there's no security chip but Skoda cards "work best" - but she seemed a bit uncertain. Our local (Bristol) main dealer's parts department said any card could be used but it seems that's not correct. Do you know if any Skoda SD will work? I assume the data on the card is not relevant as you can format and copy new data to the card.

Hi, I would be very grateful for help/advice. I have just bought this 2016 Octavia 1.4 tsi. It came without an sd card. when I turn on the satnav I get an error message "Please insert a data medium with valid navigation data". I went to the Skoda update portal and entered my VIN. It then offered a range of map data sets. I have downloaded various map updates which include the UK and I have copied the contents of the unzipped folder onto the root af a Sandisk 32GB SD card. But when insert the card I still get the error message - Please insert a data medium with valid navigation data. I read on the Skoda Amunsden pdf guide about the sd card that is supposed to be in the unit and which you are instructed to remove "This card has a security chip, so other cards will not work". But the guide also refers to formatting cards as if new non-Skoda sd cards could also be used. Can anyone tell me if I need a Skoda card with a security chip to make the satnav work. If so can you tell me which card and how I can get one? An additional question is whether the age of my car means the fitted satnav is too old to use the map updates available on the Update Portal. Many thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this. Martin

Thanks for the replies. I will take all your helpful advice into account. I am looking at a Skoda Octavia as my lovely old Saab 9-3 died and I read good things about Skoda and the Octavia range

Hello Forum, new person here so please forgive any failings to follow forum guidelines. I am considering buying a 2019 Skoda Octavia 1.5 TSI ACT SE Technology Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (in the UK) The seller says it is showing a Front Assist warning light so Adaptive Cruise Control is not working. Is this likely to be a big/expensive issue or is it safe to buy expect to fix the problem for a reasonable expense? Really grateful for any advice from experienced Skoda users. Thanks Martin