BonyTony

Not true! I ran a towing and trailer business for 25+ years..... as long as the towing equipment is properly ‘e’ marked and tested, there is no issue. I would fit ‘plug in’ electrics as opposed to bypass relays etc in order that reversing sensors etc still operate correctly.

The way insurance companies work that seems highly unlikely! My 20 year old son drives a Vivaro van. Declaring a towbar as a mod, put his premium up £500. Declaring fitting reversing sensors and a rear view camera also put it up £500! It was a fixed price for any mod, regardless of safety etc.

In the construction & use regulations, there are specific requirements (angles of visibility) for the lights and the number plate. Impinging on any part of this would leave you open to a fine.... not to mention the numpties that might drive into you.... I’d go for electrics too. personally, I wouldn’t touch a boot mounted carrier with a barge pole. Some will damage the door edges and may well put excess pressure on the rear window.

It’s interesting you say that your EGR valve failed at 40000 miles. Another thread on the briskoda forums is inferring that they only fail after having the software upgrade! I had the software fix on 1st August 2017 and my EGR failed in late November. I did have 92000 on the clock so it might have gone anyway. Mine was sorted under the trust building measure, no cost at all, for parts, labour or the diagnostic check (it’s now running ok, again). However, I’d also had a quote from Halfords Autocentre for significantly less than £800 to £1000. Under the trust building measure though, I now have an extended 2 year warranty on emissions related issues. My dealer had the parts in so the car was off the road for 1 day....

I had the software update done by Walkers of King’s Lynn on 1st August. In hindsight, I do recall that my mpg had been getting slightly worse before the ‘fix’ anyway. I put this down to the fact that my car had already got 91000 miles on the clock. I knew nothing about EGR valves at the time. A few weeks after the ‘fix’, my mpg was noticeably worse, I would say almost 20% less, and I then had the issues with warning lights, etc. i followed a link on the Briskoda website and contacted the “Emissions Team” at Skoda UK. Within 2 days, my car was booked in at Walkers for a free diagnostic check followed the following day by fitting a new EGR valve. I did have an extra days delay as a new gasket was also required that was out of stock. See my earlier post regarding the way Walkers dealt with the issue including free lift home and back, free car wash & vac and free optional courtesy car. Now, some weeks on after having the EGR & gasket fitted, I can confirm that my mpg is right back to where it was when the car was new, I have more confidence in my vehicle again and I also have a 2 year warranty on emissions related problems, something I didn’t have before! My guess is that the EGR was due for failure anyway, due to my high mileage. If you’ve read the history of the ‘emissions scandal’ you will be aware of the reasons for VAG (and other manufacturers) cheating the system, rightly or wrongly. Your “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” attitude is understandable up to a point, but would you wait for a cam belt to break before fitting a new one? Your claim that VAG “can’t source VAG valves for months” is simply wrong as my experience proves. Whether you choose to have the software upgrade is up to you, but if you do the mileage’s I do, your EGR valve WILL fail! It will cost you around £500 to £600 at today’s prices, mine was free. It remains to be seen what happens when my next MOT is due, but for now, I rest my case. regards BonyTony.

You can be as cynical as you like about the trust building measure... http://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/dieselinfo/trust-building-measure/ All i I can say at this stage is that having brought up my problem with Skoda UK on Monday this week, my car is already back on the road with a new EGR valve, a new gasket, a wash and vac, and a lift home & back, around 12 miles away from my dealer. This is all at no cost to me, despite my vehicle being 5 years old and with over 90000 miles on the clock. I've yet to find out if my mpg is back to its previous, but so far, I'm a happy bunny. Skodas response is in marked contrast to my experience with Mercedes/Smart where my wife's MHD Smart had an issue with broken belts, eventually with a catastrophic failure needing a new engine at 31000 miles. Their response was 'Foxtrot Oscar'.... I think I know where I'll be spending my money next time I need a vehicle! Quote Edit Quote this

I'm not sure what you see as an issue with the way the trust building measure is worded... http://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/dieselinfo/trust-building-measure/ All i I can say at this stage is that having brought up my problem with Skoda UK on Monday this week, my car is already back on the road with a new EGR valve, a new gasket, a wash and vac, and a lift home & back, around 12 miles away from my dealer. This is all at no cost to me, despite my vehicle being 5 years old and with over 90000 miles on the clock. I've yet to find out if my mpg is back to its previous, but so far, I'm a happy bunny. Skodas response is in marked contrast to my experience with Mercedes/Smart where my wife's MHD Smart had an issue with broken belts, eventually with a catastrophic failure needing a new engine at 31000 miles. Their response was 'Foxtrot Oscar'.... I think I know where I'll be spending my money next time I need a vehicle!

You've said it's going well and good on fuel...... So why mess with it? my 62 plate Octavia 1.6d had the update in August and now it seems the EGR valve has failed. I've been in contact with Skoda uk emissions team, and my car is booked in tomorrow for a free diagnostic check, followed (hopefully) by a free repair. This is part of http://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/dieselinfo/trust-building-measure/. I guess they wouldn't touch yours with a barge pole if you have it remapped! if it ain't broke, don't fix it!!

#https://www.briskoda.net/forums/profile/86161-awaoffski/ hopefully, I'll get a full report!

Thank you for that info Langers2k ! UPDATE. following another run to Dorset and return, the two warning lights previously mentioned are on again, after being clear for a week. I've contacted Skoda uk and referred to the http://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/dieselinfo/trust-building-measure/ I'm delighted to say that my car is now booked into Walkers of King's Lynn for a free diagnostic check, and a free lift back home.... All being well, the car is being sorted on Thursday at Skoda's expense. Their customer service on this occasion so far, is excellent. This contrasts sharply with my Mercedes/smart experience when a continually failing 'starternator' resulted in a new engine at 31,000 miles... Fortunately, the tab of around £7000 was picked up by the AA as their technician trimmed the existing belt instead of recovering the vehicle. His 'repair' lasted barely 10 miles! if you have an issue post software upgrade, contact the emissions team at Skoda UK. ill keep you posted!

Thank you for that info Langers2k ! I've had it confirmed today that it is indeed the EGR valve that was causing the problem. (Ironically, but Sod's law I suppose, it was running ok today.) On my 12 mile run to Kings Lynn I averaged 62mpg with a warning light on. On the return trip with no warning light, I managed only 52mpg, and in The Fens, it's not because it was uphill! I guess my next move is to contact Walkers in Kings Lynn as they did the mod.... thanks again!

I have a Skoda Octavia Estate, 2012 vintage, with a 1.6l Diesel engine. I've done 91000 miles and had the software update undertaken on 01/08. I was advised that I would notice no difference in the way the car performs. However, prior to that I was doing the same trip of 217 miles each way on a fortnightly basis. According to the cars computer, I regularly averaged 56.4mpg. This was so consistent, it became the benchmark I worked on for other trips. Since the software revision, I have done the exact same trip on at least 6 occasions and now find I can't even achieve 50mpg. Worse, I have just returned today, with two warning lights on (exhaust inspection system, and flashing glow plug light) and the car was in 'limp home' mode. According to the handbook, it indicates exhaust emissions issues without being specific. I need to get the error code checked to hopefully pin it down. As I'm referring to the displayed mpg rather than pounds in my pocket, I can quantify the difference with some degree of accuracy. to say I am unhappy is an understatement..... :(

Thanks for the welcome!Having now towed, I can confirm that the OE electrics still work the trailer lights even though I haven't had the recoding done yet.I guess the recoding will disable the reversing sensors when a trailer is attached.... it may also activate a fog cut-out switch but I'm not sure that it does much else.RegardsBonyTony.

I took the 7 day free insurance last week, and after a phone conversation, was quoted a fairly competitive price for the Annual insurance. I didn't accept immediately and the price came down £50 within seconds. Taking the benefits into account, (protected no claims, legal costs, courtesy car, etc) it finished up being VERY competitive! I've signed up.... and it takes effect AFTER the 7 days is up so 53 weeks for the cost of 52........ BonyTony.

Hi folks.... Just taken delivery of my new Skoda Octavia SE Connect Estate having traded in my 54 plate VW Passat. Lovely motor! Fits like a glove! GREAT value! Got my detachable towbar fitted with 13 pin OEM style electrics...... All ready to tow now! I'll keep you posted if any problems! BonyTony