I recently purchased an Octavia ('58 vRS). The decision was made after driving various different cars aimed at the 'sports hatch' market.

I've now done less than 1000 miles in the car, but am frankly disappointed with the quality of the car, although it is good to drive.

One front brake disc is faulty (its scoring up badly and 'graunching' slightly on braking) and a rear caliper is sticking slightly, causing the disc to run very hot. Air-con is working after a fashion but seems to be undercharged (it doesn't demist very well). Door seals creak badly when the body flexes.

I have been to two dealerships about these issues and got the brush-off. One dealer reckoned the disc scoring and graunching noise was 'normal' ("Yes, that's normal, we see this happening on a lot of Octavias" ??!!). The other dealer told me it was "wear - that's what happens with brakes" (this on a car with less than 600 miles from new at the time!!). With the sticking caliper I was told 'we wouldn't get it under warranty".

Basically total disinterest in dealing with any problems.

I have 30+ years experience with cars (worked as a fitter in my younger days, degree in engineering and many years as a development engineer for one of the UK's largest automotive engineering consultancy companies) so I'm not imagining these "issues".

I suspect that VAG are perhaps being getting tough with dealers on their warranty claims (to cut costs) and so dealers are reluctant to do the work for fear of not getting paid.

Whatever the reason, the product is not being properly supported IMHO. Won't be buying another Skoda when the time comes to renew, I'll be going back to the likes of Toyota and Subaru.

I can't understand how Skoda has come out well in, for example, the JD Power surveys.

I shall be posting my experiences on every car review site/forum I can find, so that potential purchasers can make an informed choice.

All makes have a 'lemon' fall through the system once in a while, you are just unlucky to have found one.

Skoda do so well because they are good cars, you just need to press your dealer harder to fix the car or reject it - you are within your rights to do this.Skoda customer service does leave a lot to be desired and you do need to get harsh sometimes to get matters resolved.

Have you voiced your concerns with Skoda UK?

I don't think my car is a 'lemon', I think these are just minor QA issues that could be quickly sorted (apart, perhaps from the door seals, which I think is a least in part due to the design). Reading some of the other posts on these forums indicates its not unusual for owners to have problems and the cars are some way off Japanese levels in terms of being defect free.

I have had plenty of cars in the past and some minor issues that needed sorting under warranty - all were done without argument.

The comments from the two dealers lead me to think that Skoda are very 'tight' on warranty. Dealers are usually keen to take on straightforward warranty jobs if they know they'll be paid, so I reckon Skoda must be 'difficult'.

You wanna try dealing with Audi, then you'll realise what poor customer service is like!!

Isn't this a case for rejection of the car?

I would not say all Japanese cars are defect free. I have just bought a toyota verso for my wife and have already had 2 new discs replaced on waranty due to scoring issues. It would also appear that another disc is going the same way so that will be the third. Luckily my local dealer is very good and has sorted out the issue on waranty with no questions.

To me it sounds like you may not have the best dealers. My local dealer have always been very good (although they are now no longer a skoda dealer) and carried out several waranty jobs with no hassle. The most recent was 2 months ago when I had the gear stick replaced on my 56 vrs because the silver paint was coming off. I am now waiting with baited breath to see what the new dealer in my area will be like. If they do not continue the good service I have recieved so far then I too will be looking for another make of car come change over time. This is because although I really like my Octavia (and skoda as a whole - a lot of car for your money and much better build quality compared to other European manufacturers) the quality of the local dealer is of high importance to me since if I do have a problem I just want it sorted with as little hassle to me as possible. The quality of local dealers is also one reason why I will never buy a Seat, unless of course the dealer changes and then I will give them another chance to impress me!

Was one of the dealers you approached the dealer who suppied the car?.

The supplying dealer is usually morally obliged to deal with the matter sympathetically and politely.It should not be a "cost covered by SUK" issue. The supplying dealers earned profit margin should initally cover the prompt and efficient correction of this type of issue fairly quickly without question.. And then pass it on to SUK

I would think that if you told the dealer the sticky caliper was a safety issue (an overheated brake won't work properly), and if their attitude is 'we wouldn't get it under warranty" then maybe if you escalate it to the relevant road safety authorities the embarassment may be just a bit worse ?

Sorry to hear that you are having trouble getting things fixed. Of course it would be better if the problems hadn't occurred in the first place, but it is rubbing salt into the wound not being able to get them fixed (by your supplying dealer ? ) without quibbles. This brings to mind the old saying "When the going gets tough, the tough get going".

I don't think my car is a 'lemon', I think these are just minor QA issues that could be quickly sorted (apart, perhaps from the door seals, which I think is a least in part due to the design). Reading some of the other posts on these forums indicates its not unusual for owners to have problems and the cars are some way off Japanese levels in terms of being defect free.

I have had plenty of cars in the past and some minor issues that needed sorting under warranty - all were done without argument.

The comments from the two dealers lead me to think that Skoda are very 'tight' on warranty. Dealers are usually keen to take on straightforward warranty jobs if they know they'll be paid, so I reckon Skoda must be 'difficult'.

Is this Japanese cars from Japan or does it include British built Japanese cars??

If you think you have problems visit here - Civinfo - Honda Civic Forum

Now there's some proper QA issues!! I know I'm a member (ex Skoda owner x2)

You wanna try dealing with Audi, then you'll realise what poor customer service is like!!

Here here. Premium car and Audi are not words I would put together. And this is my experience with 2 new cars from them. How I could get two lemons in row is anyones guess, but I did.

Doesn't sound like anything too serious is wrong with the car, should be a simple fix under warranty.

Have you taken the car back to the dealer you bought it off and had a discussion with the salesman you dealt with?

You wanna try dealing with Audi, then you'll realise what poor customer service is like!!

Try Renault, they're even worse. Prior to my first Skoda, I had a Laguna, which had the following problems

Needed 12 new tyre pressure sensors (they had a tendency to rot inside the wheel)

Had 2 new ignition keys (great idea, awful in practice, and prone to breaking)

New dashboard installed (the first one wouldn't read the fuel level, and reported doors being open, even when closed)

Brakes failed twice. Once the master brake cable snapped under braking, and I rear ended a car at a roundabout. Second time, the shaft that holds accelerator, brake and clutch pedals in place snapped, and ended up on the floor of the drivers footwell. Had to use the handbrake to stop.

When the brakes failed first time, it took Renault 9 months to deal with the problem. Initally they said they'd repair the car. When I argued about it, they upped it to a £250 refund off a new Renault instead (hardly the greatest discount, and why would I want another Renault ??)

In the end, I got them to pay for a rental car whilst they fixed mine, which after all the hassle, was about 9 months of hire. Got to drive a selection of rental cars including a LWB pasat, which is what made me choose the Superb when I came to swap the Laguna in.

I now wouldn't choose a Renault in principle, and yet (when it worked) it was a fabulous car to drive. I just didn't like the service and support I got from Renault or any of their dealers.

Skoda on the other hand, do have some great dealers out there, whilst I couldn't find any good ones with Renault.

Doesn't sound like anything too serious is wrong with the car, should be a simple fix under warranty.

Have you taken the car back to the dealer you bought it off and had a discussion with the salesman you dealt with?

I agree these are not major faults, but niggles all the same. I will probably sort them out myself rather than waste valuable time driving to dealers and arguing (I don't have one close by). A mate of mine is an established local VW/Audi independent and I have a decent workshop attached to my house (inspection pit, air tools etc etc) and can drop a pair of front discs on the car, no problem.

I think the issue here is that when dealers take on the Skoda franchise they put the sign over their door and take on all the obligations of a franchisee, I shouldn't have to go back and speak to the original salesman etc etc. I'm not sure where blame lies but from visiting two dealers it would seem their neither was confident that they could get a warranty claim on the scored disc. The first dealer told me that, in any event, none of the friction parts of the braking system are covered beyond the first 1000 miles??

Is this Japanese cars from Japan or does it include British built Japanese cars??

If you think you have problems visit here - Civinfo - Honda Civic Forum

Yes, I have heard that the lastest Civic has had more than an average number of problems. To be fair though, Japanese cars, wherever built, do tend to be reliable and bug-free. The Sunderland built Primera, the Derby-built Avensis and the Swindon-built Accord are all good cars. I think the previous generation Civic was good too.

Most of my family have been motor trade so I have been steeped in cars since birth (about 50 years!) and have heard very few horror stories about Japanese products. My own father ran his own independent used sales/repair garage through the 60's, 70's and early 80's and I remember the old Cherry's, Sunny's, Bluebird's etc that he sold. People just bought them and were happy. Unlike the Renaults, Fiats etc which were like 'homing pigeons'.

Try Renault, they're even worse.

No thanks, I would never buy a Renault. As a general rule its wise to avoid French and Italian cars if you want hassle-free motoring.

Who are these Skoda dealers? If you are anywhere near Bedford try Progress Skoda - they are the best I've found of a generally good bunch.

Have you taken it back to the dealer you bought it from; they would surely be sympathetic to your cause?

Have you considered the 'scored brake disc' might be caused by a piece of grit getting stuck in the leading edge of the brake pad?

Have you taken it back to the dealer you bought it from; they would surely be sympathetic to your cause?

Have you considered the 'scored brake disc' might be caused by a piece of grit getting stuck in the leading edge of the brake pad?

There are a series of many narrow concentric score marks, about 0.2-0.3mm deep on the disc extending over a 25-30mm wide band. I suspect a manufacturing defect. Almost looks like machining marks.

TBH its not so much the fault that annoys me as the attitude. To tell me that this is 'normal' is insulting my intelligence. I'm guessing that other less technically aware people get told this sort of thing and just accept it.

Several years ago my elderly mother bought a new Polo and suffered with a knocking noise from the suspension. She took it back to the VW dealer and got the brush off.

I investigated and found that one of the front ARB drop link joints was sloppy (manuf. defect). I wrote her a strongly worded note to take to the dealer telling them what the fault was and to fix it! Fortunately they did.

Go to the supplying dealer and give them the chance to fix.

If they flatly refuse, then mention that you'll refuse the car. I'm sure they'll change their tune.

Also remember we have a dealers review section. Placing a brisky sticker in the window, or mentioning it, might help them worry

I only got action from Audi when I phoned Audi Customer Services and told them I was going to the dealers on Saturday and once I'd pulled somone across the service counter I'd be outside making sure their day was just as wasted as mine - I'd have tried my hardest to make sure they didn't sell a car all day.

You mention the Primera - I had one of the last models (P12) and it was the most unreliable car i've ever had, still loved it though:O . I would imagine Renault had something to do with it because the previous models (P11 and P11-144) were bomb proof.

Moral of the story: Lemons also lurk amongst the ranks of Jap cars

Before you say anything, I am also peed off with Skoda at the moment, no one is interested in the problems with my car and I am just fobbed off with really lame excuses.

Ah, there's nothing like a bit of Hovis-induced (or should that be shokupan-induced nostalgia! Japanese cars may have been better put together than the European competition, but the chaps at Fiat could have told them a thing or two about rust prevention in the 60s-80s! (All to do with the protectionist 10 year scrap / export rules, as I'm sure you're aware!)

Back to your current car, though, it seems to me - as it has done to others - that your issue is with the dealer, not the brand. I had both my rear slave cylinders replaced under warranty no-questions-asked, even though the warranty had just days left on it, and the problems only started after I'd had aftermarket discs and pads fitted. As for the air con, are you sure it's not on 'Eco', as this actually means the compressor is off? Bit confusing, but in the manual all the same!

You mention the Primera - I had one of the last models (P12) and it was the most unreliable car i've ever had, still loved it though:O . I would imagine Renault had something to do with it because the previous models (P11 and P11-144) were bomb proof.

Moral of the story: Lemons also lurk amongst the ranks of Jap cars

Before you say anything, I am also peed off with Skoda at the moment, no one is interested in the problems with my car and I am just fobbed off with really lame excuses.

I had a Primera GT, the last of their 150 bhp versions, nice car but had a couple of oddball faults in the first few thousand miles. After that had it 5 years with little trouble.

My Mk1 vRS had nothing go wrong with it but only had it 18 months from new.

My Mk.2 2.0FSi could have ended up expensive. A/C Compressor went just before warranty ended (phew...) but when I traded it in I think the cat was going. That would have been another £700 +, just out of warranty. So it seems to be pot luck.

To be fair though, Japanese cars, wherever built, do tend to be reliable and bug-free.

All cars have problems, especially in this day and age. I could say just as much about a certain Toyota Celica T Sport that ended up being 'given' back to Toyota - and that's before you even get into what a crap car it was to drive on a daily basis even in 'perfect working order'. There were SOME good points, but they were few and far between.

On the other hand, i (many moons ago) had a little peugeot that managed over 80,000 miles in less than three years with no real problems other than an immobiliser transponder aerial fault and a minor exhaust squeek - both of which were fixed under warranty with no quibbles at all.

To be honest you do sound a little bitter. You obviously have an issue with Skoda and are unlikely to be swayed by anything written here, or that Skoda were to do at this stage.

I also think you need to be stronger with the dealer. My skoda dealer offered to drive over to my work in a courtessy car, pick my car up, and return it afterwards (something i have had to force other dealers to do) and if you are that bothered about the travel aspect then you should have been pushing for this. I have managed to get dealers to stick some fuel in before and even had one peugeot dealer offer to send the courtessy car on a low loader and mine taken back on it so as to ensure that no miles were put on my car. This comes from finding the balance between taking no crap and not behaving like some stuck up twonk. My local Skoda dealer havent yet felt the full force of my perfectionism with regards to my cars yet but so far i have been happy enough.

Also, i find with any franchise business (which most motor dealers are) that standards can vary from place to place. This is always the case and always will be - though gettting in touch with the manufacturer directly will normally bring results i find and if you havent done this yet then you really should before you attack a whole brand.