Now then chums what do you think this could be? I have a 55 reg Octy 2.0tdi estate, 40,000 miles, it has developed a whirring vibration which is felt through the steering wheel and can clearly be heard like a washing machine coming off the spin cycle as you decrease speed and gets higher pitched from 40 mph as the car accelerates.If the car is knocked out of gear the sound continues. It is speed related I have not had new tyres fitted, it sounds like a wheel bearing or driveshaft to me.

Or badly worn tyres can do this.

Had the rears making a right racket on the works mondy - so much that I though both bearings were gone.

First step to do, before anything else, get all four wheels balanced and swap between front and back ones.

Check your tyres first.

How many miles have they done? What is the tread depth?

Any sign of uneven wear - place the flat of your hand on the tread and move it forwards and back; is the tyre 'smooth' or does one direction feel rough?

Had this happen to one of our 07 octy estates, found that both the rear tyres had feathered, much better once they were changed and the tracking sorted.

I had exactly the same problem on my 06 vRS. It turned out to be uneven wear on the insides of the rear tyres. They were worn like a 50p piece. Try rubbing your hands around the inside of all the tyres and feel for uneven wear.

Feel gently tho' as there could be something nasty sticking out from the tyre!

Rear track will be out (new measurement issued by skoda for camber)

My rear bearings sounds like they are fcked. The O/S/R tyre is shot and needs replacing. Happened before when both rear Contis wore out.

The Octavia II is the worst car i've known for transmitting tyre noise especially when they are worn.

Thanks everyone, I've swapped the rear tyres for the fronts and had them balanced, much better now. will also get the rears tracked.Regards everyone Monkster.

My rear bearings sounds like they are fcked. The O/S/R tyre is shot and needs replacing. Happened before when both rear Contis wore out.

The Octavia II is the worst car i've known for transmitting tyre noise especially when they are worn.

Have you had your setup check on the rear?

Have you had your setup check on the rear?

Nope, Skoda don't give a monkeys about the problem, they tell me to go to Kwik Fit and get the tracking checked

Nope, Skoda don't give a monkeys about the problem, they tell me to go to Kwik Fit and get the tracking checked

SUK, or just your dealer?

It's a common, well documented issue both here and on many sites (such as Stu's). There is even a tech update detailing the new figures, so they cant dismiss it.

Complain, and if you have to get it done at your expense then ram it down their throat like a member here did recently. His was a lease vehicle, and vented at the lease firm to get their way.

If private, a good email/recorded letter with the evidence and copy of the bill, cc'd to BBC watchdog and trading standards should suffice.