Having been delighted with the ease of fitting, practicality and sturdiness of the Skoda-supplied dog guard accessory for my MkI Octy hatch, it was an apparent no-brainer to buy the 'official' one again for my new MkII hatch. (Disappointed of course that the old one wouldn't fit.)

Ordered one up from the local dealer and went to pick it up today - SWMBO will need it to take our mutt to Crufts on Sunday. First of all the new design seems unnecessarily complex in comparison with the MkI version (if it ain't broke, don't fix it). Besides loosely hooking onto the metal hoops into which the rear seatbacks latch, there are now also two more lugs at the base which locate into two more metal hoops at floor level. But, on the example I was given, these lugs were marginally too far apart horozontally, which meant that one had really to be forced down into position and didn't really want to go all the way in. On top of this the guard is now supplied with two fixing bolts (doubtless some EC nanny-state H&S reg!). But, because the unit also seems out of tolerance vertically as well as horizontally, it won't drop down low enough and one bolt hole is totally obscured behind the metal hoop at floor level. Bear in mind we're only talking about minor out of tolerances here, but it makes the unit impossible to fit as intended - and it does cost nearly £100!

At present I have rejected the unit and the dealership is going to get another in to see if this is any better.

But the point is - is the one I tried a one-off? Have other people had experience of the MkII item with no problems? Or do I have to accept that they're all like this and grin and bear it? I'd appreciate your feed back.

I've got the dog guard and find it awkward to fit plus I too found that the bottom lugs are mis-aligned. I gave up using the screws as 1 cross-threads because of the alignment. Its a lot of money for a piece of metal! Luckily for me it was thrown in by the dealer when I bought the car!!

I had to take mine back due to the dealer fitting a hatchback one in my estate. Once I had the new (correct) one it seems to be fine. Have had it out easily to take things to dump or bikes in back and think it's quite good that it slots up from behind the seats and still have the cover in place.

Guess its just your luck if all the things line up, but for £90 I thought it was pretty good as it's custom built for the car and matches contours perfectly.

Hope you get it sorted.

dog guard awkward to fit plus the bottom lugs are mis-aligned. I gave up using the screws as 1 cross-threads because of the alignment. Its a lot of money for a piece of metalQUOTE]

The one fitted to my son-in-law's estate was so poorly jigged that, as the bolts were tightened, one lug snapped off the frame. Having welded it back on - and bored out the mounting holes - we got it to fit, after a fashion....

dog guard awkward to fit plus the bottom lugs are mis-aligned. I gave up using the screws as 1 cross-threads because of the alignment. Its a lot of money for a piece of metalQUOTE]

The one fitted to my son-in-law's estate was so poorly jigged that' date=' as the bolts were tightened, one lug snapped off the frame. Having welded it back on - and bored out the mounting holes - we got it to fit, after a fashion....[/quote']

Thanks for that folks - seems I am not alone then! Seems it may be pot luck as to whether you get one within tolerance or not, so I'll just have to see whether the second one that the dealer gets in is an easier fit.

I agree that the basic design and construction of the unit is fine (the one we had on our MkI Octy had no problems with location and still looks as good as new after 10 years). However, if I've paid nearly £100 for what is after all not a complex bit of kit, and it's a Skoda genuine accessory, I do expect it to fit without my having to get to work with pliers, hammers, drills and whatever!

Of course an alternative explanation is that the dog guard is fine and jigged to design tolerance, but it's the locating hoops on the car itself that are out of tolerance. So, if the next one also is a poor fit, I'll get the dealer to try it on another MkII in order to eliminate that explanation.

This was actually an eBay special for me -- a great bargain at £45, and it was within 10 miles of home, so free collection as well!

You're right - I too would have got one from e-bay or Briskoda had there been any genuine Skoda MkII versions available, but I needed one in a hurry. Just a shame that the MkI version doesn't quite fit.

PS Is it breed showing you do? What dogs?

Yes it is (or, to be precise, 'Yes that's what SWMBO does!' Tend to see our dogs as my pets and also accessories that necessitate my taking them for long walks - and 'er indoors's showdogs.). They are Briards - hence their being whisked off to Crufts on Sunday which is Pastoral day.

The one I had was very tight which ended up with the screw cross threading and needing a set of mole grips to get it back out! Dealer got a replacement strut though and it was all fine.

The one we had was a little tight fitting but no squeaks or rattles and came out like a greased pig when I removed it