I purchased a second hand Ocativa Ambiente Estate to replace my rather unreliable other car that I won't mention! It's an 07 plate 2.0 litre 140bhp if that helps.

Anyway, one of the first things I noticed about it, apart from how great it was to drive and how well built it feels, is an odd vibrating noise which only seems to start at around 50/60mph but then continues at any speed.

It doesn't seem to be rev related, but speed related.

To be honest, it sounds just like the aerial vibrating, but isn't as I have tried adjusting it - can it be removed? - and tying it up.

I've read about possible problems with rear quarter light seals, but I have taped all these up and still get the same noise.

One thing I have noticed is that the noise tends to fade out / disappear around sharper left hand bends, but not right hand ones.

Does anyone have any ideas what could be wrong / causing it?

If anyone needs more info, please let me know and I can check it out. I'd like to get to the bottom of this as the car has a three month warranty covering it.

Many thanks.

Not sure what this could be - I have the same model.

Have you checked everything is secure under the boot floor? Is it an external or internal sound?

The rear seats can be a source for vibrations.

Just fold the rear seats down and see if it still vibrates.

Sounds external as I can hear it clearer with the windows open.

Will try putting the seats down just in case that makes a difference.

Did read somewhere about there being a drive shaft problem and these were replaced with a dampened one! No idea whether that applies to my vehicle or whether that is likely to be the problem.

Have checked the mud flaps - they seem secure - and will check under the vehicle tonight to see if anything is moving there.

Still sounds like the aerial vibrating though! Can it be removed (the wand not the base)?

Thanks guys.

Still sounds like the aerial vibrating though! Can it be removed (the wand not the base)?

Yes, but it needs a sharp tug once unscrewed to overcome the anti-theft lugs...the force required is just slightly more than you expect

Tried pulling it - quite hard - but to no avail.

Am I a wimp or is there a knack?

Have discovered that one of the plastic undertrays is cracked and doesn't seem to be fixed in properly. Will jack it up and check this out along with the wheel bearings and the exhaust.

Is starting to annoy me as I can hear it every time I drive the car!

If you want to remove the antenna, just dab it in and quickly pull it out. Pushing it in will release the mechanism that holds the antenna.

Thank for the info magic62. Managed to get it off - but unfortunately, it's not that which was making the noise!

Have found one of the undertrays that is a little loose (and cracked) so will get underneath and try to put that back to see if its that.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

It does seem to be coming from the rear of the vehicle if that brings up any other ideas.

Plastic undertray fixed - was actually screwed in properly, but the crack made it seem as though it wasn't.

Have emptied the boot of everything loose, checked every possible fitting I can find on the underside, sealed up the gap between the roof and the boot (which seems rather larger), checked the bearings to see if its that, but nothing so far.

Anyone got any ideas?

It may be my imagination, but it seems to be getting worse...

Loose number plate ?

Sounds more like a rear wheel bearing to me...

Yep, def a wheel bearing! Get someone to sit in the back and they can tell you which side it is!

Could also be a duff tyre, possibly out of shape. As speed picks up the the vibration sound will get worse.

Thanks guys for the responses - I have checked the number plate as I read (in this forum) about some problems with these, but seems very secure to me!

My dad suggested the wheel bearing when he heard it. I have jacked the vehicle up and tried wobbling the wheels to see if there is any play there, but can't feel anything. No sign of any unusual noises either.

Will sit in the back with someone driving the car to try to work out where it is coming from / which side it is on.

Am trying to book it into a local Skoda specialist to get them to check it out (and a knocking noise from the front suspension, but I think i know what that is) before going back to the people that sold it to me and getting it fixed under warranty.

If it is a wheel bearing, would it be usual to replace both at the same time, or is this not necessary?

Why don't I just go back to the people who sold me the car?

I don't trust them anymore after the way they have 'helped' me since buying the car from them.

Edited 2 August, 201015 yr by KBPhoto

Thought it may initially have been the balancing that was out, so had that redone. Hadn't thought of the wheel being out of shape though!

Will try swapping the wheel for the spare to see if it changes anything.

Budget tyres can cause noise/vibration problems at the rear. Because mine is a taxi I always use budgets on the rear (because all they do is stop the arse end from dragging on the floor) and have got used to the noise

Could also be a duff tyre, possibly out of shape. As speed picks up the the vibration sound will get worse.

If it sounds like wheel bearing its most likely the uneven rear tyre wear issue

Plenty of threads on this subject its very common for this to happen

Have swapped tyres around using the brand new spare as a substitute. Made little difference to the noise though.

Suspect that it is wheel bearing although there is no play in the wheel when puling it around on a jack! Is a grinding noise from the brake pads when it spins though.

Will get an independent garage to look at it and get it fixed.

Have you had the suspension alignment/geometry checked? I'd get that done. Also check on the even-ness of tyre wear. Is it more pronounced on one side of the tyre?

Due to a number of complaints regarding rear tyre noise and wear on Octavia A5 vehicles, the rear camber values can be changed to the following settings -

Old value: -1°45' ± 30'

New value: -1°20' ± 30'

I have de-rattled my estate. The rear armrest was the worst offender, remove that (2 torx screws). Then remove the tool kit/jack. Go for a spin to see if it is one of these!. Also the boot 'wedges' can be adjusted to firm up the tailgate, you can see these in the tailgate opening. May also be worth popping off the tailgate trim to check the rear wiper/cables/bits are all nice & tight. A rubber boot floor (about £50 from Skoda) reduces general road noise from the back. I put a layer of soundproofing carpet under this & the rear seat to add a little more deadening. The heat shields under the car are also pretty poor & a rattle liability, check these out & wedge etc to take up any movement & vibration on these.

After not being able to get the car to a garage, I finally managed to sort out the problem. It is a deformed OSR tyre - a Dunlop Sport SP 07. Seems to be the inside edge of the tyre only that has deformed around most of the circumference - known as sawtoothing.

Looks like I'm going to get the suspension alignment checked before putting some new tyres on the car.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice and opinion.