Got a problem with our 2007 Octavia Scout which we have only had for the last 4 weeks.

DPF warning light came on the other day, but cleared after a motorway run as expected. Came back on today on my wife's 40 mile motorway run to work, but wouldn't clear. We are now getting a flashing glow plug warning on the dash and a message saying "Engine workshop". Does this sounds like the DPF has gone? Or is it an engine management issue?

Not sure whether it's related but my wife also experienced a flat battery this morning - weird as the car has been in daily use and was only left with the lights on for a couple of minutes while she dropped off our son at nursery. Skoda Assist came out to give her a jump start and tested the battery and all seemed OK - they couldn't explain it.

Skoda Assist are coming out again tonight, and I have the car booked into the dealers tomorrow (It's under a warranty), but forewarned is forearmed and all that so would be grateful for some advice.

We bought a Skoda based on the reliability record, and we love the car, but have to say that we're really disappointed to be having such problems after only a couple of weeks ownership.

Any advice much appreciated.

May turn out to be an exhaust pressure sensor or an air pressure sensor. I had the latter which caused the dpf light to come on resulted in the car going into limp mode. So may not be as bad as a full DPF fault.

RAC have just been and done a diagnostic and it is showing a DPF problem. Going to take it back to dealers tomorrow. Hopefully covered under warranty.

At least it's not a Merc. There was a coupe pulled off the road outside my work last week with smoke billowing out from under it - which turned into a nice toasty fire. So at least the Skoda ECU is detecting a problem and letting you get it sorted.

Actual DPF failures in Octavias are still very, very rare. When it's in at the dealers make sure it has had the DPF campaign work carries out which consists of a different pressure sensor and an ECU flash upgrade. This action keeps on top of any soot build up in the filter.

Good luck

Not specific to any particular make - but how many people have bought cars with DPF's and after tearing their hair out with problems have unloaded them and probably taken a big hit?

Have a look at 'Honest John' website, (He is the Telegraph motoring expert), for an unbiased opinion of this insane technology. The only real solution seems to be to get the guts removed and have the management system re-mapped, but then you have modified the car and you should tell your insurance.

I was a huge diesel enthusiast and have had a number of diesels in the past - but not in view of the horror stories I hear now involving DPF's. Sorry that's not much help to this post and Jonv's problem.

It's a great shame, diesels were getting really good, but this insane technology is buggering up many diesel cars. Who ever would have thought that the day would come when the car would decide how it's going to be driven, rather than the driver. Madness. It's only a matter of time before DPF regeneration is used as a defence to a charge of dangerous driving. After all; if your car says it needs to be driven at over 40mph for ten minutes to avoid breaking down - the conclusion is inescapable.

As I understand it the DPF is classed as a filter by Skoda, much as an oil filter so if its beyond a forced regeneration by the dealer then Skoda class it as a normal service item & arent obliged in their view to pay for the replacement so go in prewarned.

I havent heard of many that are beyond regeneration but there have been a few so its very probable you will be OK but go in prearmed to argue. If items arent strictly covered Skoda can sometimes pay part or all depending on age of car, mileage etc. & how persuasive the dealer is after you have jumped up & down, Saturday in the showroom is a great time for that

If it is shot get a quote before you get the work done as the DPF isnt exactly cheap but also look at removing it & remapping it. It can be done but is harder on the Scout as the transfer box has to come off to get the downpipe off. Upshot of the remap will be a better performing car & no more worries about the DPF

. After all; if your car says it needs to be driven at over 40mph for ten minutes to avoid breaking down - the conclusion is inescapable.

On our old Superb the DPF decided to fail just as we started to descend a mountain in Southern France, 22Km of mainly hairpin bends, needless to say it was stuck in limp mode by the bottom & spent the next week with a French Skoda dealer who had never sold a Superb & never seen a DPF. Lots of galic shrugs & head scratching ensued. The car was only a few weeks old & Skoda stumped up for a new DPF although I dont think the dealer even tried a forced regen, it was all a bit new tech then

The called back this afternoon to say that we do need a new DPF :'( - have just been over there to pick up a courtesy vehicle. They've got a warranty assessor coming in on Monday to determine whether they are going to pay up or not. They've indicated to us that the chances are they they will cover it, but am going to be on tenterhooks until I know for sure. If they don't cover it, I will, needless to say, be kicking off big-style!

To be fair, they have stumped up for a new battery and are replacing some dodgy exterior trim free of charge.

As per original post, we've only had the car for 6 weeks and in that time it's had a good mix of motorway and A road driving, including an 80 mile round trip on the motorway to my wife's office three times a week.

We only had the DPF warning come up once before this problem, and it was cleared in the normal way. This time it's gone straight to an engine error and then limp mode while I was driving it over to the dealers this morning.

I specifically asked what may have caused the problem, and the service manager said something about differing driving styles between us and the previous owner (which sounded like a bit of a cop out) or that the filter was already sooted before we bought the car - surely if this was the case the warning light would have been on constantly though?? Basically they don't know.

My concern is that even if they do fix it under warranty, there may be some other underlying fault (perhaps with the engine management system?) which is causing the filter to get sooted up and we're going to end up with more problems. I'll take on board the comments about getting the pressure sensor and software upgrade sorted too.

We were delighted with the car when we got it, but have to say this has rather soured the whole experience of ownership. Hoping we haven't made a big and expensive mistake in buying this car...

Meanwhile our 15 year old 1.9TD T4 camper is still putting in solid service without any major problems... technology isn't always a good thing perhaps?

Edited 19 November, 201015 yr by jonv72

If you bought the car from the dealer 6 weeks ago the dealer is responsible for the cost of the DPF. the sale of goods act implies faults within the 1st 6 months are deemed to have been present from the point of sale.

Does that apply to second hand goods though?

Does that apply to second hand goods though?

Yes most definitely you also have a right to reject the car for a full refund. If you want to reject it dont delay write a letter formally rejecting it to your dealer principal take the car and keys back to the dealer.

If you want to keep the car and the dealer won't budge contact trading standards and or have the work done and then use the small claims court to claim back the cost of repair quoting the sale of goods act.

Mark

Thanks Mark. That's really good advice. Will see how it pans out next week. Hopefully it will all get sorted but always good to have a backup plan!

Thanks Mark. That's really good advice. Will see how it pans out next week. Hopefully it will all get sorted but always good to have a backup plan!

Good luck mate as I had a similar experience not too long ago. In the end I just took my car to jabbasport for the DPF removal and re-map. The filter is in the region of £1400 before labour. From the research I did I'm pretty certain that although the DPF regen process will remove the soot, ash still remains after the burn cycle. In the 2 years I have owned the car it really only ever did big millage and the 6 months leading up to a 95% blockage of the filter I'd done over 9000 miles. Hardly short runs!!!

As I said before, good luck mate with getting it sorted, I feel you might need it.

How does the DPF removal affect insurance etc? What about fuel economy?

Hey Guys,

Having issues with my DPF also, Fitz if you don't mind me asking how much was your DPF Removal and Remap at Jabba.

Also was the DPF removed and new pipework fitted or is the DPF section left in place and decommissioned somehow?

Hey Guys,

Having issues with my DPF also, Fitz if you don't mind me asking how much was your DPF Removal and Remap at Jabba.

Also was the DPF removed and new pipework fitted or is the DPF section left in place and decommissioned somehow?

If the dpf is shot its just a case of removing it, knocking the inside out & replacing it prior to a remap. If the dpf is good & you want to consider refitting it at some point or flogging it on then you will need a replacement piece of pipe made up.

Jabba have done quite ab few succesfullly so you are best talking direct to them

Hi all, just an update on this. Spoke to garage earlier and the DPF replacement WILL be covered by the extended warranty, so good news for now! Should hopefully be picking up the car on Wednesday.

As Borat would say....'Great Success'

Hi all, just an update on this. Spoke to garage earlier and the DPF replacement WILL be covered by the extended warranty, so good news for now! Should hopefully be picking up the car on Wednesday.

Good result