Octavia 1.6 tdiCR purchased new in June , now done 4000miles. I have experienced involuntary engine surges in low gears . No advance warning , not so bad in good weather but in recent times with very icy roads ( more very slow driviing and hence experience of the surge) quite unnerving and potentially dangerous. Have booked an examination with agent and supplier Dean of Dumfries. They have confirmed experience of such a problem with a Fabia but not Octavia. Not a problem with accelerator linkage etc but seems more connected to engine management .

Would be grateful to hear of any views and or experience of the same

Brigender

Scottish Borders

Initially, when I spoke to my friends about this unnerving 'feature' (which is how Skoda, Ireland describe it) I was met with some scepticism. However, on one occasion while driving uphill, I eased off on the accelerator and about to engage the clutch and drop gear when this cursed power surge took over. Unbelievably, I was able to place both feet on the car floor and yet watch the car pick up about 8km/hr over a 4 second period. I had to put a stop to this as I was about to overshoot my driveway.

I was expecting to hear of a recall since I regard this behaviour as downright dangerous, yet I've been told by the dealer and Head Office that the problem lies with my driving style. Perhaps they're right, but I'm not alone since I was told of one Polo driver, living nearby, who had a narrow escape with his driveway pillar. In the event of a serious incident, surely VAG are leaving themselves wide open for litigation when they deem it OK for a car to accelerate when the driver is trying to achieve the opposite.

I do low yearly mileage and have kept my previous cars 'til they were well over 10 years old, but this one is definitely not a keeper and I'm going to have to get rid of it before I rearend somebody.

Apart from the surge, on two occasions I've had all 4 windows lower themselves while driving and once while in a car park (thank God, not raining). Dealer can find no fault.

I'm looking back to my 14yr old Peugeot 406 with some nostalgia!