A bit of a moan more than anything else.

I've been meaning to get a replacement blade for the rear wiper for a few weeks now; the horrible scraping noise on the return sweep this afternoon reminded me again.

Thinking a quick Google search would bring up a result that's exactly what I did - but alas no joy.

Saw a few Skoda dealers with professional parts sites, Bickertons (www.skodaparts.com) and Denis Horton (www.theskodashop.co.uk), thought to myself wiper blades must be a common requirement, both sites failed miserably with my search for 'octavia estate rear wiper blade' offering Fabia fuel pumps and Felicia rear light clusters

Tried eBay, lots of imitation aero blades to choose from but was unsure of their quality so was looking for genuine OEM, none to be found.

I might set up my own Skoda parts website, I'm sure I could do a better job than the half baked efforts already up and running!

Can anyone tell me the best option? I know I could ring the local dealer or just pop in but I much prefer buying online and having someone feed it into my hands through the letterbox

Dealer was miles cheaper than the net for hatch rear wiper, but more expensive for fronts. I'd go there. Then just buy something else to get that 'Better than Christmas' parcel opening feeling.

Try Autobulbs Direct. They have Bosch (£13) and their own brand (£10) rear wiper blades. If you become a Freedom member you'll also get 10% off.

Probably best popping into the dealer mine was £12 although i genuinely forgot to pay for it and drove home

Rear wiper-blade (estate) fitted by dealer at recent service

K7E0955425 £6.08 plus VAT

Thanks guys, I know they aren't big money so it looks like a quick trip to the dealer!

Those PayPal funds burning a hole in my pocket will have to wait for something else

wiperblades.co.uk have plenty of choice.

I had mine changed last month at the stealers, about 7 quid and the parts guy came out an fitted it for me (I think he saw me licking the windows as I pulled up ). Previously I have had one from eBay, for about the same money, but it didn't last more than a year.

Get one from parts2clear on Ebay. They sell Bosch ones on there and it is where i get mine from. I think that they are CES trading under parts2clear on there.

Cheers all, out of curiosity does anyone know what brand the OEM blades are?

Cheers all, out of curiosity does anyone know what brand the OEM blades are?

Bosch

Slight hi-jack. Whats the main cause of the blades hardening and therefore scraping?

Great stuff, so if I get one from the eBay seller recommended by JRW then there is a good chance that this will also be OEM...

Does it really matter whether it is OEM for wiperblades? I find that the bosch ones last longer than the OEM ones....but i usually get the best value for money ones (ie best reviews and a cheap price).

Just had a look on ebay and parts2clear don't have the bosch a400h. Looking on Google it seems that only wiperblades.co.uk sells them (must be an odd size).

http://www.wiperblades.co.uk/skoda-octavia-estate-years-2004-to-2011-rear-wiper-blades/

Thanks, I emailed parts2clear and they had some in stock so bought one.

I haven't much experience of Skoda blades but on my old Peugeot the genuine OEM Valeo blades lasted much longer than a set of Bosch one's I tried from Halfords. This is the first car I've had with the newer type aero blades so unsure on longevity.

This is why I was curious who made the OEM Skoda blades, as it happens from a previous post it appears they are supplied by Bosch so was keen to replace like for like. The one on its way to me is Bosch.

Thanks for all the help.

Slight hi-jack. Whats the main cause of the blades hardening and therefore scraping?

The sun mostly. UV ages the rubber by causing chemical reactions with the air. Heat will drive out any volatile chemicals 'drying' out the rubber.

Road salt and even alcohols in screen wash will all gradually age the wiper rubber.

Mine is scraping after 14 months. Never known an OEM wiper blade go off that quick! :(

Mine are OK after 29 months from new. Despite suffering sun and Lidl screen wash throughout.

The rear blade is not an aeroblade, as said above, but a universal type.

BTW, SWMBO is still very happy with the quiet and cheapo aero blades fitted to the front of her Getz.

I always go with Halfords but then I have a trade card (wiper blades are usually about a 3rd of the sticker price) I know this doesn't help you but they're good enough to fit for a year or so... I can't quibble at changing them once every 12-18 months, plus its nice to have fresh rubber on just before winter!

...plus its nice to have fresh rubber on just before winter!

lol, true, you don't realise how bad your old wipers are until you fit the new ones and wondered why you left replacing them so long

Thought I'd update and finish off this thread.

My Bosch blade arrived from parts2clear (thanks for the recommendation jrw), fitted it this afternoon...

...ahh, bliss, perfectly quiet, no juddering, no smears - great

The smallest things