What is the general opinion of owning a Yeti with the 1.2 TSI engine ?, i currently own a Focus Estate 1.8 TDI but now i am retired i can't justify a diesel ,i haven't bought a brand new car for 30 yrs and intend to keep my next purchase for as long as possible at least 6 years , i am averaging 5,000 miles a year so does the 1.2 TSI Yeti make good sense for longterm ownership ?

Only had one 2 yrs but impressed with 1.2 DSG SE so far. Of the generation that thought that auto's cost a lot to repair/replace and was a little apprenensive at first.

The box is obviously complicated but probably as reliable as any other and brilliant in use. It has had quite a few mods since YETI intro in Sept 2009 so any weaknesses are probably now sorted. (See post on component changes since launch) and ours has been trouble free.

Any warranty problems we have had have been trim and trim paint related.

No problems with 1.2TSi engine ..It had a software update to sort out a jerky pull away problem from slow speed.

SE variant is a good spec without going over the top.

Modern cars are getting cleverer with electronic gizmo's and these tend to be the things that cost a lot out of warranty.

Skoda about average to good for faults, main concern would be to find a good dealer as they can be a bit variable in my experiance. Skoda UK customer service poor (run by an outsourced outfit I think) and lacking in product knowledge in my experiance and also confirmed by others on this forum.

Edited 8 January, 201214 yr by kibby

I may be a luddite when I say this, but if I was keeping it long term, I would get a manual. I know the net amplifies faults, but there seems to be quite a few DSG "dramas".

Thanks for quick and informative response, only ever driven manual so it will most likely be manual , glad to here no problems with the TSI engine , you know what it's like when your going spend £16,000 / £17,000 you try to cover all the bases and with this 1.2 TSI engine a unknown quantity for me i just wanted some reassurance it will give me long term IE 6 yrs + worry free driving i know theres no guarantees in life but didn't want to find that the turbo side of things is a concern in 3 or 4 yrs time and would be expensive to correct

Thanks for quick and informative response, only ever driven manual so it will most likely be manual , glad to here no problems with the TSI engine , you know what it's like when your going spend £16,000 / £17,000 you try to cover all the bases and with this 1.2 TSI engine a unknown quantity for me i just wanted some reassurance it will give me long term IE 6 yrs + worry free driving i know theres no guarantees in life but didn't want to find that the turbo side of things is a concern in 3 or 4 yrs time and would be expensive to correct

All the components are tried and tested - 1.2 engine is newish but used by VW, Audi, Seat as well as Skoda so plenty of experience. All other components are from the VW/Audi parts bin and have a good reputation for longevity. I have run an Octavia diesel automatic for 7+ years without problem, main thing is regular efficient servicing to the book. I am about to change to a Yeti 1.2 automatic as I think 6-7 years is optimal for design life of a modern car for trouble free motoring.

Good Luck

What is the general opinion of owning a Yeti with the 1.2 TSI engine ?, i currently own a Focus Estate 1.8 TDI but now i am retired i can't justify a diesel ,i haven't bought a brand new car for 30 yrs and intend to keep my next purchase for as long as possible at least 6 years , i am averaging 5,000 miles a year so does the 1.2 TSI Yeti make good sense for longterm ownership ?

As it comes set to 'Variable' servicing as default (generally occurs around 18000 miles on the Maxidot display) you can opt for 12000 miles/12 months 'fixed' servicing which might be sensible if you intend to keep it.

The difference I think is fully synthetic oil on 'variable'. I do the 'fixed' option but pay about £25 extra for

a fill of fully synthetic oil. Maybe a good idea if you intend to keep it (18000 miles on one lot of oil seems pushing it too far to me).

Service cost are reasonable from about £100 (main dealer)for first 2 services but some have been charged more.

Check out prepaid servicing deals on 1st purchase (about £299 for 2 services which can include a voucher for £50 or

£100 to purchase Skoda accessories/purchase services.

Miles per gallon manual or auto are about 38-42 range with conservative driving and a mix of short and longer journeys. We average about 39 mpg. Little penalty if any on running an auto.

Lively engine which uses a Turbo and feels more like 1.6 than 1.2. Quite an expensive item (turbo) to replace

but little amount of problems reported (although again a number of modified spec turbos introduced since launch).

Lots of cars going this route to get performance combined with low emissions from a small engine.

Continuing changes in spec could mean problems in older cars but at least Skoda is not relying on customers to continually replace items with potential flaws and are applying fixes in a timely manner.

Some reports that next generation 1.2Tsi will have a simplified system (maybe a cost saving exercise).

Edited 8 January, 201214 yr by kibby

I've had a 1.2 tsi manual yeti for three months having had a series of 5 diesel octavias culminating in a 2.0 diesel engine. I was dubious about the 1.2 in a yeti sized car but took it for a drive and was blown away. Drive it and be amazed.

Sent from my motorola xoom using tapatalk

Well I've had my 1.2tsi manual for 8 months and have covered nearly 4,000 miles and must admit when I ordered it I was a little apprehensive as to whether it would be under powered. The dealer only had the diesel 4wd on demo so I was unable to even try one with the small petrol engine. I thought of going for the 1.4 but the dealer insisted I would notice little difference so the 1.2 it was. I can only say I am absolutely blown away by the performance of the engine and it constantly amazes me with it's pace and performance. My journeys consist of mainly short ones with many gear changes up and down due to terrain and I am managing around 39.5 mpg but on longer runs I'm sure 40+ would be easily obtained. Having been in the motor and allied trade all my working life I like to think I know a thing or two about cars and I would have no hesitation in recommending the Yeti to anyone (who'll listen!)

I've never had an automatic before and let me tell you once bitten you'll never go back to a manual. So do take the DSG and the manual for a spin when you get to do test drives. I really won't want to be without my DSG now that's for sure. They've now been in production and being refined for nearly a decade. So they are as reliable as the turbos on the engine or the grommets they use to attach the various bits together. With your yearly mileage I won't worry about it.

As to your type of driving and where you're living I think a 2WD 1,2 is ideal. You will love it.

Prior to the Yeti I had the Octavia F/L 1.4 TSi DSG and coming from a Toyota 2 litre turbo diesel I had many reservations going to such a small capacity engine in a car of the Octy's size. Due to the lack of demonstrators at that time I had to test drive the Golf in1.4 Tsi guise and the F/L. Octy. in a 2 ltr diesel. My concerns were immediately laid to rest, that 1.4 TSi was a quite remarkable engine with its diesel like low & mid range torque. However when it came to the Yeti with its less aerodynamic profile my concerns were once again raised by going to an even smaller capacity engine of the1.2 TSi. Once again those concerns were immediately eradicated since this unit for its size is utterly amazing and very similar to the 1.4 TSi both in performance and its low & mid range torque. After eight months of ownership the little 1.2 TSi never fails to impress and the DSG is the icing on the cake,

I often wonder why they haven't put the DSG in the Greenline, the only reason I can see is a weight issue. I don't believe it affects MPG. Or is there a Co2 implication?

Thanks for all your generous advice , i suppose the one question i was hoping for can't be answered IE life span of the engine as i expect to keep it for no less than 6 yrs at 5,000 miles 30,000 miles doesn't seem a lot and if i can manage to keep it scratch and dint free which is nearly impossible in Spain i would be a very happy bunny

Edited 9 January, 201214 yr by frigiliana

I often wonder why they haven't put the DSG in the Greenline, the only reason I can see is a weight issue. I don't believe it affects MPG. Or is there a Co2 implication?

It's a weight "thing". The CO2 output is measured relative to the weight of the car. Below a certain limit it gets the VED break.

Thanks for all your generous advice , i suppose the one question i was hoping for can't be answered IE life span of the engine as i expect to keep it for no less than 6 yrs at 5,000 miles 30,000 miles doesn't seem a lot and if i can manage to keep it scratch and dint free which is nearly impossible in Spain i would be a very happy bunny

At that mileage the engine is still "young". Most manufacturers are now thinking of 100k miles as being "normal", even for petrols. They are looking at even greater figures for diesels!

To give you some idea of expected mileage before problems are expected to occur. Lexautolease will happily do 4 year business leases of upto 100k miles for a petrol engined car and 150k miles for a diesel. This is what we have via work. with no additional costs.

That gives me a clue to the longevity of a petrol engine Big Rich thanks . I feel I'm nit picking but i might not have this kind of money to spend on a new car again

Thanks for all your generous advice , i suppose the one question i was hoping for can't be answered IE life span of the engine as i expect to keep it for no less than 6 yrs at 5,000 miles 30,000 miles doesn't seem a lot and if i can manage to keep it scratch and dint free which is nearly impossible in Spain i would be a very happy bunny

Had my Yeti 1.2tsi Elegance (manual gearbox) since April 2010 and it had its second variable service last week at just over 36k miles. No failures, breakdowns, squeaks or rattles at all. My car came without the rear foils (now standard) and these were fitted under warranty by my dealer following the first service. The rear badge (white worm effect) was also replaced under warranty at the same time.

Like others on this forum I have never found the 1.2tsi engine lacking. Tried the 1.4tsi and the 110 Diesel but still preferred the 1.2tsi as the best mix of performance / price and economy. I have averaged 41.7mpg overall since new and used no oil between services. Engine still sweet as a nut, heats up fairly quickly (especially compared to the diesels) and performed admirably in all the snow we had in central Scotland last winter on Vredestein winter tyres (16" 215x60).

My current car is funded and used for work purposes until March this year when I will purchase my own car (yes using my own hard-earned cash) as I will work part-time then and annual mileage will reduce significantly.

Last October I ordered (yes you have guessed it) another Yeti Elegance 1.2tsi Elegance for myself and swmbo but this time with additional electric drivers seat and heated windscreen that were not available when I got my current Yeti. Expecting delivery in March (Build wk5). I think this will give you an indication of how highly I personally (and swmbo) rate the Yeti and the 1.2tsi engine.

Hope this helps.

Del