We have owned a Skoda Octavia vRS TDI Wagon for 3,5 years now and enjoy the car very much, when it is on the road... It has only done 50,000KM and now that the warranty has run out I fear for what else is going to cost us.

We have had a number of issues that has seen the car in the shop a lot and this week we had to see it of on a tow truck since the gearbox decided to crap out. I wonder if we are just unlucky or is this a trend. Just to give you an idea:

• Stitching in Front seat not stitched over 10cm
  
• Damage due to window tinting
  
• Particle Filter sensor defect
  
• Throttle Housing replacement
  
• Ignition switch replacement
  
• DSG gear selector defect
  
• Shudder in the gearbox at low revs
  
• Headlights switching on and off randomly
  

We decided to spend a bit more and buy new rather than used, hoping to have a reliable car and enjoy a few years of worry free driving. Turns out that we spent a lot of time at the dealer and on the phone to Skoda. With all the issues that I have come across in the forums I have a genuine fear for the future!

Is this the case of a lemon or a trend?

I'd seriously consider purchasing an extended warranty. There are some very goog ones and they'll be a lot cheaper than a DSG gearbox.

Window tinting ? Was that done by Skoda ?

I'm on my third vrs since 2006 and I can barely remember a problem with any of them. There were a few minor things with my first one but that's about it. I think you have been unlucky.