Well Skoda definately have a problem with the Octavia screens, the 4x4 has done 8200 miles & the L&K 14500 & yesterday the screen in the L&K went again.

Both cars have now had 2 YES TWO new windscreens. This is more than just unlucky & must be a fault in the car. All have started with a stone chip on the screen near the pillar which after a few days turns into a split.

Presumably the aerodynamics must guide any flying objects to the edge of the screen & then I guess the bodyshell must flex slightly causing the chip to become a split.

Whatever the cause 4 screens since March is more than bad luck

I am now wondering in future about getting any chips repaired imediately to see if this will stop them developing into splits.

Stuart

Not wishing to preach but I think you don't perhaps realise just how important the windscreen glass is in modern vehicles, although you're on the right lines.

The windscreen actually adds between 15 and 20% to the rigidity

of the bodyshell. When a screen is damaged via a stone chip and it is deep enough, the stress forces acting on the screen through the body flexing then cause the crack. This is not a fault if the design of the Octy - all manufacturers bodyshells do the same - if the car didn't have the bonded screen the bodyshell would twist all over the place! You have just been unfortunate in where the screen has been initially damaged - on the edge of the screen is always where they will start.

If the chip can be repaired (its the right type, the laminate hasn't been contaminated with water, is deep enough to fill and isn't in the "A" zone - directly in front of the drivers vision) it is worth it. But generally, if the crack is going to form, it tends to - repairing it may not stop this happening. I really do think you've just been unlucky Stuart.

Regard... Rob

I'm on my 3rd screen and am arranging today for another one to be fitted. I sympathise :(

Spoke to my dealer today, he said that although he has done a few (mainly rears) the numbers aren't high enough for it to be classed as a problem by Skoda.

Far be it for me to suggest this (or even him ) if you have an understanding dealer, go for a warranty claim. Due to carriage problems they don't get returned to Skoda, they are a "no questions" claim. Stone chip? What stone chip?

I have never had a single broken screen before the Skud in over 20 years & do about 20,000 miles a year

Wendy does about 40,000 a year, mainly motorway. she averaged one screen a year in the Vectra & before that had only had one go in the Mondeo. That was caused by a short length of scaffold flying up from the vehicle in front . Luckily that hit the top of the screen & dented the leading edge of the roof as well

So I think its more than bad luck

Stuart,

You said that all have started with a stone chip near the piller - this is where they will start. My Octy has a bullseye chip near the foot of the screen on the passinger side in the black (which is used to stop the adhesive getting degraded and brittle via UV penetration) and several other minor "dings" all over - luck plays a part inasmuch that the position of the strike is paramount in the crack developing. In my job as a Fleet Manager of over 2,000 vehicles, some are more unlucky than others; we've had one BMW driver who has had his 5 series for eight months and has had three screens in this time - the car has covered just 13k and guess what - he has never had a broken screen in a car prior to this in 30 years of driving. I have had one cracked screen in 23 years of driving (driving 1,000s of different cars BTW), my brother has had two and my mother none. Neither has my wife had a cracked screen in 18 years on five different cars - until two months ago.

As a matter of interest, what glass company are you using to replace the screen? AutoGlass and AutoWindscreens are the most respected and do use the very best adhesives and the best training for their installers. I ask because we had one (nameless) company that installed a screen without the correct clips in place and the screen blew-out two days later!

Regards... Rob

Im using Autoglass & insisting on genuine Skoda screens, perhaps I am just unlucky but it dosent feel like it at the moment

stuart

Never had a windscreen go (yet) on any car. Mine has a small chip which will probably cause it to fail its MOT when it comes along as it is right in front of me. Then I suppose I can look forward to either more years of trouble-free motoring, or a story like Stuart's ..... hmmmm

Stuart,

I can sympathise with you on this as I had two screens fitted on my previous Octy one week apart.

I now got another developing crack on my RS' screen; it's on the passenger side and as you have pointed out it's from the base of the A piller.

Wasn't so much of a pain with my previous insurance company (WhatCar) as the was no excess on windscreen replacement but there's a

Originally posted by Stuart_J in this post

Im using Autoglass & insisting on genuine Skoda screens, perhaps I am just unlucky but it dosent feel like it at the moment

stuart

Just try AutoWindscreens this time - I've had less hassle with them and seem to have better trained staff IMHO.

Rob

Quote "now got another developing crack on my RS' screen; it's on the passenger side and as you have pointed out it's from the base of the A piller".

Chaps, unless the cause was directly from an object such as a stone, this is a warranty issue. I had one go about 6 months ago and had the dealer sort it under warranty.

I used autoglass when mine was replaced last year. The replacement screen was made by the same company who made the original

Autoglass sourced the replacement rear window for my Estate from a Skoda dealer hence it was an original. They also recently replaced the passenger's window on my son's 205 1.9GTi and that was identical to the original spec.

In my experience, vehicle manufacturers don't make windscreens . They will be made by Sekurit, Splintex or a similar big glass manufacturer. I would have thought you were just as likely to get the same make from a major windscreen repairer like Autoglass as you are from a koda dealer.

In my case Autoglass didn't have one in stock hence their need to source one from a Skoda dealer.

I also experience this problem in my 2002 Octavia.

My first one was a SPLINTEX brand and crack by itself The dealer put me a new SEKURIT brand one by guarante.

The dealer toll me that Skoda have two contractors for glass supply. One is SEKURIT and the other one is SPLINTEX. But is look like the SEKURIT brand is better and more harder.

He toll me that the SPLINTEX has the problem that brake very easy and in most of the case crack by itself.

So what was your experience with this brands???

Do you know what are the brands that is giving you people problems?

Isaac

No problems yet but Splintex fitted all round! :(

Originally posted by TaviaRS in this post

I'm on my 3rd screen and am arranging today for another one to be fitted. I sympathise :(

Spoke to my dealer today, he said that although he has done a few (mainly rears) the numbers aren't high enough for it to be classed as a problem by Skoda.

Far be it for me to suggest this (or even him ) if you have an understanding dealer, go for a warranty claim. Due to carriage problems they don't get returned to Skoda, they are a "no questions" claim. Stone chip? What stone chip?

i have had 3 windscreens requested back by the warranty dept.

Spoke to my dealer today, he said that although he has done a few (mainly rears)

My best buddy has a 1.8T and the rear window develop a crak.

They going to change it under guarantee.

the numbers aren't high enough for it to be classed as a problem by Skoda

:eek: :eek: :eek: Yeah, I dont think they will never accept this as a problem

Isaac