I have a 2009 reg Skoda Superb and without any warning at all one morning the Navigation system just stopped working. When you turn it on the screen comes on to show 'skoda Navigation..' and then fades out and from time to time the screen lights up in a similar fashion but does nothing else. The media (radio and cd players) are not working either. So suddenly in a fix. Took it to my local dealer. Very typically this happened just a week after the car completed the warranty period.They ran the diagnostics on my car and came back to tell me that that the 'there is a system failure' and that nothing can be done , that i have to get a new navigation system and it would cost me £2200!

Has anyone faced any similar problem? Can you suggest anything?

Hi and welcome aboard.

As its just a week outside warranty I would push the dealer to a resolution, sadly Columbus units failing is no unheard of.

Otherwise you'll need to take your chances on ebay, you can get a 3T0 unit for £500 or so, but there have been discussions regarding the source of these units.

How about telling out an extended warranty? Then taking it to another dealer ?

I take it this is covered by the extended warranty.

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No. It isn't covered by an extended warranty, but Skoda will tell you it is.

I took out a Skoda Extended Warranty. My Columbus failed 4 days after the main warranty ended.

I was "not happy". Skoda replaced it FOC in the end.

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For the future (and for anyone else) - Warranty Direct will sell you a warranty which covers the Sat Nav. you NEED to phone them though, don't just do it online. You can also get the airbags, seatbelts etc covered in the same way if you do.

Finally - if you search the web there are companies out there who will repair all the standard faults on the Columbus - and for very much less than £2k. I don't have time to search now, but if you can't find them, let me know and I will find time to look again.

That's shocking and miss selling, if I decide to keep my superb I will make sure it is covered when I take an extended warranty.

Thanks for sharing that with the forum, the Columbus failing appears to be fairly common on older cars.

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I'm sure I've seen them new for £699 online but as its a week outside of warranty and no doubt you have full Skoda service history I would be onto Skoda UK quick and 'request' that they authorise a repair free or charge as you are aware that failure of these units is more common than it should be.

you should push skoda for a replacement.phone skoda UK customer service 08457-745745.i Had a problem with mine took six weeks to have it replaced then the new unit only lasted two days and they had to replace that .skoda UK are very helpful.

bill

AS stated the Skoda extended warranty does not cover Columbus but there are other extended warranties available that do.

For those without Warranty and who can't get help from Skoda - try this lot for a more economic alternative:

http://www.vwcruise.com/Audi-VW-Sat-Nav-Repair-service.html

Thanks everyone for your suggestions perhaps try Skoda,UK initially and request replacement system as has failed so soon after warranty expiry especially as this seems to be not an uncommon problem.

As for repair my dealer point blank said they are unable to repair the Columbus system as no qualified technicians available- this sounds strange, anyways there is a London based company called VAG-TEC who have said they do repairs, of course after first trying to daignose the problem. Anyone heard of this company?

Will keep you posted as to how things go

For those without Warranty and who can't get help from Skoda - try this lot for a more economic alternative:

http://www.vwcruise....ir-service.html

Thanks checked out the site- seems promising, will call if Skoda,UK not able to help

6 years warranty according to the Sales of Goods Act under the 'reasonable quality' section. I would reasonably expect a built in Sat Nav to last the life of the car.

Quote the above to them and enjoy your free Sat Nav.

If they still say no, file a small claim against the dealer you bought it from.

If you want any further advice, let me know.

6 years warranty according to the Sales of Goods Act under the 'reasonable quality' section. I would reasonably expect a built in Sat Nav to last the life of the car.

Quote the above to them and enjoy your free Sat Nav.

If they still say no, file a small claim against the dealer you bought it from.

If you want any further advice, let me know.

Totally agree and I have used it in the past as ALL goods should be of reasonable quality and be expected to last a reasonale time and if they sell you the warranty and state that it is simply an extension of the three year one (excluding wear and tare) then I believe that you would have a very good case. I belong to Which" who give great info and help when needed.

Might be worth trying a forced re-boot before you shell out for a new unit. The dealers and the manual don't seem to let on but after my Columbus just went blank a couple of times last winter i found that pressing and holding all 4 of the small buttons at the top of the unit re-boots the system after a few seconds delay. This also seems to work if you get 'system starting...' in the display with sound but none of the touchscreen or hard buttons responding.

Any update on this?

Reboot failed, have contacted Skoda,UK and have been assigned a case number and manager who is looking into it. Waiting for a reply and a decision

Spoke again to Skoda. Put my points forward. Also mentioned the Sale of Goods Act. The max that Skoda can offer(as a goodwill gesture) is 75% off of cost of parts and labour provided I continue to show brand loyalty to Skoda by getting my car serviced (due now) at an approved Skoda retailer. Considering the high costs involved that still means that I would have to dish out at least £600(after discount). Any suggestions??

Also count in the the high cost of the 3 year Skoda servicing along with the price for Columbus replacement unit

Spoke again to Skoda. Put my points forward. Also mentioned the Sale of Goods Act. The max that Skoda can offer(as a goodwill gesture) is 75% off of cost of parts and labour provided I continue to show brand loyalty to Skoda by getting my car serviced (due now) at an approved Skoda retailer. Considering the high costs involved that still means that I would have to dish out at least £600(after discount). Any suggestions??

nothing to do with good will at all. Sales of goods act is clear cut so you will get 100% discount if you keep at it and contact trading standards or cab.

Might be worth trying to disconnect the battery overnight to see if that has any affect.

total shot in the dark but have you tried "restore to factory settings"?

Not tried the 'restore to factory settings'. The slightly odd thing is neither Skoda nor VaG-Tec( an independent VG group specialists) have even suggested trying to repair the unit - the answer is 'will require new unit'. Does this mean that these expensive sat nav/radio units are not 'cost effective'for repair?

Lets see if disconnecting the battery works

Have they checked that the system (can-bus) knows it has the nav system. Just had a similar problem with my after market radio after the dealer put their diagnostic system on the car it automatically coded the radio out which than gave the exact symptoms you are seeing. Once re-coded in all worked again.

its probably failed due to the hard drive which, which is very complex to replace as the whole unit needs to be disassembled to virtually a shell before it can be removed.

Have to agree its "sale of goods act" time - bit doesn't this only to apply to the person that bought it originally?

I may be wrong on this one..............

Dave