Hi everyone

Picked up a new Octavia wagon 103TDI MY12 just over 2 months ago. Absolutely love driving it, fuel economy is phenomenal, handles like a dream and felt that I'd made a truly great and safe choice after months of slightly haphazard research.

Here's where it gets interesting...

The dealership service centre informed me it had passed it's 1000km service with flying colours early November. Then, about 2-3 weeks ago, the oil light went on (we had spied a small amount of fresh and suspicious oil on our grubby driveway but thought it was from my daughter's old jalopy so didn't investigate further at that point and certainly didn't suspect the brand new car).

Took it back to the servicing centre and about a day later they tell me it was an oil pressure switch, all is well, it was a one in a million thing and to come collect. Which brings me to where this plot thickens and ultimately sickens...yesterday we noticed more oil leaking very slowly onto my parents spic and span white driveway...(yes, it truly was the best Christmas present I received and book ended the wasp sting I copped quite beautifully. Obvious karma was sending flags up for me to take heed)

It is a slow leak but a leak nonetheless and am just wondering if anyone else knows of/has heard of a similar predicament?

I have a 5 year/unlimited km warranty but that is small comfort when you are having to take your car to and fro the servicing centre that is not next door (Skodas are scant around these parts). I've already wasted a day of my leave on the first leak and will no doubt waste another when they reopen later this week. Not to mention that it has now thwarted some holiday plans as we were driving south later this week (about 3-400kms away) to visit family.

Oh and how about this? We lifted the bonnet to check the oil levels (which were almost bone dry) and there was no engine cover...they'd obviously forgotten to put it back on after the last leak...I'm reticent to return it.

Thanks for any advice in advance

Unsure what part of the world you're in but I would suggest asking the dealer to drop you of a loner and recover your car for replair.

When querying the theft of your engine cover I'd add a few swear words too.

Forgetting to replace the engine cover shows a massive lack of thoughtfulness towards you the customer.

You pay for a service and they've done you wrong.

I'd make sure they understood the full situation including the leak was down to their incompetence.

Forgetting to replace the engine cover shows a massive lack of thoughtfulness towards you the customer.

To me this also show's a complete lack of common sense too.

Even when I'm checking the levels on my Octavia as I have the bonnet in my right hand ready to slam it shut I have one quick look around to ensure all caps and lids are fastened, I've not left any cloths or tools on top of the engine etc.

For a Skoda main dealer to drop the bonnet without noticing the engine cover is missing is absurd.

That engine cover is also bound to be in the workshop somewhere, did the mechanic not think, hmmm where has that come from, dur!

Can a failed oil pressure switch leak oil? I wouldn't have thought so?

In essesnce then they haven't even been able to trace the original leak. Incompetance of the highest order here.

As above, due to the distances involved in Australia I'd be insisting the dealer comes out with a suitable loan car and collects and returns your car at their cost, don't be expecting to waste another day of your hard earned holiday.

You were fair with them the first time, they screwed up, now its their turn for them to show how customer service orientated they really are or are not.

Good luck!

Can a failed oil pressure switch leak oil? I wouldn't have thought so?

In essesnce then they haven't even been able to trace the original leak. Incompetance of the highest order here.

As above, due to the distances involved in Australia I'd be insisting the dealer comes out with a suitable loan car and collects and returns your car at their cost, don't be expecting to waste another day of your hard earned holiday.

You were fair with them the first time, they screwed up, now its their turn for them to show how customer service orientated they really are or are not.

They certainly can! I got an NSU TTS very cheap when I lived in Germany because the owner thought he had cracked the block.

It is also possible to overtighten and crack the mounting boss in some fitments. Not saying that has happened here of course.

There are plenty of other possibilities, only inspection will determine the source of your problem. Not usually difficult, but often messy and best done on a lift. After a through clean down.

The failure to replace your engine cover is worrying - sloppy, couldn't careless attitude from both mechanic and tester, usually a clue that the principle doesn't give a toss either.

I would follow Silvers advice here and start asking them to move their bottoms.

As it's leaking following the first service, I suggest you check the simple things first - around the oil filter and the sump plug. Careless or incompetent wrenching here can easily result in oil leaks.

Thanks everyone, all great advice. I honestly hadn't thought to tell them to come to me as you're right, I shouldn't be wasting more of my time as the inconvenience alone is more than enough. To be honest, I was thinking of an ambush-style approach and just appearing at the servicing centre and getting the guy that told me last time that 'It's not a good day to be after a loan car' (Truly??? Lucky the other new guy stepped in before I could overcome my shock and speak my mind) to come out and tell me what was missing after I popped the bonnet...I mean what kind of outfit are they running? I reckon a pack of muppets would do much better, even with their lack of fingers.

On the swear words advice, I had thought about peppering my assault with them but then I was actually wondering how I was going to stop myself. There is a point where too many just reduces overall impact, even I have to admit that.

They definitely don't appear to have found the leak the first time and used the old oil pressure switch leak excuse (yes, there is such a thing apparently and as attested to by nickguzzi, it was suggested by a mechanic as the culprit on another forum for different make of car though. I searched it after the first visit to see if it was a common leak) and I shall be suggesting that their crew didn't find it the first time and they need to start again or subcontract the job out to a workshop that is able and competent.

Cheers again everyone, much appreciated

Don't know about Oz, but here industrial language can get you ejected for being aggressive and confrontational.

I have found in the past that discussing poor dealer service with the staff on the sales floor on a Saturday afternoon whilst the sales staff are trying to sell cars can embarrass the manager quite nicely.

Swearing, on the other hand, achieved nothing when you are already in the right.

Don't know about Oz, but here industrial language can get you ejected for being aggressive and confrontational.

I'm not quite sure what constitutes as 'industrial language' but whilst swearing rarely helps I would agree withthe above, a raised and determined voice has certainly helped me in the past.

I'm not quite sure what constitutes as 'industrial language' but whilst swearing rarely helps I would agree withthe above, a raised and determined voice has certainly helped me in the past.

Especially in earshot of potential customers....