Hi, I know there are may posts on door locking problems but I will be going back to the dealer to sort this one as there is a warranty until March.

I need to make sure I ask the right questions and not get fobbed off if the dreaded water ingress problem is behind the fault.

Symptoms started this evening when returning from work:

Door open warning on dash (drivers door).

Remote will not activate any locks (tried both keys) but will with button on door arm rest and with key.

Windows will not work.

Fuel cover and boot release switches not functioning.

Interior lights do not work.

Wing mirrors adjust for reversing but will not fold back. Puddle lights not working.

Any advice would be welcome.

Gerry

I believe typically symptom of water ingress leading to failed CCM.

Skoda warranty doesn't cover water ingress so you might have a little fun.

Though of course you have comebacks to dealer themselves (ie without considering the warranty). The issues are well known - particularly within the VAG group dealerships - so it is hard for them to argue out of responsibility. At the very least any VAG dealership still selling these should be dropping the plenum bungs before selling on - though I doubt they are.

Thanks jimbof. I will post hoe I get on.

Is it a Skoda dealer you bought it from?

If so don't let them hide behind "water ingress isn't in the warranty" - I managed to get money back from my supplying dealer to get the bungs etc removed despite the work being done at a different place. Even they thought tho that just the bungs needed taking out - when actually the pollen filter seal has to be done too (I just called it quits at that point with them and did the pollen filter myself).

I've even had the sales guys where they did the bungs joking with me about the water issues - and he laughed when I said I'd had a couple of parking sensors replaced saying I'd be back for more later... so they are all very aware of the problems.

Yes the Skoda dealer in Lincoln.

I have booked it in for Wednesday morning after the new year break.

Skoda dealer quoted me £1500 to repair as warranty does not cover water ingress.

I pointed out that I had asked about the risk of this when I bought the car and had been assured it would not be a problem. I gave a copy of the VW letter (from this site) about this being a known problem. I was told what could be offered under good will.

I was called later in the day and offered a reduced price of £800.

I had spoken to trading standards who told me I may have a case under the sale of goods legislation. I again declined their offer and asked this be passed back to the management.

As I received no reply after 24 hours I called again but there had not been any official response.

The garage gave me a reduced price of £650. I have not said yes to this.

I still believe I have been let down by the dealer and will avoid all VW group in the future.

I will look at other options. I do not have time to do the repair myself because of work and need a car to take my wife for chemo treatment.

What should I expect to pay for the repair at an independent?

Out of interest, have they given you a breakdown of what they plan to do for what is (still) quite a bit of money? Have they identified where the water has come in? £1500 must be a few parts and a load of labour.

If it is via the plenum then this is the most common of the issues with tons of documentation out there; it is probably the one you would have the strongest case with via something like small claims court or similar. I don't know of any notable successes out there in this regard but really any main dealer who sells these who hasn't at least pulled the bungs is negligent to say the least. As Rotodiesel and others have pointed out; if it is the plenum and the brake servo has been submerged for significant time then the braking system can be very compromised indeed.

Keep us updated, good luck!

Hi jimbof, There was no breakdown of the work needed to be done. It was explained that the biggest cost would be 3 days labour!

This makes me wonder if they charge labour when the car is drying out :think:

Thanks for the advice on the brakes. I gave the garage a print out of the class action in the USA on this matter.

I suspect the bungs under the battery are the problem.

Today I pulled back some of the carpet on the passenger side today. The carpet and under felt are dry near the pollen filter.

I found the under felt is dry next to the door sill but found the damp by reaching towards the centre.

I will post up how this progresses I suspect it will run for some time.

Car is now being repaired at dealer.

New control unit fitted and 3 further electrical faults were then found. Now the car has a problem behind the dash.

Will the car now be prone to gremlins?

What is the problem behind the dash?

What is the problem behind the dash?

Not sure yet as they have not explained any of the fault code problems to me.

The 'drying out' process is thought to be causing the issues!

What engine is your Superb?

2.5D V6 Auto.

If it is so extensively damaged you might want to start thinking about trying to reject the car to them... Was it a cash or a finance purchase? If finance, the finance company also have some liability (joint).

Bit late to reject the car. Bought it last March for trade in + cash.

The cost of repair is being covered by the dealer and Skoda UK.

Many man hours of labour, new control unit and replacing some wiring and diodes. Been in 3 weeks so far. Hope to get it back this week.

Need a reliable car for work and hospital appointments. I now have doubts about this car's reliability but do not wish to throw money away changing it after less than a year if I can help it.

I am at a total loss regarding what I would buy next. Loan car is a Citigo and the difference from the Superb is worlds apart. I will not be buying a small car if I do change.

Apart from the water ingress issue the car is fairly bulletproof. The engine has been around years so I'm sure once this set back is sorted you will have a reliable motor

The cost of repair is being covered by the dealer and Skoda UK.

Result

Gaz

Result

Gaz

Yes Gaz, I won my case

Car back today and all the bells and whistles working again

Now need to keep out of the

3 weeks in the Citigo was PITA.

I will stick with and enjoy the Superb for now.

I poured over Autotrader but could not find a sensible car that could replace it. I did fancy a Lexus GS 450h but the better half wants me to down size (at least fit in the garage) next car.

Glad it is sorted. Did they tell you where the water had come in?

Glad it is sorted. Did they tell you where the water had come in?

Sadly they did not confirm anything. In the breif discussion I had they did not disagree when I argued it was a plenum chamber problem.

As I did not have to pay there was no paperwork given to me to breakdown the parts or labour involved.

Thanks for all the advice on this issue. In dealing with the warranty problem I spoke to trading standards and put my case in writing under the sale of goods act. I copied Skoda UK and a national newspaper. The matter was then resolved within 4 days !

sounds like you got a good result anyhow; enjoy the Superb, I love mine