Rapid includes the 1.2 TSI engine option, which has caused some timing chain problems in some other Skodas and Volkswagens. I'm wondering, if Rapid has inherited those problems too. An optimist would expect, that they were fixed, but for some reason Rapid's service interval is half of Octavia's interval... Could that be related?

Not really. See my car has an 1.2Tsi 77Kw unit but it is the basic trim level. Thus its service intervals are fixed once a year or every 15.000Km while a friend's Roomster being a more opted one has variable service intervals which is every two years or up to 30.000Km or when car decides so. Both cars using same service parts and oil.

I would think that any engineering issues with the chain would have been corrected now as the engine is a few years old

The new Golf and Octavia have the new generation 1.2 tsi without timing chain - it's a new longlife belt - and cooled exhaust manifold. I guess this new engine will find its way into other products eventually.

Any reported problems with 1.2 tsi on Rapid until now? Had anyone encountered problems with the chain?

Chains can be a massive pain on the early 1.2 (and 1.4) TSIs but anything new should have revised designs. Also you have the warranty for any faults within first 3 years.

 

This is worth a read if you have a few minutes (long) - http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fvwts.ru%2Fforum%2Findex.php%3Fshowtopic%3D204747

Thank you for your answer. I have read the article, it's very interesting. I hope that they solved all the problems with this engine and the 1.2 TSI Rapid owners (including me) will have an easy life

I've researched the engine prior to buying the Rapid. Since the engine was used for some time in other models, you can find stuff about it, from what I could see, people who had the Polo with this engine had issues back in 2011, but it seems to have been sorted out by now and the engine in the Rapid should be more reliable. On the other hand, Octavia has the newer TSI with a cambelt, which should be a better engine, but then again, any fuel efficiency in the Octavia is lost due to it being heavier than the Rapid.