I know this topic has been raised before, but the same thing happened to my Skoda Fabia 1.4TDI last weekend.

The oil light illuminated on the dash and the vehicle came to a halt on a main road.

The car was not driven any further and when I arrived to help, I topped up the oil, in case the problem was a basic one.

After having the vehicle removed usiang a recovery company and removing the covers, we can see the oil pump chain has snapped, causing further damage to the vehicle and conservative estimates of repairs in the £000's!!

I am collating as much information on the problem and other peoples experiences, so if anybody has any relevant information, could they please 'post' it here, before I contact customer services.

The vehicle is on an 08 plate, 37k miles and has been serviced either at the original Skoda dealership, or the dealership that I purchased the vehicle from (one previous 'disability' owner).

Many thanks.

Hi- I have just had the same problem....

A couple of days ago I was driving my Skoda Fabia 1.4 Diesel Sport down the motorway when I heard a dull thud, which was quickly followed by oil light coming on. I pulled over as quickly as was practical and got towed back home. The garage have advised me the oil pump chain has snapped and gone through the timing belt cover. Unfortunately there is no easy way to fix this so I may require an engine rebuild or a completely new one altogether. Apparently this is becoming a recurring theme with Skodas although the company won’t admit this. Given my car is 2008, low mileage and extremely well taken care of/ serviced… I am not best pleased so intend to pursue them for assistance.

How did you get on?

Badder,

I am still going through the process of what to do with my car.

My options are similar to yours, although with an estimated quote (for engine to be refurbished) direct from Skoda of over £2,600 I will be looking to get a new engine and decide where to have it fitted.

Skoda offered me no 'goodwill' whatsoever, based on the age of the car - 61 months - irrelevant that it has only just done over 37,000 miles.

The more information I get together on this the more I can see that this a fault that Skoda know about, but will not admit liability in any way shape or form.

For a car to be a little over its supposed mileage warranty and for a part that is buried inside the engine and has caused so much damage, Skoda need to take some responsibility.

Diesel engines are supposed to last for years, not break down after the engine has barely been 'broken in'.

I have made a comment on the Skoda UK page on Facebook if you want to have a look on there and maybe add your own statement, so people can see if this is a regular occurence (I was told by Skoda that they can not take information on forums as this could be written or made up by anyone!!).

If you write something on there, I will private message you (with name of the case manager I dealt with) and we can maybe push this issue through together (strength in numbers, so to speak).

I hope you have more luck than I have had so far with Skoda, but fingers crossed, we will get something sorted.

It got through the 3 year warranty period, so for them its a check box ticked and job done. They really should give you some good will, especially if it has FDSH.

Since your car is 61 months old, it's younger than the 6 years that is typically accepted as reasonable time under the sales of goods act.

Assuming your car has been serviced on time and ideally at a skoda dealer, then I'd say just issue a small claims case against the supplying dealer.

If correctly serviced, then there is no way a car should be scrap at 37k and just over 5 years old. It suggests that the goods were not of a suitable quality and that the dealer who supplied should either refund (Probably a proportion of vehicle cost) or repair the vehicle.

Don't let skoda get away with the not our problem, but at the same time, realise your contract is with the supplying dealer, so they have to fix it.

Make sure you take it up with that dealer first and if no joy, just go straight for the court papers.

Costs are very low and if you have an AA report or similar and the service history, then I don't think they'd have a leg to stand on.

Skoda has too draw the line somewhere or the dealerships will not make money its an 08 vehicle which is 5 years old, you should have taken the extra coverage 3+2 makes 5 years, you've not got a leg too stand on

As said above, Sales of Goods act should cover it. 37k is not a reasonable lifespan for an engine. Stick to your guns and then get a solicitor.

I am the second owner of this vehicle and have had the vehicle serviced regularly at the BMW dealership where it was bought from.

The vehicle should not be in this state after 5 years and especially at 37,000 miles - and Skoda know this.

From what I have been told, the part that has snapped has now been changed, so they know there was a fault with this part.

Thanks for the optimism by the way Seboni!!

Skoda has too draw the line somewhere or the dealerships will not make money its an 08 vehicle which is 5 years old, you should have taken the extra coverage 3+2 makes 5 years, you've not got a leg too stand on

A "warranty" might be worth the paper it's printed on in reduced hassle, but certainly isn't worth £several_hundreds of extra spending out. What is considered a "reasonable life" under the relevant law has already been stated.

_{So is 5 years a 'reasonable life' for a part that is buried in the engine and is liable to cause so much damage?}

I am the second owner of this vehicle and have had the vehicle serviced regularly at the BMW dealership where it was bought from.

The vehicle should not be in this state after 5 years and especially at 37,000 miles - and Skoda know this.

From what I have been told, the part that has snapped has now been changed, so they know there was a fault with this part.

Thanks for the optimism by the way Seboni!!

In that case your contract is with the BMW dealer and you'll have to take it up with them.

Once you've taken it up with them, then you'll have to look at your options, which I suggest is something you do via your local CAB

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

What you don't have is any real comeback against skoda direct, as your dealer was the BMW dealer and it is them that you have the contract for sales of goods with.

Skoda has too draw the line somewhere or the dealerships will not make money its an 08 vehicle which is 5 years old, you should have taken the extra coverage 3+2 makes 5 years, you've not got a leg too stand on

Just so you know for future use, you're wrong.

They have to cut a line on warranty somewhere, but goods still have to be of a suitable quality.

In the UK, for a car, it's typically accepted at 6 years and a reasonable mileage.

Since Kia can offer a 7 year warranty, then if skoda can't manage 5 years without total engine destruction, then IMHO that speaks volumes.

Edited 29 May, 201313 yr by cheezemonkhai

Thanks Cheesmonkhai, I will obviously have to look at my options:

1) The vehicle being fit for purpose from the dealership where it was bought from, and

2) The fact that is fault is occuring to a few vehicles of the same age and mileage and the fact Skoda know this but wont admit any liability - or 'goodwill', to avoid admitting liability.

Thanks again for the advice people.

You won't get anywhere with Skoda, as you don't have any contract with them.

I'm sure your local CAB will be able to confirm or deny this, but don't get your hopes up on that front.

Yeah, SOGA only applies to who you bought it from. It is not hopeless, but it would have been clearer cut if it was bought new and serviced direct by a Skoda dealer.

Skoda will not do,anything for you ! Its out of warranty 2 years out , if its a recognised fault maybe but its not hence it would be a call back , as for the Koreans and 7 years warranty ( you need to read the small print ) plus they are trying their best to nick business from European manufacturers, they are not cheap to buy and wages are smaller so more leeway to fix without quibble , I agree its not good enough from skoda totally agree but you've no hope in hell, you might as some say with BMW dealer but again its not their fault it failed, you say your the second owner ? Where was it serviced previously ? Have they done something ? , as for the sales of goods act again I reckon they will be unable to assist you (CAB) trading standards , small claims court might be the way to go , I hope for the best for you but ? Its a grin and bear it I'm afraid, I wouldn't give up though go after them

Returning a second hand car

If there's a problem with a second hand car soon after you've bought it, for example, the car develops a problem you wouldn't expect for the car's age and mileage, or it turns out not to be what you’d been led to expect, you may have the right to reject and return the car and get your money back.

But you only have a reasonable time to reject a second hand car. While there's no clear definition of what a reasonable time is – it probably needs to be within three to four weeks – less if it's an obvious problem.

And if you reject a second hand car you must stop using it.

Second hand car from a dealer

When you buy a second hand car from a dealer, you have the right, under the Sale of Goods Act, to expect the car to:

be of satisfactory quality (taking into account its age and mileage)

meet any description given to you when you were buying it ( whether in the advert or in discussions prior to sale)

be fit for the purpose (for example, to get you from A to B safely).

If the second hand car does not meet these requirements, you have a right to claim against the dealer for breach of contract.

If something you buy is not 'as described', or if the seller is guilty of misrepresentation, you are entitled to:

give the second hand car back and get your money back, or

if you want to keep the car, ask for compensation (usually the cost of any repairs it needs)

But, if you buy a second hand car that was not described as being in excellent condition or good working order, and it breaks soon after you buy it, you don't have any right to reject it, or to claim compensation.

Edited 29 May, 201313 yr by seboni121

I am the second owner of this vehicle and have had the vehicle serviced regularly at the BMW dealership where it was bought from.

The vehicle should not be in this state after 5 years and especially at 37,000 miles - and Skoda know this.

From what I have been told, the part that has snapped has now been changed, so they know there was a fault with this part.

Thanks for the optimism by the way Seboni!!

Realistic I'm afraid , however I sympathise with your issue

Skoda will not do,anything for you ! Its out of warranty 2 years out , if its a recognised fault maybe but its not hence it would be a call back , as for the Koreans and 7 years warranty ( you need to read the small print ) plus they are trying their best to nick business from European manufacturers, they are not cheap to buy and wages are smaller so more leeway to fix without quibble , I agree its not good enough from skoda totally agree but you've no hope in hell, you might as some say with BMW dealer but again its not their fault it failed, you say your the second owner ? Where was it serviced previously ? Have they done something ? , as for the sales of goods act again I reckon they will be unable to assist you (CAB) trading standards , small claims court might be the way to go , I hope for the best for you but ? Its a grin and bear it I'm afraid, I wouldn't give up though go after them

Returning a second hand car

If there's a problem with a second hand car soon after you've bought it, for example, the car develops a problem you wouldn't expect for the car's age and mileage, or it turns out not to be what you’d been led to expect, you may have the right to reject and return the car and get your money back.

But you only have a reasonable time to reject a second hand car. While there's no clear definition of what a reasonable time is – it probably needs to be within three to four weeks – less if it's an obvious problem.

And if you reject a second hand car you must stop using it.

Second hand car from a dealer

When you buy a second hand car from a dealer, you have the right, under the Sale of Goods Act, to expect the car to:

be of satisfactory quality (taking into account its age and mileage)

meet any description given to you when you were buying it ( whether in the advert or in discussions prior to sale)

be fit for the purpose (for example, to get you from A to B safely).

If the second hand car does not meet these requirements, you have a right to claim against the dealer for breach of contract.

If something you buy is not 'as described', or if the seller is guilty of misrepresentation, you are entitled to:

give the second hand car back and get your money back, or

if you want to keep the car, ask for compensation (usually the cost of any repairs it needs)

But, if you buy a second hand car that was not described as being in excellent condition or good working order, and it breaks soon after you buy it, you don't have any right to reject it, or to claim compensation.

The Kia and Hyundai warranties are very comprehensive and cover everything you would expect. Even Mazda have been repairing cars free of charge when out of warranty when the timing chains have stretched causing catastrophic engine damage as long as they have been fully serviced.

To be honest it just shows that VAG is not a particular good brand and there cars are no more reliable than cheap Korean makes.

Mdon totally agree build quality ain't what youde expect, we should all buy Korean

Seboni, no cars can be perfect, but you're certainly making a case for a used VAG being a poor value proposition. Especially when the exact problem the OP has would be covered by Hyundai/Kia's standard warranty.

On 29/05/2013 at 13:02, pc1472 said:

Badder,

I am still going through the process of what to do with my car.

My options are similar to yours, although with an estimated quote (for engine to be refurbished) direct from Skoda of over £2,600 I will be looking to get a new engine and decide where to have it fitted.

Skoda offered me no 'goodwill' whatsoever, based on the age of the car - 61 months - irrelevant that it has only just done over 37,000 miles.

The more information I get together on this the more I can see that this a fault that Skoda know about, but will not admit liability in any way shape or form.

For a car to be a little over its supposed mileage warranty and for a part that is buried inside the engine and has caused so much damage, Skoda need to take some responsibility.

Diesel engines are supposed to last for years, not break down after the engine has barely been 'broken in'.

I have made a comment on the Skoda UK page on Facebook if you want to have a look on there and maybe add your own statement, so people can see if this is a regular occurence (I was told by Skoda that they can not take information on forums as this could be written or made up by anyone!!).

If you write something on there, I will private message you (with name of the case manager I dealt with) and we can maybe push this issue through together (strength in numbers, so to speak).

I hope you have more luck than I have had so far with Skoda, but fingers crossed, we will get something sorted.

Same here 08 plate 57000 miles was lucky as just pulled into petrol station as it snapped.

 

Old thread there, Skoz007, on what is now an even older car... That said, mine snapped and wrapped itself around the oil pump-apparently, at around 50,000 miles and a shade under three years old. Skoda fitted a brand new engine, under warranty without quibble. Been going strong ever since, now having clocked up close to 160,000 miles (110,000 on the new lump) but must go soon, due to the PITA ULEZ!

2 hours ago, mrgf said:

Old thread there, Skoz007, on what is now an even older car... That said, mine snapped and wrapped itself around the oil pump-apparently, at around 50,000 miles and a shade under three years old. Skoda fitted a brand new engine, under warranty without quibble. Been going strong ever since, now having clocked up close to 160,000 miles (110,000 on the new lump) but must go soon, due to the PITA ULEZ!

 

It's about time Londoners all got together and told Mr Khan to go **** himself regarding the stealth tax of ULEZ..................biggest load of rubbish ever................several other cities now doing or about to do the same.

Yep... Thats labour for you! They are supposed to be the working class party but basically stifle the working mans rights more then the Conservatives, who really want low level Government.

Labour want us all working, travelling by P.T, and paying in to unions, to "Protect our rights"!

Yeah, our rights to pay through the nose to drive old cars as we can ill-afford newer ones or spend every penny we do have on upgrading, only to have that goalpost moved a further five years down the line.