If I sit with my foot on the brakes whilst stopped, the pedal seems to fall away from my foot almost as if there is air in the system. Pumping them hardens them up. I had the fluid changed & the brakes bled but it still feels the same. The brakes work OK on the road & on the track.

Does anyone else have this?

Steve

Yep, on my Octy

Most cars with ABS will do this

Make sure the engine is off, pump the pedal until it goes hard then hold on. If the pedal stays hard and doesnt sink its just the servo pulling the pedal down. Quite often this is mistaken for air int he system, its not, its just VAG quite often over assist the brakes.

most diesel's do this

What you describe about the sinking brake pedal is exactly what I've found on my new Fabia Vrs (just done 2000 miles from new). I worry that perhaps the brakes wont be capable of effectively performing an emergency stop. I've tried a couple of times but was unable to determine if the wheels actually began to lock-up. I've had diesels before but never experienced this sinking pedal syndrom before.

Usually down to the characteristics of a vacuum pump system.

Thanks Lummox , thats reassuring to know that its not a fault.

Lummox - thats a disturbing avatar...!

What you describe about the sinking brake pedal is exactly what I've found on my new Fabia Vrs (just done 2000 miles from new). I worry that perhaps the brakes wont be capable of effectively performing an emergency stop. I've tried a couple of times but was unable to determine if the wheels actually began to lock-up. I've had diesels before but never experienced this sinking pedal syndrom before.

I had 'sinking pedal syndrome' on mine from new. Once my dealer and Skoda Tech had confirmed it, Skoda replaced both servo and master cylinder under warranty. Get a second opinion on your brakes.

I had a similar problem on my Tdi Beetle ( same engine) and it was indeed the master cylinder, apparently the 1.9 lumps can be prone to this.

I've already shown the problem to the Skoda dealership and the guy in charge of servicing invited me to try the brakes on the showroom Fabia vrs. He said that it was a typical characteristic of the braking system and not a problem. The brake pedal on the showroom car did sink as foot pressure on the pedal was maintained but it was by no means as bad as on my car.

I think I'll go back and state my case to them a little stronger and see if I cant get them to change the master cylinder under warranty.