Just returned from France after an unusual breakdown experience.

After an overnight stay at a Campanile Hotel near Laon in France and driving down to my holiday location, the coil warning light came on together with a flashing exhaust warning light. The car went into 'emergency mode' so had no turbo assistance and the final 200 miles of my journey was OK since I was on ordinary roads and didn't need the extra power.

Arriving at my destination I called the Skoda Assistance (RAC) and they booked me into the nearest Skoda garage, which was for a week later! The garage assured me that I could use the car for normal driving in the meantime.

After repair and going to pick up the car, I was presented with a bill for 180 euros even though the car was under warranty. ' Sorry, Sir, but one of your rubber hoses has been chewed through by a rodent'! 2 hours labour and 5 euros for parts.

Now I realise that this may not come within warranty terms, but on reading a French Car Magazine article about rodents doing this kind of thing, they pointed out that Skoda and a few other manufacturers have adopted a particular kind of rubber for certain hoses which emit an odour which is attractive to rodents! This rubber is only found in relatively new cars and those affected are Skoda Fabia and Yeti, Audi A1, Ford Fiesta, VW Polo and Touran and Renault Scenic.

I contacted Skoda UK and asked how this might be rectified. A polite response, but no offer of help or warranty reimbursement. My own view is that if they are using this kind of rubber for these hoses, they should replace them with another type. Could a chewed hose present a potential safety hazard and a recall therefore be put into operation?

Anyone out there who had a similar problem? If Skoda aren't doing anything, what can be done?

Thats just as bad as skoda telling my dad that his door seals had been eaten by birds because they perished and little nicks in them

Thats just as bad as skoda telling my dad that his door seals had been eaten by birds because they perished and little nicks in them

Hahahaha oh ****!

Hope you don't mind Bazz, but as its likely to affect Yetis, I've borrowed this for them.

It's a bit peculiar, I must admit.

I had a Volvo where I had exactly the same problem - I have lived in this house next to allotments and a stream for more than 25 years so rats are a constant problem to control but this was the first time it hadever happened to me (I was alerted to it by a smell of diesel and fortunately the car was already booked in for a service). I was given the same explanation - that something in the rubber was attractive to rodents but it wasn't a warranty fault so "That will be a wad of cash please sir". I've just changed the Volvo for a Yeti so now i'm in full panic mode!

Its not uncommon for rodents to chew rubber or plastic hoses. My Daughter lived on a farm and her washer pipes were continually chewed through by mice. I have to say it's quite bizarre that the magazine claim Skoda are using the wrong rubber though I suppose it could be so :wonder: .

I don't know whether the manufacture could be held to blame for a mouse taking a fancy to his product but I have heard of pheasants and even a goat attacking a car because it could see it's reflection in the paint.

Its not uncommon for rodents to chew rubber or plastic hoses. My Daughter lived on a farm and her washer pipes were continually chewed through by mice. I have to say it's quite bizarre that the magazine claim Skoda are using the wrong rubber though I suppose it could be so :wonder: .

I don't know whether the manufacture could be held to blame for a mouse taking a fancy to his product but I have heard of pheasants and even a goat attacking a car because it could see it's reflection in the paint.

The article was in Auto Plus, 8 April 2013. It mentions (after translation) that the reason they have chosen this new rubber is that the hoses resistance to heat needs to go from 100 C to 150 C and that the manufacture of the rubber needed to be modified - hence the odour given off. A replacement rubber containing an additive exists that will meet these specifications and is repulsive to rodents - but at a cost!

I've seen a few nests in engine compartments, plenty of chewed wiring and pipes and have even advised on a MOT test of evidence of rodent activity. A hungry mouse can cause £1000s of damage.

Thats just as bad as skoda telling my dad that his door seals had been eaten by birds because they perished and little nicks in them

Not as bizarre as it sounds! I had a car with a sunroof and the rubber seal used to get a build up of goo. I once looked out the window to see 2 magpies ripping the seal apart to get at whatever was inside!

Mice ate the wiring loom of my mates 3 month old Freelander 2 when he left it parked up for a week while he was away, had to have a complete new loom, made for an interesting insurance claim

Better to leave some mouse food out somewhere away from your car, or perhaps stash a cat in your garage.