I suppose I don't see it as an issue. I can't see water ingress or freezing being a problem as its such a small gap. Yes I have rights, but I'll be honest I'd be embarrassed standing in the dealers complaining about a few mm gap in a bit of trim. It's just to small of an issue for me to worry about.

You have spent a lot of money on that car mate, it should be right, no matter how small the defect, its still a defect and they have a legal right to rectify it, but obviously that's up to you. However the more people who flag up these problems, the quicker they rectify them in production so others don't get a car with the same problems.

Edited 3 August, 201312 yr by redandwhitepauly

Yes I have rights, but I'll be honest I'd be embarrassed standing in the dealers complaining about a few mm gap in a bit of trim.

Oh, so that's how Skoda wins customer satisfaction surveys.

Seriously though, that's what the initial warranty is for, factory QC screwed up, your dealer screwed up again when checking the car after delivery, it really is up to them to fix. No matter how small. If not because you pay crazy money for Octavia these days, then do it just so you don't regret it when that very dealer points at it as a "fault" when you try to part exchange it for a new one in few years time. 

Edited 3 August, 201312 yr by v0n

It is surprising and somewhat worrying that a defect (yes 2.5mm or 2.5cm it is still a defect) which has been identified so long ago still has not been rectified.  It brings into question how good Skoda's quality procedures are and whether they have sufficient resources or will to deal with such situations in a timely manner.  To me it is unacceptable and perhaps unwise for Skoda to have allowed this to continue. It is amazing how easily and quickly goodwill, which has taken a lot of effort to build up, can be eroded. I ordered my 2L 4x4 last week thinking that Skoda's quality was up there with VW, now I am not so sure. So Skoda, listen up., get it sorted and quickly.....please!

i dont meant to be cheeky but you get what you pay for, I have decided to go for VW

i dont meant to be cheeky but you get what you pay for, I have decided to go for VW

 

Maybe you should rethink that one, ive never seen a VW that doesn't rattle like buggery and in reality the build quality is no better than Skodas and personally I think Skoda is much better value with higher comparable specs for your money. Lets face it every new car platform will have bugs and they eventually iron them out and the new car game is very much a game of luck whether you get a car that has niggles or doesn't. Exactly the same niggles are in the Yeti forums yet I haven't had a single niggle from my Yeti in 3 years of ownership.

 

At the end of the day Skoda do make very good cars, and given where they were as a company before VW took them over, its been quite a transformation.

If you got nectar points just for frequenting a vw service department, I'd have had enough for an around the world trip for the whole family by now!

Never had so many issues on a new car!

i dont meant to be cheeky but you get what you pay for, I have decided to go for VW

Lol, best of luck then if any of my experiences with VW are anything to go by.

It is surprising and somewhat worrying that a defect (yes 2.5mm or 2.5cm it is still a defect) which has been identified so long ago still has not been rectified.  It brings into question how good Skoda's quality procedures are and whether they have sufficient resources or will to deal with such situations in a timely manner.

 

Maybe Skoda also fail to see the importance of a slightly enlarged panel gap?

i dont meant to be cheeky but you get what you pay for, I have decided to go for VW

 

Skoda - 4th

VW - 9th

 

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/jd-power-survey-2013/full-results/265893

 

Seems those who have decided to go for Skoda will end up better off than those who wrongly assume VW offer improved quality / reliability.

Skoda - 4th

VW - 9th

 

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/jd-power-survey-2013/full-results/265893

 

Seems those who have decided to go for Skoda will end up better off than those who wrongly assume VW offer improved quality / reliability.

Isn't that the wrong way around?

Skoda

Seat

VW

Audi

Surely that list should be the other way up? VAG must be all in a muddle.

Got a photo of what this looks like?

Isn't that the wrong way around?

Skoda

Seat

VW

Audi

Surely that list should be the other way up? VAG must be all in a muddle.

As the dealer said to me, the advantage Skoda have is that as they generally get new equipment last a lot of the problems have already been sorted by Audi and VW by the time it's fitted to a Skoda.

It's expectation.

In four different dealerships customer buys 2.0TSI with DSG, within first 30k engine drinks oil like stupid and clutches on DSG fail. Clutches get replaced pronto, oil requires two or three tests before parts are replaced. All together car was out of action several times plus customer is out of pocket for oil. But ultimately the car is fixed for free under warranty and ready for next few years of service.

Audi customer is upset. "Effing 45k for the car and it literally falls apart already. Audi is totally not what they used to be. I should have bough BMW instead" he thinks and gives one star in satisfaction survey.

VW customer is not happy. "£35k for the car and it's been unreliable and broken down A LOT. VW is totally not what they used to be. I should have bought something japanese instead" he thinks and gives two stars in satisfaction survey.

Seat customer is sceptical. "£25k for the car and don't get me wrong, it might be Golf in sheep's clothing, but it had its fair share of problems. I should have bough Ford. Bob has one and he swears by it" he thinks and gives three stars in satisfaction survey.

Skoda customer is smiling. "£15k for my blackline special edition and it's been a dream. Almost as fast as Cupra or Golf but like, half price and I have practically new engine and gearbox courtesy of Skoda for free. And there was free coffee as well. Well chuffed. So much better than Bob's Renault" and ticks five stars in satisfaction survey.

Edited 19 August, 201312 yr by v0n

Lol not far wrong there v0n

We all have different perceptions on brands and there perceived quality

I ordered my new Octavia two weeks ago and have been following this thread with concerned interest.  I've since seen for myself a couple in showrooms with this problem, is anyone able to update the situation with these 2-3mm B pillar/seal gaps please?

 

BTW what is DISS procedure?

Oh no! I've just ordered a mk3 vrs estate and just read this thread. Does this b-pillar problem still affect new cars being delivered now and is it across all Octavias? Sorry if this has already been asked.

Edited 25 August, 201312 yr by vRSuper1

I would be surprised if it was still an issue with very newly built cars, but check it thoroughly when you collect the car. Difficult to tell whether they have been stocked cars affected, particular build lines, or just a production issue. Having seen various Octy and Yeti videos of the cars being manufactured its hard to see how these defects are not spotted as they are visually inspected on the line by humans when the doors are fitted when they check paintwork.

 

Will be interesting to see if newly delivered cars still have this issue in the coming months. Mine gets built next week so will expect delivery towards end Sept and I will report back on mine.

I just dont see skoda being in a hurry to fix the problem.

I just dont see skoda being in a hurry to fix the problem.

What makes you say that. Surely a fault that is rectified by changes to the way the door seal is fitted will save them time & money in the future. I am certain Skoda don't want a lot of costly warranty fixes.