I would also be expecting Skoda to complete a thorough investigation of the other steering & suspension components.

The failed bearing is, for me, just a symptom of a greater problem. Bearings don't usually fail after such a short period of time.

Sounds like a failure in the sub-assembly process - or it is actually a duff component.  It does happen - although very, very rare.

 

Agreed though - I'd want the whole chassis gone over with a very fine toothcomb by someone who really knows what they are doing - not just someone who does a software update...  I wouldn't trust anyone who thinks a mechanical problem can be fixed with software.

I've told them I want to reject the car, after all why should I trust something that's had 9000 miles of unnecessary stresses and vibration.

Latest is that the driveshaft is faulty and is locking up every other revolution. The repairing dealer is pretty certain that has been the problem all along. I have also been verbally informed today that the supplying dealer is refusing my rejection on the grounds that it is covered under warranty. Does anyone know a good legal representative that can advise as I would like to follow through and take these clowns to court if necessary? Whilst I do not want to breach forum rules I am happy to advise anyone which dealer to avoid.

Edited 22 February, 201412 yr by Leonblue

Really? faulty driveshaft? how strange...Because of the bearing maybe.

Do you have noises? Locking means the car is unusable.

Really? faulty driveshaft? how strange...Because of the bearing maybe.

Do you have noises? Locking means the car is unusable.

Well there was a noticeable vibration, but I always said it felt like the car was coming apart. There was no noise to speak of. The car has been in for 9 days so far as Skoda don't seem to have any spares in the country.

 

I am fuming that the supplying dealer has been so useless and now won't accept responsibility. Tempted to name and shame honestly!

Edited 22 February, 201412 yr by Leonblue

The driveshaft is just a steel rod, there isn't much that can go wrong with it. The CV joints at either end could though.

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The driveshaft is just a steel rod, there isn't much that can go wrong with it. The CV joints at either end could though.

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Inner CV joint apparently, they changed the bearing first, then thought it still felt bad on the test drive. I believe that they thought the gearbox was shot at first.

i suspect the bearings at the gearbox end of the driveshaft will be shot too.  Well..on a mondeo the bearings in the gearbox are fairly small and easily damaged.  You may want to ask the dealer about them.

oh and if the initial cause is a bent drive shaft, that would kill the wheel bearings, cv joints and the bearings at the gearbox end.

i suspect the bearings at the gearbox end of the driveshaft will be shot too.  Well..on a mondeo the bearings in the gearbox are fairly small and easily damaged.  You may want to ask the dealer about them.

I think that perhaps the gearbox / engine has been moving about, I have noticed that sometimes the gear change is notchy as hell other times as smooth as silk. But that's another problem on this Skoda heap - or is it?

Edited 22 February, 201412 yr by Leonblue

Latest is that the driveshaft is faulty and is locking up every other revolution. The repairing dealer is pretty certain that has been the problem all along. I have also been verbally informed today that the supplying dealer is refusing my rejection on the grounds that it is covered under warranty. Does anyone know a good legal representative that can advise as I would like to follow through and take these clowns to court if necessary? Whilst I do not want to breach forum rules I am happy to advise anyone which dealer to avoid.

I am sure most lawyers specialising in consumer laws can give initial "free advice" on the phone before charging.

 

I would also contact Skoda UK direct. Judging by some of the responses others have received from them, it may be worthwhile to bypass the dealer to get results!

well the box is bolted to the engine and can only move with that.  the engine mounts allow for some movement, the condition of those should be eay to check.  I suspect notchy shifting is more to do with the gearbox internals though, stuff like a faulty/failing synchromesh for example.  I suspect its the box that is the cause of your problems and has something badly wrong, either that or a bent drive shaft that has caused the bearing to fail and damaged the gearbox. either way....I think you need to ask a lot of questions about the gearbox condition and ..well in your position right now I think I'd only be happy with a brand new box.  A full strip and inspection would reveal more info though.

Leonblue, firstly it's great to see you stuck to your guns on this . Your dealer definitely need's to be hauled over his lack of care, if he fobbed you off who's to say he won't do it to other's in the future. From experience, it'll be a headache for a little while longer as in who's ultimate responsibility it lies with Skoda, the dealer or both. My dad's felicia which he bought new was like a lake every time it rained in the passenger side for 3 month's, 6 windscreens later the fault eventually lay with the passenger side wing having a panel gap bigger than allowed that let the water in. Hopefully it'll all work out for you quickly with SUK and the car.

I'll definitely be checking everything with a toothcomb when I pick up my car this week.

Edited 23 February, 201412 yr by Bandit1988

I am sure most lawyers specialising in consumer laws can give initial "free advice" on the phone before charging.

 

I would also contact Skoda UK direct. Judging by some of the responses others have received from them, it may be worthwhile to bypass the dealer to get results!

I have already contacted Skoda, they advised me to write the letter to the dealer formally rejecting the car.

I would copy that letter to SUK at the same time.

Leon, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner to explain my last post but, bearings just don't fail own their own normally, something else has to be outta place make them wear this quickly, it would seem as your now finding out, lots more is wrong.

 

hope you get the outcome you want.

 

Regards

T

Edited 23 February, 201412 yr by themanwithnoaim

I would copy that letter to SUK at the same time.

Good point. I will forward a copy to them and VWFS.

Leonblue, firstly it's great to see you stuck to your guns on this . Your dealer definitely need's to be hauled over his lack of care, if he fobbed you off who's to say he won't do it to other's in the future. From experience, it'll be a headache for a little while longer as in who's ultimate responsibility it lies with Skoda, the dealer or both. My dad's felicia which he bought new was like a lake every time it rained in the passenger side for 3 month's, 6 windscreens later the fault eventually lay with the passenger side wing having a panel gap bigger than allowed that let the water in. Hopefully it'll all work out for you quickly with SUK and the car.

I'll definitely be checking everything with a toothcomb when I pick up my car this week.

Good luck with your purchase, they can't all be bad and neither can the dealers. The dealer that is repairing my car have been pretty good so far!

Hey guys thanks for all your input! I'm loving the fact that this post is high on google search results. Presumably means it's being read by a lot of people. Once this matter has been resolved one way or the other I am thinking of revealing the dealers involved for all to see. I guess that will allow potential customers the chance to make an informed decision.

Edited 23 February, 201412 yr by Leonblue

I hope you get this sorted Leon.

 

I'm purely speculating here but I reckon this is a plausible explanation.

 

car left the factory fine.  p***k of a loader doing something stupid kerbed it, or similar, and bent a drive shaft.

Dealer doing a poor pdi just found a scuff on the alloy and changed it.

7k later and the bent shaft has now killed a gearbox and a wheel bearing.

 

believable i think

Personally I think something, yet to be determined, has been loose allowing engine / suspension to move causing said damage over the miles.

Edited 23 February, 201412 yr by Leonblue

I believe if it's on finance they have just as much responsibility for any rejection claim as you have; both paying for faulty goods. Also if you paid a deposit by credit card there is another avenue to follow up, as they also bought this faulty item.

 

Local Trading Standards/CAB can often advise with the correct wording for a rejection letter under the sales of goods act.

 

 

Best of luck,

 

TP

Another thing I just remembered, and I emailed the dealer about at the time (and still have a copy of). When it was new and on it's first journey, the first time I did a LH full lock to get into a parking slot, there was a loud metallic grinding noise. It only happened once, but perhaps that was the start of things to come.

Edited 23 February, 201412 yr by Leonblue

I believe if it's on finance they have just as much responsibility for any rejection claim as you have; both paying for faulty goods. Also if you paid a deposit by credit card there is another avenue to follow up, as they also bought this faulty item.

 

Local Trading Standards/CAB can often advise with the correct wording for a rejection letter under the sales of goods act.

 

 

Best of luck,

 

TP

I have already quoted the sales of goods act etc in the rejection letter.

Edited 23 February, 201412 yr by Leonblue