I have recently bought a Greenline II. When I was looking over the car in the dealer I noticed the key turn lock on the petrol cap. I mentioned to the dealer that that was 'a bit 1980's' and he said it doesnt matter as the 'Flap' locked with the central locking. I have since noticed that it doesnt.

Does anyone know if this is a fault or just poor spec?

Ta

My 2010 vRS needs you to lock the fuel filler cap, I don't believe these cars lock the flap with the central locking

Wow thats a bit dated. Havent had a car that I had to manually lock the filler cap since my 1998 mini!

Nope the flap dosent lock with central locking. Just the cap itself locks. Like you said, its a little old skool! Dosent bother me though as i aint gotta use it much!

Dealer typically clueless about what he was talking about. Flap doesn't lock but the cap does. I don't see what's the problem with that, other cars have it as well (Alfa Mito is an example) and imho it's a lot safer than systems with just the flap centrally locking and the cap actually free. Far easier to break open the flap than actually removing the locked cap itself.

Simple system with a Locking cap,

possibly better than the previous system sometimes with flaps you could not open because of the pretty crap mechanism.

If the flap does freeze, its not difficult to open, unlike the ones with locks on can be.

 

george

Yep they dont lock. They dont on the Seat Ibiza either but do on the Polo (being the most premium of the trio).

LOL, Most expensive and beautifully made,

 what has the Audi A1 got, with it being the most premium of the Quad.

 

is having a Locking or internal release Fuel flaps a sign of a vehicle being from a Premium Brand,

are ones that you do not need to remember to open the flap as you exit really only on the cars which are less premium.?

 

george

locking flaps are a pain really as they fail, people force them and can access the tank, etc. locking caps are more secure. that said, a locking flap AND cap would be better!

LOL, Most expensive and beautifully made,

what has the Audi A1 got, with it being the most premium of the Quad.

is having a Locking or internal release Fuel flaps a sign of a vehicle being from a Premium Brand,

are ones that you do not need to remember to open the flap as you exit really only on the cars which are less premium.?

george

sorry George, the Polo is all in all a nicer car than both the Ibiza and Fabia, just a shame they come at such a high price comparatively.

the A1 actually does not even compare with any of the three thats why i left it off, way better perceived quality than all of them but then they are ridiculously expensive so would expect that to be the case.

you can harp on as much as you like sticking up for the Fabia, but its a relatively cheap VAG variant, made to a price and it shows in its percieved build quality and lack of features such as a locking fuel flap. Not to say its not a good car, for the money its very good but in my eyes (and i dont expect reams of people to agree on a Skoda forum) a VW Polo is still the better car.

Edited 27 September, 201312 yr by pipsyp

locking flaps are a pain really as they fail, people force them and can access the tank, etc. locking caps are more secure. that said, a locking flap AND cap would be better!

some truth in this but ive had loads of cars with locking fuel flaps and not one of them has given me any bother.

on the other hand I have had locking caps where the locks have gotten very stiff or have stopped working altogether; also a bit of a nuisance when they knacker to the extent they will not re-lock and give you your key back without a fight.

Wife had this with her old 03 Ibiza 130 PD Sport, lost faith in it to the extent she started refusing to lock it in case the got stuck and left her stranded without a key to start the car

Edited 27 September, 201312 yr by pipsyp

The A1 & Polo locks the flap with the central locking but they have a hidden release within the boot if it fails

Pipsyp,

i know just how well the VW is made, the little features and what you can get if you pay for options,

so just what you get for paying from £3000-£5000 more.

 

What is really good, but maybe not for owners of them that want to sell,

is how badly they depreciate, its great that they have lost half the price that Buyers actually paid and used ones can now be had 

at the same price as the same age of a vRS.

 

I never dis the quality, just question the often mentioned superior handling because of the newer platform.

& the Tartan Tat fabric is rather naff though. Many will like that look no doubt, i just never did first time around.

All a personal taste thing on how you want a car to handle really. Or if cheap suits you,

A cheap VW Polo GTI is easily available now, but they seem to be struggling to find buyers, 

They must be one of the best used bargain though for anyone wanting a Twincharger,.

Thats if you like them. Best to drive them first and compare with the other 3.

 

george

can confirm GLII has got locking fuel cap and the flap don't lock on the central locking

 

tell dealer to RTFM and get to know the specs of what they are selling, trouble is if they get something basic wrong like that it puts all sorts of doubts in your mind about everything else they have told you

Ha Ha this locking fuel cap thing again. I personally would prefer the locking fuel CAP every time. It is particularly safe for those who fill up in areas prone to criminal activity. You have to take the keys from the car to unlock the cap, thus avoiding the unfortunate happening recently when a lady had left her keys in and had the car stolen along with the baby in the back.

 

Pipsy, yes the Fabia is the budget car in the VAG range (except Citigo) and is less well made than more expensive cars ( that's why they are more expensive!! )

It is still one of the best value for money super minis on the market.

Edited 28 September, 201312 yr by horkin

I have had both locking caps fail AND locking flaps! Usually, the flaps can be a bugger unless you are willing to force them, whilst caps usually fail due to lack of or failure to lubricate! Easy to do.