SWMBO is out for the day in the Octy and sent a txt saying a number plate bulb has gone. Don't have the car to hand to have a look-see, but are they easily replaced???

Yes they are easily replaced. The bulb holder is held onto the car with two small torx screws.

The Torx screws easily corrode though so be careful not to round them off.

 

They take these bulbs...

 

Thanks for the replies chaps.

 

Royal pain in the @r$e this turned out to be...

 

Got the replacement bulb - undid the light assembly (easy enough) to find the whole thing was rusted up to hell on the inside. Bulb holder was so corroded that it broke when I tried to remove the dead bulb. (Bulb filament still intact so assembly, not the bulb, was the issue).

 

Checked the other assembly and it was also badly rusted, so back to dealer to get replacement. (Only 1 in stock).

 

Went to replace the broken assembly only to find one of the contact pins had rusted through and had 'parked' itself in the plug, so couldn't fit the new replacement assembly.

 

Have had to get it booked in to get a replacement plug wired in, which will mean taking off the interior trim as there isn't enough slack in the cable to do it in situ. (Will get the other replaced whilst they're at it). 

 

Can't figure why so much corrosion given the car is less than 3 years old - doubt it is down to moisture only so will have them look for water ingress issues whilst the trim is off.

 

Sods bloody law, although less than 3 years old the car is out of warranty by 2000 miles!

 

Edited 27 December, 201312 yr by Rab-k

I would be asking the dealer to do this under warranty regardless of the mileage as corrosion has nothing to do with how many miles you have driven. If they are not prepared to do so ask for a number for SUK and contact their customer services yourself, they may be prepared to make a contribution towards the repairs.

Edited 27 December, 201312 yr by radders567

As above, the corrosion that led to the failure will have been present 2,000 miles ago. Skoda should honour the warranty.

 

Also, corroded rear number plate lights are a common complaint on the MkII Octavia.

Sorted...

 

Both light assemblies and plugs replaced. £25 all in - "goodwill gesture" took care of the rest, which I'm assuming would have been labour+VAT, so can't complain too much.

 

Will be sure to watch for signs of corrosion in future.

 

Suggest those coming up to end of warranty check to make sure that theirs are OK, and if not get them swapped before the warranty expires.