Hi guys,

Just noticed this on my way to work today. The seatbelt has cut a deep groove in the plastic!

She only has 6,600 on the clock has anyone else experienced this? I've adjusted the belt to try and compensate but surely this shouldn't be happening regardless???

http://flic.kr/p/nDUeyA

Andy

How have you managed that so high up, my belt doesn't touch anywhere near there.  Also the cost of the plastic has no bearing on how it will wear when rubbing a seatbelt across it.

Also the cost of the plastic has no bearing on how it will wear when rubbing a seatbelt across it.

Of course it does

Of course it does

 

How? Are you saying that part in the same material would wear differently if the supplier charged Skoda more to make it?

The structure of the plastic has a lot to do with how it wears, usually the better/stronger/tougher the plastic, the more it costs. It's a part made of a single piece of plastic in a high wear area anyway, really wouldn't expect this to happen in less than 7000 miles though regardless.

Only way I can assume it's happened is that it was set too low but as it was comfortable when being used there is no way of knowing this was happening.

It's not like I turn and look at the belt whilst I'm wearing it! Was a complete fluke I saw it today!

I've noticed that when I let go of my seatbelt it shoots back and hits the door card and has put a few dents in it. Takes some getting used to the fact I have to let it back in slowly as all of my previous cars have been dampened to retract slowly, that is a very strange place for wear though I will agree

Can't say I've come across dampened seat belt retraction before. What cars have you had it in?

The choice of plastic has more to do with reducing injury in an accident. The upper trims are intentionally 'soft'.

If the plastic had been harder, you would be looking to replace the belt.

Can't say I've come across dampened seat belt retraction before. What cars have you had it in?

Maybe not dampened but not so heavily sprung they return so fast that the latch is flung into the door. The Passat retracted smoothly and slower on all belts not just the drivers which would indicate the return spring hadnt simply gone soft, not really slow just smooth and not like a catapult if you get my drift. My wife's mx5s are smooth although they could well be worn as its no spring chicken. Also a golf, a b5 Passat and two accords. Nothing as violent as the Octavia.

Ah yes. A standard feature of the octavia 3. Black widow seat belts ;-)

My Mk2 suffered this a little bit the same with the mk3.

I think it depends how far back and how high you have the seat/seatbelt adjuster compared to your physical height and how hard you pull/release the belt when using it. If you are heavy handed the belt will rub against the plastic and cut it.