Hello,


I am now the proud owner of a brand new SKODA Octavia! Picked up from the dealer on the 31st, I got a cracking deal on a Rio Red 1.2 SE with just a couple of options (smartgate smartlink)

Overall coming from a 1yr old yeti I'm happy - car is significantly more refined at motorway speeds, and there is soo much space - perfect for a growing family!  Key downsides - ride is harder and noisier at low speed, and steering/handling is a bit 'wooly' and 'vague' - I guess these are to be expected.

A few points which have been disappointed/upset about:-

1) 4 palm sized areas where there are clusters of scratches - at least 1 scratch in each patch has gone through to undercoat. Noticed at pickup - I made it clear that I am unhappy - never received a brand new car in this condition before. Dealer assured me that these will be checked and fixed but I think respray may be the only fix!

2) Lots of other areas of micro scratches (lacquer level) noticeable only from certain angles - dealer has promised a top to bottom polish. The Yeti I traded in was completely scratch free - always hand washed... a shame that a 1yr old car has better paintwork that my new Octavia!

3) The car does has a very weak new car smell! I've bought 2 other new Skodas in the last 3 years and all of them smelt new - odd observation I know!

 

4) There appears to be some kind of residue spattered on all surface on/inside the engine bay! A bit like mud!

 

5) The car does not appear to have a driving mode selector - it appears as standard in Nov 15 brochure - I know it's a pointless feature but should I have it?

 

6) I cannot tell if the car has xds - how can I tell if it has it? It appears as standard in Nov 15 brochure

I have today found that the car has been built in September 2015 - I know I ordered a stock car, but I didn't expect it to be a 3 month old car that has probably been sat neglected (hence the poor condition). 

I have been bought quite a few new cars over the past 8 years and in this case I am not very happy - dealer seems apologetic and is trying to be very helpful - any advice on how I proceed would be very welcome. Lal

Edited 5 January, 201610 yr by biglunn

I think stock cars are sometimes left in less than ideal conditions. I think the new Octavia I bought last June was manufactured the previous January...

It is a shame that your latest new car buying experience appears to have soured slightly. The cracking deal you got and the fact that it is a stock car, hence been waiting for 3-4 months to be collected by a customer is linked. It sounds like the dealer is trying to meet your expectations and a good valet should set things right.

Pity that another new car purchase is blighted by paint woes.

I'm sure it will be repaired satisfactorily by the dealer.

FYI I had a major paint problems with my brand new octavia and my dealer used a prestige paint shop typically used my mclaren,Porsche, for paint work and detailing. Probably Ott for a repair to a bugdet cheap car but it was a good call by the dealer. I suggest pushing for something similar rather than a valet and a skoda dealer complimentary wash.

Hi and welcome, I have a similar 1.2 SE 110.

The 1.2 doesn't have the driving mode selector, only the 1.4 upwards.

Sounds like your car may have been a showroom model to be scratched.

I saw mine when it was delivered, with the white protective film on.

Worst case if they dont fix it to your satisfaction, reject it under the sale of goods act.

Any photos?

The paint issues are probably not as bad as they look in reality and can probably be corrected by a professional with the know how. Ask the dealer to fund a professional paint correction with a detailer.

As others have said the 1.2 doesnt have drive mode selection...for whatever reason its not available on any 1.2 TSI Octavia...probably not compatible.

Also in fairness all new cars see a bit of a life before they even land at the dealers....driven on and off trains, boats and transporters....not unusual for them to pick up small amounts of associated damage though this is often repaired by the dealers hush-hush after PDI....if its too bad then the car is normally classed not fit for sale.

I am not sure if the 1.2 has XDS as standard but most if not all the range does now. I shouldnt worry as it really doesnt make a dramatic difference to how one of these things drive....particularly with 110hp and relatively low torque output....a 184 TDI throwing out approaching 300lb/ft of torque needs it for sure but lower powered cars not so much.

New car smell lasts moments anyway....the new Octavia smell is nothing to write home about anyway mine stank primarily of plastic and glue..glad when it passed :-)

I am not sure if the 1.2 has XDS as standard but most if not all the range does now. I shouldnt worry as it really doesnt make a dramatic difference to how one of these things drive....particularly with 110hp and relatively low torque output....a 184 TDI throwing out approaching 300lb/ft of torque needs it for sure but lower powered cars not so much.

Well, it does have a real impact if you drive on grass, mud or snow and ice.

Edited 5 January, 201610 yr by Gromle

 

Thanks for all your feedback. The Manager has asked a professional detailer to assess and correct the car - he did mention that they work on prestige/sports cars so I am hopeful most of the marks can be corrected.

 

I have attached some images of the scratches on the bootlid - one pic is in the showroom where the car is shiny and the scratches are not so noticeable, but the other 2 pics are a few days later where they are clearly noticeable even in the wet/dark. As I said, there are 4 areas like this containing these kinds of scratches to the undercoat, in addition to literally hundreds of micro-scratches at laquer level some of which look very long and deep. The ones down to undercoat don't look easy to correct.

 

I am still wondering if the car has XDS or not - if anyone can work out a way of finding out this would be appreciated Nov 15 brochure confirms that all models should have it.

 

Kind regards Lal

Edited 6 January, 201610 yr by biglunn

That's some rubbish prep that hands a new car over to you in that condition regardless of stock car or not.  What were they thinking............

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Thanks for all your feedback. The Manager has asked a professional detailer to assess and correct the car - he did mention that they work on prestige/sports cars so I am hopeful most of the marks can be corrected.

I have attached some images of the scratches on the bootlid - one pic is in the showroom where the car is shiny and the scratches are not so noticeable, but the other 2 pics are a few days later where they are clearly noticeable even in the wet/dark. As I said, there are 4 areas like this containing these kinds of scratches to the undercoat, in addition to literally hundreds of micro-scratches at laquer level some of which look very long and deep. The ones down to undercoat don't look easy to correct.

I am still wondering if the car has XDS or not - if anyone can work out a way of finding out this would be appreciated Nov 15 brochure confirms that all models should have it.

Kind regards Lal

If you can find someone who can scan the car with VCDS that should confirm it. To be fair it probably does have it.

I shouldnt lose any sleep over that though, XDS on UK roads with relatively low output its not an essential.

Well, it does have a real impact if you drive on grass, mud or snow and ice.

Its not a 4x4 and its UK based so I cant see that happening a great deal.

Dont get me wrong there are some merits to having XDS, particularly on the 4x4 and in more extreme climates but Id wager most people here in milder parts of the UK really wouldnt really miss it.

XDS has been standard on all Octavia's for a while. Nothing really to see to prove it, its part of the ESP system, so just a black box. Our 1.2 TSi aren't likely to provoke its use very much if at all I suspect....

 

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/technology/braking-and-stability-systems/xds

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Thanks for all your feedback. The Manager has asked a professional detailer to assess and correct the car - he did mention that they work on prestige/sports cars so I am hopeful most of the marks can be corrected.

 

I have attached some images of the scratches on the bootlid - one pic is in the showroom where the car is shiny and the scratches are not so noticeable, but the other 2 pics are a few days later where they are clearly noticeable even in the wet/dark. As I said, there are 4 areas like this containing these kinds of scratches to the undercoat, in addition to literally hundreds of micro-scratches at laquer level some of which look very long and deep. The ones down to undercoat don't look easy to correct.

 

I am still wondering if the car has XDS or not - if anyone can work out a way of finding out this would be appreciated Nov 15 brochure confirms that all models should have it.

 

Kind regards Lal

 

Is there actually a physical scratch to the surface, i.e. does your fingernail get stuck in it? If not its not the undercoat showing through.

 

My car had a light coloured scratch like this a few weeks ago, only on the surface, and a quick polish of the scratch with some Meguairs NXT wax and it disappeared.

 

Seemed more like a lacquer mark/scratch, only on the surface.

 

Professional detailer will sort that in no time.

Is there actually a physical scratch to the surface, i.e. does your fingernail get stuck in it? If not its not the undercoat showing through.

 

My car had a light coloured scratch like this a few weeks ago, only on the surface, and a quick polish of the scratch with some Meguairs NXT wax and it disappeared.

 

Seemed more like a lacquer mark/scratch, only on the surface.

 

Professional detailer will sort that in no time.

 

Hi there. Confirmed before I took the car away that a fingernail gets stuck in the scratch - down to undercoat. Im not sure what a detailer could do with these.

Hello,

I am now the proud owner of a brand new SKODA Octavia! Picked up from the dealer on the 31st, I got a cracking deal on a Rio Red 1.2 SE with just a couple of options (smartgate smartlink)

A few points which have been disappointed/upset about:-

 

5) The car does not appear to have a driving mode selector - it appears as standard in Nov 15 brochure - I know it's a pointless feature but should I have it?

 

6) I cannot tell if the car has xds - how can I tell if it has it? It appears as standard in Nov 15 brochure

I have today found that the car has been built in September 2015 - I know I ordered a stock car, but I didn't expect it to be a 3 month old car that has probably been sat neglected (hence the poor condition).

When did you order it?

 

If you ordered it after November 2015 then you should have all the relevant standard options as shown in the brochure at that time (Unless the deal specifically mentioned you were buying from stock rather than new).

Enjoy your car.

 

Re Handling being 'Wooly' and 'Vague', 

Really that is not to be expected, other than a New Car with New Tyres and Suspension needs 'Driven in' as Skoda call Running in.

 

Then check and set your own Tyre Pressures and set the TPMS.

Do not trust you and your loved ones safety to some Fitter or Technician that did a PDI and might over inflate the tyres.

When did you order it?

 

If you ordered it after November 2015 then you should have all the relevant standard options as shown in the brochure at that time (Unless the deal specifically mentioned you were buying from stock rather than new).

I ordered it on the 11th December after viewing the Nov 2015 brochure - car was already at UK port and was perfect as it was available quickly with the options I wanted. 

 

Im a little annoyed with myself that I didn't ask when the car was actually built, and confirm that all the standard features stated in the Nov 15 brochure I looked at are actually on the car. XDS is mentioned as a standard feature but I cannot confirm that its actually on the car - II think its quite a useful feature on wet/ice conditions.

Edited 6 January, 201610 yr by biglunn

Enjoy your car.

 

Re Handling being 'Wooly' and 'Vague', 

Really that is not to be expected, other than a New Car with New Tyres and Suspension needs 'Driven in' as Skoda call Running in.

 

Then check and set your own Tyre Pressures and set the TPMS.

Do not trust you and your loved ones safety to some Fitter or Technician that did a PDI and might over inflate the tyres.

Good point - I will check the tyre pressures on the way home

Edited 6 January, 201610 yr by biglunn

I ordered it on the 11th December after viewing the Nov 2015 brochure - car was already at UK port and was perfect as it was available quickly with the options I wanted. 

 

Im a little annoyed with myself that I didn't ask when the car was actually built, and confirm that all the standard features stated in the Nov 15 brochure I looked at are actually on the car. XDS is mentioned as a standard feature but I cannot confirm that its actually on the car - II think its quite a useful feature on wet/ice conditions.

It takes 8-12 weeks from order to delivery so with it already being at a UK port there's no way it was a November build..... not that you're to know that when ordering.

 

You could theoretically reject the car as it's not as stated in the brochure but I think they've got you with the above statement.

 

No, you won't have XDS on a 1.2 pre November build.   Easy way to test is find a wet corner and floor it in a low gear, if it goes round with no drama whatsoever you've got it!

Hi there. Confirmed before I took the car away that a fingernail gets stuck in the scratch - down to undercoat. Im not sure what a detailer could do with these.

People are different but if that was me I'd let them know that if the detailer failed to remove them I would be rejecting the car. It looks like someone washed it with a very dirty brush. Thats not acceptable on a new car, he'll if it was a used car I'd think twice about buying it with paint damage like that. The last thing I'd want is for them to go painting a brand new car too - it will never be as good as a factory finish.

That paint is not good enough I'm sorry it's a brand new car there for I would want brand new paint I hope they sort it it for you

When I ordered my Yeti I specifically requested that the dealer contact me when it arrived at their garage.They did not but I knew when it was being transported within the UK and am fortunate to live close so made a regular visits, out of opening hours, to look. I viewed it two or three days before anyone at the garage informed me it was there. Fortunately it was still as delivered with all the protection on. I took close up pictures of the vehicle in particular the stickers on the screen, one of which displayed the build day. Not everyone can do this but I wanted to make sure it was NOT a stock car with options fitted OFF the line.

 

When I was a Suzuki fan one I ordered had a blemish on the bonnet and I jumped up and down that it should not have been handed over with it. The dealer sorted it in a few days and you could not tell it from the rest of the paintwork and it was a metalic finish.

Edited 7 January, 201610 yr by DonjSZ5

To allow a new car to be sold with those visible scratches shows skoda really do not value it's customers or indeed do not worry about the bad reputation it could gain from these instances.

Granted a repair to a brand new car is sickening for the owner but unfortunately you have to let the dealer rectify any issues.

The professional detailer/paintshop will no doubt sort out the paint problems but will it stand the test of time? Check it meets skoda warranty standards or even exceeds them. Rejection of the car won't stand I'm afraid. Been down this road myself. Maybe you will receive some generous goodwill. £1500 cash was my goodwill so state your case.

Good luck.

No, you won't have XDS on a 1.2 pre November build.   Easy way to test is find a wet corner and floor it in a low gear, if it goes round with no drama whatsoever you've got it!

XDS was listed as being standard on all models in the UK January 2015 brochure, which is the earliest one I have.

XDS was listed as being standard on all models in the UK January 2015 brochure, which is the earliest one I have.

Super - thanks for letting me know that. It now appears that the car I have meets the spec as described in the brochure that I looked at.

Just over a week with the car paint issues aside and I have to say that I'm impressed. Ride handling is good, quality is good, and the car is smooth and quiet. CarPlay is absolutely fantastic - a must have IMO.

I am a bit concerned that the scratches to undercoat on the car won't be fixable by detailing, and I might be offered a respray of the affected panels. It's all ok if he respray is undetectable but I fear that the finish might not be as good as from factory, nor might it be durable long term. What are my rights around this especially considering that these defects were clearly noticed on handover?