Friend bought a 2014 Fabia TDI 105 bhp manual about 5 months ago from a main Skoda dealer with 9k miles. Now @ 12k miles and had a total clutch failure.

Dealer says not warranty, it is fair wear and tear so will have to pay for it to be replaced.

Sounds like the first owner rode the clutch or possibly abused it, but as a fully used approved you would expect more than a couple thousand miles out of a clutch?

Like you say the clutch would fail this early dependent how the first owner treated it, but the new buyer of the car would have expected it to last longer & is not fit for purpose.

If it was me I'd be reminding them of my consumer rights (consumer protection act) and involving skoda UK for them to pick up the matter under warranty

Write to Skoda UK CS with a copy to dealership, outlining the poor quality of the components lasting for an unreasonable life cycle. Minimum request a goodwill  claim but go for a complete replacement. Has the car got a full Soda service history.2000miles passed the first service.

 

E-mail Skoda  via contact website, they should issue you with a Case No.,

agree with above posters, a clutch should last more than 12,000 miles.... I ran a grande punto sporting, that i mapped at 4k, to 110k mostly learners driving it, and over 300lbs/ft of torque, and that was still on its original clutch (which felt like new) ... I would expect a clutch to last 100k at least nowadays. The old octy I have now..... think the clutch failed at 150,000 miles.....

 

you shouldn't be paying for it.