Bottom line is you won't need to have the fix... So why get all worked up about it??? We're you happy with the car before you heard it needed a fix? If so then what has changed and why get wound up about it all... Carry on regardless..

IT won't affect the MOT. Mine has passed the MOT with the cheating software in place; if nothing changes (ie I don't have the update done) then nothing changes (ie it keeps passing the MOT). The MOT check for emissions is pretty loose compared to EURO emissions requirements.

But when the official process starts I thought there would potentially be a VAG/EPA paper trail as a hurdle to clear.

But when the official process starts I thought there would potentially be a VAG/EPA paper trail as a hurdle to clear.

The MOT is a simple checklist for road worthiness. There is no "check for latest emissions software" on this checklist. There is a simple metered smoke test but nothing to do with NOx.

As skomaz says, the update is not mandatory (although I await dealer insistence that it might be). I wonder also if keeping the car 'original' may affect future value? I doubt it will be easy to roll back to the old software if you do get the update.

The MOT is a simple checklist for road worthiness. There is no "check for latest emissions software" on this checklist. There is a simple metered smoke test but nothing to do with NOx.

As skomaz says, the update is not mandatory (although I await dealer insistence that it might be). I wonder also if keeping the car 'original' may affect future value? I doubt it will be easy to roll back to the old software if you do get the update.

I'm not referring to the MOT but to the potential threat of failure to comply with the recall; as in being on a 'list' of those not completed/compliant.

Has the UK govt said it's optional.

I'm not referring to the MOT but to the potential threat of failure to comply with the recall; as in being on a 'list' of those not completed/compliant.

Has the UK govt said it's optional.

They have not said anything. What can they say? What power do they have? This is not a safety recall.

They have not said anything. What can they say? What power do they have? This is not a safety recall.

Sounds properly laissez-faire.

I thought the EU would require it.

 ^  EU, UK may soon be in the rain,outside their umbrella!!

Edited 21 June, 20169 yr by Frenchtone

^  EU, UK may soon be in the rain,outside their umbrella!!

Then there wouldn't be ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT would there?.

)))))

Sounds properly laissez-faire.

I thought the EU would require it.

 

The EU only mandate what happens when the car is first tested for sale in the EU (type approval).  There's nothing that covers ongoing compliance after being sold, other than national roadworthiness testing.

 

One might argue that all cars with dodgy diesels are not compliant with the appropriate EURO emissions legislation and never were.  However, the cars do have a type approval certificate, however attained.  The issue is between VAG and the EU, not between individual owners and the EU.

It is looking like we won't get any offer of compensation, although I await the "have you been mis-sold TDi?" e-mails and phone calls.

Totally agree.

 

The real world emissions will hardly change whether or not the non-cheat software is installed and many other manufacturers cars have worse emissions.

 

If it wasn't for the authorities having to show that VW weren't being allowed to get way with it then maybe they would have just levied a big fine. All that the new software will do is ensure that the Type Approval will be met, other than that it is a waste of time.

 

The situation in the US is different of course what with the far stricter regulations being flouted.

So there never was an indication of the 'fix' being mandated by any governments in Europe via the reg renewal system?.

I thought the Germans had.

There was a suggestion that it would in Victoria.

I seem to remember an Austrian contributor believing it to be compulsory there?

I think in the UK and Europe the authorities just want it to go away almost as much as VW want it to.

So there never was an indication of the 'fix' being mandated by any governments in Europe via the reg renewal system?.

I thought the Germans had.

There was a suggestion that it would in Victoria.

 

We don't have a "reg renewal" system.  The car is registered when new, which is when the DVLA (the agency responsible for car and driver licencing) record the details of the car (what it is, VIN, reported CO2 emissions level, reported weight etc).  After that we have an annual roadworthiness test which is pretty high level (are the tyres bald?  Do the lights work?) which starts when the car is three years old.  It is unrelated to the vehicle registration system.  We also have to pay an annual vehicle excise duty ("road tax") the level of which is set by the car's declared CO2 emissions.  This is managed by the same agency, but does not impact the registration.  There is no requirement to re-register a car unless and until either it is sold or scrapped or if something material changes (engine size, colour, chassis design etc).

 

I was sold a car with a certain level of emissions, performance and efficiency.  I bought it in good faith as a type-approved and road-legal car.  I like how it goes.  It is my car.  Nobody can force me to update it.

 

Tangentially, I used to own a Mazda RX-8.  Some time after launch Mazda started deploying an ECU update to alter the oil injection rate to the apex seals and fuelling.  This upset a few people who then set about fitting padlocks to the OBD port so that their cars could not be updated during routine visits to the dealers.

 

My fear is that if I take it to a dealer they will routinely plug it in and upload any pending updates, including engine software.  I wonder if they will accept my request not to do it, if I ask?  And can I trust them to not do it even if they said they won't?  Once it is done it will be very difficult to undo.

 

I suspect that some enterprising people (or even media?) will get a car and run before-and-after dyno sessions to see what, if anything changes.  I will be watching with interest and will certainly not be an early-adopter.

The Skoda system will know which cars are updated and I'm sure will update at a service unless you make a formal request and get it entered onto the service sheet. So much is routine as an example charging for screen wash when the car goes in with the tank full, it's auto pilot all the way.

In my experience, as someone who used to run a dealer service operation. When each and every car is booked in it will be checked on Skoda's system to see if there are any outstanding campaigns or recalls for the vehicle. This will automatically be added to the job list. You as the customer should be shown the jobcard which you must sign to agree to the work being carried out, this is then retained for audit by Skoda warranty dept. I never had a customer decline for any free campaigns or recalls to be done.

 

I have a similar issue with my Superb. I know there is a campaign on it to alter the sunroof so that you cannot close it with the key to stop you trapping anyone in it??? I dont want it done so I will see what happens when it goes in for its next service.

My dealer told me they could add a note in their computersystem, saying the dieselgate-fix is not to be performed on my Yeti.  This due to the car running on a Shark Performance map.
Also, if maps needs to be updated by any reason, they will call me first.
As I understood, the update is not mandatory, at least in this country.

The U.S. judge gave VAG another 7 day extension to the 28th for their package of remedial action.

EU legal action may ramp up then perhaps.

and today we get

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36589106

 

so reading below I suspect the "no impact on mpg / performance" is rubbish

 

 

Pollution from many popular diesel cars is much worse when it is colder than 18C outside, new research suggests.

Testing company Emissions Analytics told the BBC it has measured a significant rise in poisonous gas emissions from a wide range of models as the temperature drops.

It found the problem is worst among the Euro 5 category of cars, which became mandatory in 2011.

The firm tested 213 models across 31 manufacturers.

The finding means millions of vehicles could be driving around much of the time with their pollution controls partly turned off.

 

But it seems many cars are deliberately designed that way and it is all perfectly legal.

Taking advantage

European rules allow manufacturers to cut back on pollution controls as long as it is to protect the engine.

Engineers agree that hot and cold weather can damage components.

But some suggest car companies are taking advantage of the rule to switch things off, even in mild weather, because it improves the miles per gallon of the car.

"I would say from the Euro 5 generation of cars, it's very widespread, from our data. Below that 18 degrees [Celsius], many have higher emissions... the suspicion is, to give the car better fuel economy," Emissions Analytics CEO Nick Molden told the BBC.

"If we were talking about higher emissions below zero, that would be more understandable and there are reasons why the engine needs to be protected. But what we've got is this odd situation where the [temperature] threshold has been set far too high, and that is a surprise".

Carmakers insist it is to stop the vehicles breaking down.

Edited 22 June, 20169 yr by bluecar1

and today we get

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36589106

 

so reading below I suspect the "no impact on mpg / performance" is rubbish

From this it appears to be more to the EGR valve than is perceived by most

http://www.tuneruniversity.com/blog/2012/05/dont-block-or-remove-the-egr-valve-its-saving-you-money/

^ Applicable to petrol engines, as described there, but not diesels.

^ Applicable to petrol engines, as described there, but not diesels.

Pumping losses or aren't the refs high enough?.

Diesels regulate their power by fuelling changes, not be restricting airflow into the cylinders with a throttle. So pumping losses not really relevant.

I thought the software rejig was to just remove the VAG cheat program.

I thought the software rejig was to just remove the VAG cheat program.

See post #7. Or  #43 might be easier.

Edited 22 June, 20169 yr by Wino