Evening all.

 

I've just treated myself and have myself one of these on my drive. It's an ex Skoda management car and very well appointed. I'm mightily impressed with the smooth ride and effortless cruising. And 50mpg mixed! Nice....

 

But some teething issues.... My tailgate fully closes only about half the time it's operated. I must open and close a few extra occasions before the tailgate final locking system activates. Possibly connected to this is the interior rear lights constantly on. They only switch off once car is exited and locked. And finally...it's a 6 speed manual. But the change from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd is really poor. So notchy...... Any similar experiences of any of these issues.

 

 

 

I would imagine the tailgate needs adjusting. Also worth checking there isn't a small item fallen down into the locking mechanism. As to the rear interior light, on my Superb there are 4 pushbutton switches in the roof at the front, one of them sets the rear cabin lights on. Have you checked these switches?

Edited 20 December, 20178 yr by nicknorman

Well, I had a 180 mile round trip to the Skoda dealer I purchased the car from.  The gear change is better, the rear interior lights are sorted..... Alas the tailgate is still malfunctioning. It worked when I tried it outside the dealers, but when I tried it again outside my house the exact same problem arose. Not happy.... If anything it's actually worse. I was told it's a programming issue, the tailgate being told when to lock in to place. The Cardiff dealer is too busy to look at the problem till 9/1 and I don't fancy a return trip to Gloucester. I'm not having the best aftercare I fear...

Afternoon all, a quick update.......

 

My car is booked in for its first service on 6 March and I've also listed all the faults that need to be attended to.  This includes:

 

1. the electric tailgate which remains highly erratic, it's a complete lottery whether it successfully closes and I've seen myself open and close it on 10 consecutive times before I achieve any success.  It's so bloody annoying, but not as annoying as the next gripe...............;

2. the poor gear change which in my view is getting worse.  I'm currently skipping changes to 2nd completely as it feels horrific, thrashing and crashing through the gate.  It feels like I'm performing a clutch-less change.  The dealer 'adjusted' the cables when I attempted to get this fixed just before Christmas.  If they did, that's not the issue.  I think it's something more significant; and

3. some strange circular 'sucker' shapes - about 15 cm across - that appear on my front and rear screens when the car is suffering from gentle misting.  I'm wondering whether these came during the original factory installation?  I've tried on a number of occasions using a multitude of products to remove these but they stubbornly remain.  In certain conditions it looks like I'm using some giant sat nav or car cam!!   

 

On the whole I find the car a really impressive piece of kit....unfortunately spoilt by the terrible gear change and the temperamental tailgate.  I'll give the dealer this final opportunity to fix the issues then that's it.  I'll get in touch with Skoda Customer Service and take it up with them.  I'll see if I can insist on a Skoda head office techie to look at the car....ie someone with a bit more experience than the very young 'mechanic' I entrusted my car to previously...... 

 

I have the car on a PCP.  If I remain unhappy, I'll see if I can get out of that arrangement.  I'll happily take out another Skoda...but maybe a DSG version with a working tailgate!!  Has anyone been in a similar position please?

   

Well my car has been with the dealer since 6 March. The dealer has acknowledged the gearbox fault which is a big box ticked.  The box was stripped on 7 March and nothing visual found so dealer engaged Skoda technical for advice. Today Skoda technical has advised a full strip down with particular attention on the synchros. Dealer is awaiting tools to strip gears before this work can commence. Is that normal I ask myself? I'd expect a main dealer to have the full range of tools. Or am I expecting too much. 

 

The other issues are in hand and the service is complete. I received a great video of the technical inspection. Quite nifty that.... 

 

I have a loan car ....... with a fabulous gearbox! Reluctant to give it back!!

Main dealers generally change oil, change brake pads and reset computers, they don't do much real work.

..... I hope there's the capability to fix the gearbox! Pulling gears is a tad more tricky than fitting brake pads or the odd pollen filter!

Been meaning to write an update for a while............

 

The dealer replaced syncros 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.  Other issues I had highlighted were also dealt with.  My car was with the dealer for 3 weeks in total.  Unfortunately the poor gear change persists so I have now commenced steps to reject the car.  It's with a heavy heart as my car is brilliantly spec'd.  But the gear lever/change is the connective tissue to the car.... a poor change can destroy a relationship!  I am pleased  to say the dealer is supportive of my rejection.  As the car was financed, the dealer advised me to notify VWFS.  This I did last Thursday and was told that resolution will take 6 to 8 weeks as a full investigation of the facts would need to take place!  I was also told not to assume they'd agree to the rejection...even though the dealer has sided with me.  I have argued, in cases such as this when there is no dispute, that the rejection process should be completed much much quicker.  I just want my original deposit back so I can purchase a replacement vehicle....preferably this week as there's a used car promotion!!  My next car will be DSG equipped...... 

 

I should mention that initially Skoda Customer Services were very helpful in liaising between the dealer and I.  This becoming an issue for VWFS coincided with customer services backing away and I'm left unsupported.  That doesn't seem right to me.  

I'm frankly stunned that they opened the gearbox.  Most real garages don't bother and get a specialist to do gearbox work.  Did they provide a video of them working on the gearbox?

It shocked me too frankly.  It would have been far easier to change the box for a complete new unit.  No video.    

Still no response from VWFS..... And no Customer Support from Skoda itself.  This is very poor..... 

I would be on VWFS's back every day until they sorted it...  Also Skoda UK should be able to hurry VWFS along, and if Skoda Technical have been no more help after the gearbox thing, surely the next thing to do would be replace the gearbox entirely?

On 4/25/2018 at 10:11, dg360 said:

I'm frankly stunned that they opened the gearbox.  Most real garages don't bother and get a specialist to do gearbox work.  Did they provide a video of them working on the gearbox?

i'm stunned too. i'd have thought they would have just replaced the gearbox - i expect the cost in labour is probably higher than them replacing the box then refurbishing the old one and then selling that on.

 

i've just seen your problems with the tailgate.

in addition to my other problems which i listed in the thread i started, i also had the tailgate problem for a period of time. at one stage it was only shutting sucessfully around 10% of the time.

 

i assume yours is an estate too?

have you tried shutting it without closing the load cover? have you checked to ensure that all plastic trim around boot edge is secure and fitted properly?  apparantly the issue with my car was to do with plastic trim fouling the shutting - only by a millimetre or so, but enough to stop full closure.

good luck in getting it fixed.

Yes, mine is an estate. I'm pleased to report the tailgate now operates perfectly. It received a re-calibration when in with the dealer.  The car is perfect save for the poor gear change. 

 

As I was getting nowhere with Customer Service and VWFS I emailed Skoda's CEO. Within 24 hours I had an encouraging reply. I now have a customer service manager handling my rejection request who is liasing with VWFS on my behalf.  I'm having regular updates and undertakings are being honoured.  The dealer is also trying to find a suitable replacement vehicle for me. All very pleasing.  A shame however that I had to resort to knocking on the CEO's door before gaining any traction. Further, a shame that I missed the recent used car promotion with all its incentives because of the initial poor service. 

9 hours ago, MarlboroLites said:

Yes, mine is an estate. I'm pleased to report the tailgate now operates perfectly. It received a re-calibration when in with the dealer.  The car is perfect save for the poor gear change. 

 

As I was getting nowhere with Customer Service and VWFS I emailed Skoda's CEO. Within 24 hours I had an encouraging reply. I now have a customer service manager handling my rejection request who is liasing with VWFS on my behalf.  I'm having regular updates and undertakings are being honoured.  The dealer is also trying to find a suitable replacement vehicle for me. All very pleasing.  A shame however that I had to resort to knocking on the CEO's door before gaining any traction. Further, a shame that I missed the recent used car promotion with all its incentives because of the initial poor service. 

glad to hear you're having a bit more success. mines in today for their fudge on the bushes - can't see that a regrease of the bushes and new bolts will stop my grinding for too long. i'd have thought it would have been simpler to replace the bushes. just seems like they are doing the cheapest fudge to get them out the remaining 6 month warrenty period rather than providing a lasting fix and its taken them 10 days to get hold of the grease. 

i suppose its a bit like their attempt at repairing your gearbox rather than replacing.  

my bush problem will unfortunately will be a problem for the next owner as the car will be going by the end of this month. 

On 5/2/2018 at 22:30, MarlboroLites said:

The dealer is also trying to find a suitable replacement vehicle for me. 

good luck with that. the lady at Skoda customer relations who handled mine said that she'd sort a replacement car for me whilst mine is being sorted as the dealer only offered a Fabia which wasn't suitable. they want to keep my car in as they wouldn't put their name to it saying it was safe to drive until they replace the steering rate (after the bush greasing on mine failed) and i was pleasantly surprised to hear that they had already submitted a request to VW's loan car dept (Mobex) and 9am this morning a 6 month old VW Sharen arrived for me to use for the duration of the repair. 

keep on at them. i wouldn't want to drive it with a dodgy gearbox.

So, for those interested...a short update.

I had a call from the lady in VWFS dealing with my complaint/rejection request.  She explained the process that was being applied and summarised the nature of my rejection.  It soon became apparent that the dealer was in fact seeking to locate a similar vehicle to mine...not as a replacement for mine but to drive it for comparative purposes as it is believed the issues I'm encountering are a 'characteristic' of the manual 6 speed box mated to the 4x4 transmission in the 2.0 diesel!  It would have been nice to have known that prior to the conversation with VWFS.  My entire argument for quick resolution was built upon a belief that the dealer was supportive of my case based on previous conversations.  I'm really unimpressed at the change of direction frankly, especially not being informed!! 

My vehicle now has to receive an independent investigation which VWFS is arranging (independent?) and if the fault is identified then my rejection will be approved.  If it is determined to be a 'characteristic' of the gearbox my rejection request will fall. 

I'd love to hear from folk with similar vehicles (ie 6 speed manual, 4x4 etc) of their experiences.  When I approached Honest John for advice early doors he said this gearbox should be slick, smooth and precise.  Mine has none of these qualities, especially involving changes to and from 2nd & 3rd.  A mechanic friend of mine drove it and suggested the issue might be spline related.        

There's a Kodiaq close by for sale with the same gearbox/engine set up which I might test drive.  That may well provide a benchmark. 

 

Although my Superb gearbox is probably completely different (1.4tsi SEL) I was expecting it to be notchy like our Octavia 1.2tsi SE which blocks momentarily between certain gears and sometimes requires significant effort to proceed. However the Superb 6 speeder has been pleasantly swift and smooth and easy to live with. As good as the 5 speeders in the Fabias we have. Only complaint is that the gear lever is IMO a little too high and awkward compared to other cars.

 

Blocking between changes is  problem with either synchomeshes or the operating mechanism. Neither of which will get better with age, indeed could get worse.

A colleague in work has an Octavia with the same engine gearbox set up. I drove it a while back to compare and it's the sweetest gear change I've experienced...except for my MK1 Octy VRs which is just perfect. Also the loan cars I've had whilst attempts were made to trace the fault in mine had beautiful gear changes.  

 

RAC inspection Tuesday.....

Thankfully, the RAC inspection has confirmed the gearbox fault.  I'm now waiting on interested parties to work up a deal for me. Either a replacement vehicle or total refund. 

I feel I owe an update to interested Briskodians......

 

Keeping this brief, eventually my car was collected by Blade, Gloucester. That was 2 weeks ago, after around 6 months of pain and stress with my interests clearly secondary to those of Blade's Head of Skoda Group. He refused to comply with instructions from Skoda UK. Skoda UK and VWFS both supported my rejection. But Blade not so willing it seems. I had my deposit returned but I'm still owed 2 months PCP payments which VWFS provided to Blade which was supposed to be relayed to me simultaneously to the deposit. Blade his holding on to that and I'm told it there is no intention to transfer any further money to me.  Isn't that theft? Once again I'm piggy in the middle whilst Skoda UK Executive Team 'encourage' Blade to do the right thing. I really don't understand why a company with such healthy profits has chosen to put me through such a painful process. It's so disappointing. Anyway, I've cracked on with my complaint to the Financial Ombudsmen. They have all emails and correspondence to consider which includes quite damning evidence of Blade's poor, indeed deceitful, treatment of me. 

 

I'll have my day.... I'm a firm believer of Ying and Yang. 

 

Incidentally, I purchased a Kodiaq 2.0 tfsi and I'm thrilled with it! 

Wishing you good luck with your case, shocking customer 'service'

Was the fault with the gearbox a 'hesitation' block between changes - or was it actually crunching the gears as if the synchro hubs weren't properly matching the gear-sprocket speeds?  

Small claims online is pretty easy and cheap.  All self service.

For the dealer, engaging a solicitor to advise them on how to reply will probably cost them more than just giving your money back.  If they don't respond within the time limit (very possible), you will get a summary judgement in your favour. If they fail to pay up, they will have a CCJ against them, that you can use to send the bailiffs in.

Worst I've ever experienced. I think the ego of a certain individual has gotten in the way of common sense and professionalism.....

 

Bit of both really. There was a distinct cycle of poor changes when engagement was terribly notchy, noisy and graunchy. Things would improve slightly then it would start again. The RAC engineer who performed the test within 200m announced there was something most definitely wrong with the gear change. After the RAC's damning report Blade insisted it have opportunity to retest the car as it believed 'the symptoms were a characteristic of the vehicle's. I refused but accepted an inspection by a different Skoda main dealer. White Dove in Cardiff performed that and concluded the existence of a fault. You'd think that would be the end of it eh? It took a further 10 weeks of arguments to get the car taken back!! You couldn't make it up.