Just read some comments in this thread from a member in the Czech Republic.

Apparently his Skoda dealer there provided an official tuning upgrade (although work done by a third party) which he said didn't void any Skoda warranties. It took his 2.0 TDI DSG Octavia Estate from 103kW to 134 Kw (ie 138HP to 180HP).

Has anyone heard of UK dealers doing something like this?

Can't see any reason why they couldn't do it - whats good enough for the home market should be good enough for us - but I suspect they won't!

Any thoughts?

Some dealers offer remaps that they claim don't invalidate the warranty , but basically they are lying and skoda wouldn't honour the claims if they new about it

However, in some countries Skoda do offer approved aftermarket tuning. Unfortunately the UK isn't one of these countries...

Rob.

VW UK has recently written to all its dealers stating (in part) that the installation of performance-enhancing packages into the engine or gearbox management system of VW vehicles leads to an inadmissible increase in both power output and torque and, in some cases, the engine speed limit set by the Factory. Interference of any type whatsoever by third parties in order to increase performance is not supported or encouraged by VW. Not only will this invalidate the warranty, it is highly likely that the overall vehicle safety will be compromised. Apart from the effect on fuel consumption and overall running quality of the engine, the increase in performance is also likely to provide levels of performance over and above those approved safe by VW for the running gear, brakes and chassis. VW cannot be held liable for any damage caused as a result of these unsupported modifications. VW's warranty obligations do not apply if defects and damage occur as a result of modifications which VW have not approved. The liability risk for the consequences of using performance-enhancing packages passes to whoever installed the package onto the vehicle.

VW dealers are obliged to inform their customers that performance-enhancing modifications, including the manipulation of the engine management system or the use of a third party engine control unit, will invalidate the vehicle warranty to the extent mentioned above. (NB: The above has been paraphrased and is not the full text referred to.)

VW UK have also advised dealers that under the UK Construction and Use Regulations it is an offence to use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a motor vehicle if it does not comply with the emission limit values as may apply by virtue of any Community Directive applicable to that vehicle. Modification carried out before registration will invalidate the certificate of conformity and it would be illegal to register the vehicle.

I would expect that all of the above would apply equally to all the VAG brands sold in the UK.