Hi everyone. Please excuse me if these problems? have been answered before but i'm new to this site.

I've had my 2003 octavia vrs for nearly 2 years now and had no real problems with it.

The thing is the warranty runs out in April and I'm starting to notice niggling little things.Could anyone tell me if I should be worrying at all ?

1. Quite a few rattles and squeaks from the dash and trim etc (I've been without the radio for a while due to being exchanged).

2. The back brakes sometimes stick from cold (they clunk as you first move off) and the handbrake action is no longer smooth. There is also a hot smell and a lot of brake dust after a long drive which is hard to remove from the rear alloys (also on front but much easier to clean off).

3. The starter motor seems quite noisy now and seems to continue for a second or two after the engine has fired.

Should I get the car looked at before the warranty runs out? (I have mentioned thing before on a previous service and got the impression I was worrying over nothing.)

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks daz.

1. A common rattle that is hard to place is the button on the end of the hard brake lever. Rest your thumb on it to see if it stops.

2. Id get that checked by the dealer - even if they cant find an issue, you've registered the problem under the warranty period so will have a stronger claim if they try and change you a couple of weeks after it runs out.

3. This is a common problem on the 1.8T - the dealer will probably change it under warranty. WD 40 apparently cures it for out-of-warranty problems but it isnt all that easy to remove. Often only does it when the engine is cold so the dealer may not get it to make the noise unless they keep the car overnight.

problem 2 .

had the same thing on a 3 yr old 2.0 estate , back wheels blacker than the front,turned out to be it required new pads and discs

it seems it is a known problem on VAG cars (I found several web references to it) that the calipers stick on the slide pins and causes sticking on the handbrake and uneven pad/disc wear , found a technical bulletin from audi suggesting cleaning the slide pins or replacing them if they had any surface damage as a cure

paul

Get the car MOT'd early before the warranty period runs out. That way if any problems are highlighted by that test you will still have some time left to get them fixed under warranty.

Daz,

1 - Empty everything out of all of the pockets, glovebox etc. and check again. Have someone sit it the car and track down the source of the noises whilst you drive. I found that coins rattling in the cubby by the handbrake sounded like it was from the dash. If the noise is from between trim panels, try a spray of dry lube. The fuse box cover is another source of squeaks.

2 - Do the brakes get excessively hot? As long as you haven't been driving like a nutter, the brake calipiers should be no more than warm to touch. Don't touch the discs - they will be hot. If you get third degree burns then they need looking at (along with your fingers, )

As Dennis suggests get the MOT done asap - they'll add the extra few weeks to the ticket so you don't lose out.

Thanks everyone - I'll get the dealer to sort out as quick as i can.

Oh, I forgot there was one other thing - the paintwork.It seems very easy to scratch (even finishing car off with chamois leather seems to produce slight marks)

I've got in the habit of handwashing the car now and am as careful as I can be.

Is this normal ?

Thanks again.

2. The back brakes sometimes stick from cold (they clunk as you first move off) and the handbrake action is no longer smooth. There is also a hot smell and a lot of brake dust after a long drive which is hard to remove from the rear alloys (also on front but much easier to clean off).

Hi Daz,

Talking with the local Skoda Dealer while mine was in for a service, this is a common problem as the others have said(similar symptoms to mine) and Skoda have just release a fix, mines been booked in for a weeks time to sort it.

:cheers:

Blanchie

Fuuny, my back brakes stick sometimes when I first start the car. I just assumed with the cold weather they were slightly frozen or something.

I assume this is not going to cause any immediate problems and can be dealt with at the next service, or should it be booked in straight away?

All cars with rear disc brakes can suffer with pads sticking to the discs. It is more noticable when you've parked up with hot discs or it has rained and the disc surface has surface rust around the pad contact area.

If you search on here for threads relating to noisy rear brakes you'll get a good idea of the known issues.

All cars with rear disc brakes can suffer with pads sticking to the discs. It is more noticable when you've parked up with hot discs or it has rained and the disc surface has surface rust around the pad contact area.

You've pretty much summed up my daily commute there!

My ZS's rear pads used to stick all the time if it had stood overnight and it had been raining. Quite often I could take the handbrake off and it would still hold itself on the slopping drive. Used to make quite a clunk when ya set off, but it was just a bit of rust binding the hot brakes together.