Hi there.  Can anyone advise me please? My MK2 Octavia has been serviced regularly since I bought it and now has just over 185k on the clock. Following a recent service, my garage has advised that a rumble at idle can now be heard and that this could be an early sign of clutch failure. My question is, how imminent could this clutch failure be? The car still drives well. I have no problems in engaging or changing gear. I’m due to take the car on holiday next week which will add another 2000 miles at least. Most of the time , this car will be travelling on motorways. How risky would this be? Does a rumble indicate imminent clutch failure, or the start of what could be several months until I need to get it sorted.  Any advice would be much appreciated. 

A rumble at idle could be anything, i'd ask for a proper diagnosis to be carried out, at least to put your mind at rest

put it forth gear while the handbrake is on and try to move the car if it didn't cut out that is mean you have a clutch problem, this is just a quick way but better to get it diagnosed with qualified mechanic 

Eh? Sorry, can you elaborate on this please? Apart from not being able to select gear or the bite being REALLY high, Just trying to figure out if there's any ways of possibly diagnosing a worn clutch before it goes ping on an octy and any car in general really, just for future use.

Since my post, I’ve had my local garage check it out again. The bite point is high but no problem in selecting or changing gear, and the car pulls away fine when in gear. So the clutch is not slipping but is now old and ive been told is something to watch closely and keep an eye on. 

@Blacksbaven you will be able to change the gears but the engine will stop when you reach the bite and if the bite was low thats mean the cluch is fine if it was high or the engine didn't stop that's mean you need to check it. It just a quick way to check before going anywhere.

Is there a rattle noise on idle coming from the clutch area? as it could signs of worn dmf

My 1.6 TDi has only 80k on the clock but for the last 5k the clutch has felt rough in use and can rattle loudly when my foot is removed, with the sound easing slightly when I put my foot down. Biting point, gear selection etc all ok. Mechanic says the Clutch release bearings are on there way but it could be a while before it eventually goes (will get louder and louder). Unfortunatley whatever it is, bearing, clutch, DMF etc all will need replaced at the same time.

 

Would love to have 185k with no problems!