Car is just 12 months old, 6 spd manual, and last few moths have been experiencing reverse gear problems, exactly the same issues which have been covered on previous forum, the reverse gear would sometime engage without any problems and sometimes after 2-3 goes but nothing major. Having spoken to a relative who works for Skoda (in EU) i have been informed that TPI 2049517/3 has been issued (The reverse gear of the MQ200 gearbox is difficult to select Release date: 13-Jun-2018). So i was advised to take the car to my local dealer with the relevant paperwork (TPI printout) which was sent to me from Skoda (EU). Dealer accepted the request without any problems.

 

The car was booked for the repair. the TPI advises the following:

• This TPI is only about difficulties when selecting reverse gear of the gearboxes MQ200 (PR Nos. 0EC or
0EM).

Perform following works:
• Check the gear shift adjustment according to the Workshop Manual.
• Check the proper function of the clutch.
• Assess the difficulties when selecting the reverse gear according to the attached questionnaire; complete it.
• You can install the repair kit 02T.398.261.AL

 

The dealer installed the repair kit as advised and car collected on yesterday (Tuesday 25th July 2018) after a week with them, i was advised upon collection that the gear stick might feel bit stiff as it was rebuild but it should settle soon.

 

Drove home without issues, parked the car in drive and left it over night, yesterday morning to reverse back, it took 5-6 times to engage the reverse gear (much worse than prior to the repair), gave benefit of doubt thinking that it might be just that the replacement part will need to settle, drove to work 20 miles and left the car, in the afternoon tried to reverse back, wow it took 7-8 attempts to get into reverse (after trying all the gears, eventually went into reverse), and when tried to reverse back it sounded like machine gun and i though that the gearbox will explode (banging) stopped immediately and went into 1st no problems, drove around the block all fine. went back into car park to try reverse and almighty screeching and banging (the same sound when the gear is not fully engaged when the clutch is not pressed all the way). the clutch works all fine as all the other gears.

 

Drove back to the dealer, and they were shocked to see me back, i explained the issue and played the sound which i recorded on my phone, Service Manager tried to reverse the car and he couldn't the massive screeching and the car would not move an inch. He drove the car to the workshop and left it there for this mornings investigation by the Master Technician who apparently installed this repair kit (i wish i never bothered in the first place, but as the car is still in warranty i though to have it sorted). I have been informed this morning that they will let me know whats gone wrong as soon as they have a look (nothing so far).

 

So it is clear that the installation of this repair kit as per TPI has made things 100% worse.

 

Could that banging noise and screeching permanently damage the gearbox now? As this repair was done under the warranty, could the dealer request an installation of a brand new gearbox from Skoda UK, or would they be reluctant to authorise this, as i am not now confident that any repair would be successful (to be honest i really dont know much about gearboxes and their repairs) i am sure that the Technicians (Master one in this case) should really know how to repair the gearbox, or would it be easier for them to install the new-one? 

 

What options have i got now really? any advice guidance would be appreciated.
 

 

  

Edited 26 July, 20187 yr by EdHru

I believe that garages are allowed one attempt at repairing a fault. They have had this opportunity and I now believe that you are within your rights to demand that a new gearbox be fitted under warranty. If that is no better then I believe you can reject the car as 'being unfit for purpose' (it cannot be driven according to its designed purpose) and 'of not being of satisfactory quality' (a gearbox should last years not 1 year). The fault is a recognised fault (hence the TPI 2049517/3 ) but the fix is ineffective and so only a new gearbox or new car can offer a possible solution. Put your demands in writing, make a copy, and hand the demand to the chief person at the dealers getting him to sign your copy that he or she has received your letter.

If this is the case, do i write to the dealer where i purchased the car (4hrs away), as this repair is being carried out at my local Skoda dealer which is some 40min away from me? The "repair" dealer are really fine and quite accommodating (loan car etc). I love the car, and if i can get a replacement gearbox that would be ok.

 

But, would replacement/new gearbox be authorised by Skoda UK, would the "repair" dealer request this on my behalf or do i have fight now on my hands?

I don't think that the "one chance to fix a problem" would really be completely true, if it was there would be a lot of happy buyers of kit that had failed under warranty out there.

 

If that ruling is correct then I'd expect that "level of required service" was thought up by a desk jockey, ie someone that has never ever had to solve a problem - just a box ticker!

 

I can't see why you should be worrying about this nuisance at this moment, I'd expect that you will be contacted tomorrow for an update - if not you will need to contact the service manager to make sure that they operate as they are meant to.

For the minute, I would sit tight. The car is clearly under warranty being only 12 months old, they were aware of the reverse gear selection issue and an official TPI covers this.

They have carried out a Skoda certified repair and something is wrong; either with the repair kit or possibly installed incorrectly by the mechanic.

 

You should have a temporary car whilst this goes on, I see no reason why you think you may have a fight on your hands.

 

 

15 minutes ago, Defenderben said:

For the minute, I would sit tight. The car is clearly under warranty being only 12 months old, they were aware of the reverse gear selection issue and an official TPI covers this.

They have carried out a Skoda certified repair and something is wrong; either with the repair kit or possibly installed incorrectly by the mechanic.

 

You should have a temporary car whilst this goes on, I see no reason why you think you may have a fight on your hands.

 

 

 

The flipping guy at work planted that seed of doubt in my head....when he had some issue with his last car, the dealer didnt want to know, bla bla, then he had to contact trading standards or similar.

 

the car is just over 12 months old registered March 2017, and its only covered 7k so far. i got the use of their curtesy car now, and i had one last week when they were installing the repair kit.

 

I never experienced this before with TPI (as my last 6 VWs were lease through the work, with all servicing covered etc). To be honest i have never heard of TPIs before, so does it mean that a manufacturer recognises the issue and that is automatically covered by them?

 

both options with the repair kit are possible like you said, so we shall see what happens now, just concerned that the gearbox will never be the same perhaps after this failure, could it be more damaged? Does anyone know what would be a possibility of receiving a brand new gearbox, or would that be way down the line if this latest repair doesnt sort the issue?

My reverse gear takes 2 to 3 attempts to get it selected and its been getting worse over the past year, still have warranty until March 2019 so might get it checked.

 

Trouble is, I don’t want it messing with, it might just be a bit niggly and taking it all apart to make it worse sounds like hell. 

 

Dipping the clutch in again from neutral seems to help it go into reverse, some days it’s goes in first time, odd.

 

It’s only a Skoda, I’ll just buy another one if this one breaks

Edited 26 July, 20187 yr by Jedispooner

EdHru - I notice that the dealer has supplied a courtesy car. Did they ask you to sign a form for the courtesy car? I ask this because in the past whenever I have had a courtesy car I never used to read the small print; Until about 5 years ago that is. If you did sign a form then check the T&Cs. On the forms I signed in the past I noticed that in the event of an accident, even if not your fault, there was a £1000 excess to pay. So someone could crash into you and it will cost you £1000 (or more by 2018 inflation). As long as you return the car undamaged there is no problem but it put me off having a courtesy car unless absolutely no other option. Just thought you might want to check that detail to put you on your guard.

TPI is Technical Product Information and in VW Group it means a prescribed procedure to get carried out to correct a fault that has been already identified - ie a fault that will/can show up in a number of models within a given VIN range.

 

I suppose it means that the factory has recognised a problem due to design or manufacture errors and has worked out a way to resolve this after the car is in the hands of the local dealership's workshop.