The Skoda response really is just bull**** - it's clearly a corrosion issue and has absolutely nothing to do with whether mechanical parts were serviced or not...

We've had Skoda's for 25 years now and I don't recall them EVER doing a bodywork inspection as part of servicing.

Edited 2 September2 Sep by skomaz

Up till 2012 or so with Service Books there was 2 pages after the service page with a car diagram and you put where any damage was on the vehicle. Poor repair or no repair. Then it went to being done on a palm top device. This carry on with a Free Car Wash after a service. It should be done before a service and that person should be trained to spot damage not cause it, or the tech then has a clean car to check. Outside and under when on the ramp. Body inspections are like road tests at a service. False pretences / fraud by main dealers that charge a premium and the Manufacturers / importers conspiring in the deception

Edited 2 September2 Sep by Evolution13

It is ridiculous. The rust has only just started. It hasn't been serviced by Skoda for the last few years but even if it had they wouldn't have spotted the rust nearly a year before it appeared.

They might well try the no perforation route as per usual. But to them the hole might not be visible, but when you get to grinding down the paint there are tiny perforations in the metal. It is just not a hole through the paint YET. Which is why a new panel is the correct repair.

SKODA_Warranty_Terms_August_2021_New_Car-1.pdf

I have a 67 plate citigo and noticed this issue at the weekend, rang a local dealer first with a promise of a call back, guess what it never happened, so I rang another dealer who I have had better experiences with and they will not look at it, as the last service record shows at 2018 even though it was purchased from a Skoda dealer in 2020 with an alleged multipoint check. Has anyone had a recent positive outcome to a claim without a Skoda service record?

There is nothing about a Service Record or Annual or periodic inspections in the Warranty T&C,s. Ask the Service Manager or Warranties Manager where a Service History is required. Your Used Skoda should have had an Inspection Pre Sale. So there is a Record of That and who and where done by. Someone on the phone can be anyone and have no knowledge or training other than from some other monkey. I imagine they can read, or can phone or ask as friend who knows what is actually what and not what they would like things to be.

Edited Monday at 17:142 days by Evolution13

Where did you find the bit about body protection warranty? It would be handy to get a decent copy as I just have what is listed in the handbook.

You find the Warranty when you look at Skoda Warranties. Internet / Google / Search Engines. You are supposed to get a copy of a Warranty from Manufacturers or Dealerships, and they are supposed to know what a Warranty Covers. It is their full time job. They do not sell household appliances.

Edited yesterday at 06:331 day by Evolution13

Many thanks

On 02/09/2026 at 16:54, thebrighton said:

Caffyns were actually very helpful and investigated and submitted a warranty claim. Skoda's reply was "it's not corrosion" so claim dismissed! Baffling. What is rust if it is not corrosion?

I have now had to contact Skoda direct. Aaaargh!

Do you have anything in writing? If you don't, you don't even know the dealer submitted the claim to Skoda UK. The classic wait a couple of days and then call the customer back to say it has been declined trick, don't fall for that one.

On 02/09/2026 at 18:00, skomaz said:

The Skoda response really is just bull**** - it's clearly a corrosion issue and has absolutely nothing to do with whether mechanical parts were serviced or not...

We've had Skoda's for 25 years now and I don't recall them EVER doing a bodywork inspection as part of servicing.

When I was looking into it, I did find that even oil services include a body inspection, but it isn't there for the purposes of the body protection warranty and it isn't a requirement in order to make a claim. The extended scope servicing provides nothing that would materially change the situation, as it is all related to the mechanical parts of the car.

The irony in insisting that you report the corrosion "immediately", and then the stand-off with customer, the dealer, Skoda UK and the Motor Ombudsman then proceeds to last 3-4 years.

28 minutes ago, rank_amateur said:

Do you have anything in writing? If you don't, you don't even know the dealer submitted the claim to Skoda UK. The classic wait a couple of days and then call the customer back to say it has been declined trick, don't fall for that one.

I am now confident that the dealer didn't contact Skoda UK.

When I contacted Skoda UK they set up a case number and emailed Caffyns to arrange an inspection. They asked me if Caffyns had been in contact with me which they hadn't so Skoda UK emailed again and, again, Caffyns didn't contact me. The agent then tried ringing Caffyns but their numerous calls went unanswered and the only time they did answer they cut them off.

They have now escalated it.

I am still fully prepared for a drawn out argument with Skoda but so far they have kept me updated on a daily basis and are getting punchy with the useless local dealership.