My 2016 Skoda rapid 1.4 TDI went into limp mode with coil light flashing and engine management light on. I took it to the local Skoda dealership at Halbeath Dunfermline and they came back with a verdict of fuel contamination.  Initially the dealership blamed our use of poor quality supermarket fuel for the contamination and that this would not be covered by the Skoda warranty.  They advised that, as a consequence of the contamination, the complete fuelling system for the vehicle will need replaced costing roughly £5000. Obviously unhappy at being presented with this distressing news I paid a visit to the dealership to make some further enquiries. The technician told me that the fuel was full of little metal shards. He showed me the drained fuel tank and sure enough it was full of tiny metal shards. I asked where these shards had come from. He told me that the shards are most likely from the cars fuel pump or injectors. My question is that if these metal shards are from the cars fuel pump or injectors then why are these defective parts not covered by warranty? 

Certainly sounds like a warranty claim to me!

Id say fuel pump rather than the injectors but then for them to go for a warrenty claim they will need to pull it apart and see and injectors are £320 + vat each iirc alone.

 

You would run the risk of them taking it apart then if they find it wasn't due to that youll be stuck with a big bill although i would have expected the fuel filter to stop any of it getting to the engine.

 

For a good independent opinion out that way i'd recommend Star Performance in kirkcaldy or DH Automotive in Bonnybridge.

You’re going to have to fight this and not just take the dealer’s word for it. First thing you need to do is get an independent fuel analysis done which cost around £100 + VAT. From this they will be able to confirm if the fuel was contaminated prior to the fuel pump failing. You’ll want the see this drained from the system yourself from the tank or taken from the filter. 

If it wasn’t then the part has failed and it’s a warranty issue for them to replace at their cost and reimburse you for your testing. 

The test comes back as contaminated then it’s down to the garage you bought the fuel from. If it is garage then go through trading standards. 

Unfortunately I have still not heard back from the Skoda UK customer service relations manager. He was supposed to be in touch a couple of days ago. Very disappointed! The dealership drained the fuel from the vehicle and told me it does not smell like diesel? Two hours prior to the vehicle breaking down I filled the tank with 40ltrs of diesel at Asda and have the receipt as proof.  Asda said if I write to them and request it, they can release the CCTV footage of me filling the vehicle. Is it beyond the realms of possibility that the dealership would contaminate the fuel themselves to avoid a warranty job? In the video sent by Offski (thank you for that!) the mechanic says that the pump can fail due to mis-fuelling, water in the fuel or a build up of bacteria or algae. If that is the case then surely Skoda should put there hands up and accept that this particular pump is not up to the job? Otherwise why are there millions of cars out there that are running under the same conditions without falling apart?