Karoq towbar on PCP

[nobby123]

Hi All,

I have recently ordered a Karoq SEL 2.0 TDI on PCP. I want to fit a towbar after delivery, but have read this A).may affect the vehicle warranty if not factory fitted and B).will have to be approved by Skoda Finance as on PCP. The only option the dealer offered was the electrically operated option which was way too expensive. Obviously I don't want to fit one only to be stung when I hand the vehicle back after 3/4 years as it would be classed as "modified" or invalidate the warranty. Any advice/experience welcomed.

[skoda1982]

should have had towbar prep £185 fitted at the factory as you may not be able to fit a towbar even aftermarket one. what is it to do with skoda finance pcp how do they know after 3/4 years you might keep the car. 

Edited 31 August, 2019 by skoda1982

[Kenny R]

9 minutes ago, skoda1982 said:

 what is it to do with skoda finance pcp how do they know after 3/4 years you might keep the car. 

But until the decision is made to keep the car it is the property of Skoda/VW Finance, and any modifications will not be allowed.

[nobby123]

Thanks,

Towbar prep wasn't an option as the car was already built & in transit. We plan on keeping the car for 3 years & then replacing it. We had previously paid cash for our last 2 Yeti's so the towbar fit wasn't an issue, but the PCP deal was a good one so we decided to go with it. I guess we will have to consider our options now regarding the towbar.

[OldBoyScout]

Can you cancel PCP and finance car another way?

 

[Karock]

1 hour ago, skoda1982 said:

should have had towbar prep £185 fitted at the factory as you may not be able to fit a towbar even aftermarket one. what is it to do with skoda finance pcp how do they know after 3/4 years you might keep the car. 

 

My understanding is that you can fit a towbar to a Karoq without Towbar prep  but it will cost you. I was quoted about £1000 by the Skoda main stealer. It also does have to be an approved tow bar to avoid possible guarantee problems.

I do not have PCP so cannot comment for cars purchased that way.

[nobby123]

Thanks All,

I spoke to the dealer & he assures me there is a solution and he will "get back to me". I could cancel the order, but would risk losing my deposit. I'm surprised it is such a hassle as the Karoq is bound to be a popular tow car and PCP is such a common form of finance these days &  a v.expensive factory fit is the only approved option available.

[Gmac983]

I think most manufacturers are going the way of these electric folding factory fitted towbars or factory prep as a minimum. That's why its actually more expensive for a main dealer to fit a genuine towbar than to have it factory done. TBH most manufacturer/warranty approved towbars (fixed/detachable/folding or otherwise) are eye wateringly expensive. Personally I wouldn't fit a cheaper aftermarket towbar anyway as I don't like the fit and finish of these Witter or towsure box-section type towbars. These new folding types are a much neater solution. One suggestion I may offer, if you don't actually require the PCP (ie if your just doing it for the discount benefit) pay it off in full during the 14 day cooling off period, you'll get to keep the discount, you'll own the car out-right and then can do what you like with it. Obviously you would be taking a chance on the warranty side of things if you go aftermarket on anything involving the towbar and associated electrics. Also I believe factory spec Skoda tow cars have enhanced engine cooling to cope with the additional load. 

[Gmac983]

Oh yes and pay none of the interest on the PCP either by paying it off in full during the cooling off period. Only the very small per day interest charge as long as you stay with in the 14 days of course. 

[Ootohere]

@nobby123

You said the car was already built, so it was right hand drive and coming to the UK anyway.

Now coming to your chosen dealer, but some other one could bags it if they want it.

 

A Salesperson is not likely to say, OK walk away we will refund the deposit.   But they might have to,  so deal with the Dealer / Principal Dealer as the salesperson wants that registration regardless of if you are happy.

 

Get things in writing, especially regarding a tow bar.  Names and Job Titles are important.

[TranceElbow]

I bought a used Octavia (2015) in October 2016 on PCP and asked for a tower to be fitted. I didn't like the price so got one fitted locally without any problems, but the dealer made noises about 'Possible Electrical issues. There were none and yesterday my local dealer didn't even mention my tower when assessing it as a trade in for a new Karoq. As low as it's is fitted properly I wouldn't worry about having it done yourself.

 

Have you called any local fitters for advice and quotes?

[Karock]

I think that you will find fitting a tow bar to an older Octavia is a far more straightforward job than fitting one to a Karoq.

 

I fitted a towbar myself to a 2012 Octavia and apart from the mechanical bits i.e. fitting a new bumper bar with tow bar attachments all that the electrics needed were a proprietary  bit of electronics to isolate the CANBus rear light lighting circuits from the tow bar electrics. My understanding is that the Karoq however if not ordered  with "Tow bar prep" requires wiring from the engine bay/dash area to the rear, a considerable amount of trim removing and refitting  and an interface at the rear to connect the tow bar electrics. The ECU also needs recoding to accept the tow bar and give the appropriate indications on the Karoq's display. And may need enhanced cooling i.e a new uprated radiator etc.  to cope with the increased load. I doubt whether anyone but a specialist tow bar fitter with  Karoq know how could fit one successfully.

[Gmac983]

15 hours ago, TranceElbow said:

I bought a used Octavia (2015) in October 2016 on PCP and asked for a tower to be fitted. I didn't like the price so got one fitted locally without any problems, but the dealer made noises about 'Possible Electrical issues. There were none and yesterday my local dealer didn't even mention my tower when assessing it as a trade in for a new Karoq. As low as it's is fitted properly I wouldn't worry about having it done yourself.

 

Have you called any local fitters for advice and quotes?

 

Your average salesman wouldn't care or likely have knowledge on the subject at the trade-in point. Did your car have any warrantable issues with anything even vaguely related to the towbar or its associated electrics while you owned it? Did you specifically tell the salesman (and PCP company at end of term) about your aftermarket towbar? Did you informer you insurer that you had an aftermarket towbar fitted? Also some models of (perhaps all?) skoda that have factory towbars or tow prep done have mods done to the engine cooling etc, an aftermarket job won't have that. 

[TranceElbow]

Hi Gmac,

 

I did mention to the salesman the towbar wasn’t a factory or dealer fitted. He made no comment at all. I was concerned about them wriggling out of warrantee problems because of it, but I never had any problems. My insurance company know about it, but Skoda Finance don’t. Hopefully that won’t be an issue either 🤞🏻 

 

Regards

Chris

[Gmac983]

In all likely hood you'll absolutely fine. These things only become an issue if some other warrantable problem arose and dealer/skoda may try and use it as an excuse to wriggle out of a claim. Hire purchase finance wouldn't be a problem as you own the vehicle outright at the end of term. PCP you don't own the vehicle unless you pay the final end of term lump, if you are just handing the car back and walking away or making a new deal, the PCP company would be well withing their rights to make any necessary deductions for modifications made to the vehicle as at the end of the day the car belongs to them. 

[silver1011]

Don't panic, I was in the same situation a couple of years ago.

 

The line from Skoda Finance was that as long as the car is returned to them in the condition it was given to you, all will be good.

 

On the 2016 MkIII Octavia I had on PCH, in order to fit a towbar the bumper needed to be cut, so Skoda Finance said I had two options at the end of the agreement, prior to returning the car:

 

1) Remove the towbar and replace / repair the bumper to a factory finish, or...

2) Return the car with the towbar fitted.

 

I got this confirmed via email so as to avoid any issues come the end of the agreement....

 

 

Note that the vast majority of VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda retailers farm out towbar fitting to a local third party fitter. Therefore as long as you use the towbar fitter recommended by your supplying dealer then you'll be fine.

 

Edited 9 September, 2019 by silver1011

[Gmac983]

That's it exactly, it has to be either a "genuine" or an "approved" aftermarket Towbar fitted by an "approved" Towbar fitter to comply. The days of clapping a Towbar on the car yourself or by an independent mechanic are long over. Or as was said already here, you run the risk of warranty issues or liability with the finance provider. 

 

 

[Gmac983]

Also what savings are you really making by fitting a non approved aftermarket towbar? If you are having to allow for deductions by the lender to make good your mods, or returning the car to standard out of your own pocket (ie. replacement bumper and painting if the bumper had to be cut etc). Doesn't seem worth it to me. Also would an aftermarket Towbar and wiring harness be compatible with trailer stability control that is included on most new cars now? 

[nobby123]

Thanks All,

 I plan on having a manufacturer approved westfalia removable bar fitted, which includes vehicle specific wire loom & recoding of ECU. Just waiting for the dealer to get back to me to confirm if they are happy to have PF Jones fit it before collection. Have also asked the dealer to put something in writing to confirm this won't affect the warranty.