Hi all,

On the way home from work tonight I heard a slight 'ping' from the windscreen area of my Octy vRS on the driver's side. Didn't think too much about it as I put it down to being 'one of those noises a car sometimes makes'.However, when I got home I noticed an approx 10cm crack running diagonally in the windscreen starting from the bottom of the windscreen about 10cm in from the A-pillar.

To the best of my knowledge and after the quick inspection (albeit in the pitch dark) there was no previous 'stone chips' or damage of any kind prior to this happening. I probably know the answer to this one already but what are the chances of me trying to get the windscreen replaced under warranty? I think the dealer might think I am 'trying it on' but I believe it should be replaced FOC due to the fact it has failed in this way.

Does anyone here have any similar experience of this problem and did Skoda UK/ local dealers help out at all? Many thanks in advance for any help...........

Cheers

Hugh

hugh,

this should be a warranty job as far as i know. there are a couple of people on here that i know of who have had there windscreens replaced under warranty at least once.

If theres no stone chips it should be a warranty job.. its a common problem on Leons...

Dealers have to keep parts changed under warranty so that Skoda UK can check them if they so wish. This is a bit difficult to do in the case of windscreens since they have to be 'demolished' to remove them. So if your friendly dealer is able to ascertain that the crack started from the edge of the windscreen, it should be a warranty job. Well worth a try.

That's reassuring to know guys, as with it being close to good ol' Crimbo, funds need to go elsewhere if you know what I mean. The 'crack' definately starts at the edge of the screen at the bottom and moves upwards. To my untrained eye, it definately looks like a windscreen stress sort of failure rather than coming into contact with one of those massives rocks that fly off the back wheels of HGV's etc.

I'll give Chatham's, Edinburgh a call tomorrow and hope to report back here with good news. Many thanks once again for the advice as it is much appreciated, hope to see you all maybe next year if you plan a jaunt up to Jockland.

cheers

Hugh

Not really much to add, except I've had both front and rear screens changed under warranty. The first was a crack under the passenger wiper blade, such that a section of glass was wedged in place! Changed without me mentioning it.

A heater element went on the rear screen, that was warrantied too, though I admit if I was paying for it I'd still have one heater element not working...

Rob.

Yep, had this happen after about 6 months and had it replaced under warranty without quibble.

For info the replacement has yet to follow the same fate after 14 months, so could be the bonding compound Skoda are using is too stiff.

All I will add is we have 2 Octavias & BOTH have had 2 screens this year in a total mileage of 43000 miles. All started from the minutest of stone chips near the edge of the screen. My advice to anyone with a small chip near the edge of the screen is get it fixed, on most insurance policies I believe this is free & does not effect your no claims

Just back from Chatham's who have kindly agreed to fit a new screen FOC under warranty next week. I found them to be very helpful and while in, the service manager said they have shifted 5 Fabia vRS' and they are not taking long to sell.

They had a silver one on display outside the dealer, that is the first one I have seen 'in the flesh'........looks very nice!

Many thanks for the contributions with this subject as I was a bit unsure whether they would cover this or not.

Cheers

Hugh

My screen got cracked a few months ago after only 10,000 miles, right through the spot where the rear view mirror is, it didn't even occur to me to claim for it.

Mind you I hear stone chips hitting the windscreen and the bodywork every other day !