Hi, I'm new to the forum. I own a June, 2018 Karoq Petrol 1.5 TS manual UK model. The fuel filler flap and the connection with the electronic protruding solenoid bit/piece has now failed and the flap therefore does not line up with the solenoid/bit/piece and cannot be 'closed' to this protruding piece/bit (they clearly do not line up, therefore the flap cannot be clicked shut). Now it's a blessing it has failed with the flap disconnected, therefore I can still fill up with petrol. The flap just now hangs unclosed. Not a great problem? However, Skoda UK (I have found through google searches) now recognise it is a 'known fault'. The car was registered in very late June, 2018 and has only covered less than 15k in 3yrs 4mths. The problem I have is that the 3 year warranty has now expired! Now I realise I may be on 'sticky ground' but I would like to think that Skoda UK having recognised this as a 'known fault' would hopefully with 'goodwill gesture' replace/reimburse  the cost of replacing the parts needed to fix the problem. I don't think it is a easy problem with just replacing this electric solenoid, I think that the inside fuel panel and relevant connections would have to be disconnected/replaced!? My Q is should I visit my local franchised dealer and ask for their help/advice? What do you think they would say to my 'expired' warranty? Or should I contact Skoda UK direct before going to the local dealer?

 

Many thanks for reading this and I look forward to reading any other owners opinions or advice or indeed experiences if they have tried to regain costs for this 'known fault'

 

Clarabo

There have been other problems reported here: 

 

I think your best bet is to start with your local dealer, as if you've been using him to service your car you'll have built up a relationship with him. He may well need to get Skoda UK approval to treat it as a design fault but if he's on your side it will make it easier to get them to agree to pay for it. 

 

Any other evidence you can gather to show that this is a common fault and/or an acknowledgement from Skoda that it is a design fault will also help your cause.

 

There's another thread here too: Unable to open fuel filler flap - Skoda Karoq Forums

 

Best of luck... Chris

Edited 28 October, 20214 yr by CJJE

Thanks for your post CJJE. I cannot say in truth that I've developed any sort of rapport or relationship with my local dealer. I'll admit I bought my car at another UK dealership because (at the time) this other dealer had at the time for sale the model I wanted, as well as the colour/specification etc.) I've really just had the car serviced twice at my local dealer, and no real rapport. OK, so I live in Northern Ireland and bought the car in mainland Britain. Should that make any difference at all?  I would think not. (N.B. I still live at a valid UK address and the car is UK spec.) In fact before I bought the car I arranged through my local dealer here in NI a test ride with a TS 1.5 Petrol and was given, unbeknownst to me, a ride in a 1.0 Karoq, so came away very unimpressed with their sales staff (I wanted to test drive a 1.5 Karoq and was fooled into another model!). As for 'evidence' available to me of Skoda  UK recognising the fuel filler cap is a 'known fault'. Well, I've only researched on the internet like anyone else and have found and read from other people's posts/comments/rants that Skoda recognise it 'as a known fault'. Where did they get that from? I don't really know. In contrast, in my experience I would guess that in the last 10-15 years has it ever been known for a UK car manufacturer to recall particular models because of a electric fuel filler cap solenoid motor failure.. !? Highly unlikely isn't it. I'm not waiting/expecting a recall therefore! Now a badly designed/manufactured turbo charger/water pump/fuel pump, etc. has a different perspective to it. I hope you'll agree. A recall may be highly 'likely'. Surely if I contacted Skoda UK and mentioned this problem, you would think they would admit that is, as I have said, a 'known problem'. They surely would have all the reports/comments/information to hand, or at least of being aware of the problems with these fuel filler caps (I know the majority of posts/rants have been about NOT being able to open the flap. My flap is 'permanently' open and cannot be shut!). Basically, I just want Skoda to cover the total cost of replacing/fixing this 'known' problem, even though the car is just 3 months out of warranty, particularly as it has covered so few miles as well! 9Let's face it even if Skoda covered the costs it probably would be a 'one-off' and I would seriously think of exchanging/selling the vehicle, cause let's face it, it's very likely to fail again. A clear vehicle marque design fault. Why link your fuel filler cap to your central locking electronically. It's bound to fail. Anyway, who steals petrol from your car these days!?

8 hours ago, Clarabo said:

………..Anyway, who steals petrol from your car these days!?

Exactly - plus if you’ve ever tried to siphon off fuel from a modern vehicle you’ll know that it’s almost impossible - as such, your common-or-garden scroat will invariably go for the more destructive method, puncturing the plastic tank.

It’s a pity the old ‘emergency pull tab’ in the boot has been scrapped by some bean counter.
 

Knowing of the potential fuel door problem I unsuccessfully tried to create my own pull tab buy was thwarted by the solenoid design. I did however trim down the locking pin so that the door could be opened with very little effort.

 

Good luck with the dealer, the tight fisted ones at SUK don’t give much away these days.

 

Thanks for your post Beresford. I'm reluctant to start trimming the locking pin at this time. I'll continue looking for proof that Skoda recognise this as a 'known' problem. I'm not giving up now I've started.