First experience with Skoda, not impressed.

[Calais62]

Hi all

 

First time post. I had been considering a Karoq as a replacement for my ageing Peugeot 3008 for a while and an opportunity arose a few weeks ago when the Pug got written off by a Tansit van. I ended up buying a 2019 SE 1.6 TDI from a Skoda dealer but on taking possession of the car, the salesman explained that it had been filled with Adblue as part of the pre sales service and that the warning light was still on but should disappear in a day or two and that this was not unusual. Two days and several miles later, the warning was still showing so it went back to the dealer who sorted the problem by disconnecting the battery overnight and then giving it a lengthy test drive next day. So, once again I collected the car but next day the warning reappeared. Once again, back to the dealers with it. I have now been told that the problem is a faulty sensor which is due to be replaced tomorrow. On reflection, I should not have accepted the car while the adblue warning was showing and despite the prospect of the issue being sorted tomorrow, I am considering returning the car under the '14 day money back guarantee.'  

I would appreciate any views and comments on the events described. Am I over reacting by considering returning what otherwise appears to be a great car? This is the first car I have owned that needs adblue and I am aware of some of the issues from reading other posts on the forum.

[Routemaster1461]

As you are coming from Peugeot, you may be aware that the Adblue system on PSA cars have given rise to many expensive issues. On those, an Adblue warning that does not go away when the tank is full is either down to an exhaust sensor (~£4-500) or a failed pump (£1000+). It also means that after ~1500 miles the car won't start. 

 

I don't know whether there are similar issues with VW group sensors and/or pumps, but if the new sensor doesn't fix it, you need to have at least a good discussion with the agent. Interestingly, I don't remember seeing many Adblue questions on Skoda forums.

 

The problems that I had with my PSA diesel car, and the attitude of many councils towards diesel were the main reasons why my Karoq is petrol (apart from that diesel was not avaiable). I was lucky to get 54 mpg out of our PSA car, and I get low 50s out of our Karoq. On a quick calculation base on my local filling station, if I get 50mpg from petrol I need to get 59mpg from diesel to be the same fuel cost per mile. 

 

I was happy with the way my diesel car ran most of the time, but I'm wondering, if they can't sort out your issue, whether a petrol one may be better.

[Calais62]

Thanks Routemaster

My Peugeot was pre Adblue. I was considering returning the Karoq and getting a petrol version and the dealer does have one for a similar price but it is the 1.0 litre model which I understand is not really up to long motorway journeys. 

[varooom]

Welcome 🤝

 

 

There are a few issues/glitches with the AdBlue systems, then again also trouble with petrol cars also, all technology can fail.

My daugher has an AdBlue car, and apart from adding it when needed, it just works.

 

You could have this fixed under warranty by them, and then get years of trouble free motoring.

It could also be a disaster waiting to happen.

 

Bottom line is you have to use your gut and decide which to go with yourself, without any diagnostic logs of any stored fault codes we cannot help too much.

[kodiaqsportline]

2 hours ago, Calais62 said:

 I am considering returning the car under the '14 day money back guarantee.'  

I would appreciate any views and comments on the events described. Am I over reacting by considering returning what otherwise appears to be a great car? This is the first car I have owned that needs adblue and I am aware of some of the issues from reading other posts on the forum.

 

My tuppence worth? You're not overreacting in my book. Truth is you have a month to return the car without any difficulty ( see consumer rights act 2015 ) or 6 months after purchase ( same act but with added complications ).

 

If it were me? Any used car I buy could have a problem, if you're a 'bottle half full' type then it's good the issue manifestied itself so quickly. And if they sort the problem out - great. The main point is that the issue has been logged so if something were to happen in future then you can always say it was present when you purchased the car. That's a big advantage.

 

If the fault had been elsewhere then I'd have questioned the history of the car - is that going to be the first of a number of problems? but the Ad Blue sensor? Personally I wouldn't be worried.

 

Edited 15 December, 2022 by kodiaqsportline

[varooom]

Here is a document I found in my TPI collection

AdBlue Reset issues after re-filling (Yeti and Superb).pdf

 

Ignore the Yeti/Superb, as this applies to ANY AdBlue car (it also exists word for word for VW, minus a car model)

 

 

tl;dr They may have overfilled your AdBlue tank, and now the car is going mad, if it's not this, then there are many Software updates for Engine ECU before they condemn the sensor.

They probably only needed to add a max of 10 litres, if the tank was 'dry'

 

 

Technical data
♦ The reduction agent (AdBlue®) is stored in a separate tank
in the vehicle. It is NOT mixed in with the diesel fuel.
♦ To fill the reduction agent (AdBlue®) use an approved container
from the ⇒ Electronic Catalogue of Original Parts.
♦ The reduction agent tank has a volume of approx. 12 litres.

 

 

EDIT: Just to be clear, if they say the sensor is kaput, then they should hopefully fix this themselves.

Edited 15 December, 2022 by varooom
Additional Information

[westie38]

My tuppence worth too?  Unless the AdBlue system was calling for refilling, to my mind it should have been left alone. I usually let mine get down to about 200 miles to go, then refill from a 10 ltr container. It normally takes about 9 ltrs, and then I put the remaining 1 ltr in a couple of months later. It sounds to me like they have either grossly overfilled the tank or not followed the correct refill procedure.

For a salesman (who could have been selling shoes a month ago, or could be selling carpets next year), to say it 'should' disappear in a day or so, and it was not unusual is complete twaddle.

If the proper procedure was followed ie refill until the first cut off glug (for want of a better word), then switch on the ignition only for around 30 seconds (no engine start) so the the AdBlue system recognises the quantity. After that, you can start the engine and all should be well. The status of the AdBlue can be seen in either the infotainment screen or the MySKODA app if you have it - from about 1k miles it will display the remaining milage, other wise it will show FULL.

It's a pity your first venture into Skoda ownership has been spoilt by poor customer service because they really are good cars and represent excellent value for money imho

[Ootohere]

The production period of 1.6 TDI's with SCR (AdBlue) was not long.  That is a good thing.

 

No idea why a 1.0 TSI is considered not good for long motorway journeys.

Perfectly suited to doing those in the UK with the 70 mph speed limit, no extreme routes for hills.

It would depend on how loaded the car will be though. 

[croquemonsieur]

Calais 62.  It could be worth you trying out the 1.0 Karoq, you may or may not be pleasantly surprised.  My 1.0 dsg that I've had 3+years does feel quite nippy to me, when I push the gear selector into sport for overtaking (note I am mid 70s though and no tyro!!).  I was sceptical about the performance before buying, but a couple of test runs, began to put me at ease, before signing the deal.  I soon found that at motorway speeds (70mph) it has plenty of umph to accelerate comfortably to 80-90mph to pass slower moving traffic, without needing to change down from 7th.  It's really rather quiet, smooth and responsive.  Clearly no racing car, but it's pokier than I recall my Peugeot 504Ti of years and years ago and that was thought to be a reasonably fast car in it's day.

 

It's also quite possibly better than the 1.6 diesel Karoq in many ways, except maybe for low down torque, so that may put you off.  The only diesel I've ever test driven was a 2.0, a year or 2 previous to me aquiring my 1.0.  It was a dsg 4wd, which was OK, engine surprisingly quiet compared to any diesel I'd been in previously, but I do prefer my 1.0 petrol - for one thing it has smaller 17" wheels with higher profile tyres that make the ride noticeably better & quieter.

 

I do suspect the 1.0 is the most reliable of all the petrol & diesel Karoqs, though I've no statistics to back up that statement.  I've had no trouble of any consequence, up to now at 20,000miles.

 

Long distances that I do monthly, I find more relaxing than any previous car I've owned (includes a BMW523, admittedly the engine in that was super smooth, that's when the head gasket wasn't blowing).  I usually travel with the car at least half loaded on runs - just 1 passenger, full boot with cases etc. + rear seats & floor at least half full of stuff, just occasionally right up to the roof, but I've never had 5 people in it, for anything other than a short distance, then only once when the car was 2 weeks old.  It does around 50mpg on a 150 mile motorway run in summer and say 45mpg in winter.

[SurreyJohn]

If it helps I have a 1.0 tsi with DSG (but not in a Karoq), and have never found it underpowered on a motorway, if you need it to be more responsive just flick gear lever back and it goes into sport mode.

 

Is the 1.6tdi a better engine, seems to be lot of problems with parts of its emissions system, DPFs etc if not regularly used for journeys of at least 30 minutes.   But don’t hear of emissions problems on the 1.0tsi (and don’t hear of DSG problems when coupled to the 1 litre either)
 

Another way to look at it, is that the 1.0tsi is currently still available, but the 1.6tdi has been withdrawn from Karoq in UK, you can choose your own phrase, but is basically defunct, obsolete, outdated etc.

 

Petrol is about 152-156p where I live, diesel about 30p more (petrol doesn’t come from Russia, but a proportion of diesel did so subject to war premium to replace the shortfall).  So in real world diesel now makes no sense unless you load it up or have a tow hook fitted.  Personally I can only see this price differential getting bigger until Russia problem is solved.

 

If it was me, due to the problems (have the adblue sensors or pump been damaged etc), I would seriously consider rejecting it, or swapping it to the petrol.

 

[TheITGuy]

If it was me, I would arrange with the dealer to take a 1.0 Karoq on an extended test drive on a variety of roads to see how you get on with it.  What sort of annual mileage do you do and how much of this is likely to be motorway runs?  Reading various forums it seems many people have been pleasantly surprised with how capable the 1.0 petrol engine is, although I guess if you regularly drive with 3 passengers and a boot full of luggage and travel in hilly areas, you may find it underpowered.

[Daveyeti]

1.0 tsi surprised me in the Karoq. Have had one for 18 months after 170 tdi yeti. Of course it does not have the the torque of tdi but I find it perfectly adequate. Very quiet and refined, no bother on motorways. Yes, if you regularly have 2 + passengers and luggage and are 10k plus miles per year you may find it a little unsuitable, also dont forget the price difference between diesel and petrol. Best way fwd....have a test drive, you may be pleasantly surprised.

[Calais62]

Many thanks for all your replies. The dealer has now fitted a new Adblue tank and there have been no further problems. I spoke to someone in the service department (as opposed to a sales person) and she told me that problems can arise if the tank is overfilled or if the level gets too low and advised me to add more Adblue when it gets to 500 miles before empty. On the question of the 1.6 TDI vs the 1 litre petrol, I am still undecided. Up til now a diesel has been the best option  but with kids now post university and retirement due next year the pattern of journeys may change making the petrol more appropriate. For now i will keep the diesel which I like very much.

[kenfowler3966]

The adblu tank is a good thing as it means your car is not barred from an increasing number of city centres. Going to a diesel without means older and not Euro 6 compliant.

[Ootohere]

@Calais62The car will nagging you well before the AdBlue needs more in.

It will be one of there employees that overfilled if that was the issue, which very likely it was not.

?

Do you have a 12 month warranty with the car, & what range is the Adblue showing as having now?

[Calais62]

I have a 3 year extended warranty and adblue mileage is showing as 4500. The car will receive its first proper run in my ownership on Wednesday when I will be driving a 100 mile trip to Heathrow and returning with daughter plus copious amounts of luggage. On the shortest day of the year...in the dark...and during the rush hour on the M25. Happy days!