I had a 2016 Mk3 Estate which I had fitted with a Witter Flange Towbar to mount a bike rack on (Pendle). It was absolutely fine, no issues. It was fitted by a local towbar specialist. Tragically the car has been written off and I have bought a 2017-2020 Mk3 Octavia Estate. I will not be towing with it, just carrying bikes. Are there any issues fitting a tow bar, not for towing to this model vehicle. I have read in some threads that the MK4 is not approved to tow unless it has been factory prepped. My vehicle is second hand and I do not know if it has been prepped. Many Thanks

The tow bar will be an expensive option just to carry bikes. Have you considered a roof rack or frame on the boot lid ?

1 hour ago, 3rdoctavia said:

The tow bar will be an expensive option just to carry bikes. Have you considered a roof rack or frame on the boot lid ?

Yes I realise that thanks. I had an operation on my right shoulder many years ago and it is hard for me to lift the bike above the car roof line. The roof mount is my fall back position, I already have the old style rectangular section Thule bars, so I am half way there with that solution. Cheers

Welcome.

Is your car plated showing the permissible weights for towing.

 

If so then just have the fitting of what you require in the way of bar & ball and lighting / light board for bike carrying fitted. 

You do not need Towing Prep you are not towing. 

 

Even if not Type Approved for Towing, so not plated, you are not towing,

you  can in the EU & now still in the UK fit bike carrying equipment )tow bars / balls) to vehicles that can not have a Tow Bar for Towing.

The issue is where some professionals will not fit a Tow Bar because it is approved for models approved to tow. 

Then Warranties are another issue, but it is your car and used. 

Thanks Toot, I looked for the plate for towing and the "Vehicle Specific Information" which says whether it has the towing prep. No joy. I only picked the car up last week, apparently the "Vehicle Specific Information is now online only. So I have e-mailed the Skoda garage to ask for a PDF. Many thanks

 

 

@JimWHThe plate on the car that gives the weights does not say if it has 'Towing Prep'  just the weight the car can tow.

 

Someone here might tell you how to get the vehicles 'Build info, specs etc'. 

But fine if you are getting that from the dealer. 

 

eg.  

Edited 1 May, 20233 yr by toot

13 hours ago, toot said:

  

The key line is that second one, 3335kg in this example, that's the 'gross Train Weight' i.e. maximum weight of vehicle and trailer.

On 01/05/2023 at 19:03, toot said:

@JimWHThe plate on the car that gives the weights does not say if it has 'Towing Prep'  just the weight the car can tow.

 

Someone here might tell you how to get the vehicles 'Build info, specs etc'. 

But fine if you are getting that from the dealer. 

 

eg.  

 

Many thanks. I have looked all over the car and cannot find the VIN plate with Towing limits on. I have found the VIN in two places now, on the windscreen and on a label in the engine bay, but it does not look like your label photo. I wonder whether I have to contact the Skoda dealership or do you know wher that label would be on a 2017-2020 model Mk3 Octavia Estate< Cheers Jim 

The plate is usually on the base of the b pillar in the drivers door jamb.