New to VCDS question.

[red2]

When I did a "Auto Scan" recently on my Yeti, I was surprised at the number of fault codes showing in the report e.g. 5 fault codes under "Engine" and numerous others in various other systems. All up, there might be dozens ( I didn't count them but there's many...)

 

Many of the fault codes had accompanying dates from long ago e.g. 2016.

 

The car is new to me ( only 600 km driven by myself ) but has 127 000 km on it by the previous owner. I have a complete service history, all being done by a well-known franchised repair workshop ( but non-Skoda specialist ).

 

Am I right in assuming these old codes are showing because no one ( the workshop ) has ever cleared them ? 

 

They surely must have checked for DTC's at each service so why would they not clear them ?

 

Thanks for any input to what probably appears to others as an extremely simple question. 

[Gizmo]

More than likely yes.

Save the scan then clear the DTC's, then rescan after a few miles to what if anything is still a fault.

 

[langers2k]

Just to point out, cars like the Yeti don't have a strong concept of date/time so it's normally pretty safe to ignore that and rely on the milage instead.

 

I also wouldn't expect a dealer to be bothered to clear codes during a service either

 

As above, I'd save a scan (feel free to post it) and then clear all the DTC's to see which, if any, come back.

[nta16]

I'm with all above (other than date info for Yeti as I have no idea but accept what has been put).

 

I doubt all places bother doing a scan on a "service", especially if the service is just an engine oil (and hopefully) filter change and perhaps a quick visual for other work.

 

When the car battery gets too low it can throw up all sorts of unexpected issues even before warning lights and messages and if the battery is disconnected it can give some, add in electronic and computer and computer program errors, brain-farts and hiccups (dare I suggest also sometimes in scan tools).

 

[PetrolDave]

Even things like accidentally setting off the alarm will store fault codes, and there are some fault codes that are more information than an actual fault - so I agree with the above, clear them all and see if any come back after a few days.

[paulski]

My car went to main dealer a few times after purchase, they couldn't even manage to reset the service/inspection interval properly both times. 

 

Inspections/service intervals don't really require codes to be checked /cleared unless someone comes in with fault light or real fault. And even then if it's fixed,  that's the only one that might get cleared not the whole system. 

 

To add, I've lost count the number of VCDS scans I've run for people and not one car has ever been fully clear of at least one "fault" code being logged. Often just merely caused by low battery as mentioned. Nothing to be concerned about for sure. 

[nta16]

I get the idea that some Dealerships might only have one scan tool and no fully trained technicians or mechanics to actually use it fully and properly.

 

[PetrolDave]

The other possible confusion is that VCDS defaults to showing all DTCs, faults and informational, but the default for the VAG dealer tool ODIS is to report only fault DTCs - so a VCDS scan will show informational DTCs that a dealer will not see by default (and hence will deny they exist!).

[red2]

I had a vague idea that the standard procedure would be to clear all codes and then see what comes up subsequently and it's nice to have that confirmed. 

 

Also it's eye-opening ( to me ) that a service workshop would not routinely scan for any codes on a "modern" car as part of a service but I guess if the owner doesn't report a operating fault and there is no dash light, it's time and money to them to do so.

 

Thanks everyone ! 

 

Edited 1 February by red2
Added a word.

[nta16]

6 minutes ago, red2 said:

Also it's eye-opening ( to me ) that a service workshop would not routinely scan for any codes on a "modern" car as part of a service but I guess if the owner doesn't report a operating fault and there is no dash light, it's time and money to them to do so.

Plus you will pay extra for it if it's not part of the "service".  As I put earlier today's "service" is nothing like a service of many years back with many service items being called "maintenance" items by the likes of Skoda UK.  Some garages still do a lot more than others in what they call a service and Skoda don't specify items I'd included in longer term services as they're "for-life" items which often means out of longest warranty, there are some items I would add to servicing on a 10 or 12 year old car as preventative and possible improvement issues - but most others would say I'd be wasting my time and placebo effects, each to there own.

 

Never wait for warning lights and messages (particularly for low state of charge on the battery) - remember what those lights used to be (sometimes unfairly) called.

 

All the best.