Hi all, I suppose I am looking for general feedback, and for other owners to re-assure me it's all going to be okay! I am starting to get frustrated with the emergence of "random" faults cropping up in my 65 Plate Octavia SEL Estate 1.4 TSI. What more can I expect? Maybe a cautionary tale to other Octavia owners. Cost of repairs, excluding service and wear and tear is listed below. I have excluded service because they are relatively known / planned costs throughout ownership. I have also excluded air filters, plugs, tyres, bulbs, and wheel alignment etc. Car is 95 % town driving.

 

Year; Odometer; item; cost

2016    9.5K miles    Car purchase (Skoda approved used)    £16,500

2021    45K miles   Replace water pump    £352

2023    58K miles    Gearbox bearing(s) failure - recondition including new synchro rings   £1,224

"    "    clutch kit (was still serviceable but can feel a little slip and gearbox was off anyway)   £423

2023    59K miles    Reverse light switch replace    £63

2024    64K miles    Handbrake button failure - new handbrake lever    £242

2024    65K miles    Replace Clutch Slave Cylinder    £203

"    "    Replace Clutch Master Cylinder (sadly, the new slave cylinder did not fix pedal issues) £319

 

Significant service "milestones" for context:

2023 60K miles    New Battery (AGM); New front discs and pads; Air Con recharge

I have been told by the Indy VAG garage that Skoda now recommend 140,000 mile interval (no age requirement) before changing timing belt.

 

Don't get me wrong, the car has been a solid workhorse, returns 48 mpg, and cheap tax and insurance. If it wasn't for the silly second hand car prices currently, outrageous insurance, and crazy tax rates I would be considering replacing for a Karoq.

 

What's everyone else's "unplanned" costs?

It’s not much to expect a car to not have those faults you have had to deal with and the costs it’s incurred. Perhaps it had a hard past even at 9.5k 

referring to gearbox/clutch. The other stuff should have lasted longer period. 
Saving grace no cambelt charge after 5 years old 

2015 1.4TSi SEL DSG Estate on 89K.

 

Unplanned service costs - zero.

 

Unplanned 'breakages/issues' - high beam assist stopped working this year (not worried about fixing it), and for 3-4 years the 'leave vehicle in park' message pops up occasionally due to the well known gearselector microswitch (not worried about fixing it).

 

Just replaced front pads/disks and a new battery earlier this year, and rear pads this month - all for the first time. Other than that just regular oil and filters, tyres (twice), plugs (twice).

And a headlight bulb.

 

It's been a great car! Maybe I've been lucky.

Edited 2 July, 20241 yr by robs12

2016 vrs tsi wagon

Unplanned service costs   zero

Unplanned breakages   zero

Bought at two years old ,still on same brakes, discs ,clutch, battery ,had a major sevice two years ago ,i change the oil every twelve months myself ,fingers crossed its been a cracking motor to own 52000 miles on clock ,cant imagine what i would replace it with ,may do the brakes and disc this year mebbe 👍

On 02/07/2024 at 19:27, Mickvrs220 said:

2016 vrs tsi wagon

Unplanned service costs   zero

Unplanned breakages   zero

Bought at two years old ,still on same brakes, discs ,clutch, battery ,had a major sevice two years ago ,i change the oil every twelve months myself ,fingers crossed its been a cracking motor to own 52000 miles on clock ,cant imagine what i would replace it with ,may do the brakes and disc this year mebbe 👍

Likewise on unplanned costs. No faults, no problems, no issues at all.

The closest I've got to extra-servicing repair is me removing the silica bag and getting G12evo put in.

But I appreciate I'm still under 21k miles, so there's plenty of scope for things to go wrong.

I plan to anticipate problems and implement planned maintenance. TBD what that actually is in effect, but the coolant change is an example.

 

Mines a 2018 vRs 245 I've had from new and done 63k miles. Total repair costs - £50 or so for a new door speaker. Only just changed all discs and pads at 62k miles! 

 

I plan to replace it soon, if I can get over my emotions 😥

Cheers, folks. I'm not hearing too many horror stories. I'll put it down to luck of the universe!

 

I knew at the time of purchase, that being an ex-fleet vehicle(!), clutch wear was most at risk so that was considered.

 

Hopefully, all these receipts will be useful for next vehicle upgrade.

 

Android Auto definitely makes up for the death of the TMS.

2016 1.6tdi bought 2018 with around 45k on the clock.  Currently on 105k

 

Needed the cooling system flushing 2019 under warranty due to the silicas bag issue.  No issues since although I did replace the new expansion tank with a non silica bag one myself at a cost of around £25.  Other than brake pads and discs being replaced once and another set of front pads (did those myself for less than £20), tyres and servicing, the only other issue I have had is a leaking fuel hose which I replaced with a piece of hose I bought from Halfords for about £5.  The official replacement hose was part of a kit which cost some stupid amount from Skoda so made do with the Halfords hose which isn't quite the same shape as the original but works perfectly

1 hour ago, Strebord said:

2016 1.6tdi bought 2018 with around 45k on the clock.  Currently on 105k

 

Needed the cooling system flushing 2019 under warranty due to the silicas bag issue.  No issues since although I did replace the new expansion tank with a non silica bag one myself at a cost of around £25.  Other than brake pads and discs being replaced once and another set of front pads (did those myself for less than £20), tyres and servicing, the only other issue I have had is a leaking fuel hose which I replaced with a piece of hose I bought from Halfords for about £5.  The official replacement hose was part of a kit which cost some stupid amount from Skoda so made do with the Halfords hose which isn't quite the same shape as the original but works perfectly

Those silica bags are a menace. Sorry yours went, but glad it didn't cost you.

Do you know when they stopped fitting the silica bag? Mine is 2020 DPCA engine.

20 hours ago, EnterName said:

Those silica bags are a menace. Sorry yours went, but glad it didn't cost you.

Sorry, no idea but u think you can tell from the expansion tank if I remember correctly. If it has the bag I think it has "Mit silica" printed on it or something similar

52 minutes ago, Strebord said:

Sorry, no idea but u think you can tell from the expansion tank if I remember correctly. If it has the bag I think it has "Mit silica" printed on it or something similar

Oh yes, I whipped mine out a couple of years ago and swapped to G12evo coolant.

Was gonna start a new thread  but seeing this one and my issues have been similar to the OP, ie over 10 years a great many "unexpected" issues after buying car new, 1.6 TDI - ranging from door handles pulling off (when it was only 1 week old) to now after just 165,000 miles the head gasket is on its' last legs (along with other issues) and I'm being told it's uneconomical to repair so scrappie time...

 

The main reason I bought a new Skoda was RELIABILITY. The car has not delivered this at all IMO.

 

So is the reputation they had for highly reliable cars now a thing of the past?

 

People say the Mark II was the best and with the Mark III things went downhill - anyone know if the Mark IV is any better?