Hi,

 

I'm considering buying a 2020 Octavia estate (SE L first edition). It's approved used from a main dealer.

 

I've vaguely aware (from this forum) of the issues early cars had with their software so asked for a photo of the car's information screen. It reads the following:

 

Hardware: H56
Software: 1896
Display unit/control panel hardware: H44

Display unit/control panel software: 2088
Navigation database:
19.7
Media Codec:

3.1.4

 

Am I right in thinking 1969 is the latest software available? I haven't spoken to the dealer since I received the information from them. I imagine they'll say any updates will come OTA, but I intend to say an update to 1969 is a must for me or I'm not interested. Would that be wise or will 1896 be perfectly fine and I shouldn't walk away from a decent car just because it's not got the very latest update?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

I'm assuming it'll come with a least a years warranty? If so, and it's in writing that infotainment gremlins are covered, I wouldn't have an issue buying it. But I'm recently back in the Skoda fold, so may not know what I'm talking about

I'll probably buy via PCP so will get a two year warranty. My understanding is that software updates are, bizzarely, not covered. I'd be happy to be proved wrong though!

I would advise to update till 1941 before taking it. Also screen is old and will need replacement sooner or later (on/off and changing volume issues). Since you are covered with warranty, should not be an issue, just some annoyances and trips to workshop.

As @Edela mentioned, I suggest you get the S/W up to at least 1941 before buying. Mine is a 2020 SEL FE Estate, works perfectly fine now (with 1941). I'm very happy with the car, comfortable, roomy, economic.

Edited 4 October, 20241 yr by SteveTheElder
Typo

Thanks. I'll propose the latest update and see what comes back. Surely an easy, low cost thing to do for a dealer to keep a customer happy and get a deal over the line.

..and don't forget to tell the dealer to get his finger out and update the mapping database. 5+ years out of date.

Even with software updates the hardware may not be as it should be and Skoda will not help. Walk away. After much grief documented here, I got a full refund and bought a 2021 model.

I have a Skoda Estate 1.5TSI Manual First Edition with a 70 plate.  After a few initial problems with software and firmware, it is now a joy to drive.

Skoda warranty will not cover any software updates so you need to get that done at the point of purchase otherwise, further down the line required updates will come at a cost.

Infotainment Version: Get them to update to version 1941 or, if possible, 1969.  If they will only update to 1941 I would accept that as that's a very stable release.

 

Climate Control Firmware: Select the Sync function on the Climate control, then switch off the ignition.  Restart the car, if the passenger side has forgotten that it was in Synced (Sync will be displayed instead of the passenger side temperature) then that module needs updating.  When updated the Sync is remembered between journeys.

Telematics Module Firmware: I would push them hard to update this firmware to the current version as it can cause issues such as the SOS function crashing or affecting the Sat Nav positioning.   This in turn can crash the whole infotainment system.

Map database: Likely they won't update those for you as that's a paid-for subscription service (or you can download the database yourself and update them).

Braking / Clutch Control Modules Firmware: I recently had the firmware updated on this as the release of the auto hold brake became a little inconsistent - sometimes the brake or clutch just held on a little longer than it should when pulling away.

The above sounds all bad but actually, if you can get the dealer to do the first three items  (Infotainment, Climate Control, and Telematics) the system is pretty rock solid.  The dealers are meant to do these things before selling but it seems they often don't bother.  The comment regarding the age of the screen is a bit of a red herring as it doesn't necessarily need replacing at all unless it has a specific fault.

Yep, what @spcdust said; spot on advice.

Skoda state that approved used cars come with full software upgrades so insist that the dealer upgrades the infotainment version to 1969 before you take delivert.

I had a row with my dealer over this and had to take the car back after initial collection to get a FOC upgrade.