Hi,

 

I'm about to uplift my 18 190 SEL to a 22 plate VRS, which doesn't have a factory bar. The dealer is telling 'it should be fine' and I've asked him to get a pic of the chassis plate - car is at a different branch so proving time consuming.

 

I'd say, given the direction Skoda took, there's a 50/50 chance the max train weightn won't have a towing amount on it which gives me an issue.

 

From what I've read the VRS needs no cooling upgrades etc and, despite a slightly different bumper, many have had towbar retrofitted though aftermarket as i believe Skoda refuse to retro the factory option on VRS full stop.

 

The issue this this will never tow anything, it's for a bike rack and wouldn't exceed any axle weights- essentially it's just a platform. I don't really have alternative option due to 4 adult bikes needing lugging around (2 kids bikes go on roof bars).

 

The best I can find is that apparently some fitters will fit one with the customer signing something equivalent to 'I'll never tow with it'........not seen any in the NW in the threads I've read.

 

Am I in the 'find another car' bucket here or are there workable loop holes/workarounds?

Edited 22 January, 20251 yr by tuonopepper

Even though you’ll never tow anything with it - that doesn’t mean the next owner won’t want to.

 

If there is no towing weight on the plate, then if you do find someone to fit a bar (which they shouldn’t), if you were involved in any sort of accident your insurance would be invalid - even if it had nothing to do with the tow bar or the bike rack.

Repeated often enough it becomes received wisdom.

 

Not invalid, an insurance policy issued and not previously cancelled by the correct procedure will always be valid for 3rd party risks, they could choose to try their luck by refusing the claim for damage to the insured's vehicle, if they had changed the engine and suspension, if it was dangerous and they could claim that it had contributed to the accident they might well do but it could be challenged in the courts, the decision would be weighed against any possible negative publicity but for "any sort of accident" not involving towing - mmmm..............

Edited 22 January, 20251 yr by J.R.

4 minutes ago, Yogi-Bear said:

Even though you’ll never tow anything with it - that doesn’t mean the next owner won’t want to.

 

If there is no towing weight on the plate, then if you do find someone to fit a bar (which they shouldn’t), if you were involved in any sort of accident your insurance would be invalid - even if it had nothing to do with the tow bar or the bike rack.

 

Actually, the first point is a fair one I'd neglected to consider, however from what I have read and can see there's no reason the VRS can't tow, except Skoda didn't put a number on a plate unless you gave them £190 or whatever tow bar prep was.

 

It's one of those annoying 'computer says no' situations which may or may not have implications if ignored.

 

To be fair that's what I was expecting, guess if this one isn't plated I'll be looking for another as don't fancy trying to fit all that on the Xpower, lol

Turns out it's my lucky day, the car has the correct plating despite never having had tow prep.

 

Dealer also has a local contact they use to fit detachable bars, with specific electrics, for them so it can be done before I collect it, slightly cheaper than quotes I've had too.

Edited 22 January, 20251 yr by tuonopepper

It was rumoured Skoda might not put a towing weight unless prep was spec'd at point of order but I don't think they ever actually did this unless someone knows for fact that's not right.

There was an early model that wasn't homologated to tow but that's it.

All mk 2 come with towbar prep as standard.