Hi everyone first post here, Im looking to buy a used octavia mk4 a 21 plate se tech with 39k on the clock. I have not seen the car yet but after doing a bit of reading on the internet and came across the amount of people saying there are software glitches with the cars infotainment system when these cars came out. Are they still the same today even after updates from the dealers? The dealer has said its recently had software updates, wiring harness repair and aircon recharge as part of their preparation of the car for sale. I know every car has its problems just looking for some advice before making the journey to see the car.

A fully updated Mk4 should be fine. Reading through this forum you’ll find lots of information the various issues in early builds such as KPH/MPH, ACC, SOS Module, Infotainment system restarting repeatedly.

The dealer should be able to get a list of updates needed by checking the VIN against the Škoda systems and apply them to your car. You could ask to see that list to give you reassurance all have been done.

Also, I sugggest you check the warranty terms to ensure you’re covered for further updates.

The cars a great, shame about early s/w issues which tarnish their reputation.

If it is an official used Skoda then it should all be up to date. Check the infotainment version which should be 1985. If it is before 1941 insist the dealer updates it. If it is 1941 or 1969 either wait for the OTS update or insist it is updated. The dealer will ask you to wait for the OTA upgrade.

I bought a 2021 plate PHV a year ago and had to insist on the upgrade.

Dealer has replied back to me, its not from a skoda dealership but the car will be getting updated to the new software before I pick the car up as part of the deal. They are sending it to the local dealership near them to have this done. This site prove very helpful getting the selling branch to agree to this. Below is the current software on the car.

Be aware, it's not only the Infotainment system that needs updates, multiple modules may also require firmware updates but once all the updates are applied to the various modules, it all works very well. The issue is it's usually left to you, the customer, to figure out what needs updating and what doesn't through using the vehicle and "issues" becoming evident. I don't believe Skoda has a overall list of updates that need to be applied to your car, it's done on an ad-hoc basis and, unless under the original manufacturer warranty, Skoda will generally charge you for each firmware update. Of course, the previous owner may already have had any necessary updates applied.

If it's a Skoda approved Used car, they are supposed to update the software (usually that's the Infotainment system, not necessarily all the various modules), still, they often don't, so keep an eye on that and you can at least insist they update that aspect. Also, be aware, the Skoda Approved Used Car one year warranty does not cover software/firmware.

Edited 7 March, 20251 yr by spcdust

Tell them to do the navigation maps update too. Those maps are over six years old.

It was a long road - mine was delivered in Oct 2020 - but we are now sorted. It must have cost Skoda a fortune in warranty work (and VW, Seat, Audi). Once the local dealer stopped BS'ing me, we got on OK. This site was a godsend.

I have a 2023 Octavia with the Columbus system. The software update has made just about everything work better than it ever has, but the Online Manual is next to useless: if I ever search for a topic (as opposed to using the index) it simply says "Something Went Wrong" and leaves it at that. Is this a common experience?

Infotainment version 1896 needs updating. The maps should be updated but it is very easy to do this yourself. They are available on the web site, you copy them to a USB stick and the update happens while you drive.

As others have said the Infotainment is way out of date as 1985 is the current software version which sorts pretty much everything out to how it should have been in the first place....... Maps again are way out of date (It's shown as Year.Month so yours are July 2019) but these either update automatically if you go for the Infotainment online service or you can update them with ones a couple of months out of date via the Skoda Update Portal.

Other things need module firmware updates rather than Infotainment updates though. For example the SOS Module, Virtual Cockpit flickering water and fuel gauges etc.....