Ok, so long story short:

After numerous trials, errors, posts etc - I went to local VW specialist last wek, today I am back from a local Skoda dealership.

Bottomline - my infotainment system won't serve a 3rd party camera, only a genuine one - the dealership quoted me £875 for it. A sum I would rather not pay. And since making off without a payment is not an option, please advise:

1. What is the genuine part number?

2. What will I need apart from the camera?

3. Will any coding be required if the head unit is already coded and reverse cam is unlocked?

All suggestions (apart those re chineese models) will be greatly appreciated.

If your headunit can support a genuine camera, it can also support a 3rd party camera.

1. Part number varies as there are lowline and highline versions

2. You'll need a wiring loom from the camera to the headunit and fusebox

3. That depends how your headunit was coded. Lowline and highline kits need different coding

However, a 2013 car will have a 92mm wide boot handle which is smaller than a genuine camera meaning it won't fit the hole. You'll either need to cut it bigger or go aftermarket.

You might want to look at this thread: https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/485897-how-to-reverse-camera-fitting-guide/

The first post is Weyland fitting a 3rd party camera which I believe comes in the correct size for your car. The second post is mine showing my genuine camera retrofit.

I assume you've replaced the 5E0035820A you've mentioned previously...?

3 minutes ago, langers2k said:

If your headunit can support a genuine camera, it can also support a 3rd party camera.

1. Part number varies as there are lowline and highline versions

2. You'll need a wiring loom from the camera to the headunit and fusebox

3. That depends how your headunit was coded. Lowline and highline kits need different coding

However, a 2013 car will have a 92mm wide boot handle which is smaller than a genuine camera meaning it won't fit the hole. You'll either need to cut it bigger or go aftermarket.

You might want to look at this thread: https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/485897-how-to-reverse-camera-fitting-guide/

The first post is Weyland fitting a 3rd party camera which I believe comes in the correct size for your car. The second post is mine showing my genuine camera retrofit.

I assume you've replaced the 5E0035820A you've mentioned previously...?

Yes, I upgrated it to a unit with video chip. Also went for a bigger display unit.

However :

1. Since I tried installing Sinosmart cam, I have a fault light for vehicle lighting (but that was attempted under the no video chip unit)

2. Recommended 3rd party other cam doesn't work, also fault light still on even without sinosmart cam

3. So - assuming that unplugging all 3rd party gear will make the fault light go away - I am considering going for genuine kit.

4. If the light won't go away regardless of gear connected, I may try sinosmart again but with the new headunit.

Also, Skoda dealership was unable to get rid of the fault light for me today claiming it's due to 3rd party cam being connected - even though that started under previous installation of sinosmart.

So yeah, it's all good fun/learning curve/adventure.