We have an issue with the Kodiaq which jolts when changing gear or speed. We took it to an independent garage who diagnosed it as the rear diff which needs replacing and that it needs to be carried out at Skoda only.

We then took it to Skoda and told them it was the rear diff but they said they diagnosed it as the Haldex needing a service, changed the oil and filter and it still did the noise / jolting. They then said it was the Haldex pump that needed replacing, which upon replacing, still didn't solve the issue. They have just phoned and said, low and behold, it's the rear diff that needs replacing and it will be £7500!

We bought the car from this dealership 18 months ago, 17 plate with 48,000 miles (now on 60,000). It was given a full service and check over beforehand (apparently). Should something like this go at this age and milage and do we have any leg to stand on saying that this should have been identified when purchasing the car, and that we stated it was the rear diff when booking it in?

Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this situation?

Why does it have to be re replaced by Skoda only? Why can it not be diagnosed and done by a 4x4 specialist

As far as it goes an independent or a Skoda specialist guessing what is wrong can be and has been expensive.

Was the Haldex actually serviced in 2020 and 2023 or since. That is before the fault then a Skoda dealership taking the Michael. Not just someone saying fully serviced. Is there a paper trail?

Edited 2 April, 20251 yr by Ootohere

The first thing I would say is not to worry - there will be a solution! You aren't the first to go through something like this, and you won't be the last.

I haven't dealt with this exact scenario, but I have dealt with a main dealer selling me a crash damaged car. Out of interest, which Skoda is this? I see you're West Sussex - not too far from the lot that sold me that car.

As above, there will be digital service records. Any independent can also access these records. IIRC the 4x4 Haldex system is the same as the LSD in vRS cars - the service interval called for is 20,000 miles. Someone else will know for sure, but I think I'm correct in saying that all Skoda parts come with a 2 year warranty. Of course, a service isn't exactly a part, but I think there would be an argument that if the diff was inspected and serviced before sale (it should have been), then it blowing up now some 8,000 miles before the service interval isn't anything to do with you.

The first thing you need to do is access this service history. If the correct intervals were not adhered to, at any point in the vehicles life, then I believe you have a case against the dealer. If the intervals were stuck to, and it was serviced before you bought the car, then I still think you have an argument.

Of course, it's not black and white. Simply put, you are outside of the used warranty period by 8 months. In theory, the dealership can tell you where to go (and it sounds like they have). I'd covered 25,000 miles in the 28 months I owned my car. I was prepared to do all sorts (I still did, after I'd picked up my vRS and made them return it to factory condition), but I only had to suggest going down that route and suddenly they were on the same page as I was.

Okay, in my case the sales guy was absolutely fantastic (I still owe him), but my point is that dealerships have insurance for this sort of thing. I know for a fact my car was sold for 50p at auction (and appeared at a used dealer in West Sussex for £11,500 six months later, with no repair done).

First step is the service history, and report back here. Depending on what it says, there are various routes to go down (from Skoda UK, independent reports, motor ombudsman or even legal paths). It's maybe not going to be the easiest process in the world, but I honestly believe you will be able to get a satisfactory solution here.

38 minutes ago, OccyVRS said:

dealerships have insurance for this sort of thing. I know for a fact my car was sold for 50p at auction (and appeared at a used dealer in West Sussex for £11,500 six months later, with no repair done).

🤣🤣🤣

3 minutes ago, J.R. said:

🤣🤣🤣

And this is funny because...?

I know this is the internet, but for someone that joined this forum when I was six years old, I rather hoped for something more constructive!

3 hours ago, Lewis- said:

Should something like this go at this age and milage and do we have any leg to stand on saying that this should have been identified when purchasing the car, and that we stated it was the rear diff when booking it in?

Parts can fail at any time an any mileage, TBH what you have described does not sound like the typical VAG rear diff failure whatsoever, it sounds exactly like a garage that cannot diagnose, keeps fitting more and more expensive parts and finally gives a really high quote hoping you will go elsewhere.

For the second point no, if there were no apparent faults then they cannot be expected to identify future ones.

You certainly have leverage on the final point, I hope you have not settled the bills yet.

Did they by any chance service the Haldex before the problem started?

Skoda /VW service interval was and is at 3 years / 30,000 miles and that is them saying filter screen or filter replacement not required. If a Skoda Approved car had not been serviced to the Manufacturers recommendations, guidelines or specification they still put a Skoda extended warranty on them. You try not servicing to the guidelines, recommendation or specification and buy an extended warranty and you will be told the warranty is void / invalid.

Edited 2 April, 20251 yr by Ootohere

2 minutes ago, OccyVRS said:

And this is funny because...?

I know this is the internet, but for someone that joined this forum when I was six years old, I rather hoped for something more constructive!

I apologise, I did not realise, you write very well for a 6 or 7 year old.

2 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

Skoda /VW service interval was and is at 3 years / 30,000 miles and that is them saying filter screen or filter replacement not required. If a Skoda Approved car had not been serviced to the Manufacturers recommendations, guidelines or specification they still put a Skoda extended warranty on them. You try not servicing to the guidelines, recommendation or specification and buy an extended warranty and you will be told the warranty is void / invalid.

Although this extended warranty is only the 12 month approved used warranty (which OP is out of)?

1 minute ago, J.R. said:

I apologise, I did not realise, you write very well for a 6 or 7 year old.

But you joined the forum in 2007, so that doesn't make sense...?

I don't think even you know what you are talking about - hijacking yet another thread with your hypocrisy and repeating the same question for a third time!

10 minutes ago, OccyVRS said:

but for someone that joined this forum when I was six years old,

OccyVRS

Members

• Joined 3 December, 2024

The only question I have asked was of the OP, was the Haldex perhaps serviced before the fault developed.

Edited 2 April, 20251 yr by J.R.

Some Skoda approved used car warranty is 2 years when bought with finance. That was not relevant. It was the correct service schedule I was giving

3 years / 30,000 miles. Unlike Volvo for Haldex and 2 years / 20,000 miles. Also that a Full Main Dealer Service history does not mean serviced to recommendations, guidelines or schedule. T&C in warranty says Recommendation.

11 minutes ago, OccyVRS said:

for someone that joined this forum when I was six years old, I rather hoped for something more constructive!

@J.R. if you read it again, with your glasses on, you might find that I was referring to you, rather than me.

@Ootohere My mistake - I was simply trying to figure out if OP going down the previous service history (re intervals) was worth it or not. From what you're saying, it isn't and the only thing that really matters, history wise, is if Skoda serviced the diff at POS 18 months ago.

Oh I see, when you say "I" you actually mean the person you are addressing the comment to.

A seven year old could not be that funny 🤣

Important is about the last Skoda Main Dealer service was did they know their holes. Drain and fills. Arse from elbow. But we will never know.

22 minutes ago, OccyVRS said:

I know this is the internet, but for someone that joined this forum when I was six years old, I rather hoped for something more constructive!

For someone (you) that joined the forum when I (Occy) was six years old, I (Occy) rather hoped for something more constructive (from you).

I apologise - I see your location now. I should have been less eloquent and more straightforward in my humour.

3 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

Important is about the last Skoda Main Dealer service was did they know their holes. Drain and fills. Arse from elbow. But we will never know.

Interesting they don't say the gauze needs doing on the pump - everywhere I've spoken to regarding my diff service has listed that right underneath changing the oil. Sounds like its the same as the DSG filter then...

@J.R. is fully fluent in the international language of love. English. PS. And his holes. Haldex and diff. We learn sometimes by unfortunate errors.

Edited 2 April, 20251 yr by Ootohere

4 hours ago, Lewis- said:

Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this situation?

Do you have the Skoda service history?

Thanks. AG Falco

4 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

@J.R. is fully fluent in the international language of love. English. PS. And his holes. Haldex and diff. We learn sometimes by unfortunate errors.

I thought the international language of love was USD🤣

Still.

First make sure your Haldex filter is clean. Service told they replaced the filter? afaik the filter is irreplaceable. They only can clean it. First dissonance.

If the filter is dirty enough, you loose the back end.

Edited 3 April, 20251 yr by linni

15 hours ago, Ootohere said:

We learn sometimes by unfortunate errors.

Being for the most part self taught the vast majority of what I have learned in life has been from my mistakes, most I don't class as unfortunate as they were willing decisions to see what the outcome would be, mistaking holes on the rear differential was unfortunate and unintended but learning came from it, if I can pass that on to prevent others doing the same I don't mind sharing my sometimes incompetence with the world, something garages won't do.

Presumably the dealer has refunded you for the incorrect Haldex service and pump replacement?

You don’t need to have the rear differential replaced at Skoda. Ring around some transmission or 4x4 specialists for advice.