Hi All,

My partner has been quoted 2.5K by Skoda main dealer to replace the clutch in a 2020 (70) 1.0 110ps Scala. Car was purchased as approved used Skoda in August with 32K on. We've done 4K miles in it since then.

Clutch started slipping about 2 weeks ago. Immediately stopped and called Skoda Assist as extended warranty on the car. Skoda assist advised they'd follow us 8 miles to the main dealer. Car totally gave out after about 6.5 miles and Skoda Assist somehow forced it into gear and drove it in 1st to the dealer. Dealership stunned we were told to drive it and admit it would have caused damage.

Clutch has signs of burning on it. Apparently not a warranty repair. Should have lasted longer than 36k surely? Owned numerous cars, some until they were literally fit for scrap, and never had a clutch issue.

Previous owner looks to have been very heavy on the brakes according to the service history.

Hydraulics, slave cylinder etc not checked as main dealer claiming no need as no leak of fluid. Doesn't sound quite right.

Call with Skoda customer care tomorrow. Any known issues we can quote?

Edited 21 April, 20251 yr by robs87

Hello, welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear of your problem. You imply this is not a DSG, is that correct?

Can you describe exactly what happened when this fault first became noticeable - were you driving uphill in higher gears - or had you just changed gear?

A note about clutch failing from slippage, it is either the diaphragm spring on the pressure plate losing clamping force, or excessive loss of friction material that causes the clutch to slip, which will then overheat - failure of either master or slave cylinders would not initially cause clutch slip, but will make if virtually impossible to engage gear while vehicle is stationary with engine running.

Edited 22 April, 20251 yr by Warrior193
added information

Hi, its a manual - no DSG.

Car had driven as normal the night before, first noticed when went to change gear while travelling up hill. Rev counter shot up but no power from the engine. I was changing from 3rd to 4th when I noticed it.

There are ones that have failed a lot sooner.

If you have from new you know how driven from collection, or how you drive.

USED cars you have no idea how the car was driven.

Edited 22 April, 20251 yr by Ootohere

That failure may have been plain bad luck. If there had been no indication of any slippage in prior drives, I'd take a guess that the clutch diaphragm fractured just as you changed gear, instantly losing any clamping force.

If investigation of the clutch proved this is what happened, it might be possible to make a warranty claim - but would require an investigation by an independent motor engineer.

The price quoted seems very high, have you requested comparison quotes from other authorised garages?

10 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

Hello, welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear of your problem. You imply this is not a DSG, is that correct?

Can you describe exactly what happened when this fault first became noticeable - were you driving uphill in higher gears - or had you just changed gear?

A note about clutch failing from slippage, it is the diaphragm spring on the pressure plate losing clamping force, or excessive loss of friction material that causes the clutch to slip, which will then overheat - failure of either master or slave cylinders would not initially cause clutch slip, but will make if virtually impossible to engage gear while vehicle is stationary with engine running.

I have however dealership are saying I need to pay the labour for stripping down the clutch - they're currently quoting £450 for this. £450 to be told the warranty won't cover the work is a kicker.

Telephone Skoda UK.

Tell them you bought the car as Skoda approved and it came with a warrantee that the dealer seems to be refusing to honour. If you hear that the clutch is not covered ask them where it says this. Also ask them why a car with apparent hard use was sold as Skoda approved and ask, as a minimum for a good will payment.

In my last Audi I did 68,000 miles on the original brakes. It sounds like your car was maybe thrashed.

The Skoda Extended or Used car Warranty has it's Terms & Conditions.

Read them. As to Clutch Wear & Tear.

There is certainly no need to charge £450 to diagnose the issue and then say not covered by the Warranty.

If they are going to do the clutch job then that is the Rate to charge, parts and labour.

Best get a Independents quote for a Clutch replacement.

Edited 22 April, 20251 yr by Ootohere

I have re-read the "symptoms" and I'm not at all convinced it's just the clutch. That said I hope that is all it is. A good indy should be able to do the job for far less. The dealer thinks he has you over a barrel, reason enough to take the car elsewhere.

1 minute ago, Aldfort said:

I have re-read the "symptoms" and I'm not at all convinced it's just the clutch. That said I hope that is all it is. A good indy should be able to do the job for far less. The dealer thinks he has you over a barrel, reason enough to take the car elsewhere.

Interested to know what else you think it could be? I've contacted an independent skoda repairer today for a quote. Car is currently in bits at dealership so yes, absolutely over a barrel!

They have 1 hours labour & VAT then to have it in bits. That is not £450.

How much to fit the new clutch if that is what it is, or is it a fly wheel or more.

The Technicians knows do they not what the fault is by now?

Yes they've said its the clutch and flywheel. They wanted £2553 total of which £1653 was the parts. Total labour quote was actually £900 to include stripping it down and building it back - that was apparently 5hrs.

Current offer from them is a £300 discount from the total price. Skoda customer care involved now. Blaming driving style due to burn marks however skoda assist refused to tow/take car in on a truck so who's to say what caused the burn marks. Clutch was vibrating then totally done after additional 8 miles of driving as advised by assist.

That price for parts alone sounds completely outrageous, I'm off to do some searching.

The official VW website is a complete nightmare - it is quite apparent that they don't want oiks like me dialling up prices for VAG-branded parts, they want Vin or reg numbers!

However, several OEM parts suppliers are much simpler - complete clutch kits retail from £204 to £320, the flywheel (I assume DMF) comes in at around £300.

Had the above photos sent to me by the dealer. Excessive or normal for 36k miles?

Those images will be after the clutch failed, it would not be possible to assess its condition prior to failure.

On the other hand, a forensic inspection of the diaphragm might indicate a fracture, causing loss of clamping force - if this was found to be the case, it could be valid ground for a warranty claim.

Retain the component shown in image 2 if you decide to do this.

Edited 23 April, 20251 yr by Warrior193
added information

5 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

On the other hand, a forensic inspection of the diaphragm might indicate a fracture, causing loss of clamping force - if this was found to be the case, it could be valid ground for a warranty claim.

Retain the component shown in image 2 if you decide to do this.

Thanks so much for this! Skoda are calling today (manager at dealership hasn't replied to them yet, should have been yesterday), but yes I agree the clutch shows nothing other than that it's burnt out which we know as the car won't go into gear. How it got like that remains unproven doesn't it?

I'll ask about the diaphragm today. Should this be something they've already considered or looked at?

Not if the dealership was acting in bad faith in attempting to avoid a valid warranty claim.

Edited 23 April, 20251 yr by Warrior193
grammar

Right, my thoughts which have been suggested already.

Classically the clutch plate is designed to wear out. The normal first symptom is a little clutch slip. This is the sign to get the car booked in for a new clutch, well before the flywheel gets damaged.

The recovery service should have known better than to force the car into gear. The fact the clutch could not be properly disengaged indicates something far worse than wear on the clutch plate.

I would insist the dealership check the whole clutch release mechanism.

The pictures make it clear both clutch and flywheel are toast but you'd need the parts inspected independently to find root cause. Maybe Skoda UK would like to take a look at the parts?

The car is 5 years old,

had done 32,000 miles and with the OP or their partner another 4,000 miles.

It is not a warranty issue is it?

Also not a cash cow for a dealership. The first quote on £450 to dismantle, inspect, diagnose , shows they treat it as a nice little earner.

Edited 23 April, 20251 yr by Ootohere

5 hours ago, Ootohere said:

The car is 5 years old,

had done 32,000 miles and with the OP or their partner another 4,000 miles.

It is not a warranty issue is it?

Also not a cash cow for a dealership. The first quote on £450 to dismantle, inspect, diagnose , shows they treat it as a nice little earner.

Op stated that vehicle was purchased as 'Approved Used' last August and is presumably still in warranty.

Indeed, in Warranty.

Clutch in the exclusions of that warranty.

Edited 23 April, 20251 yr by Ootohere

1 minute ago, Ootohere said:

Indeed, in Warranty.

Clutch in the exclusions of that warranty.

Agree that clutch lining is excluded - clearly because this part can be subjected to user abuse - however, a mechanical fault, such as fracturing of the clutch diaphragm, could reasonably be considered to be covered - especially given the schemes contracted recovery operator insisted that the vehicle be driven to the workshop instead of being towed.

The manufacturers warranty covers Manufacturing Design, Manufacturing, material faults but excludes Clutch Wear & Tear.

The Approved Used Car Warranty on a 4 or 5 year old car is what it is.

Is there a Design, Manufacturing or material fault or just a vehicle that might have had hard use but low miles with the previous keepers?

Was the car a 'Demonstrator / Ex Managers daily before the first private buyers.

They put a Approved Used Car Warranty on cars with FMDSH or no FMDSH or Servicing not even to the Manufacturers recommendations, guidelines or specifications / schedules.