My 2021 SEl 1.5 manual I find noisy from road noise in the rear. I asked my insurers (AA) if I could have the boot soundproofed, and after waiting several days for an answer, thet finally said OK as this is not a modification. So, my local car radio company informed me that they could do it for about £400. I think it might be more. They use Do Do mat. I am revieved I have the OK to install this materiall, as the AA have previously refused permission to install Bilstein B6 shockers and Goodridge flexible brake hoses. Always check with your insurers is any alterations not from the mauuacturers are approved, or you may not be insured.

On 27/05/2025 at 18:46, Vak said:

Always check with your insurers is any alterations not from the mauuacturers are approved, or you may not be insured.

This is what I was saying in the thread where someone wants to swap engines for one not normally fitted to his car! (I think an Audi Engine to a Škoda!)

Insurers are getting really tight with specifications, these days. My policy, deep in the small print, says I have to tell them if I change my exhaust system, or part system. In conversation, at renewal, I mentioned that I wasn’t intending to fit a sports exhaust, and was told I could not even fit a Kwik Fit exhaust - it has to be a Skoda part. supplied, fitted and warranted, by a Skoda dealer! Any other exhaust is permitted, but they have to be informed, and will be listed on my policy record as a modification over original spec, (and would have to pay higher premiums for the pleasure). Another insurer rip off.

1 hour ago, Choclab said:

Insurers are getting really tight with specifications, these days. My policy, deep in the small print, says I have to tell them if I change my exhaust system, or part system. In conversation, at renewal, I mentioned that I wasn’t intending to fit a sports exhaust, and was told I could not even fit a Kwik Fit exhaust - it has to be a Skoda part. supplied, fitted and warranted, by a Skoda dealer! Any other exhaust is permitted, but they have to be informed, and will be listed on my policy record as a modification over original spec, (and would have to pay higher premiums for the pleasure). Another insurer rip off.

In another thread, someone was asking about swapping an engine in his Karoq for a VWGolf or Audi..... "So i'm wondering if it is possible to swap out the 2 litre petrol engine to the one used in the golf R or even possibly Audi's 2.5 five cylinder." And most in the thread were saying "go for it" and the MoT and insurance won't be a problem....!!!

3 hours ago, chills said:

In another thread, someone was asking about swapping an engine in his Karoq for a VWGolf or Audi..... "So i'm wondering if it is possible to swap out the 2 litre petrol engine to the one used in the golf R or even possibly Audi's 2.5 five cylinder." And most in the thread were saying "go for it" and the MoT and insurance won't be a problem....!!!

Nobody said insurance wasnt going to be an issue just mot ,anyone with half a brain knows insurance will be more difficult ,but its all doable it just costs alot more money and finding the right one ,plenty of highly modded cars on road and fully legal.

8 minutes ago, Mickvrs220 said:

plenty of highly modded cars on road and fully legal.

If you say so..... I will wait until I see the Insurance companies reaction after a claim goes in.
However, there are a lot of changes coming down the line for MoT's

Edited 31 May, 20251 yr by chills

5 minutes ago, chills said:

If you say so..... I will wait until I see the Insurance companies reaction after a claim goes in.
However, there are a lot of changes coming down the line for MoT's

Well enlighten us .what are these changes that are coming .

13 minutes ago, Mickvrs220 said:

Well enlighten us .what are these changes that are coming .

I only had a view of some of the electronics and software stuff, not the mechanical. The last ones I saw being discussed is that an MoT will look at and check the version numbers of software/firmware installed. These would have to be up to a certain level to pass the MoT (obviously dependent on version of car) Also checking cars had had all the (firmware/software) recalls sorted. Now this will screw any 3rd party software an owner had added. IT will also cause a problem for people modifying cars and swapping parts from other vehicles. I stopped paying attention in 2023 so I am not sure where it has got to. This is usually working a decade ahead of the law(s) as the automotive world has to design in these things and deploy them. Also, this would as discussed need a big change at MoT Stations.

The methods of doing it all were still being thrashed out when I came off the group doing it.

We seem to be heading to Authorized Service centres and the lost of small garages and the smaller MoT stations. Apparently it is "progress" despite having been involved in automotive Sw and electronics (trying to make it safer) the Money and companies have different objectives.

Maybe its with the advent of electric vehicles ,those sort of changes would kill off most of the small places ,but gov says alot and does little usually, they have been talking for years at possible having mots every 2 years but not heard much about it for a while .

7 minutes ago, Mickvrs220 said:

Maybe its with the advent of electric vehicles ,those sort of changes would kill off most of the small places ,but gov says alot and does little usually, they have been talking for years at possible having mots every 2 years but not heard much about it for a while .

Agreed the for the EV's this will be a certainty. However, we were discussing it for ICE. So it will be adopted for EV's and then the new Hydrogen vehicles (this is where the ongoing R&D is) Depending on how long this takes to come in, it remains to be seen if it is applied retrospectively to older ICE. It will probably not be cost-effective for a dwindling market of a multitude of very different systems that may or may not be workable for this.

The thing is we talk about it for 5 or so years whilst the car companies and Tier 1's look at the feasibility. Then 5 years to design it in, so you are looking like a decade minimum. Once the automotive companies have a solution, then the government does the law (as written for them by the industry and the Civil Service) and it comes in, usually with a couple of years public warning.

BTW last time I asked, fully autonomous cars on UK roads were still a few decades off, but that was from the Head of Functional Safety from a well known UK/EU brand in a 1 to 1 chat over coffee. Marketing and corporate may say otherwise...

BTW, I know about automotive software, firmware and electronics. I know F all about mechanics and changing a wheel or fitting petrol is my limit :-)

Edited 31 May, 20251 yr by chills

TW I know about automotive software, firmware and electronics. I know F all about mechanics and changing a wheel or fitting petrol is my limit :-)

Its funny you say that because the fellow that does my mot knows all about mechanics and f all about electronic software issues .

8 hours ago, Mickvrs220 said:

Its funny you say that because the fellow that does my mot knows all about mechanics and f all about electronic software issues .

That is what will change.

Interesting when they come to check your Karoq (or any other Skoda model) and question why you have VW and Audi parts fitted 🤣

On 27/05/2025 at 18:46, Vak said:

My 2021 SEl 1.5 manual I find noisy from road noise in the rear. I asked my insurers (AA) if I could have the boot soundproofed, and after waiting several days for an answer, thet finally said OK as this is not a modification. So, my local car radio company informed me that they could do it for about £400. I think it might be more. They use Do Do mat.

Apologies for a late reply, but you might want to consider a specialised car soundproofing company using specialised and well-tested materials:

Noisekillers Limited

Skoda Soundproofing Kits

By focusing on key areas of your vehicle, our Skoda Soundproofing Kits provide comprehensive noise reduction that results in a calm, quiet drive.

- either to do it yourself or for them (or their associated companies) to fit.

Note, though, the one review of the Karoq kit, which says there is already factory-fit soundproofing inside the rear wheel arches.