Any one having problems over tow bar fitment delays - hardware arrived at VAG specialist but he's had problems getting the module and wiring - now 10 weeks since placing order?

Have read on other pages (Karoq) of problems getting the coding as well. If car is advertised as having 'tow bar prep' why such difficulty?

Hi Timnus. I have a 2024 2.0 TDI superb estate, with towbar prep, (purchased July 2024) and wanted a swivel towbar fitted by dealer which was going to be pricey, around £1500. Dealer told me the actual part would not be available until October, then November, then January. I ended up having a detachable aftermarket towbar fitted by a reputable local towbar specialist. I would have done it myself but the coding issue was worrying me. Anyway, towbar fitted but no coding available for my guy to programme in. All the electrics work well but when I have a trailer hooked up, I need to go into the menu and disable the automatic rear braking function as when I'm reversing, the car thinks I'm going to hit something and slams the brakes on. Additionally and also a coding issue I suspect, whenever I am driving (forward) with a trailer on, the car will randomly go into crash protection mode and tension the seatbelts which can be quite alarming. My towbar guy says that this is due to the unavailability of the correct coding, which my local skoda dealer advise is still not available.

Perhaps this is heading towards a class action v Skoda

Ha ha. Perhaps. To be honest they new a software upgrade was required for the overall vehicle systems to sort out little glitches. I had mine done in April 2025 and every now and again the system throws a little wobbler which is usually sorted by the time honoured, switch it off and switch it on again. Overall I'm quite pleased with the car and the removable quality towbar I had fitted was £724, as opposed to in excess of £1500 for a dealer version. Might be worth considering.

Thanks! It's a detachable towbar that's waiting at the fitters. Apparently wiring possibly available in 10-15 days...but that's been the story before.

I can see more problems to come... My dealer's workshop is discussing with Skoda techies a possible communication module failure affecting driver seat functions and 12v battery - goodness knows what will happen when tow bar is wired in. Your experience doesn't sound great.

Cars have become too complicated.

I picked up my new Superb SEL last October. I had specced a factory fit retractable tow bar, which cost me £1105 in total.

I always smile when I read of all the problems people have when they decide against the factory option and go their own way.

They ultimately seem to end up paying more for a load of hassle and/or an inferior product?

Mine is just brilliant. It works flawlessly with a Thule 2x e-bike carrier. The hardest part I find is connecting/disconnecting

the cable.

I am always amazed at how easy it all is although as an ex-engineer I still think of all the loads it takes with the carrier and

2 e-bikes over our pot-hole eneven road surfaces!

I hope everyone does get sorted out but my advise through experience is to take the factory fit option.

There weren't any problems in the past with VAG cars when fitting aftermarket tow bar when the car was tow ready. And it should still apply for S4.

Seems the service back end and car problems with S4 will be going for some time being this is new model. Especially for S4 manufactured in 2024.

58 minutes ago, JackP said:

There weren't any problems in the past with VAG cars when fitting aftermarket tow bar when the car was tow ready. And it should still apply for S4.

Seems the service back end and car problems with S4 will be going for some time being this is new model. Especially for S4 manufactured in 2024.

The problem for MY24 was a change in EU legislation for data protection which meant all VAG cars had OBD access to coding restricted. Not even the dealers can get in.

On 02/07/2025 at 08:56, handyandy said:

I picked up my new Superb SEL last October. I had specced a factory fit retractable tow bar, which cost me £1105 in total.

I always smile when I read of all the problems people have when they decide against the factory option and go their own way.

They ultimately seem to end up paying more for a load of hassle and/or an inferior product?

Mine is just brilliant. It works flawlessly with a Thule 2x e-bike carrier. The hardest part I find is connecting/disconnecting

the cable.

I am always amazed at how easy it all is although as an ex-engineer I still think of all the loads it takes with the carrier and

2 e-bikes over our pot-hole eneven road surfaces!

I hope everyone does get sorted out but my advise through experience is to take the factory fit option.

It’s often not through choice Andy, circumstances change and folk get a requirement to tow after they’ve bought the vehicle, none of us are clairvoyant 😊 … That’s why there’s an aftermarket option with factory fitted wiring prep.

Skoda simply need to get their act together and make it all work like it’s supposed to.

Aftermarket Towbar - August 2025

In case this info helps anyone else, Škoda UK have confirmed that it is not currently possible to fit an aftermarket towbar to the Superb Mark 4: "...a software update is required to enable the correct fitting and programming of a tow bar...". This includes cars that are "...fitted with tow bar preparation at Factory..." There is no guide as to when (or if) this software will be released.

Miss-selling. Wasted money on a 9 month old Superb Se L. Sold back to dealer under Consumer Rights 3 months after purchase as it had another fault that put it in workshop for 7 weeks.

Has anyone had an after market towbar fitted?

Was it usable?

Not sure that Skoda is the way to go anymore

Thanks for that Aardvark. I recall skoda directing me to a local aftermarket fitter to fit a towbar at the time I purchased the car. Anyway its done now. I will just have to put up with the inconvenience of switching off the automated rear braking system, when I have a trailer on.

As timnus said, mabye years from now we will get to claim against the manufacturer for mis information.

Pity. The car I'd fantastic otherwise. Thanks all.

From what I can gater it's a specific run of MY24 VIN numbers that are affected.

Im new to skoda ownership and this forum but took delivery of a 24 plate estate last week , the spec said towbar prep so put it into an after market fitter yesterday, recommended by the dealer, today was test day.

I sat my new trailer board in the boot while fitting the detachable towbar. Heard beeping and the tail gate was closing. Managed to stop it before it hit trailer board. After this happened a few times I remembered the virtual pedal thing. Ill need to deactivate that.

Took the boat a short journey but it felt very bouncy. Are spring assister still a thing? Had them on an old pug405 and it made a world of difference.

Then reversing into my drive,bang ,brakes slam on. Another system I'll need to deactivate.

Welcome.

Spring Assistors are still a thing.

But was it 'Bouncy' unloaded and driving solo, not towing?

Did you reset the tyre pressures?

What are you going to be towing, and what engine / gearbox has your Estate?

Hi there biggraeme and congrats on your new car. Re the virtual boot pedal thing. I ended up deactivating that cos I have dogs and when messing about at the rear of the car with them, the boot kept closing. Likewise when messing about fitting My detachable towbar the same thing was happening. So off it goes.

When pulling a trailer, you as you rightly said you need to go into the menu and deactivate the rear manoeuvre braking to avoid that alarming "slamming of the brakes on" when reversing. Just remember though you have to re do this every time you switch the engine off. Happy (and safe) towing. 🙂

2 hours ago, Evolution13 said:

Welcome.

Spring Assistors are still a thing.

But was it 'Bouncy' unloaded and driving solo, not towing?

Did you reset the tyre pressures?

What are you going to be towing, and what engine / gearbox has your Estate?

Its the 2litre diesel dsg. It wasn't bouncy before. I haven't touched the tyre pressure. Its a dive rhib on an unbraked trailer. I've been told its 750kg . Only bought it a couple of weeks ago and a friend towed it home. This was my first time towing this boat with this car. Previously it was a defender 110 with a big boat and was totally different as you'd expect.

3 hours ago, Biggraeme said:

Took the boat a short journey but it felt very bouncy

Isn't the bounce governed by the tongue weight of the trailer, does the boat have outboard motor/s on the back?

Yes there's a large 100 outboard. I can't remove the engine or boat position. Ill just have to suck it and see.

How much weight do you have at the tow hitch?

Do you use a hitch stabiliser?

No stabiliser ,no idea about tongue weight. Got the boat and trailer for amazing price and then had to change car to tow it. Lol. All been very last minute. Tow bar was only fitted yesterday.

Hi biggraeme. The downward force that your trailer exerts down on the vehicle towbar is very important for safe and vehicle stability when driving. If it not enough, your trailer willnoscillate at speed and you will lose it. Too much will also cause you issues. My advice is to Look up you tube if you are not sure and they will explain it in detail, but all that wight on the rear of your trailer sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. 😬

If never towed before this is useful.

👍nice one.

Another thought - if that RIB has a 100 HP outboard hanging on the stern, the rig could possibly be more than 750kg - what length is it - more than 6 metres?