I’ve got a ‘23 Superb L&K 280 estate which we bought new and in general are very pleased with. The only let down (aside from the rear wiper being a pain to replace) is some of the interior materials aren’t really up to scratch. I guess you don’t buy a Skoda because you expect Audi levels of perceived quality, but stuff like flaking chrome effect trim after 18k miles isn’t really good enough. According to Skoda its wear and tear, but I don’t buy that - parts should be good for more than 18 months and 20k miles before they start to delaminate.

The performance, space and equipment does kind of make up for some naff materials, so, first world problems really. Anyone else have similar experience with flaky interior trim?

Edited 12 September, 202512 Sep by Tibbadog

Do you have a ring on your left hand by any chance?

2 minutes ago, chrisgreen said:

Do you have a ring on your left hand by any chance?

Nope. It’s the bottom of the steering wheel and doesn’t really get any ‘traffic’ as it were. Just seems to have flaked off without much interference.

25 minutes ago, Tibbadog said:

Nope. It’s the bottom of the steering wheel and doesn’t really get any ‘traffic’ as it were. Just seems to have flaked off without much interference.

Interesting, your pic looks a lot like the damage often seen on areas like the DSG stick that is usually caused by people's rings hitting the trim as they shift. If your hands are not bejeweled, then this really is a case of substandard materials. That said, I've done 15.5K in mine in two years, wheel and DSG shifter plastic chrome still unblemished. No rings or bracelets, just an Apple Watch that doesn't interfere.

Must be unlucky mines nearly 10 years old and touch wood no flaking yet !

Mine is just like new, 72 plate but over 100k miles so plenty of cleaning in that area with a microfibre cloth as it does seem to pick up dust and I like it looking nice and clean. I can't see how Skoda can call it wear and tear as it's not really an area that gets wear and tear.

Perhaps you've just been unlucky and the plastic chrome on that particular batch didn't take well to the base surface underneath.

Edited 12 September, 202512 Sep by cnc

38 minutes ago, Nick_H said:

Must be unlucky mines nearly 10 years old and touch wood no flaking yet !

Mine too. 10 next March and zero issues like the OP’s.. and yep I have a wedding ring. However, the steering wheel is already shiny after 55k, which I think isn’t great and unfortunately, there’s no way to return it to a decent matt finish.

3 hours ago, Nick_H said:

Must be unlucky mines nearly 10 years old and touch wood no flaking yet !

+1

8 plus yrs with mine - no flaking or peeling anywhere.

Still in mint condition.

Mine is also well so far, on its 5yr and 55k km, but the OP is correct you can "sense" a certain lack of robustness in some materials.

Is not just a "Skoda vs. Audi" thing, if you have the opporunity like I had to compare carefully the interiors of a 1991 W126 S-klasse with those of a 2021 W223 S-klasse, after the initial "wow" effect because of the cacophony of technological features it emerges the same impression of flimsiness and plasticky feeling that makes you say "this will not last 30 years of use and abuse".

Sign of the times, we have to go along with it as well.

I've had indiect experience with the dreadful "chrome peeling" on mates Superb 2, Octavia 3, etc.

11 hours ago, numskull said:

However, the steering wheel is already shiny after 55k, which I think isn’t great and unfortunately, there’s no way to return it to a decent matt finish.

Don't despair!

Provided that the leather is still in place, this means no visible "cracks" on it, or patched areas where it is gone, it is possible to coat it with specific paints for leather.

I have done this multiple times on mine and customer's vehicles, and with good quality products you can recuperate the "new look" appearance, paints are available in both matt and shiny finish depending on the car spec.

It requires professional application, with proper paint gun, hardener, etc.

I use the services of a "leather clinic" that specializes only in this. Also seats and door panels can be brought back to new, much better solution especially when you want to preserve the original materials and patterns of the trim, not always available to people that make upholstery, and it will thus look "remade" ....

Provided you take good care of it*, the results are years of operation no problem. I started dealing with these like 15yr ago and I am yet to see a bad result.

You guys in UK got a tremendous tradition of restoration and bespoke works, I am sure there must be someone there that can do the job. To make life easier, I usually take out the wheel or seats/panels and take them to thw workshop, they always appreciate it so I get discounts and somewhat "prefential treatment" .... 😁

* keep it clean, but don't use the wet wipes you use for the hands!

if you have sweaty hands (I do) consider mittens or keep a towel/rag handy and wipe them often;

take jewellery out if you can. when I am doing "dirty work" i often remove watch and ring, and now most of the times I am without them (less things to worry about)

use a leather cleaner/conditioner at least yearly if you use the car little, or 6 months if you daily

have the same towel/rag to put on the wheel when you leave it parked in the sun

Simple steps that take no effort and prolong life of your equipment, always a saving at the end of the day 🙂

Sorry for the long post

On 12/09/2025 at 18:37, chrisgreen said:

your pic looks a lot like the damage often seen on areas like the DSG stick

I thought that was what it was .... the DSG knob.

I didn't look at the pedals ....

but to me, the pedals look weirdly offset in the pic to be fair, but I think it is because it is such a close up and that the steering wheel isn't straight ...

Edited 15 September, 202515 Sep by Tilt