2022 SKODA OCTAVIA EST 1.0TSI E-TEC SE 5DR DSG

Vehicle broke down whilst driving, complete loss of drive, with 12V, 48V, driveshaft and assorted assistance system errors.

AA diagnosed issues with the charging of 12V battery/alternator charging system.

12/48V errors have come and gone a few times (intermittent errors) but the driveshaft/loss of power is the next stage it seems when 12V falls too low.

Now with Skoda for diagnostic and repair.

If you have experienced similar, let me know the resolution. Cheers.

Skoda want to replace the 48V battery at £1676.04

"No power: done gff and followed test plan found 48 volt battery defective and needs to be replaced as first point of repair."

Anyone any advice on this? I would expect a battery specialist to test and replace a faulty lithium module for example. Not sure why Skoda can't do that.

If anyone has been through similar do let me know. Cheers

Isn't 48V battery too small to have separate modules at all?
Frankly, I don't know anything about these mild hybrids, but following logic of various failures on PHEVs I would start with proper diagnostic and possibly replacement of 12V battery first. All these 2020-2024 cars are known for 12V issues and a bunch of faulty 12V batteries.

Edited 27 November, 202527 Nov by Edela

Skoda say it's the 48v faulty. The 12v is fine so they say.

No a 48v lithium battery is not too small for modules. Even your smartphone battery has modules.

16 minutes ago, pullover said:

No a 48v lithium battery is not too small for modules. Even your smartphone battery has modules.

I guess it depends on the construction of the 48V battery, if it's a sealed assembly (most likely) then it has to be replaced as a whole.

Way back in 1988 the phone batteries I was designing in had modules, but they were not individually replaceable and AFAIK that's still true for a 2025 iPhone?

The phone battery has modules which are not replaceable. Off topic this. I will liaise with mild hybrid specialist in first instance.

Just wondered if other has similar experience, but perhaps not.

17 hours ago, pullover said:

I would expect a battery specialist to test and replace a faulty lithium module for example. Not sure why Skoda can't do that.

10 minutes ago, pullover said:

Off topic this.

You raised the question of battery modules in your opening post - so you have to expect some discussion on the subject?

Yes I meant smartphone battery is a bit off topic 😊

1 hour ago, pullover said:

Skoda say it's the 48v faulty. The 12v is fine so they say.

If they properly diagnosed 48V battery then no further questions. If they just quickly checked logs and seen 48V errors, but did not investigate properly what triggered them, then idk. Knowing Skoda techs nowadays I would not trust they dived deep, unless perhaps they could present printout of 48V battery test to support their claim?
Like in my case I had gearbox failure and electric drive failure, and that was what was left in errors logs. But the cause was unstable voltage in 12V system.

Incase useful for others, this issue was solved by Skoda with 48V battery replacement. Some goodwill if just out of warranty (from Skoda UK, not the dealership).

Only a 3 years manufacturers warranty on a MHEV is ridiculous. Anyone getting one to keep best be sure to have an Extended Warranty covering the battery.

Yes ironically this was a lease vehicle and was due to have been returned when the fault occurred. It was on an informal PCH extension as going back ~Feb 2026 now since it was a good deal.

And for us there ends the letter to the Petrol engine after 3 Octavias as we move into EVs now. Been good cars apart from this hiccup which I'll put down to messing with a petrol engine rather than going full EV (wife's MG5 is so much nicer to drive even than a DSG and rock solid so far)

@pullover My 2021 MG5 EV Exclusive is really good, rock steady & comfortable on All-season tyres, well built and nice and simple controls. I do not miss it not being connected to an App & a Smart phone. Fantastic heating / ac & deicing / demisting.

Edited 30 December, 202530 Dec by Evolution13