My wipers packed up miles from home on the night of the snowstorm in December 2025. After 3 hours, the Green Flag dude arrived and got them working in about ten seconds. The rest of the motorway journey is worthy of a movie, but not right now.

Few days later, after some useful info from this forum, I accessed the mechanism, cleaned and greased the parts, then all good for two weeks. Then they stuck again, which a sharp tap with a hammer sorted out. However, I don't need this happening to me again, not at 80 on the motorway.

So I've been looking on ebay, etc, and boy, it's highly confusing. For a start, should I risk a used motor and linkage, which is probably about the same age as my existing one? Or go for a new motor and linkage, and then have a mare trying to calibrate the motor to the linkage positioning?

At this point I'm trying to find the correct parts- my VIN suggests it's a 1U, so am I right in thinking the 1Z motor/linkage won't fit? Cos they're a lot more commonly available. Another forum member said the VRS Octavia (which mine is) has different size arm shafts- anyone know if this is correct? I find it unlikely but what do I know!

So it's a minefield. New motors on eBay are listed with compatible OEM codes, and it appears the numbers are the same, whether a Mk1 or Mk2 Octavia.

If anyone has a Mk1 VRS and done this repair, I'd be grateful for any info regarding the motor and linkages you used for the job...thanks

Take a look at the parts catalogue entry for a 2006 1U Octavia wiper assembly HERE. It only lists one part, offering no differs for VRS but there are two variants listed for the "base", 1U2955603 and 1U2955603C. The letter suffix usually indicated a revised version.

The fitment guide on THIS page says the same part fits Octavia, Audi A3, SEAT Leon and SEAT Toledo.

Which part do you feel needs fettling?

Edited 8 February8 Feb by MikeTheThinker
updated

Yes I saw that catalog, with the exploded diagram of the linkage, with the main crossmember(?) refered to as the 'base'.

I have no idea whether the motor is old and tired, or the linkage has something restricting movement. I want to buy a complete assembly really, cos someone here said setting up a new motor to a linkage is a pain in the ass. When I had a go at servicing it, I didn't get the whole thing out; I just used a wire brush, isopropyl then silicon grease. And checked the connector. Could be more grit/obstruction round the back which you can't really get to without removal.

I think it's the linkage; if I push the wiper arm, it gets it moving.

Don't point me in the direction of the relay! That's another can of worms

I don't know this for certain but when I searching for a new 'base' I could only find the lhd option; searching for the rhd version (1u2 instead of 1u1) I drew a blank. If that's a correct understanding you won't find a new one (unless you're lucky and find an NOS one) so you'll have to check on breakers for a used one. @Dean is a good source of mk1 info; hopefully he'll step in.

If you look for '443122235017' as it's a universal number it seems.

The official part number used in the Octavia vRS - 1J2955113C
This also matches - the MK4 GOLF. Part no. 1J1955113B. Plus the Leon, and Audi TT AUQ.

Linkage ONLY Part No. 1J0955325A - Should you wish to renew it.

I wouldn't worry about second hand. For the sake of £25, it's worth a punt.

MK2 1ZU will not fit.

When stripping, did you remove the spindles and clean them up? As you will find 3 washers, 2 orings and 1 circlip. It's worth doing that. If my memory is correct. I'm sure you can open up the motor and clean it out and regrease. Those arms, make sure they are straight and the rubber parts all greased too. If you followed a guide, I'm sure you would've done this.

I would probably get another set and just swap over the motor and keep the original linkage.

Some on ebay for sale:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/406534243168

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286879711130

There are loads of people who strip these on the FB group, so you can always get one.

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2 hours ago, ogpuprison said:

I think it's the linkage; if I push the wiper arm, it gets it moving.

I just noticed this. Take out the WHOLE unit, and strip it down on a bench and regrease.

Edited 8 February8 Feb by Dean

Awesome info Dean/ Mike! Taking out the whole assembly sounds a ballache but I've done worse (oil sump removal, door window motors, alternator and mountings). If we ever get some dry weather, I'll go for it.

One last thing- if the wipers are at rest when you remove everything, is there any 'lining up' of the motor into the assembly that I need to be aware of? Cos I don't really want to do all this, put it back into the car, then have to take it out again cos the wipers are doing crazy unsynchronised patterns! (hope this makes sense, it's hard to put into words)

thanks again

1 hour ago, ogpuprison said:

Awesome info Dean/ Mike! Taking out the whole assembly sounds a ballache but I've done worse (oil sump removal, door window motors, alternator and mountings). If we ever get some dry weather, I'll go for it.

One last thing- if the wipers are at rest when you remove everything, is there any 'lining up' of the motor into the assembly that I need to be aware of? Cos I don't really want to do all this, put it back into the car, then have to take it out again cos the wipers are doing crazy unsynchronised patterns! (hope this makes sense, it's hard to put into words)

thanks again

No, as the motor always returns to its position. And to be fair, once the scuttle panel is off, its 3 bolts I think to take it out, and the clip on the plug. Not hard at all.

Use a flat head screwdriver or something similar to pop the linkage off each other, and take a photo too.