I recently purchased a 2025 VRS Estate that I'mmore than happy with. But, having clearly stated I'd be using it to tow when buying it, and checked the plated weight was sufficient, I was surprised to find when i called the supplying dealer today that Skoda don't offer to retro fit the tow bar.

Therefore can anyone recommend a company they've used? I'm based in north Hampshire. And ideally one that doesn't impact the warranty (unless fitted wrong obviously!)

TIA

The problem is that if the documents do not specify a towing capacity, it cannot officially be retrofitted.

1 minute ago, Cairus said:

The problem is that if the documents do not specify a towing capacity, it cannot officially be retrofitted.

The car is plated and the weights are on the V5, but Skoda just don't fit towbars...... at least according to my dealer

Kieran at https://www.facebook.com/Eastyorkshireretrofits fits genuine towbars. Depending where you are might be worth having a chat with him.

Many years ago I had a towbar retro fitted by a dealer, but the work was done by a specialist fitter who only did one car a week. So try phoning around other dealers and you might find one who has a competent fitter to do the job.

Weird. They do here in NZ but it’s expensive. I’ve decided to just leave it as my last car had one and I used the tow bar about 3 times in 12 years

I had mine fitted by the dealer (in NZ), it was an Australian manufactured bar (via Skoda NZ, came with a Skoda bag for the removable tongue and a Skoda branded cap for when the tongue is removed) as the OE Skoda ones aren't approved here. They had to order the extra wiring from Skoda and do some coding to make everything work but it's all good.

Though as @whippersnapper said above, not cheap!

Edited 25 February25 Feb by CS363

I fitted a heavy duty Tow Trust towbar on my old MK2. Cheaper than some of the other makes but excellent quality and fairly easy to fit. They have a dealer locator so there may be a fitter near you. https://tow-trust.co.uk/find-a-dealer

Alasdair

Had the same issue for my 2023 VRS Hatch and spoke to Skoda dealer direct. They wanted nearly 2k...!

Someone else on here suggested this lot who are in Poole. They are doing it for less than half the price. Can't vouch for them as getting towbar fitted in March, but might be worth a shout.

Advanced In Car

Advanced In-Car Tech | Audi & Volkswagen Retrofit Special...

Advanced In-Car Technologies are the leading Retrofit Company In The UK. Specialising in Audi & Volkswagen Retrofits & Bespoke Aftermarket Electronics

Edited 26 February26 Feb by DaveSned

It was me that recommended them, they fitted a Westphalia, who are the OEM supplier to VW, detachable tow bar to my Golf Mk8 last Feb.

I was happy with their service, I wanted to use a VAG specialist who are familiar with the cars / coding, rather than a general tow bar company who are fitting to a different make of car every day.

I'm thinking about putting a towbar on my Octavia. Quote for a Westfalia detachable from the specialist in Shrewsbury I used on my last car - £615.

Quote my local Skoda dealer...

Removable - £1175

Electrical folding - £1500

🤣

Main dealers are such a rip off. Quoted nearly 2k then told me they couldn't do a cheaper one as couldn't get the parts due to Ukraine. Gob smacked up to the point I started laughing. Guess they just didn't really want the business😁😁

When I was looking for a tow bar I went to my local VAG specialist, who have a lot of ex main dealer staff.

They said that a main dealer will just get a tow bar specialist in and put a markup on his costs.

My local specialist weren't really interested either and they said that they would do the same, I ended up finding a VAG specialist near Poole

Edited 2 March2 Mar by clevoir25
spelling

My local skoda dealer used to use a local trailer/towbar company to fit their towbars. My folks saved a fair bit of money by bypassing the dealer and going direct to them

Alasdair

Well a bit of phoning around and another dealer does offer an approved towbar - full electric deployment but £1600 all in fitted; compared with c£800 for a removable one by a reputable specialist…

I reckon that for £1600 these days for an aproved full electric towbar isnt bad at all especially as its aproved one and fitted by a dealer.

I suppose it depends how often you would use it. If once in a while go detacheable .Mines are all fixed as I use them all the time.

Alasdair

I would have loved an full electric one but not at £1600, I paid around £800 for a detachable one.

Yes you have got to bend down to insert it / remove it, but it's £800 cheaper.

It's used for a bike rack, so I put in on in Spring and remove in Winter.