I know people are probably getting bored of this topic, but Skoda's are new to me, I certainly didn't expect VW group of all manufacturers to have this sort of problem. Especially with an engineering defect like this.

Anyway,

I bought my 2016 Octavia VRS a couple of weeks ago, I saw it on the forecourt and immediately knew that I wanted it.
Usually, I research common faults before buying cars, but thinking Skoda was a reliable manufacturer, I took the plunge.

It was only after I bought the car I found out about the dreaded CUPA/CUNA oil consumption issue.
And, I am in fact using more oil than id like. Around 1/4 of the dipstick gauge in 100 miles, so probably 1 litre of oil per 500 miles?

I did come across a thread on here, which said that they used Liqui Moly engine flush, then filled with Ravenol SVMP 5w30 oil, with a Liqui Moly Cera-tec additive.
As well as, just using a different oil, Liqui Moly 4200 5w30 oil.

Can anyone confirm this actually works, from personal experience?
Is it as simple as using a better quality oil, (or at least better option of oil for this particular engine), especially at the milage these cars are at now?
Assuming all other components are in serviceable condition, DPF not blocked, EGR not clogged, turbo seals not blown etc.

I have contacted the garage I bought the car from, but id like to know for future servicing reference, that is if I keep the car.

Thanks all.

I can't comment as I don't know enough about the TDI engines, but I will say that VAG oil/coolant consumption figures tend to be a bit of a joke. IIRC VW say that it is normal to burn up to a litre of oil for every 1,000 miles or so - if your car is anywhere near this, you have something wrong.

No they say for any engine for 2 decades now that they May use as much as 0.5 litres in 1,000 km. (621 miles) So 1 liter in 1,242 miles. High Summer over mountain passes towing Hannibal's Elephants. Well in some conditions. Every engine, 44 kW up, 3,4,5,6,8,10,12 Cylinder Petrol or Diesel. Actually they know after the first 5,000 km where they say oil use might be higher, they know that within Manufacturers Warranty 0.3 liters per 1,000 km is too high.

On 08/04/2026 at 10:31, JMSkoda94 said:

I know people are probably getting bored of this topic, but Skoda's are new to me, I certainly didn't expect VW group of all manufacturers to have this sort of problem. Especially with an engineering defect like this.

Anyway,

I bought my 2016 Octavia VRS a couple of weeks ago, I saw it on the forecourt and immediately knew that I wanted it.
Usually, I research common faults before buying cars, but thinking Skoda was a reliable manufacturer, I took the plunge.

It was only after I bought the car I found out about the dreaded CUPA/CUNA oil consumption issue.
And, I am in fact using more oil than id like. Around 1/4 of the dipstick gauge in 100 miles, so probably 1 litre of oil per 500 miles?

I did come across a thread on here, which said that they used Liqui Moly engine flush, then filled with Ravenol SVMP 5w30 oil, with a Liqui Moly Cera-tec additive.
As well as, just using a different oil, Liqui Moly 4200 5w30 oil.

Can anyone confirm this actually works, from personal experience?
Is it as simple as using a better quality oil, (or at least better option of oil for this particular engine), especially at the milage these cars are at now?
Assuming all other components are in serviceable condition, DPF not blocked, EGR not clogged, turbo seals not blown etc.

I have contacted the garage I bought the car from, but id like to know for future servicing reference, that is if I keep the car.

Thanks all.

I have just rejected a TDI vRS because it's consuming oil (and coolant). As much as 500ml of oil per 150 miles! I'd honestly say to just reject the car and run a mile.

Mine turned out to have had the EGR removed (and the DPF likely gutted), with both the EGR and DPF coded out. This alone is enough for me (I don't want MOT hassles) but on top of the oil consumption and a host of other issues, I just want nothing to do with it.

Goes without saying, these engines are finicky, to say the least.

500ml over 150 miles is alot, but to be honest 1 litre over 1200 miles is also a lot! If you're having to put 10 litres of oil in to your engine per year, based on average mileage in the UK, that is simply bad engineering.

Ive given my car back to the garage to get the problems sorted, seeing as it is under warranty. Although, if they manage fix it to VW's 1 litre per 1200 mile target, then I will test the theory in my original post.

The target is not 1 liter in 1,200 miles though. As it is with Skoda and the official Oil Consumption tests and new oil and filter and oil dropped and weighed, there were muppet techs that thought 1 liter of oil weighed 1,000 grams, not the 856 grams at 15*oC if they had checked just 1 liter. In an unopened 1 litre bottle that is not 1,000 grams.

.

Target was probably the wrong word.

What i meant was that when and if I get it back, and it falls into where VW themselves say is acceptable.

I’ve done 4,217 miles in my 75 plate 2.0tdi 150 Superb SE L from new.

I changed oil and filter at 1,213 miles - no oil consumption visible on the dipstick. Today at 4,268 miles

Of 50% A roads and motorway, the rest B roads and small country roads no sign of oil consumption on the dipstick.

I can only think that those with noticeable oil consumption drive at higher revs at low oil temps than they need to……….. Or, I’m very lucky with over 30 years of VAG oil burners from the first diesel Vento to this Superb. I have never had significant oil consumption in any of the 7 cars in that time.

VW, Audi or Skoda 🤷‍♂️

What do you think?……

2 hours ago, JMSkoda94 said:

Goes without saying, these engines are finicky, to say the least.

500ml over 150 miles is alot, but to be honest 1 litre over 1200 miles is also a lot! If you're having to put 10 litres of oil in to your engine per year, based on average mileage in the UK, that is simply bad engineering.

Ive given my car back to the garage to get the problems sorted, seeing as it is under warranty. Although, if they manage fix it to VW's 1 litre per 1200 mile target, then I will test the theory in my original post.

Mine also went back to the garage under warranty. Came back and it’s no better.

Good riddance.

@JMSkoda94 What VW Group say in the Owners Manual is not 'What is acceptable'. & Not wothin Tollerances. During the Manufacturers more than 0.3 Liters in 1,000 km is bad enough to get a Replacement Engine for those that can push the matter, in the UK where there are not extreme temperatures and NSL,s that are meaning that the engines are not likely to be stressed. They happened to manufacture some lemons. But as far as a 10 year old engine, what Tollerances were is neither here nor there. You appear to have been sold a pup.

I've owned many cars in the past that have used noticeable oil between changes.

This is my third mk3 Octavia 1.5tsi, none of which up to now have used any noticeable oil between changes, I always change my oil yearly, under 10k, too. The highest mileage one I've owned had 75k on the clock when I part exchanged it for my current 20 plate 1.5tsi sel dsg, which now has 47k on the clock.

32 minutes ago, Phoenixboy said:

I've owned many cars in the past that have used noticeable oil between changes.

This is my third mk3 Octavia 1.5tsi, none of which up to now have used any noticeable oil between changes, I always change my oil yearly, under 10k, too. The highest mileage one I've owned had 75k on the clock when I part exchanged it for my current 20 plate 1.5tsi sel dsg, which now has 47k on the clock.

I think oil consumption is mainly a tdi problem.

5 hours ago, davegr said:

I think oil consumption is mainly a tdi problem.

From what I’ve seen, the TDI’s drink oil and the TSI’s drink coolant!

I’ve had absolutely no issues with mine regarding the oil levels, but I’ve yet to speak to someone with a TSI (EA888.3 or Evo) that hasn’t had to fill it up at least once a year.

That being said, consumption is relative - when I checked things a few months ago, I had gone from the max fill line to the min fill line in around 2,500 miles. I don’t think that’s too bad considering the way the car is driven.

It is good to change the oil more regularly than 10k (my recent change has been after about 4k), but if the car is burning oil it won’t solve anything.

Some cars just use more than others. As long as the consumption is within reasonable amounts, it’s just one of those things. VAG diesels are known for it, but to be fair - take a look at the rate some BMWs drink oil. Those PCVs are a nightmare.

On 10/04/2026 at 20:44, Trickiejohn said:

What do you think?……

I think it's because you look after them by changing the oil frequently 👍

7 hours ago, OccyVRS said:

From what I’ve seen, the TDI’s drink oil and the TSI’s drink coolant!

I’ve had absolutely no issues with mine regarding the oil levels, but I’ve yet to speak to someone with a TSI (EA888.3 or Evo) that hasn’t had to fill it up at least once a year.

That being said, consumption is relative - when I checked things a few months ago, I had gone from the max fill line to the min fill line in around 2,500 miles. I don’t think that’s too bad considering the way the car is driven.

It is good to change the oil more regularly than 10k (my recent change has been after about 4k), but if the car is burning oil it won’t solve anything.

Some cars just use more than others. As long as the consumption is within reasonable amounts, it’s just one of those things. VAG diesels are known for it, but to be fair - take a look at the rate some BMWs drink oil. Those PCVs are a nightmare.

My TDI drank both in quite a ridiculous amount.

It’s very strange that owners experiences can be so far apart.

I’d have expected them to be quite similar. My used car experience has mirrored the new car experience in my vehicle use.

In my younger years, the cars were driven harder faster for longer, carried more weight (3 kids/holidays in Europe and trips to from Germany/UK).

Nowadays I drive a bit slower, do less miles about 10/11k per year, carry less weight in the car.

What does remain the same is the regular oil changes at least 1 per year, more if it’s heavy mileage 16K plus. Any and all work is done as soon as it’s noticed, some by me, other work I pay a (normally) local VAG specialist. I find quality and honesty to be much improved over the average dealership.

I’d find it hard to believe that anyone who goes to the effort of signing up to a forum dedicated to their car, would willingly not look after their car.

I must have been very lucky up to now with the cars I’ve bought 🤞

My previous Octavia 2.0 TDi (BKD engine) did not use any oil between annual services or 10,000 miles whichever came sooner. It was my company car from new in 2008 and I took it over on retirement. Total mileage when I traded it in last year was around 185,000 and it never missed a beat.

My current 2016 vRS TDi (CUNA engine) seems to use around 0.5 litre oil in 500 miles. Mileage on car is 146,000, bought it last year and I am (I think) the 4th owner. That level of oil consumption is what I would classify as a "total loss" system and had I realised that, I would not have bought it. It regularly throws an exhaust heat sensor fault code which I am told by my trusted VW specialist workshop is nothing to worry about, so I cancel it using a cheap code reader from Amazon. I am now making the best of a bad job. I do like the car, it's comfortable, goes and stops quite well with EBC pads, handles nicely but I am constantly worrying about when it next throws a code and needs attention. Taking it to France next month and I do have Continental recovery.....

They are not for town / city short cold start trips really. But then there are plenty Delivery Vehicles around that do just that. Or Taxis that simply keep the TDI ticking over while 'waiting' on a fare.

hi all,

facing same issues with my 2018 octavia vrs , planning to change piston rings and rebuild engine but reading those posts im wondering if it actual helps and if helps for how long..

anyone rebuilded engine and could share experience here?

Got my VRS back after using around 200ml in 100 miles.

Gave the garage the benefit of the doubt, and they replaced the whole cam cover, which has the PCV valve integrated.

I did do another 100 miles before checking the oil again, and even though it did go down a little, no where near as much as when I first bought the car.

Linso, after doing my own research on these engines, there are a few things to check before opting straight for the engine change.

Have you had any parts changed to rectify the issue? PCV valve, turbo (seals) etc?

Ill be checking my oil periodically until my next service, then I will be changing oil to LiquiMoly 4200, and then checking again periodically, see if it has made any difference.

yes i changed pcv valve , checked turbo and pressure, all looks totally fine

there is no smoke or something that could say my car burning oil that much...

i believe i have no other choices, need to rebuild engine

but if i will rebuild engine and still need to add oil lets say after 5k km its totally nonsense to do it all..

honestly guys im lost here , i cant find any post in briskoda forums that someone changed piston rings and driving without any issues

When mine was using as much as it was, there was no indication from the exhaust that it was burning oil, I couldn't see any blue smoke etc.

How much oil is the car using?

As above VW tend to say 1 litre in 1200 miles is "normal". However, in my personal opinion and experience in working in maintenance engineering for 15 years, its far from normal. Service covers, and bonnets should only be opened when there is a breakdown or service required, having to open the bonnet once a month to top off oil is far from ideal. Especially with the technology and tolerances we work to in this day and age.

Might be worth putting some engine flush through, letting it circulate, then change oil and filter with the LiquiMoly 4200 and using the ceratec.

If youre planning on a strip down and machine anyway, then theres no harm in spending 80 quid just see what happens.

Edited 21 April21 Apr by JMSkoda94

Totally agreed with you !

yes i did all those procedures already , twice i had engine flush , changed several brands of oil including Liqui...

Before engine flush - 1000 km i had to add 1 liter oil

after engine flush - 1000 km about 750-800g oil

that worked little bit so this is my main concern that piston ring change would fix this situation, am i right?

VW Group do not say 1 Litre in 1,200 miles is normal. It is 'may use as much as' That is depending on Conditions. & for every engine from 44kw up petrol or diesel 3,4,5,6,8,10 or 12 cylinders and they have put that for decade,s. It is not actually 'Within tolerances', some oil use here is more than a 2 stroke might use. Lemon of an engine.