Hi, I've recently sold my MK2 and bought a MK3. I'm having issues with the exhaust gas getting into the coolant. I need to find out what is causing this. Is it likely to be the EGR or something more serious like a blown head gasket or a crack in the block?

I've only had this car for 5 weeks so am looking to approach the dealer I bought it from. They only gave a 30 day warranty. They already had it in for a week and were supposed to repair this but they haven't done it.

If they've had it for a week with no successful repair AND the fault was reported to them before the 30 day warranty expired, get your money back. Local Authority Trading Standards office might be interested.......

Thank you @SwallownAmazon this is the push I needed.

I did report the faulty within the 30 day period.

There are a few other issues with this dealership. I was given a courtesy car when I left mine in for repair. I did a quick car check on the courtesy car when I got home to find it was untaxed with no MOT! I'd driven it 48 miles home. When I told them it was untaxed they said they had taxed it just before I drove it home. This was a blatant lie. It appears they did nothing to repair my car, in fact they had been using it. There was personal items left in it and the sunroof had been opened because the screen was still back. There was very little fuel left and it had done over 50 miles more than when I left it.

I should have known they were dodgy.

I contacted Citizens Advice and they've given me information on how to reject this car to get a full refund.

Again thank you for your advice. I needed that push.

Well, I'm now at the stage of final right to reject. They are collecting the Octavia on Sunday to do an assessment. I'll be back with the results. Wish me luck 🤞

On 01/07/2026 at 20:13, SwallownAmazon said:

If they've had it for a week with no successful repair AND the fault was reported to them before the 30 day warranty expired, get your money back. Local Authority Trading Standards office might be interested.......

Thanx

Consumer Rights said Trading standards have been informed by them. Although Ithe fault was reported within the 30-days it stops while they have the car, then continues when I have it back. The fault were only noticed as not repaired a few days after I picked it up. So the 30 days had passed. A final right to reject is my only option now. They are allowed to deduct an amount for 'use' only for mileage, between 20 & 45p per mile.

I have photos of the coolant expansion tank showing the low level and dirty coolant which has a black oily film on the surface. I have an independent report stating this and a block test proved exhaust fumes were getting into the coolant.

Sounds like head has gone or egr cooler/oil cooler. Definitly reject car ASAP. From what you have said re courtesy car an the fact that you think yours has been used I wouldn't be dealing with them at all. Years ago folks were given a courtesy car with no MOT and 4 bald tyres 2 down to canvas. I phoned garage and told them to recover courtesy car and get them another. They made up the usual apologetic excuses. Have never dealt with them again. It was also a main dealer!! which changed ownership fairly quickly afterwards.

Alasdair

@Alasdair1 that's awful. I remember those days myself.

They collected my car yesterday and it was quite fu

Oops pressed send in error.

It was quite amusing because a man came in a quite short truck. He couldn't get my car fully on the back. He got back in to try to move it forward and ended up ramming into the back of the trailer cab. I watched this from my window. He had to strap it tightly down as it was almost hanging off the back. He drove off very slowly.