I decided to have my MY2019 Karoq 1.0 SE Tech DSG serviced and MOT'd at a local garage, who had impressed me last year when they did the MOT. Previously, servicing had always been by the Walthamstow Skoda Dealers, who to be fair had on the whole been pretty good, but my All-in-Ones, Warranties etc. finally expired last year.

My car has the non digital speedo & rev counter instruments, but the display in between - forget the name - is digital and seemingly has various setting options. The car came back from service with a different setting, now displaying a big friendly speedo character. I'd rather have what I had before (can't recall all the exact features) but I can't see in my handbook, how to choose the options. Can anyone help?

If I'd gone to the Skoda Dealers, they would have changed the brake fluid, as the car is 7 years old (44,000miles) and that's what the service schedule says, but my new garage tested the fluid and said it was fine and not needing topping up - so that saved some money. I noted last year that the Skoda Dealer was previously (2 years ago) suggesting that I'd soon need new brake pads (identified by their MOT place), but my new garage said the pads were fine and the car passed the MOT last year and this, no problem. The new garage said they'd look at the air filter too, even though not due for replacement and must have decided to change it. Car economy seemed to improve a little after the service, so not unhappy.

I found a 2nd good garage locally, who had replaced the shock absorbers with Konis - Special Active that I supplied them with, a few months ago. i thought the workmanship charge reasonable and they noted that the brake pads had plenty of wear left and were OK (that's why I trust them too), but did comment they rattle around a little in the calipers, which i notice only when the windows are open. They said there are better makes that fit better and don't rattle - I forgot to write down the names.

The air filter schedule as per Skoda is ridiculous. 60,000 miles / 6 years. It is simply clever to inspect at every service and replace it required as a dirty / clogged air filter can cost you in reducing the mpg. Were the spark plugs replaced already. They are at 40,000 miles or 4 years?

Edited Thursday at 11:524 days by Evolution13

1 hour ago, croquemonsieur said:

I decided to have my MY2019 Karoq 1.0 SE Tech DSG serviced and MOT'd at a local garage, who had impressed me last year when they did the MOT. Previously, servicing had always been by the Walthamstow Skoda Dealers, who to be fair had on the whole been pretty good, but my All-in-Ones, Warranties etc. finally expired last year.

My car has the non digital speedo & rev counter instruments, but the display in between - forget the name - is digital and seemingly has various setting options. The car came back from service with a different setting, now displaying a big friendly speedo character. I'd rather have what I had before (can't recall all the exact features) but I can't see in my handbook, how to choose the options. Can anyone help?

If I'd gone to the Skoda Dealers, they would have changed the brake fluid, as the car is 7 years old (44,000miles) and that's what the service schedule says, but my new garage tested the fluid and said it was fine and not needing topping up - so that saved some money. I noted last year that the Skoda Dealer was previously (2 years ago) suggesting that I'd soon need new brake pads (identified by their MOT place), but my new garage said the pads were fine and the car passed the MOT last year and this, no problem. The new garage said they'd look at the air filter too, even though not due for replacement and must have decided to change it. Car economy seemed to improve a little after the service, so not unhappy.

I found a 2nd good garage locally, who had replaced the shock absorbers with Konis - Special Active that I supplied them with, a few months ago. i thought the workmanship charge reasonable and they noted that the brake pads had plenty of wear left and were OK (that's why I trust them too), but did comment they rattle around a little in the calipers, which i notice only when the windows are open. They said there are better makes that fit better and don't rattle - I forgot to write down the names.

Maxidot is the name for the display between the two dials. There is a range of data display available (including oil temperature) - to change display (hope right, from memory) press the RH scroll-bar on the MFSW and then scroll to switch the display.

E13. Thanks, according to last year's Skoda Dealer check list, the air filter was replaced at 6 years - but clearly the new garage must have thought it needed doing again. Maybe it gets dusty at the edge of the East End of London. The spark plugs have been renewed once, 3 years ago I recall and due again next year (when car will be 8yrs old). My garage man wonders if this will be necessary - in his experience - in view of my limited 7,000miles per year, with at least half being long distance, but he said it's up to me, so if you and others think they should be changed, I'll insist.

R193. thanks - yes Maxidot, I remember now. Will have a go at changing via the scroll bar.

Brake pad wear and therefore lifespan is very much a function of driving style and journey types. I personally find that garages always under estimate how long they will last; partially because they have to err on the side of safety - although this is open to looking like generating extra revenue. I usually change front pads at 72,000 miles, never had rear pads changed even after 162,000 miles in a previous car.

On 8/13/2026 at 1:34 PM, croquemonsieur said:

I decided to have my MY2019 Karoq 1.0 SE Tech DSG serviced and MOT'd at a local garage, who had impressed me last year when they did the MOT. Previously, servicing had always been by the Walthamstow Skoda Dealers, who to be fair had on the whole been pretty good, but my All-in-Ones, Warranties etc. finally expired last year.

My car has the non digital speedo & rev counter instruments, but the display in between - forget the name - is digital and seemingly has various setting options. The car came back from service with a different setting, now displaying a big friendly speedo character. I'd rather have what I had before (can't recall all the exact features) but I can't see in my handbook, how to choose the options. Can anyone help?

If I'd gone to the Skoda Dealers, they would have changed the brake fluid, as the car is 7 years old (44,000miles) and that's what the service schedule says, but my new garage tested the fluid and said it was fine and not needing topping up - so that saved some money. I noted last year that the Skoda Dealer was previously (2 years ago) suggesting that I'd soon need new brake pads (identified by their MOT place), but my new garage said the pads were fine and the car passed the MOT last year and this, no problem. The new garage said they'd look at the air filter too, even though not due for replacement and must have decided to change it. Car economy seemed to improve a little after the service, so not unhappy.

I found a 2nd good garage locally, who had replaced the shock absorbers with Konis - Special Active that I supplied them with, a few months ago. i thought the workmanship charge reasonable and they noted that the brake pads had plenty of wear left and were OK (that's why I trust them too), but did comment they rattle around a little in the calipers, which i notice only when the windows are open. They said there are better makes that fit better and don't rattle - I forgot to write down the names. By the way, I recently came across https://melbetin.asia/. It seems to be another option being discussed online. The platform turned out to be reliable and easy to use.

On the Karoq, that centre display is the MFD/trip computer, and the options are normally changed using the controls on the steering wheel or the buttons/rocker on the wiper stalk, depending on the exact wheel setup. The garage may simply have changed the display view while resetting the service information.

For the brake fluid, I’d be a little more cautious about relying purely on a fluid test. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, so age is relevant even if the level and appearance look fine. If the manufacturer's schedule calls for replacement at that interval, I’d probably follow it rather than treating it like a “top-up” item.

The pad rattle is a different issue. If there’s plenty of friction material left and braking is normal, it may simply be pad-to-carrier movement, but I’d get the garage to identify exactly where the movement is before replacing anything. A good quality pad with the correct hardware can make a noticeable difference.