Hi, we have a 99 Octavia 1.9TDI SLX. Yesterday the brake pedal went solid, it felt as if we had little or no brakes. After the car was stopped and restarted the brakes were fine. Scarey!!!! Any ideas?

hello and welcome....

sounds like a problem with the brake servo to me, they are operated by vacuum which builds up when the engine is running

I had simular thing happen to me only once. Started the car pulled straight off hit the brakes and it was solid, no movement. started it up again and all is good.

I think it was as teflontom said, vacuum did not build up in time.

If felt the same as when you pump the brake pedal with no key in, goes solid after a few pumps.

G'dey Bruce!

Another vote for a servo issue (or vacumn pump [drive] ) if your car has a vacumn pump rather than relying on manifold vacumn for the servo (note to self; check on source of brake vacumn on diesels).