When to check my Skoda Octavia's timing belt?
Hi,
I've just bought a 2014 Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI Elegance petrol. Car has only completed 24,000km. No indication whether a timing belt has previously been changed. Car runs perfectly. Can you advise when I should start think about checks /changing the belt please?
Thanks
Mike Savva (London)Jan 2025 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
That engine has one of Volkswagen Group's so-called 'long life' timing belts that don't actually come with any set replacement schedule. That's very low mileage but even so there's no harm asking your mechanic to take the 'top cover' off each time the car is serviced to check the condition of the belt itself.
When to do the belt on my Octavia TDI?
Hi,
I have a 2018 Octavia 1.6 TDI with 139,000km on it. Timing belt was done at 90,000km. When would the timing belt next need to be done?
James Reardon (Portarlington)Nov 2024 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi James,
Officially the belt on that engine must be changed at least every 210,000km, so I wouldn't worry about it for a while.
How could it cost this much to fix my Skoda?
Hi,
My 2011 Skoda Octavia had a crankshaft sensor issue, and I was initially quoted 200 Euros for the replacement. However, after removing the gearbox, they only replaced the engine oil cooler and cleaned the old sensor, saying the car was fine. I was charged 530 Euros, but the issue returned, with the crankshaft sensor warning reappearing. After another diagnostic the same day, I was told the repair could now cost 1,500 Euros. Could you clarify the actual cost to replace the crankshaft sensor on my Skoda Octavia 2011?
I’m quite confused. Thank you.
Benjamin Oben (Ballinasloe)Sep 2024 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Benjamin,
I'm afraid we can't shine any more light on your situation from the information provided. Every garage has a different labour rate for a start, but what does stand out is that the garage went ahead and did more work than initially agreed without getting your approval. That should not happen.
Also, are you sure it was an engine oil cooler that was replaced? I don't see how that would be related and the sum of €530 to remove and refit the gearbox, plus a new oil cooler, plus "cleaning" the old sensor seems low.
I can only assume that, for the initially quoted €200, the garage assumed it could get away without removing the gearbox and without actually replacing the part.
I strongly suggest you find an alternative garage to deal with and state that no extra work is to be done beyond that agreed without further discussion.
Thinking of buying a new Toyota Corolla estate...
Hi,
Thinking of purchasing new Toyota Corolla Touring Sports estate. Would this provide better fuel range and costs than my current car, a Skoda Octavia Combi diesel?
Many thanks.
John Dalton (Clonmel)Jun 2024 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
It entirely depends on how you drive it and where. First up, in terms of actual range you'd get from a tank of fuel, it's worth noting that the Corolla's fuel tank is about a quarter smaller than the Octavia's.
The Corolla hybrid can certainly match the economy of a diesel in certain circumstances, but it really does depend on how it's driven. If you're someone always in a hurry and you like to use all the available performance regularly, then the diesel car is most likely more economical. If you're a gentle driver the Corolla is more efficient.
For lots of motorway driving, the diesel is most likely more economical, but if you only use the motorway a little, I'd suggest the hybrid is better.
Longer term, the diesel model will have bigger maintenance bills as well, so that's something else to consider.
Should I change my Octavia's belt early?
Hi,
I asked a question previously re changing a timing belt on a 2018 Skoda Octavia TSI. Came back as 240,000km, as the belts for that make are long-life. The Skoda dealer is now saying my belt needs changing as it's five years old, even though there is only 80,000km on the clock. Is it best to just go with it and change it or should I wait? Nothing in the user manual about changing.
Ger O Mahony (Limerick)Jun 2023 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Ger,
There's no harm in changing a belt early, other than additional cost. It could well be that the dealers have been given more up to date information. If in any doubt, call up a different dealer and ask about the schedule for your car.
When to change my 2018 Octavia TSI's belt?
Hello,
I have a 2018 Skoda Octavia 1.0 TSI with 70,000km on the clock. I was wondering when should I be changing the timing belt. I cannot find anything about this in the user manual.
Thanks
Ger O Mahony (Limerick)Jan 2023 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Ger,
The belt in that car was designed for long life, so the advice is to have it checked by a qualified mechanic at 240,000km and then every 30,000km after until it's deemed necessary to have it replaced.
Saying all that, if I owned the car, I'd have it checked much earlier, at 100,000km or so.
Are hybrid Skodas available in Ireland?
Hi,
I’m interested in the Skoda Superb iV Sportline Plus PHEV (estate and hatch) or possibly even the Octavia iV PHEV, but they don’t seem to be on Skoda.ie although they do appear on Skoda.co.uk… I would have thought they would be available with the demand for electric and more and more companies insisting their fleets are electrified to some degree because of emissions?
Martin Smith (Dublin)Jul 2022 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
The issue is availability from the factory, I'm afraid. So as not to raise expectations, Skoda Ireland took the decision to remove the cars from the website. We got this response when asking about the situation:
"Semiconductors are still a challenge. As the iV models are semiconductor heavy we are finding it challenging securing production at present in particular for these versions. As a result, orders may get delayed and lead times uncertain. "
Why no sunroof on Irish Octavia RS?
Been looking at a Skoda Octavia RS, but can't see the option of a sunroof on the Irish website on the configurator, but it's available on the UK ones. Is the lack of availability due to our wonderful VRT rules?
Simon MacMahon (Navan)Dec 2021 Filed under: optional extras
Expert answer
Hi Simon,
I suspect it's more to do with demand. Give your local dealer a call and ask them about it, as I'm sure they can get you one on special order if you want it.
Are these Hyundais and Skoda coming here?
Are the Hyundai i10 N and i20 N coming to Ireland? And the Skoda Octavia Scout? When will it make its debut? There are no used Octavia Scouts in the 2017 to 2019 range; I have been watching all the car-selling websites in Ireland for four years now and nothing.
M L (Kildare)Feb 2021 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Mossy,
Hyundai Ireland told us that the full-on i20 N will not be offered for sale here. There is no i10 N, so perhaps you're referring to the N Line? No sign of that as yet and we would not be surprised if it never comes here.
The new Octavia Scout has already been revealed by Skoda, but it has never been a popular new car here as it's quite expensive, which explains why there are so few on the used market. We don't know if Skoda Ireland will offer it this time around.
NOx figure for a 2018 Octavia RS?
NOx emissions on a 2018 Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI CR vRS?
Thomas DALY (County Dublin)Jan 2021 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Thomas,
It will depend on the detailed specification of the car (manual or DSG; hatch or estate; which wheels?), but it looks to be 67-71mg/km.