I'm posting this on behalf of my colleague at work who had his 2006 Octavia Sport diagnosed with ABS/ESP unit failure today. He has been quoted the full £1,500 for a replacement unit by the dealer. He didn't buy the car from the dealer concerned but it has a full main dealer service history.

I've read the "Honest John's take on ESP problems" thread, but does anyone have any updates on success or otherwise in securing goodwill contributions for ABS/ESP unit replacement from Skoda?

My colleague is aware of the rebuild service offered by ECU Testing, but is hoping for some ammunition to help him negotiate with Skoda before considering other options.

Any information would be much appreciated.

It would appear that some have had success with 50% goodwill from their dealer and others being stiffed for the whole lot, seems dependent on the dealer really. My dealer didnt even want to acknowledge it was a common fault, never heard of it apparently. :peek:

Its a bit late to go for a 3rd party warranty company as the fault already exists, so I doubt you would get any joy from them.

Edited 2 July, 201015 yr by Rhoobarb

Do they still fit this part to the latest Octy's?

I tried ringing Skoda CS to find out but they didn't have a clue, when I said the part name I just got asked "u mean like the footballer Teves?", yeah that's right he makes brake parts too as being a professional footballer doesn't pay enough!

My local dealer said that they hadn't heard of this problem before but that it would cost £1500 to fix, that there was no chance of a goodwill payment as the car was too old - 05 plate - and they reduced their trade in offer on my car by the above amount.

Is my 05 octy 1.9tdi 4x4 60,000 miles worth only £4000? Guess i'll just keep it then!

pmc

ECUtesting in Nottingham can fix the fault for £350 and it prevents the fault from ever reoccurring.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/parts-and-accessories/2010-03/teves-mk-60-abs-module

http://www.ecutesting.com/vw_golf_touran_abs_pump_module.html

Do they still fit this part to the latest Octy's?

AFAIK, no. But 'apparently' the replacements for the ones that fail 'may' just fail again in another 3-5 years as they havent updated the design to avoid the problems. There is no weight to that other than internet chatter here and there, makes you think though. Taken with a pinch of salt maybe. Thats why Im trying to get my garage to get a price for the fix rather than replace.

Edited 2 July, 201015 yr by Rhoobarb

The Teeves 60 has been replaced now with the teeves 70 so no issues on FL`s I paid £625 towards the cost 4 months out of warranty I keep telling anyone who will listen to get a warranty ,wish I had then<have now> it is not if they will fail but WHEN they will fail . Warranty direct will cover full cost as well

If this fault occurs is it safe to still drive the car ??

Yes, it's still safe , the ABS will still work, but not the ESP.

Yes, it's still safe , the ABS will still work, but not the ESP.

Cheers !! .....Picking up a 07 plate Octavia Vrs on Monday and it's got ESP, begining to think if i've done the right thing :wonder:

You have but as blu says - it's probably worth getting warranty.

You have but as blu says - it's probably worth getting warranty.

it comes with 12 months skoda approved warranty so I assume this part is covered fort least 12 months

it comes with 12 months skoda approved warranty so I assume this part is covered fort least 12 months

I would get that confirmed in writing.

Just in case, like I said before, my dealer didnt want to acknowledge that it was a common fault.

Edited 3 July, 201015 yr by Rhoobarb

it comes with 12 months skoda approved warranty so I assume this part is covered fort least 12 months

As I've mentioned in another thread I had the ABS unit fail in my 06 vrs recently and this was covered by the approved used car warranty. The warranty company sent an inspector to the dealer to ensure the replacement was necessary which delayed the work by a couple of days but apart from that there were no problems.

Interestingly, I contacted 3 dealers in my area (South Wales) and all of them were adamant that this was the first time they had heard of this problem (one even wanted the car for a further day for 'further investigations' when they got the fault code from the diagnostic check). Skoda UK customer services said something like "we are unaware of a common fault but are aware that a number of owners have complained".

Now I' confused. A statement in a previous thread suggested that the Mk60 had been superceded before my Aug 08 Octy was built. Now it is suggested that it was not until the FL was introduced. anyone clarify, please?

The Teeves 60 has been replaced now with the teeves 70 so no issues on FL`s I paid £625 towards the cost 4 months out of warranty I keep telling anyone who will listen to get a warranty ,wish I had then<have now> it is not if they will fail but WHEN they will fail . Warranty direct will cover full cost as well

MK60 = ABS and ESP

MK70 = ABS only and doesn't suffer from the fault

Thanks!! So I do have the problem - great!!

Thanks!! So I do have the problem - great!!

This was the latest Honest John article on this subject from the Telegraph just a couple of weeks ago:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/caradvice/honestjohn/7844231/Beware-cars-fitted-with-Teves-Mk60-ABSESP-systems-Honest-John.html

Looks like we may all be worse off when we come to sell our cars though there is an earlier item that suggests a fix is possible:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/parts-and-accessories/2010-03/teves-mk-60-abs-module

Edited 3 July, 201015 yr by Deepjoy

Thanks to all for the responses.

Even a 50% contribution to a £1500 replacement unit leaves £750 to pay, so a rebuild by ECU Testing for £350 plus the cost of getting the unit off and back onto the car looks attractive.

Any ideas on how much labour is involved in removing and refitting the ABS/ESP unit?

Has anyone actually used ECU Testing?

Edited 4 July, 201015 yr by Mercurio

Thanks to all for the responses.

Even a 50% contribution to a £1500 replacement unit leaves £750 to pay, so a rebuild by ECU Testing for £350 plus the cost of getting the unit off and back onto the car looks attractive.

Any ideas on how much labour is involved in removing and refitting the ABS/ESP unit?

Has anyone actually used ECU Testing?

So the £350 'ECU testing' charge doesn't cover the labour of removal and fitting?

So the £350 'ECU testing' charge doesn't cover the labour of removal and fitting?

From the FAQs on the ECU Testing website:

Can you fit and/or remove my parts from my vehicle?

We do not offer a removal and refitting service for the components we sell and/or repair, we are a specialised electronics laboratory and not a conventional garage. If you want to buy a component from us or have your own unit repaired then you will need to arrange for a garage/mechanic to remove/refit the unit on the vehicle.

From the FAQs on the ECU Testing website:

Can you fit and/or remove my parts from my vehicle?

We do not offer a removal and refitting service for the components we sell and/or repair, we are a specialised electronics laboratory and not a conventional garage. If you want to buy a component from us or have your own unit repaired then you will need to arrange for a garage/mechanic to remove/refit the unit on the vehicle.

How much would that be roughly?

Removal of the ABS/ESP hydraulic unit is hardly a major job.

There is an electrical connector to unplug and the six hydraulic lines. The brake pedal should also be be kept depressed (eg using a pedal prop) whilst doing this.

The complete remove and install (with bleeding) shouldn't take more than about 1.5h labour.

You will probably need VCDS to do basic settings on the new G201.

Any VAG independent worth his salt should be able to do this with ease.

I have to say I am surprised that nobody has taken a supplying dealer to court as that should be fixed FOC.

This part something that should last the life of the car (at least 6 years) and failure before this is something that would see me in court with the dealer.

I have to say I am surprised that nobody has taken a supplying dealer to court as that should be fixed FOC.

This part something that should last the life of the car (at least 6 years) and failure before this is something that would see me in court with the dealer.

I agree.

Once you get to 6 years old it starts to become a grey area. But when units fail not much beyond 3 years then its a clear cut case of 'insufficiently durable' under SOGA. I know from another forum that a VW owner took out a Small Claims action and the unit was quickly renewed FOC.

The annoying thing is that VAG are making a lot of money supplying and replacing these units. Even with 50% goodwill there is a profit there. The units probably cost about £100 to manufacture. They should, at the very least, supply at cost price and the dealerships should do the job at their internal labour rate. Charging £80 for a diagnostic is also a cheek, when the problem is so well known and the diagnostic takes only a few minutes.