Used Skoda Kodiaq 2016-present reliability

The Kodiaq is a large car that will have been used in tight spaces, such as supermarket car parks and urban rat runs, so check the front and rear of the car carefully for any scuffs or dents. Also check the alloy wheels for kerb damage. It’s worth checking the electrical operation of the powered tailgate, too, if this is fitted.

Reported problems on the Kodia so far are remarkably few. Any niggles tend to centre around non-engine electrics, with faulty sat-navs and problems with the climate control.

Too little engine torque at low speed

A software update is required on examples made between 12 October 2018 and 27 June 2019 in order to increase the amount of torque the engine provides at low speeds to improve drivability.

Cracks in the front left seat frame

The front left (front passenger) seat frame could be cracked and affects a small number of Kodiaqs manufactured between 1 and 5 February 2019, so contact your dealer for further information. Your car will need a new frame if it is affected.

Airbag not inflating quickly enough

The driver's airbag might not inflate quickly enough in examples built from 8 January to 28 February 2018 to protect the occupant correctly. Any Kodiaq affected by this recall will need to have the airbag replaced at a Skoda dealer.

Second-row seat frame

Some of the nuts that hold the second-row seat frame down on examples constructed between 17-21 December 2018 could be missing. This will need to be checked over by a Skoda technician who'll replace any missing nuts for you.

The good news is that the Kodiaq seems to be pretty reliable. The petrol-engined versions finished in third place out of nine cars in the 7-seater class in our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey. it scored 92.2%, while the diesel-engined versions finished just below it in fourth place with a score of 91.3%.

Reliability rating 92.2%

Electrical issues were the main bugbear with both petrol and diesel versions of the Skoda Kodiaq but the former had fewer engine faults. Half of the petrol models were fixed within a day and most were sorted in less than a week (whereas 21% of diesels were laid up for more than seven days), while the work was free for 60% of their owners.

Reliability rating 91.3%

Diesel Skoda Kodiaqs had slightly more issues than their petrol counterparts: 25% of diesels went wrong compared with 24% of petrols. As well as electrical issues that affected the engine and other areas of the car, diesel owners complained about problems with their cars' brake systems, engines and exhaust systems. Although 47% of issues were resolved in a day or less, 20% of cars were in the workshop for more than a week and the same percentage were rendered undriveable by faults. While Skoda covered the cost of 68% of repairs, some owners were left with bills of up to £500 per fault.

Skoda as a brand finished 16th out of 32 manufacturers with a good overall score of 91.3%. This put the firm above rivals from Audi, Mercedes and Volkswagen but below BMW, Honda and Kia.

If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.

Used Skoda Kodiaq reliability: owners' view

Overall, the Kodiaq has been praised by owners for its reliability, with a notable minority facing issues related to the infotainment system, and, less frequently, electrical faults and engine warning lights. These problems, when they did occur, were mostly addressed under warranty, yet a few readers expressed dissatisfaction with the length of time their cars spent in the dealerships for repairs.

The dealer network also received mixed reviews. While many appreciated the professionalism and helpfulness of the service, some reported challenges in booking appointments and a lack of clear communication regarding the status of their vehicle's repairs. Despite these criticisms, the majority of Skoda Kodiaq owners reported a positive overall experience, highlighting the vehicle's reliability and the supportive dealer service they received when issues did arise.