Skoda Kodiaq 1. Generation facelift RS TSI, 245 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive (2021–2023)

Research for this car

• Generation guide Skoda Kodiaq (2016-2024): known problems and buying guide

  Average reliability with several recalls. Check the steering bolt and airbag campaigns by VIN and test the DSG before you buy.

• Engine guide VW 2.0 TSI (EA888 gen 3 and 4) petrol: problems, costs and what to check

  A strong engine with known weak spots, so check the water pump, turbo and oil leaks before you buy.

• Gearbox guide VW DQ381 7-speed wet DSG (0GC): problems, costs and what to check

  Wet DSG with weak mechatronic pressure sensors, so buy only with a scan, a hot test drive and oil service records.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

1. On a DSG car, read the fault memory with a scanner and drive from cold. Bad result: jerks when pulling away or shifting, or a fault code. Needs a scanner.
2. Check the VIN for open recall campaigns, especially the steering bolt (KBA 17091R) and the 2023 airbag campaign (012656). Bad result: any open campaign.
3. On a 4x4, ask for the Haldex oil change record. Bad result: no record, or front wheels that spin when pulling away.
4. Check the front and rear brake discs and pads, wheels off or with a torch. Bad result: worn discs or pads, so a brake job is due soon.
5. Open and close the tailgate with the key, the button and the switch, several times. Bad result: it stops halfway, opens on its own or does not close.
6. Press the start button several times, cold and warm. Bad result: a reluctant start or a button that needs several presses.
7. Test the screen, Bluetooth and phone pairing on a full drive. Bad result: a freeze, a restart or a phone that will not pair.
8. Drive over bumps and listen to the doors and trim. Bad result: creaks or rattles, or door handles that squeak.
9. Check the door edge protectors on the sills. Bad result: a protector knocked off or not deployed.
10. Ask the seller for the service book with DSG and Haldex oil records. Bad result: no records.

From the engine guide

1. Coolant and water pump (scanner). Check the coolant level when cold. Look for a puddle under the front centre of the car. Read the stored faults for P00B7 (low coolant flow). Ask for an invoice showing the pump and housing were replaced as one assembly. Bad: low coolant, P00B7, or overheating. A missed leak can wreck the engine: 4,000-15,000 GBP for major damage (UK, 2025).
2. Turbo and wastegate (test drive, scanner). Check that boost builds smoothly with no hesitation and no warning light. Ask for turbo or actuator invoices. Bad: boost loss, a warning light, or a turbo replaced with no paperwork.
3. Oil in the intake (scanner). Ask whether the car was driven hard or on track. Check for a rough idle, a check-engine light, and oil in the intake. Bad: any of these, or a track history with no service record.
4. Oil leaks at the back of the engine (no scanner). Look under the engine and where it meets the gearbox. Bad: oil at the rear seal. The fix needs the gearbox separated from the engine, so the job is large.

From the gearbox guide

1. Clutch test drive. From about 1,200 rpm, accelerate uphill and in traffic. Judder, slip or a rise in engine speed without acceleration means a clutch pack, the largest bill.
2. Mechatronic scan (needs a scanner). Read P1735, P1736, P0805 and P0607. With the engine off and P selected, both pressures should be 0.00 bar; a drift of 0.20 bar means a failing sensor.
3. Auxiliary pump campaign. Give the VIN to a dealer and ask if 34K1 or 34L4 is open or done. A car with code P0C2900 and no campaign record is a risk.
4. Oil service records. Old oil wears the mechatronic. Look for changes at 60,000 to 120,000 km and fluid G 055 529 A2. No record is a reason to walk.
5. Gear selector (needs a scanner). A "selector lever. You can drive on." message or codes P176A to P176D point to the selector. Check that the repair was done.
6. Oil leaks. Look at the mechatronic cover, vent and gearbox joints. Fresh oil means a reseal or a mechatronic job.

Running costs

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

ADAC versions