Thinking about buying a used Skoda Kodiaq (2016–2022) in New Zealand? We've documented 7 known faults for this model spanning engine, transmission, body & rust, and cooling. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated major. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
7
Documented faults
Major
Most serious
$700–$2,800
Typical repair
5
Systems covered
Known Skoda Kodiaq faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
012.0 TSI EA888 Gen3 Excessive Oil Consumption
MajorOccasionalEngine $4,800–$9,800 to fix
The EA888 Gen3 2.0 TSI engine fitted to the Kodiaq NS shares the same piston ring oil consumption defect present across the VW Group EA888 Gen3 family. Early production Kodiaq 2.0 TSI units use piston rings with insufficient oil control ring tension, allowing oil to enter the combustion chamber. The Kodiaq's greater kerb weight compared to the Octavia means the engine works harder in urban use, which can amplify consumption severity. Affected engines typically consume 0.5 to 1.5L per 1,000km. VW Group incorporated revised pistons and rings into production around 2018, with post-2018 Kodiaq 2.0 TSI engines demonstrating significantly reduced consumption. Pre-2018 NZ and AU market Kodiaqs are the highest-risk cohort.
Symptoms to notice
Oil level requiring top-up between scheduled service intervals
Blue smoke from exhaust under hard acceleration or engine braking
Oil-fouled spark plugs on inspection
Catalytic converter efficiency codes from oil contamination
Oil consumption rate above 0.5L per 1,000km
What to check
Verify oil level on dipstick and cross-reference against last workshop-recorded level. Request any documented oil consumption records from service history. Test drive includes a hard acceleration run to observe for blue exhaust smoke. Remove spark plugs to check for oil fouling. Ask whether Skoda dealer has confirmed via VIN whether this unit received the revised piston ring assembly.
Where to look: Engine internals - piston assemblies, oil control ring pack, combustion chamber
Ask the seller
“Has the EA888 Gen3 piston ring update been confirmed as completed on this vehicle?”
“How much oil does the car consume between 10,000km service intervals?”
“Has any blue exhaust smoke been observed during acceleration?”
“What is the VIN-confirmed production build date of this vehicle?”
02Front Lower Ball Joint Premature Wear
MajorCommonSuspension $400–$900 to fix
The Kodiaq's front lower ball joints wear prematurely relative to similar-sized SUVs, attributed to the vehicle's higher kerb weight (up to 2,100 kg) loading the joint beyond the design threshold used on the lighter Octavia platform. Ball joint failure is detectable as clunking over bumps and vague steering, and becomes a WOF/roadworthy failure. Multiple NZ and AU workshop reports note failures between 60,000-100,000 km on vehicles that have done any gravel or unsealed road use.
Symptoms to notice
Clunking or knocking from front suspension over bumps or when turning
Vague or imprecise steering feel
Uneven tyre wear on front axle
Vibration through steering wheel on rough surfaces
What to check
Look for cracked or split rubber boots on the ball joint — torn boots allow contamination and accelerate wear. Look at front tyre wear pattern for inner or outer edge wear indicating alignment issues from worn joints. If a workshop inspection is possible: With the vehicle on a hoist, have an assistant rock the steering wheel while you check for play in the lower ball joint. Check for lateral play in the joint using a pry bar.
Where to look: Front lower control arm, inner pivot end to outer ball joint at steering knuckle
Ask the seller
“Have the front ball joints ever been replaced?”
“Has the vehicle been used on unsealed or gravel roads?”
“Any clunking from the front suspension over bumps?”
TransmissionMajor
EngineMajor
EngineMajor
Body & RustMajor
CoolingMajor
5 more documented faults on the Skoda Kodiaq
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 7 documented faults for the Skoda Kodiaq, the recurring problem areas are engine, transmission, and body & rust. A Skoda Kodiaq with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Skoda Kodiaq?
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We've catalogued 7 known faults for the Skoda Kodiaq, covering engine, transmission, and body & rust. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Skoda Kodiaq?
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Most single repairs on the Skoda Kodiaq fall between $700–$2,800 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 7 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Skoda Kodiaq?
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Yes. A Skoda Kodiaq inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.