Is the Skoda Yeti reliable?
The Skoda Yet is one of the most reliable used family cars you can buy, and while it does have a number of known issues, they’re repairable and parts are easy to get hold of through dealerships or specialists.
It also scored very well in What Car?’s Reliability survey, with the petrol Yeti finished in 7th place out of 42 cars, while the diesel version ranked 13th.
Skoda as a brand also scored highly and finished in 13th place out of 31 manufacturers with a score of 91.8%.
Engine: High oil consumption is common across the engine range, so be sure to use the dipstick: timing chains are known to fail due to oil starvation, particularly on the 1.2 and 1.4 engines. Infrequent oil changes or the wrong grade of oil can damage the turbocharger. You will know there’s a problem if there’s smoke blowing from the turbo itself. Also, on diesel cars, too high an oil level can cause regeneration issues with the diesel particulate filter.
Gearbox: Listen out for unusual noises emanating from the car when you pull away: this could signal an issue with the dual-mass flywheel, which may need to be replaced.
Check that the fluid of the Haldex transmission on 4×4 models has been changed every 40,000 miles or three years.
Test drive any DSG automatic car up to motorway speeds to make sure the gearbox is working properly. Shift and engagement problems are common and repairs are expensive.
Air conditioning: Check the system works: the compressor can fail or refrigerant gas can leak from the condenser. Expect to pay anywhere between £300 and £600 for a new condenser, including labour.
Body and interior: Inspect the cabin for scuffs and tears. Also check the underside of the car for any rust, particularly around the central body-protection strip. It’s worth looking at the sills and bumpers on a 4×4 model, which may have clouted something when taken off road.
Electrics: Wiring looms in the door can fail, causing various electrical issues, like shutting off the air-con and flagging an incorrect warning on the instrument cluster.
An owner’s view
Una Mulligan-Quenby: “I’ve had a Skoda Yeti for three years. My old car was involved in an accident, so I upgraded to one with a leather interior and air conditioning. I love the Yeti: it reminds me of my old Land Rover Freelander, and because it’s tall and has a great driving position, I can see over hedgerows on country lanes. It’s good in town and fits into tight parking spaces. I would highly recommend one, and it’s a shame that Skoda doesn’t still make them.”
Also worth knowing
The Yeti was offered in a number of special-edition forms, including the Monte Carlo, which got sports seats and a black finish for the wheels, roof and mirror caps; the Tour de France, which came with a bike rack; the Adventure, which was laden with extra standard equipment; and the Outdoor, which had more rugged styling.