Choosing the right used Skoda Yeti is easy. Choosing a used Skoda Yeti Škoda Yeti - specifications

Škoda's first compact SUV, delicately named Yeti, debuted at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. The concept version of the car was also presented in Switzerland, but 4 years before. The prototype was developed by a team led by Thomas Ingenlath and a production team led by Jens Manske.

In 2012, an updated version of the Škoda Yeti was presented at an exhibition in Paris. The main changes in the car appeared only a year later, when the rear door and front belt were replaced. Also noted are new LED headlights, a redesigned grille, and others. Several interior elements have also been redesigned, including the navigation bar and steering wheel. There are also some interesting gadgets in the car, the most practical of which is the rearview camera. Of course, nothing is free.

Since the last reconstruction, the machine has been consistently created at six factories located in the following cities: Kvasiny, Solomonovo, Oskemen (Kazakhstan), Nizhny Novgorod (Russia), Aurangabad (India) and Shanghai (China).

Škoda Yeti - engines

• R4 1.2 TSI (105 hp)
• R4 1.4 TSI (122 hp)
• R4 1.8 TSI (152-160 hp)

• R4 1.6 TDI CR (105 hp)
• R4 2.0 TDI CR (110, 140-170 HP)

If you are familiar with Volkswagen AG vehicles, then you have heard a lot of negative opinions about TSI gasoline engines. Some draw attention to their malfunctions, while others praise them for their incredible flexibility and very efficient combustion of fuel. Who is right? Both sides, of course, because the TSI engines, with the exception of the base 1.2-liter unit, do quite well for the Yeti's tasks, but face many serious malfunctions.

In the 1.4 TSI engine, cases of piston rupture, damage to the water pump couplings, and failure of the injection system were observed. All TSI engines used a defective timing chain tensioner that loses elasticity over time. As a result, this can lead to a chain jump and the valves hitting the pistons - repairing the drive unit after such a failure is very, very expensive. Fortunately, in some instances, the problem was solved under warranty. In addition, in TSI engines, due to direct fuel injection, deposits can form on the valves.

By far the best choice would be a 2.0 TDI CR diesel, a fairly durable unit (not to be confused with a 2.0 TDI PD injector emergency engine). It does not actively burn the mixture, and in versions with a capacity of 140-170 hp. it also provides good acceleration. However, be aware that more worn, used Yetis may have hardware defects typical of diesels (injector failures or double mass flywheel). Users also complain about the diesel particulate filter clogging quickly - a problem only occurs in cars that are mainly used in the city. There is also a 1.6 TDI CR engine, which is too weak for this car, and even with low mileage the injectors deteriorate. This is the only drawback of this engine.

Škoda Yeti - specifications

Depending on the version chosen, the drive can be transmitted either to the wheels of the front axle, or through the Haldex clutch for all wheels - the drive is transferred to the wheels of the front axle, and the rear axle is set only in case of slip. If you were counting on 4x4, the Škoda Yeti is not the car for you. Customers can choose from three transmissions: 5- or 6-speed manual and 6-speed DSG automatic. The front suspension of the Škoda Yeti used MacPherson struts and independent control arms at the rear. In Euro NCAP crash tests, the Czech SUV received a very good 5-star rating.

Test Drive:

Škoda Yeti - typical disadvantages

What to look for when buying a Škoda Yeti? First of all, it is best to avoid versions equipped with a DSG automatic transmission. Of course, the gearbox shifts gears instantly and is one of the best designs of this type in this respect. Unfortunately, when the mechatronics, bearings, and dual-mass flywheel begin to fail, huge costs come into play. When can these problems occur? If the car you want to buy has 200-300 thousand kilometers behind it, then it’s better not to risk it. Also remember that in most cars the meters are reset. It is better to check the car at the service station.

Many problems in operation are caused by the electronics and electrics of the Czech SUV. Yeti users complain about:

• non-working air conditioner panel;
• perishable speakers;
• power windows without heating;
• electronic engine control failures;
• whimsical electric folding mirrors;
• Faulty ABS controller.

Are there too many inconsistencies? You decide.

What else can you complain about? First of all, on:

• gearbox (fortunately, the problem concerns a limited number of cars);
• loosening of the backs of the front seats;
• poor quality window and door seals;
• vulnerable fuel lines (failure occurs in one car out of 150).

Durability also does not apply to a paintwork car, in versions without additional protective stickers on the rear door, fragments appear very quickly as a result of sand and pebbles.

Skoda Yeti - in our opinion

From year to year, prices for used Škoda Yeti are becoming more attractive, but, unfortunately, not all instances deserve attention. To reduce the risk of serious malfunctions, you must first select the correct engine version. The market is full of cars imported from Western Europe in appallingly bad condition.

What is to be praised in the Yeti? First of all, a large selection of engine versions of cars, an interesting body style, good off-road options, a spacious interior, ergonomics and affordable prices for consumables. Flaws? Emergency gasoline units, a conservative interior and annoying, albeit not large, but still unpleasant breakdowns.

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01.09.2016

The Skoda Yeti appeared on our market not so long ago, but the interest of motorists, sales volumes and positive feedback from the owners do not allow this car to be ignored, moreover, the number of offers on the secondary market is quite large, plus the prices for Skoda Yeti with mileage have become much more affordable. Name " Yeti"translated from English - Big Foot. But what qualities this animal possesses in age and how justified the costs of its purchase will be, now we will try to figure it out.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Skoda Yeti with mileage.

Skoda Yeti is built on a platform that is common to many models of the concern, and is assembled for our market in the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Russia. Thanks to its unusual appearance, which is complemented by high-set fog lamps, Yeti compares favorably with its competitors. The car was introduced in 2009, and in 2013 a restyling was carried out, during which the car lost its expressive features. During operation, a weak point of the Skoda Yeti bodies was revealed - these are the thresholds and the lower parts of the doors, over time, paint is chipped off on them, and foci of corrosion appear. Otherwise, there are no complaints about the corrosion resistance of the body. If the previous owner slammed the tailgate, you cannot avoid replacing the lock limit switch, which only changes when assembled with the lock.

Skoda Yeti engines.

Skoda Yeti has a fairly wide range of gasoline and diesel powertrains:

• Petrol engines: 1.2 (105 hp), 1.4 (125 hp), 1.6 (110 hp), 1.8 (152 and 160 hp)
• Diesel: 1.6 (105 hp), 2 (110, 140 and 170 hp)

Yeti with a 1.2 engine has several unpleasant features, namely loud operation after starting, unstable idle speeds and a stalling engine. If you hear a diesel rumble on a gasoline engine, then this is the first sign that the timing chain has already stretched and needs to be replaced urgently, in most cases this malfunction occurs on cars with a mileage of 50,000 km or more. Another headache for owners of cars with a TSI 1.2 engine is a drop in speed at the beginning of the movement, often accompanied by an audible signal and the inclusion of an error indicator on the console ( check). The reason for this behavior of the engine is a faulty turbocharger ( repairs will cost 500 - 600 USD), on cars manufactured after 2011, this problem has been eliminated. Also, the owners blame the engine for a long warm-up in winter, as a result, warm air does not enter the cabin for a very long time. In the 1.6 MPI engine, the ignition coil is considered a weak point.

The 1.8 engine is much more reliable, and endowed with excellent dynamics, accelerating from 0 to 100 in 8.4 seconds. The only trouble that can occur with this engine is the failure of the timing chain tensioner, and such an engine also has an increased oil consumption, from replacement to replacement, the consumption is 1 - 1.5 liters of oil. The 1.4 TSI engine appeared relatively recently, so there are practically no statistics on it.

In a two-liter diesel engine, problems were noted with the sealing rings of the fuel injectors, because of this, diesel fuel enters the oil system, otherwise diesel engines have proven to be quite reliable and digest our diesel fuel well. In addition, turbodiesel engines have good traction and low fuel consumption; in urban mode, an average of 6 liters per hundred is obtained.

Skoda Yeti transmission.

Skoda Yeti is equipped with one of three gearboxes - six-speed manual, tiptronic and DSG robotic transmission. The mechanics is installed in tandem with any of the engines, but most of all problems with it arise in combination with a 1.8 TSI engine, most often the owners are bothered by an unpleasant squeak, when they try to move forward or backward on cars with a mileage of more than 50,000 km, in order to fix this malfunction you will have to replace clutch. In a transmission paired with a two-liter diesel engine, with a run of 150,000 km, a two-mass flywheel fails. Also, owners of cars with a 1.2 engine are faced with the problem of difficult gear shifting. A seven-speed dry-clutch DSG tends to run with a nasty rattle, jerk, and vibration in second gear, and at 30,000 to 40,000 miles, it can require costly repairs. In a six-speed wet clutch DSG, clutch and mechatronic failures are much less common.

Suspension Skoda Yeti.

The Skoda Yeti suspension is quite hardy, even on our roads it rarely worries the owners. The Achilles' heel of the running gear, like on most modern cars, turned out to be the stabilizer struts and, depending on the operating conditions, serve an average of 20-40 thousand kilometers; in cold weather, the rubber suspension elements may creak a little. Four-wheel drive is implemented using the clutch " Haldex 4th generation", there are no complaints about this system, since it has been tested on many previous generations of the concern" VAG” and has proven itself only on the positive side. Despite the fact that today cars with mileage of 100-150 thousand are sold on the secondary market, there is not much to talk about the suspension, the owners change only consumables in it.

• Rear silent blocks of levers and stabilizer bushings serve 80-100 thousand km.
• The resource of ball bearings is 200,000 km.
• Tie rods and tips nursed for 150-200 thousand km.
• The front brake pads serve 30-40 thousand km, the rear ones are about 80,000 km.
• Brake discs are enough for two or three sets of pads.
• In the rear suspension, with a run of 90,000 km, breakup levers become unusable.
• Rear shock absorber bumpers serve an average of 100,000 km.
• Racks and bushings of the rear stabilizer serve 90 - 110 thousand km.
• Rear suspension silent blocks have a resource of more than 200,000 km.

Salon.

The interior of the Skoda Yeti is made of high-quality materials and does not annoy with extraneous noise; on some models, the creak of door seals can annoy ( lubricated with silicone grease), and rattling inside the instrument panel. Also, over time, play appears in the driver's seat. Electrical equipment, as a rule, works without problems, and no characteristic sores have been identified during operation.

Outcome:

Active, practical and family car enthusiasts who like to get out of the country for a picnic or fishing on the weekends will really like the Skoda Yeti, as its functionality and versatility are among the best in its class. As for a crossover, Yeti has good off-road qualities, but you still shouldn’t overestimate them, since the car is not designed to conquer off-road.

The advantages include:

• Good build quality.
• Affordable market value.
• Reliable suspension.
• Acceptable permeability.
• The durability of many components and assemblies.

Flaws:

• Seven-speed DSG transmission.
• 1.2 liter TSI engine.

If you are or have been the owner of this brand of car, please share your experience, indicating the strengths and weaknesses of the car. Perhaps it is your review that will help others to choose the right one. .

In general, the Skoda company is already more than one hundred and fifty years old, and its automotive division Škoda Auto is 120 years old. That part of its history that concerns the production of locomotives, machine tools and equipment for nuclear power plants (there was such a thing) is not interesting to us within the framework of this article. Therefore, we recall only Škoda Auto. It all started with bicycles in 1895 (this year is considered the starting point for Škoda Auto), and their first car, then still under the brand name "Laurin & Klement Co.", was released in 1905 and was quite successful.

To the delight of many businessmen of that time, the First World War began, and the owners of Skoda successfully took advantage of this event, however, to the detriment of cars. In the mid-thirties, Skoda took up the production of tanks, but their last tank died already in 1941 near Moscow. But during the Second World War, the specialists of the enterprise had to work to the fullest for the Third Reich: they produced trucks, tractors and even SUVs. For which they paid: the plant was badly damaged as a result of the bombing.

After the war, Skoda was the only automaker in Czechoslovakia, but due to its isolation from the West, the company did not need to compete with American and Western European firms. Cars sold well in Eastern Europe, but by the end of the eighties it became obvious that without cooperation with stronger partners, the company would have a hard time.

It took a whole decade (from 1990 to 2000) for the final transition of Skoda under the wing of Volkswagen. But the results were brilliant, one has only to remember Octavia, Fabia and Superb of the beginning of our century. An attempt to build something "roadless" was made before the Yeti, the firstborn was the Skoda Octavia Scout. However, Skoda development director Eckhard Scholz once said: “In fact, we did not do anything revolutionary. To create the Skoda Yeti, the Octavia Scout platform was used, the conceptual flaws of which were eliminated. Mainly reduced overhangs and increased inertial angles. Apparently, some of the nuances of the Scout were perceived by him precisely as shortcomings. But the main desire of the developers was to make the SUV as cheap as possible by putting a pig on the Tiguan. Therefore, despite the same platform with this Volkswagen, most of the nodes were not borrowed from him, but from the more affordable Golf, Octavia and even Fabia. Let's see what came of it.

Inspection at a car service

To assess the condition of the car and find out its strengths and weaknesses by professionals, we arrived at the service G-Energy Racing Service. And, of course, put the car on a lift. Our Yeti was released in 2013, and purchased in 2014, and its mileage is only 30 thousand kilometers. During such a period, nothing terrible happened to the chassis, except that the front brake pads and stabilizer bar need to be replaced. Considering that Ilya, the owner of the car, likes to “turn on the gas” and drive along forest roads that are not well adapted for racing, the wear of the stabilizer is quite justified.

The front and rear suspensions are familiar: McPherson wishbones with a torsion bar at the front and a multi-link at the rear. Much more interesting is the transmission. In our case, the car has all-wheel drive and a six-speed dual-clutch DSG robotic gearbox. The clutch here is “wet”, in an oil bath, and against the background of “dry” in the 7-speed DSG versions, it is considered reliable.

Well, let's see the engine. Under the hood of our Yeti is a 152-horsepower 1.8 TSI gasoline engine. If someone forgot what TSI is, then we recall: this is a twin-turbocharged engine with a direct fuel injection system. The main difference is that it allows you to avoid the appearance of an unpleasant “turbo lag” - a phenomenon due to the impossibility of the turbine to operate at low engine speeds.

The master considers the need to replace the pump at a run close to one hundred thousand as a typical feature of our motor. We haven't had any problems with her yet. In general, the motor is called good, but car service specialists do not remember the 1.4 TSI present in the lineup with the best words. Servicemen recalled not isolated cases of piston failure, more precisely, their burnout and collapsing rings. Engines with a failed piston were also found on Tiguans and Jettas. Apparently, 1.4-liter engines do not like the increased load of the turbine.

Opinion of the car owner

The main criteria for choosing a car was, according to the owner, "something taller and all-wheel drive." In this case, it was necessary to keep within a maximum of one million three hundred thousand. For this price, you could buy an Audi Q3, last year's and "empty" Volkswagen Tiguan or Amarok. The latter was dropped due to impracticality. The first two remained, but Ilya got to the next MOT of his Fabia in time. At the dealership, he was offered a Yeti. Cupid flew off somewhere for a smoke break, and love at first sight did not work out. The car seemed small and frivolous. However, the manager showed perseverance and with the savagery of a monk of the Jesuit order showed the car in a complete set, standing in the far box. Snow-white, on 17-inch alloy wheels, the interior is a combination of leather with alcantara in the color of coffee with milk, a panoramic roof, adaptive optics, bi-xenon ... It was then that Cupid fired an arrow into the heart of the future owner. Note that Ilya has experience in owning a Ford Fiesta, a Volkswagen Golf and a Skoda Fabia Combi.

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When I asked if there was a desire to buy a Skoda after a successful experience with Fabia, the owner answered in the negative and even rudely and tactlessly called the latter a “bucket”. The assessment, of course, is subjective, but it is all the more interesting that one “bucket” of Skoda (no, it’s in vain, after all!) Did not become a reason to abandon the Yeti.

Car pluses

First of all, Ilya notes the good cross-country ability of the car, especially after the previous front-wheel drive cars. But the point is not even in the 4x4 formula, but in the high ground clearance of 180 mm. Together with a small turning radius, this makes it possible to confidently maneuver not only in the city, but also in more difficult road conditions. It is probably too early to judge reliability - the mileage is only 30 thousand - but so far there have been no problems with the Yeti, and the owner also notes this. The remaining advantages are justified by the rich equipment of our car. In the cold, it's nice to sit on a heated seat, especially one sheathed in Alcantara and leather, and not some kind of flock. Yeti is understandable and predictable in management. Many copies have already been broken and saliva has been splashed on the monitors in disputes about whether they are really needed. In order not to be damned, I will try to bypass this topic here, but I will note some features of the behavior of the Yeti all-wheel drive crossover on the road, if the owner spoke about them. Four-wheel drive does not live its own life here, suddenly connecting on the track and arbitrarily changing the distribution of torque on the axle. The generation IV Haldex clutch engages rear-wheel drive at speeds below 40 km/h and only helps when needed. On the track, the Yeti rides in front-wheel drive and reacts to control like a normal “underdrive”.

In general, the work of electronics that help the driver causes only positive emotions in the owner. First of all, we are talking about the “off-road” mode, which includes assistance systems for starting and descending, adapting ABS (anti-lock braking system), ASR (traction control) and EDS (electronic differential lock) to off-road mode. Fans of "fall sideways" can disable these systems, and then the Yeti becomes a well-controlled and rather "evil" car. However, along the highway, you can put an arrow to the number 200. Since the car was bought for the needs of the family, its convenience in everyday use was first of all evaluated. There is enough space here, but I won’t even talk about the luggage compartment, they sang all the odes to him much earlier than me, I can’t compose a new one. The owner noted the good organization of the space, which allows transporting both bulky goods and a lot of small things, which do not strum throughout the cabin, but are neatly located in many convenient compartments. The owner also dispelled my fears about the difficulty of caring for a bright interior, saying that it is hard to get dirty, but if this still happens, it is not difficult to wash it: the material is practical and not easily soiled.

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Vehicle Disadvantages

There are two main drawbacks: seats and the high cost of servicing from an authorized dealer. Yes, the owner of the car is thin, so the lateral support does not really support him. Most likely, he is right here: the Yeti will not seem convenient to every driver. There is more than enough space here. The author of these lines spread out on the armchair with comfort and felt good. The owner, judging by what he saw, such convenience is not available.

The cost of service at the dealer seems really overpriced. However, according to the owner, the next maintenance for Octavia can cost more than 60 thousand. The owner of the Yeti refused the services of a dealer, and the point is not only in price, but also in the quality of service. The automatic parking system did not cause delight either. Maybe for inexperienced drivers this thing will be useful, but Ilya used it only once, and then only to show her work to his wife. While the car was determining how best to get up, the place was almost taken by a daring BMW, so the owner chose to act himself. In addition, the system is too cautious and does not agree to put the car where it can be driven with its hands and feet, referring to the lack of space. Ilya would gladly change this system for a heated windshield, which appeared only on the restyled Yetis in 2013.

What is written on the forums

We will not repeat all the advantages that the owner spoke about. All the same is written in the reviews and others. It is much more interesting to get acquainted with the shortcomings. Oddly enough, but many reproach the Yeti in a cramped cabin. This is surprising, but most likely due to the fact that the Yeti is really small for an average crossover. Still, this is a compact crossover, and you should not expect Tiguan space from it. What really deserves attention are complaints about engines, especially 1.2 and 1.4 liters. “Dying” turbines still under warranty are not uncommon for them, and the topic of “killed” pistons of a 1.4-liter engine is one of the most extensive on the forum dedicated to one of the single-platformers. The short-stroke suspension is also scolded, but the work of the heater causes the most criticism. Skoda Yeti in the secondary market. Is it worth buying?

The Skoda Yeti is a truly unique car. It is much stricter than many "pretty" competitors, but the conservative design is more than offset by its practicality. Don't like angular shapes? You will thank them when you load the trunk with suitcases and boxes. Looks like a small trunk? Move the second row of seats, remove one of them or all at once - and you get almost a cargo van.

The engines that are used in the Czech crossover are demanding on fuel quality, so I recommend refueling in proven places. If you plan to drive mostly in the city, alone or with one or two passengers, a 1.2 liter engine and front-wheel drive will be enough for you. For those who often travel on bad roads, and even with a full load, I recommend any of the other options. I advise owners of modifications with DSG to switch to manual or sports mode in serious traffic jams - this will save the box from unnecessary switching in conditions of constant starting and stopping.

Owner's opinion

Mila Vondrachkova, Skoda Yeti 1,2 MCP, 2010 onwards

To be honest, I bought a car for purely economic reasons: it was the cheapest European crossover. I can’t say that he is emotional, especially with a 1.2 liter engine. But over time, I was imbued with his strict style: the salon reminds me of a workplace in the office, when everything is laid out in its place and therefore it is very convenient to work. By the way, transforming the salon is no more difficult than moving an office chair. I cope with everything myself: everything is logical and simple, does not require much effort. Of course, if I were buying a car today, I would have settled on a more powerful motor. The thrust of my engine in the city is enough, but as soon as you go to the country, with a full trunk and three passengers, you have to forget about fast overtaking. In terms of maintenance costs, the crossover is not very expensive, in terms of reliability, it suits me so far. Over 60 thousand km. I had to change something small in the suspension (consumables do not count). So I'm happy with the purchase and don't think I'm going to sell my Bigfoot.

Specifications
Modifications	1,2	1,8	2.0 TDI	1,4
GEOMETRIC PARAMETERS
Length/width/height, mm	4223/1793/1691
Wheel base, mm	2578
Track front / rear, mm	1541/1537
Ground clearance, mm	185
Turning diameter, m	10,32
Trunk volume, l	405–1580
Entry angle, degrees	17,1
Departure angle, degrees	26,0
Ramp angle, degrees	17,2
Standard tires	215/60 R16
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Curb weight, kg	1270 (1300)*	1445	1345	1300
Gross weight, kg	1915	2050	2010	1920
Working volume, cm 3	1197	1798	1968	1390
Location and number of cylinders	R4	R4	R4	R4
Power, hp (kW) at rpm	105 (77) at 5000	160 (118) at 6200	140 (103) at 4200	122 (90) at 5000
Torque, Nm at rpm	175 at 1550–4100	250 at 1500–4500	250 at 1500–2500	200 at 1500–4000
Transmission	MCP6 (DSG7)*	MCP6 (DSG6)	DSG6	MCP6 (DSG7)*
Maximum speed, km/h	175/173*	196 (192)*	187	185 (182)*
Acceleration time 0–100 km/h, s	11,8 (12,0)*	8,7 (9,0)*	N.d.	10,5 (10,6)*
Fuel consumption, city/highway, l per 100 km	7,6/5,9 (7,8/5,7)*	10,1/6,9 (10,6/6,8)*	7,6/5,8	N.d.
Fuel/tank capacity, l	AI-95/55	AI-95/60	DT/60	AI-95/55

* For modification with automatic transmission.

Maintenance schedule for Skoda Yeti
Operations	12 months 15,000 km	24 months 30,000 km	36 months 45,000 km	48 months 60,000 km	60 months 75,000 km	72 months 90,000 km	84 months 105,000 km	96 months 120,000 km	108 months 135,000 km	120 months 150,000 km
Engine oil and filter	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
Coolant	Doesn't change for life
Air filter				.				.
Cabin ventilation filter				.				.
Fuel filter (petrol)				.				.
Fuel filter (diesel)				.				.
Spark plug				.				.
Fluid in the brake system				.				.
Distributed oil. box and gearboxes				.				.
Oil in a manual transmission	Doesn't change for life
Oil in automatic transmission				.				.

Yeti was clearly conceived as a more affordable alternative to the SUV from Wolfsburg. Both a less powerful base engine and a more modest initial equipment made it possible to do this - the Czech car turned out to be a third cheaper than the German one. But the savings turned into a lack of all-wheel drive, a stabilization system, fewer airbags and other lack of material and technical values. And the base 1.2-liter engine was a dubious decoration of the car. As a result, the gain from choosing a more democratic crossover did not seem too obvious.

According to the price list of the 2011 sample, the base Yeti Active 1.2 TSI cost 729,000 rubles, and the 7-speed “robot” required an additional payment of 60,000 rubles. The all-wheel drive Yeti Active 1.8 TSI with a manual gearbox was estimated at at least 929,000 rubles, and the most expensive (1,139,000 rubles) was a 140-horsepower 2.0 TDI 4WD diesel modification with a 6-speed DSG box.

Body and its electrical equipment

Corrosion outside and... inside

To the body of the car, in contrast to the related "Tiguan", there are complaints. After the first winter season, the paint swells in places of chips - this phenomenon can be observed on all four doors and in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe rear wheel arches. During the warranty period, dealers almost always repaint damaged parts, but subsequently these procedures have to be carried out at their own expense. It’s good that a very practical dark gray “skirt” made of unpainted plastic around the perimeter allows owners to protect the car from body repairs, for example, during contact parking. By the way, the almost complete absence of chrome parts also saved from the eternal problem in megacities salted in winter - there is nothing special to become cloudy.

It's a shame that it's not just the exterior that detects problems. After some time, the coating of chrome parts that decorate the interior of the car begins to bubble, which leads to shedding of the decor. Dealers exchange these embellishments for new “glitters” without unnecessary bickering, but the likelihood of relapse remains quite high.

In addition, the owners of the Yeti - as well as a number of other models of the Volkswagen concern - can be bothered by extraneous sounds coming from under the bottom: these are loose fuel pipes rattling. The talkative fuel filter also contributes. Some owners eliminate this problem proactively by replacing it with a non-original part, for example, Knecht KL572.

Transmission

Wet business

The 6-speed manual gearboxes are not only exemplary in their selectivity, but also very reliable. Some owners of front-wheel drive Yeti complain of difficult shifting from first to second gear in cold weather. We advise you to simply wait until the oil warms up - after 5-10 minutes after the start of the trip, this problem will disappear.

But with two-pedal modifications, everything is not so simple. The 7-speed "robot" DSG with two "dry" clutches DQ200 turned out to be quite problematic. Already with a run of 20,000–30,000 km, two main units could fail - the “mechatronics” unit or the clutches themselves. Within the factory warranty, the owner could count on free resuscitation of the gearbox. However, after a while, the box could “run out” again, and then it was already necessary to solve the problem for your own money; and if you're lucky, then thanks to the "kulanz" - that is, the loyalty program from Volkswagen, when part of the costs is borne by the representative office of the brand.

In the summer of 2012, the German concern introduced additional warranty conditions for the DQ200 - five years or 150,000 km from the date the car was handed over to the first buyer. Moreover, this warranty applies not only to problem nodes, but to the entire gearbox as a whole. So even a three-year-old Yeti with a 7-speed DSG will not incur additional costs for the second owner for at least two more years. Keep in mind that this box is considered maintenance-free, so the requirement of some dealers to undergo MOT in the post-warranty period to fulfill the additional obligations of the group is absolutely illegal.

I must say that later this box was significantly upgraded, so copies released from January 2014 do not fall under the extended warranty. And this spring, the owners of the “old” DQ200s were invited to an unscheduled replacement of synthetic oil with mineral oil - a corresponding revocable company is operating on this account.

One way or another, the best choice remains the 6-speed "robot" DQ250, which can only be obtained on the all-wheel drive Yeti. These machines are equipped with a Haldex coupling, which has no special comments. The main thing is to change the oil in it every 60,000 km. And although official documents do not require filter replacement during this procedure, it should not be neglected.

Engines

General dieselization

At first, the base 105-horsepower engine could upset its owner with unstable operation at low temperatures and a diesel-like rumble already at a range of 25,000 km. The reason lay in the stretching of the timing chain and the poor performance of its tensioner. Subsequently, the node was upgraded, so there should not be such a problem on copies of 2011. But the turbine is able to annoy to this day: at the moment of its death, the inscription “Check the engine” appears on the on-board computer screen, while the motor rests against the limiter at around 1500 rpm. At the end of 2011, the problem was supposed to be fixed with a new firmware, but things are still there.

Due to the modest working volume, the engine takes too long to reach the operating temperature of the coolant, as a result of which the interior warms up in the cold for a painfully long time. Only since the beginning of 2012, Yeti 1.2 TSI appeared in Russia with an additional heater - an electric “hair dryer” introduced into the ventilation system, which partly solved the problem.

The 122-horsepower 1.4 TSI turned out to be less capricious. The problem with pulling the timing chain here occurs mainly in cases where the car often remains in gear on a slope. So we strongly recommend using the handbrake. Here, however, it is worth making a reservation: in Russia, such Yeti began to be sold only at the beginning of 2012, so it is rather difficult to find such a copy on the secondary market.

The 152-horsepower modification with all-wheel drive is much more interesting. Excellent dynamics and moderate fuel consumption will clearly please the first owner, however, after running in, the 1.8-liter engine may begin to eat up oil. However, if the consumption does not exceed one liter per thousand kilometers, this is not considered a malfunction. In addition, the timing chain can be pulled out in the timing drive; and although it is supposedly designed for the entire life of the car, after a run of 100 thousand kilometers it must be replaced preventively.

And yet the 140-horsepower turbodiesel turned out to be the most reliable. The motor perfectly tolerates frosty starts, is quite adapted to our fuel and at the same time is traditionally economical. Due to the high price of the new Yeti 2.0TDI in the secondary market, it is difficult to find such an option. And the minus of this motor, one might say, is only one - rather noisy operation and noticeable vibration.

Chassis and steering

Don't go over the asphalt!

I am glad that the Yeti suspension and steering rack do not cause big worries to the owners, especially if the car is operated on asphalt roads within the city limits. But highway speeds, along with small defects in the roadway, can make themselves felt pretty soon.

Among the sore problems, one can note the knock of the stabilizer struts, which can begin to annoy already at 10,000–20,000 km. Even the servicemen themselves confirm that these expensive parts can be safely attributed to consumables.

Sometimes, already at 30,000 km, wheel bearings can also give up - in this case, it is better not to start the problem, but immediately send the car to the service so that the hub does not jam. It is worth noting that official dealers do not change the bearings separately - you will have to purchase the assembly assembly. And one more thing - we do not recommend looking for craftsmen on the side: bearing pressing out is filigree work, and savings in this case are unlikely to be justified.

Buying?

So, we can say that in general, Yeti has shown itself to be a fairly trouble-free SUV for second-hand purchases - unless, of course, you are lucky enough to find an all-wheel drive version for reasonable money, preferably with a tenacious diesel engine and a reliable 6-speed “robot”. Moreover, the difference of about one hundred thousand rubles compared to a 152-horsepower gasoline turbo engine, the diesel Yeti will pay off faster than a hundred thousand kilometers.