Compare Skoda ticking or rattling noise repair quotes from specialist garages

Skoda is known for creating high-quality cars that offer excellent value for money. If the results of the Carbuyer Best Car Awards 2023 are anything to go by, this is a winning formula: the Skoda Fabia was named 'Best Small Car' by a panel of automotive experts and road testers, the Octavia won 'Best Estate Car', and the Kodiaq was unbeatable in the Large Family Car category.

The most expensive car Skoda ever built wasn't made from the usual materials like metal and rubber - instead, it was a replica Fabia made of cake. You might remember the iconic and highly successful advertising campaign, soundtracked by Julie Andrews' My Favourite Things, which aired in 2007 and cost almost £500,000 to make.

This guide discusses whether Skoda beats Volkswagen for maintenance and repair costs.

Ticking and rattling are two closely related noises you might hear from your car. If you listen closely to where the sound is coming from and when it happens (while accelerating, for instance), you might be able to work out the cause.

The first thing to check is whether the engine oil is low, requiring a top-up - this is the best-case scenario. If your car is rattling and the sound is coming from the engine, it could be caused by a loose serpentine belt or timing chain. From the car's rear, it might be a loose exhaust or a broken catalytic converter, and the other possibility is worn suspension, which can cause rattling from the front or rear of the vehicle.

Possible explanations for ticking include worn spark plugs, knocking engine rods, dirty valve lifters and misaligned valves. You can learn more about these issues here.

Ticking and rattling noises should be taken seriously as they sometimes indicate a problem with the engine that could cause further damage if ignored.