Skoda Ireland was at the recent Ploughing Championships where it had on display an Octavia crash box to highlighting the importance of using its genuine parts in accident repair. On the stand customers could also get information on comparison crash testing instigated by Skoda in Europe.

These tests were carried out by independent organisations, including DERKA and Continental AG. They involved three identical Octavia IIIs one of which was fitted with genuine replacement Skoda parts, one with lower quality replacement parts and panels and one kept as original for comparison purposes.

The first observation of the testers was that in most cases the lower quality parts showed visual signs of being inferior such as lack of seam seal and poor finish. The parts were then subjected to intense material testing. Here the lower quality parts were found to have significantly less impact resistance and tensile strength than the genuine Skoda items, especially in the case of the cross member, which would have the effect of reducing the protection offered by the crash box.

The cars were then subjected to a low impact crash test at 15 kmph. After the impact the crash box on the car fitted with genuine Skoda parts was deformed by 33%, where as the car fitted with lower quality parts had a crash box deformed by 62%, something that would have very significant safety implications for the driver and occupants. Added to this  further investigation found that repair costs on the car fitted with lower quality panels would be higher than the car fitted with genuine Skoda parts as more components needed to be replaced.