Skoda Roomster Gearbox Slipping

Your description does sound rather familiar. I experienced similar symptoms with my Roomster, although correlation does not equal causation. Gearbox slippage can arise from a multitude of factors. However, the mention of unclean shifting does pique my interest. Have you by any chance inspected the condition of your gear oil? A degraded or contaminated lubricant can induce such behavior. It would be prudent to ascertain whether there are any metallic particles present within the fluid, indicative of gear wear within the transfer case. Further investigation is warranted.

Metallic particles, eh? That sounds pretty serious. How would I even check for that kind of gear wear? I'm no mechanic, just a regular driver who's a bit worried about his car!

Assessing the gear oil is paramount. The presence of metallic detritus is indeed indicative of mechanical wear, specifically within the transfer case, as you surmised. Given your description and limited technical expertise, I would strongly advise seeking the counsel of a qualified technician. While you could attempt a visual inspection of the oil yourself, a trained eye is far more likely to discern subtle anomalies. The symptoms you describe, coupled with the potential for gear wear, suggest a transfer case issue that necessitates professional evaluation and potential repair.

Wow, that sounds spot on! Just got the Roomster back from the garage. Turns out it WAS the transfer case oil after all! They said there was significant mechanical wear, just like you suspected. Total cost 330€, but at least it's shifting smoothly now. Thanks for your help!