I was interested to read of a Volkswagen Golf automatic suddenly accelerating. I have an automatic Skoda Octavia and it is virtually impossible to reverse smoothly at low speed, particularly when reversing in a tight space uphill.

The problem is that for some apparently pointless reason the engine accelerates quite suddenly about 2-3 seconds after the footbrake is released. This causes a violent jerk backwards, and in a tight space requires a fast application of the brake. This cycle then repeats, with a horrible smell of burning clutch. I can easily imagine that parking in front of a shop window could prove disastrous.

Another excitement from this increase in engine speed is that unless the handbrake has been very firmly applied the car begins to crawl forwards at traffic lights etc. (I know that it is good practice to move into neutral but Volkswagen Group cars have an interlock to make it awkward to restore to drive.