Skoda Fabia fuel filler flap issue

I had a similar issue with my 2012 Opel Astra. The fuel filler door wouldn't open and I also got an error message on the dash. Have you checked the fuse for the central locking system? Sometimes a blown fuse can affect seemingly unrelated components like the fuel door release. It's a long shot, but it's an easy thing to check before diving deeper. Think of it like a circuit breaker in your house tripping – one faulty appliance can knock out the whole circuit. My issue ended up being a faulty actuator, but checking the fuse box first can save a lot of time and money.

That’s interesting, hadn't thought of a fuse. Where exactly did you find the actuator on your Astra? Was it easy to access, or is this a job best left to a professional?

On the Astra, the actuator was located right next to the fuel filler neck, behind the trim in the trunk. Accessing it wasn't too difficult, but you needed to remove some of the trunk lining to get to it. Given that you're also seeing other functions affected, it might be more than just the actuator itself. The central locking system might be throwing a wider electrical fault. Probably best to get a professional to diagnose the root cause, especially with the error code being stored. Saves potentially chasing ghosts.

Thanks for the detailed insight. Just got back from the workshop. Turns out it was the electric actuator as suspected, combined with a stored error code that was preventing the fuel door from releasing. Total cost was 210€, which is in line with what I expected. Fuel door is now working as expected using both the central locking and key fob.