Skoda Rapid poor performance and engine light

Oh man, that sounds rough. I had a similar issue with my Skoda Rapid, though mine's a bit newer. Those symptoms – higher fuel consumption, stalling, check engine light – they're classic signs of a bad MAF sensor. Before you panic, have you checked your air filter recently? A clogged filter can sometimes mess with the sensor readings and cause a performance decline. I remember back then, I was so frustrated, thinking it was a major engine problem. Is the car smoking when accelerating, by any chance?

Thanks for the quick reply! Yes, the car is indeed smoking when accelerating, I forgot to mention that. The air filter is relatively new, but I'll double-check it to be sure. When you had the issue, did replacing the MAF sensor solve all the problems, including the check engine light and the air-fuel ratio issues?

Okay, the smoking while accelerating definitely points towards a faulty MAF sensor. When mine went bad, replacing it completely resolved the problems. The check engine light went off after clearing the error codes, and the air-fuel ratio went back to normal. However, I strongly advise you to take it to a workshop to confirm the diagnosis and replace the sensor. They can properly calibrate the new sensor and ensure everything is running smoothly. Don't risk damaging the engine further by driving with an incorrect air-fuel ratio!

I took your advice and brought my Rapid to a trusted workshop. Turns out the mass air flow sensor was indeed defective, just as you suspected. They replaced the LMM, and after recalibrating the air-fuel ratio, the engine runs smoothly again. Fuel economy is back to normal, no more stalling, and the check engine light is finally off. The whole thing cost me 365€, but it was worth it to get rid of the headache. Thanks again for your help!