I've just been to update my HDD with a new album I had over Christmas and found that it now bizarrely works ok. All the metadata is now being read by the head unit. All I have done is remove some folders on the HDD and add new ones.
So I'm at a loss at what's happened. Maybe there is some cache onboard thats been deleted!

 

Apart from maps it's same version as mine. I did a map update myself following the other forum post on here. I've got an older iPod somewhere will try it out to see what it does.

My car will be going in soon in Jan for its first service, just hit 15k miles. And a few faults
-squeaky sun visor
-squeaky acc pedal
-squeaky rear tailgate strut
- collision alert fault
-driver massage seat works randomly
-FLAC file not read properly

 

Thats a fair old list, Ive just got a rattly blind for the pano roof, only happens when its fully open. Gonna get them to look at it once its out from the bodyshop.

With regards to the iPod, I tried my iPhone 6 this morning and that works fine, although I had to select the device. I plugged the iPod back in and it recognises it straight away and changes the source, then goes to the last album selected but will not play anything!! iPod is updated as far as I can.

 

Just been out and checked,
its SMEG 5.2.C.R1
CD 26050
dated 08-01-15

the display id version 31.1
and the maps 291/GR_409

 

What version is your head unit software?

 

I believe all the files are standard MP3 format, all the music files are ripped from my cd's not downloaded so shouldn't be protected. Ive tried both usb ports but both have the same response. The car recognises the iPod, the albums, artwork and tracks and can change between them, it just won't play them. I have had them playing when I first picked up the car, but for some reason its seemed to have stopped.
Handbook has no useful information either. Just says the tracks will play automatically.

 

I use a USB HDD all of my music is in FLAC format. I've noticed the head unit reads the track name on vehicle start up but doesn't change when I change tracks. I have 320Gb of music on the USB socket near door. I suspect any testing with iPod would have been done with later devices. Have you got Apple protected files?