alessio92

As mentioned in other threads I need to buy a new car this summer. And for the first time I’m planning to shop outside the <£2000 bargain bin - unsure of exact budget at this stage. Id really like to test drive a few different brands/types of cars to get a feel for what’s out there. Is it possible to do a few no-obligation test drives with different dealers without having to sit thru a huge sales pitch or anything? How would I go about setting this up?

Hi guys. I’ll shortly be in the market for either an Octavia or Superb II estate, Budget max of £4-5k. I’m just after some buying advice for a Superb. I’ve previously had a Fabia SDI, an Octavia 4x4 1.9TDI and 3 A4 Avants - 2 of which were 1.9TDIs and my current car is a 2.0TDI (140BHP) so I’m not new to VAG by any means but I’ve never had anything newer than a 2008… hoping to get at least a 2010 if not newer this time. I’ve seen a 2014 Superb Combi Greenline with 140k on the clock for just under £4K. What kind of stuff do I need to be aware of if I went to look at one like that? Are running costs much different to an Octavia? Not just economy but tyres, parts etc? Which model of Superb is likely to be cheapest to run (if there is much difference)? I need comfort, space and reliability… and no hint of any form of sports options! Also, how much would I be talking for an aftermarket towbar fitting? Any and all advice welcome, thank you!

Apologies, my post wasn’t intended as an advert, just info for people to help advise me. Sorry if I broke any rules!

Hi guys, Looking for advice about selling privately. The car is an old A4 estate which will be advertised as 'Spares/Repairs' due to two fairly expensive (but entirely repairable) issues, but it's still driveable and is within MOT for a few months. I want the most hassle-free way of selling. Facebook Marketplace is free and easy but when I listed a car on there 3 or 4 years ago (also 'Spares/Repairs') I was spammed by loads of messages from Eastern European guys who either hadn't read the ad and were asking daft questions, or who didn't speak English. AutoTrader appeals on the basis of it being the most obvious place where someone would look to buy a car, but it's £9.95 for a 3-week listing. Has anyone done this - would you say it's worth it for a one-off? Also tempted to stick a sign in the rear window whilst I'm still driving it round but don't know if that's inviting spam haha. Not sold on the idea of listing it on eBay or Gumtree - feel like I might get stung by fees? Would be grateful for any advice and experience. Cheers!

From what's been said, if I could afford a Superb it would be first choice. Will have to keep my eyes open for one. Does the Superb tow ok too? Thanks for the warning about the Yeti, they appeal but sounds like boot space is nowhere near enough!

Hah. I did actually think of this but my research suggests there isn't much more room than an Octavia... but then the Octavia has 140L more than my A4 so maybe that's the way to go anyway!

Hi guys, I currently drive a 2007 A4 Avant. (Former Octavia 4x4 owner... I loved that car 🥲). I'll be getting rid of the A4 at some point soon and I need both a bigger boot and better leg room in the back seats. I test drove a 2006 A6 Avant last year and absolutely loved the amount of space in the boot and cabin but ultimately I can't afford to run an A6. With a budget of up to £5k, what's my best bet for bigger boot + cabin space? I've been looking at V70s but heard they're not particularly cheap to run (and the interiors don't look particulary great... Did volvo only offer 'Beige' and 'Extra Beige' as trim options there?!). The other suggestion I've heard is an Insignia Tourer - but I am absolutely not at the stage of life where I'm ready to succumb to being a Vauxhall driver. I'd also take a people carrier, but again, no Zafiras... What's the Citroen C8/Pug 807 like? (I have a weird, unhealthy love for crap french cars but can't afford an Espace 😂) Would really welcome any suggestions you've got!

Hey guys. I currently drive a 2006 A4 Avant but it’s rapidly becoming a money pit, so I think it’s time for a change. I previously had a mk2 Octavia 4x4 estate and would love another Octy but with a little one recently arrived, an even bigger boot would be helpful - Baby’s pushchair takes up half my boot as it is. Also, I’d like the back seats to be comfortable for adults, which in the A4 they’re not really… can’t remember what the Octy was like for that. So I’m thinking about a Superb… but the key thing is running costs. My day job seems me do a mixture of city driving and 5 - 20 mile motorway stretches mainly. I just wondered how much more it costs to own and run a Superb II compared to Octy II? Not just fuel but things like brakes, tyres… I presume something like the clutch will cost the same on either? Would be really grateful for any thoughts or advice!

Hi, My father-in-law would like a dashcam for his 2016 Octavia, but he specially wants one that is concealed or integrated in some way, rather than one that sticks to the windscreen, because he works in an area there’s a fairly high chance of someone breaking in to steal if it’s obvious or easy to grab and run. What kind of options are out there? He’d want something of decent quality but ideally not super expensive, and I don’t really know what’s out there these days. Thanks!

Hi, Earlier this year my MK2 Octavia was written off. It had a personalised plate on it which I decided to sell. It's currently listed on RegTransfers.co.uk but by adding their 'cut' they've added nearly 40% to the price and I'm concerned that this may be putting off potential buyers. Just wondered if anyone had experience of selling a personalised plate privately and could give me some advice including how you agreed a valuation etc, or if there's a better website I can use? Thanks

Hi guys, My dad's looking for a new (to him) car. He's previously had Focuses (Focii?!) and a C-Max and liked them, but isn't so impressed by the quality of those that are now in his budget of under £5k - so these are mostly around 2011-2013 examples. He's currently looking at a MK6 Golf 2.0TDI, on 94k. He really likes the look of it and it has been well maintained with 2 timing belt changes so far and lots of other work done, but his mechanic has mentioned that these are apparently notorious for clutch failure and a couple of other issues at around 100k miles. I'm also aware that some of the VW 2.0TDI engines were prone to oil pump hex key and cam failures, I think? Basically I'm just wondering if anyone can give us some buying advice on Mk6 Golfs - what to look for, common issues etc and how much we should expect to pay for an example with around 100k on the clock? Any advice gratefully appreciated! Thanks

Hi, Never had reason to venture into the MK3 section before, don't eat me! I'm looking at a MK3 4x4 Estate, 1.6D manual with 144k on the clock for around £3.5k. It's slightly over my budget but probably attainable. I just wondered what kind of issues this would be likely to have or develop in the near future, what to look for if I go and check it out and whether it's worth it? I'm particularly concerned about having a car with a DPF for the first time. Also, on the MK2, you can't fit a towbar without getting a special wiring loom fitted that costs about £600 (unless said loom was specified as an option when it was ordered). Is that the same for the MK3 4x4? Thanks v much!

As I've mentioned elsewhere on here, I've found myself in need of a car at short notice, and it needs to be an estate. Having never spent more than £1500 on a car before, I've got potentially 2500 to play with, but I'm struggling to find much that's right for me. Having initially limited myself to 1.9TDIs as I know them, I've been looking at pre-2008 2.0TDIs (being mindful of the oil pump hex key and balance cam shaft issues they can suffer from) to try and avoid haivng a DPF, but I've learned that the 170hp versions have DPFs even pre-2008 which is making it harder. Soooo I need some honest advice about VAG diesels with DPFs... more specifically those in the 1.9TDI and 2.0TDIs from 2006 onwards. How much hassle do they cause? My understanding is that they end up costing loads to keep clean unless you're doing a significant amount of motorway miles. My work mileage is varied -some days I'm doing 5 - 10 mile journeys, others I'm driving 15 miles to one client, 15 to another and then 30 home, but probably only about 10mi of that would be motorway. From everything I've read, that's not DPF-friendly mileage - am I right? What kind of maintenance do they need? Ive heard so many horror stories of them dying and needing replacing for £800 or so - I really can't afford to have that happen, would that be an extreme case?! And whats the legal position on a DPF delete? Does it rely on having a friendly MOT mechanic? I really don't want to do anything that may compromise insurance etc! Cheers!

Interesting, would never have thought of them. Is that through their website or do they have forecourts/dealers somewhere? I usually find that most dealers don't list their sub-4K cars online.

Evening, As mentioned in another thread, despite having had 4 VAG cars, I've always had the same 1.9TDI PD engine. I just wondered if someone could give me a rough summary of the good and bad VAG petrol engines from the 2000-2010 era? I know for example that the 1.4 in the MK1 fabia was the old pushrod engine, but don't really know anything about the rest. If it helps, I'm specifically thinking about those found in the Audi A4 (B6/B7), A6 (C5/C6), Octavia mk2, Golf mk4 and 5, Leon Mk2 and Exeo Mk1. I'm anticipating/hoping there's some crossover between each of those? Sorry if that's a massive ask! Thinking of moving to petrol for the first time and want to know what to look for and what to avoid!

Those of you who generally buy at £1000-2000, where do you look? I'm guessing Autotrader, where else? Cheers!

Thanks v much. It sounds like they're considering it as malicious damage and accepting it so that's great. Thanks for putting my mind at rest.

Got it stuck in snow whilst trying to get past somene else who was stuck... had to abandon the car after AA couldn't get me out. Overnight some lovely people decided to roll the car into a field, smash a window, steal the battery etc etc... It's basically a write-off. I've never spent more than £1500 but that was 2 years ago so assumed I'd have to spend more! Less is best if poss! Would be ecstatic if I could spend nearer a grand! Hmmmm... Dad has had a couple of Focuses and they're alright actually. Thanks for warning about the 1.8 Erm, my mileage is pretty mixed. I drive for work but some days I'm doing no more than 20 miles, others I'm doing 50. Defo not mileage that would suit a DPF. Cheers, he's just messaged me!

Due to unforseen circumstances, I've suddenly found myself needing to get a new car in the next 2 - 3 weeks, on a tight budget. My current car is a 2008 pre-DPF, pre-facelift Octy 4x4 and I've absolutely loved it. Previously I had two A4 Avants (2003/03 generation), both 1.9TDI PD130s, and a Fabia SDI (my first love ). I'd love another B6-gen A4 or Mk2 PFL Octavia, but obviously that pre-DPF engine is now at least 12 years old so it's getting harder to find decent examples. Criteria is that I need an estate which will be reliable, not ridiculously expensive to run and not utterly soul destroying to drive... all for under an absolute maximum of £2.5k but probably less - I was not planning to have to change cars at this point! I've only ever driven diesels but if the more reliable option at this price point is petrol, I'd be open to it. My main worry about newer diesels is the DPF and other associated issues that seem to cause people loads of expensive problems - is this justified? If I were to stay with VAG, with a newer Octavia, B7 Audi A4 or similar, which engines (diesel or petrol) are the best? What else would you recommend I look at? I'm open to both VAG and non-VAG suggestions. Really have no idea where to look this time! Cheers

Hi Nick, I'm aware that many policies would invalidate you if for example you were to try and drive through flood water and become stranded, and I've also heard of so many instances where insurers have tried everything to get out of paying out on a 'technicality' - e.g. leaving the car parked somewhere away from home. Good to know you can't see any reason for it though, that's put my mind at rest. It does sound like they'll be paying out from what they've said!

Hi guys, Hoping someone can help. I had to abandon my Octavia 4x4 on a rural road on Monday. It was fairly snowy but definitely passable. Someone coming the other way got stuck in a drift on a narrow stretch and as I tried to pass them (with the intention of towing them free) two of my wheels slid onto the grass verge and that was it. I was completely unable to get my car off the verge. I called recovery but they weren't able to help. In the end, after 4 hours, I had to leave my car and walk to the nearest village for my wife to pick me up. I've now found out that my car has been damaged, probably written off. I'm not sure how it's happened but based off the photos I've seen it won't be driveable. I've looked through my policy documents and there's no reference whatsoever to bad weather or anything relevant. What's my position with regards to insurance? Should I be covered given that I was forced to leave my car?

Mr Muscle? Is this legit? It's not like the whole 'feed a bag of builders sand through your turbo to clear it' prank that used to circulate online? How would I know if my car needs this? It's 210k, I've had it since Jan 2019 and done nearly 18k in that time. It does feel a bit slower than normal but assumed that was the age of the car and the fact that I drove 130bhp 1.9TDI A4s before this!

I'm trying to find out whether my 2008 Octavia 4x4 might have had the towing electrics wiring fitted in the factory as an option. The car has loads of factory fitted optional extras on it (I'm still discovering things after 18 months) so I want to check on the off chance that it has had it fitted - if so, I'd like to get a towbar fitted but if not, I can't justfiy the £400 outlay just for the wiring so I won't bother. Is there any way to find out without dismantling the car? If I were to contact Skoda would they be able to tell me how it was spec'd originally? Cheers!

I've seen a towbar kit (fittings and electrics) advertised online which claims to be for 'Octavia from 2008 to present'. Can you put the same towbar on MK2 and 3? I didnt think so. My car is a pre-facelift 2008 Octavia 4x4. Also, does anyone know if towbar fittings for the MK1 & Mk2 are compatible? I'm really struggling to find a second hand one for my car. Cheers!

Hi guys, As with many of you I’m sure, I’ve been using my air con a fair bit recently, and it’s been working beautifully. However, yesterday morning I got in my car, turned on the engine, twisted the dial and ...nothing. The displays come on as usual and the little indicator lights adjust as usual but there’s no fan sound and no air coming through. It had been fine when I parked up the night before. Does anyone know what would cause this? I think I’ve ruled out the fuse - there was what appeared to be a spare 5A fuse in an unassigned slot on the fuse board so I swapped that in and it’s made no difference. Cheers!