StevoM

Tried to buy another Skoda from them as first purchase a few years ago was good and car prepped well. Sadly they didn't have much stock but unlike other dealers didn't seem to make much effort to source something - I had to follow up and they just said they could not get a car, odd as I had reasonable budget and a few options - Henrys and Westend both came back with options. Got impression that Ingram were doing well enough not to pursue a sale, thought they'd be keener as I had bought before. Found a car from Skoda stock from another dealer.

Tried to buy a car from this dealer, not that many cars in stock in price point - mainly nearly new or ex demo and some higher miles, very few DSG. Asked to source something but salesman didn't come back and I chased up. On a second visit dealt with a new salesman who was much better and found cars just outside budget, then an older car but at least he followed up. Overall dealership seemed good and would probably visit again or used for service, just a shame that stock was not better as they are main Glasgow dealer and I would have bought from them on confidence of service. Prices were not to far out for a franchise.

After dealing with Henrys, Ingram Ayr and Westend Skoda tying to source an 1-3 year Octavia or Yeti but no success I went to Arnold Clark, my experience at previous visits to view cars had not been positive at other non franchise AC dealers - cars in poor condition for age or one Yeti that had new shocks and a replaced wing on further inspection. However the salesman/advisor in Linwood (John) was very helpful and brought a car from other branch, putting it from fleet to annual servicing with a dealer service included, painless process and car was fair price. This branch seemed to be above average in terms of other Arnold Clark dealers and was dealt with professionally. To early to say on aftersales service as no issues with car so far. I visited same branch a few weeks before but the different salesman was not as knowledgable or as interested. John had a much better attitude and ability to deal with enquiries, they experience was good and while car not as well prepped as previous Ingram purchase, the sales process was positive. I was surprised but confident in differences with Arnold Clark Linwood compared to other branches. On another note - Henrys were better on return visit as second salesman was more active in trying to find a car and follow up (I had to chase up first salesman), Westend were good at following up but couldn't source a car on budget - the stock they had was top end in terms of valuation. Ingrams did not get back despite me buying a car previously and I had to chase up, they didn't make any effort to keep looking - just that they could not source a car which was surprising as henrys showed me a list of cars they can get from Skoda for all dealers! Ultimately all other dealers seemed to struggle to access stock with exception of Henrys but the ex-fleet/hire cars they could get were more expensive than AC. I would still recommend Henrys but maybe less so Ingram as they didn't seem as keen on a sale. They were good 3 years ago when I bought my wife's car.

After a just over a week in the Octavia estate 1.0tsi the lowest mpg I've had is 40. This was on a 3 mile school run that was heavy traffic, around 10mph avg speed. Comparing to both my old 1.6 focus zetec and current second car, a 1.2htp 3cyl fabia 63 plate which both did/do low 30s mpg. Technology has indeed come along way, I have since managed up to 60mpg on a quieter commute, 10mpg up on the fabia, 13mpg up on focus. I was nervous about such a small engine but have driven car full and have not had an issue yet, I have DSG on it, it definitely drives way smoother than my father's geartronic equipped Volvo v60 with around 150ps D3 and only feels marginally slower. I think the DSG works best if you drive light on acceleration, it does seem to go up gears very quick compared to what I would normally do so hence the economy. That said I always drive fairly economicaly on my manual cars. I think the DSG works best to get most out of the small engine, another big benefit was price... I picked up an 18 plate estate with 14k miles at 1000 pounds less than anything I'd seen with 1.6tdi or 1.5tsi, it would have been 300 more for a 1.5 hatch with same age and miles. I think people being put off by idea of small engine makes the car a shrewd used buy. I have had 3 larger cars with a 1.6 petrol, no turbo and a 2.0hdi Citroen with a turbo, the Octavia pulls better than all of them and feels much more refined, only the 2.0hdi felt better fully loaded for obvious reasons but on everyday use I don't imagine most would need more than the 1.0tsi, fuel economy might be similar to 1.5tsi but cost to buy is definitely not.

Just picked up 1.0tsi Estate. Mixed motorway commute, 20 miles with 5 start stop jam... 53mpg, 60mpg on clear run at 7am, no traffic. Happy 👍

Just bought a 2018 1.0tsi Estate to go with the 1.2htp fabia we have had for a few years... Love the Octavia, nearly had a Pug 308sw GT line but the dealer let me down and rejected it... No regrets on getting Octavia, lucky escape I think 😂 DSG and 1.0 works great

My Fabia Reaction - just picked up a few weeks back

Thanks for the info

It was used. Just under 2 years. Have asked for print outs of services and will keep them. Car is great though - just prefer to keep a record with car rather than online.

It was from Ingrams

Yes - bought from a dealer under approved used scheme. Dont think there is anything dodgy to be honest - dealer showed me previous owner and history on screen prior to purchase and car was serviced before I picked it up, second year service. I will ask again and also request service print outs.

I will get back to dealer then!