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If this sounds appealing, I'd be tempted to get a quote from a distant Skoda dealer for the job. That way, if they say "We can't do that, you'll void your warranty!", you haven't pointed out to your local dealer (who's likely to do any warranty work), that you're intending to remove the silica bag and give them a little warranty wriggle-room. If they say "No problem!" and give you a price, then talk to your usual dealer to get the job done, safe in the knowledge it won't affect the warranty.

AFAIK, if you clamp the hoses when you swap out the header tank, I don't believe you need to bleed they system, but I don't know for sure. One Brisky member turkey-basted his coolant out prior to removing his expansion tank, and then returned it after the new tank was fitted, with a small top-up, if I remember correctly. Anyway, faffing around with clamping hoses and swapping header tanks was something I didn't fancy doing, hence I went fishing and taught myself the ancient art of silica bag tickling. As a result, am not a reliable source of info for header tank replacement. But there are those about who have done the job.

I'd have to see it in IRL myself for sure, but I don't think these are score marks. There seems to be two white finishes here. The original paint, and something else, just under the glass, that is on top of the paint. Is it possible that there was rust here previously, and someone has crudely run a brush loaded with who knows what (white smooth-finish Hammerite for all I know) across it to cover up the rust prior to selling the vehicle?

Those are lovely, but as I don't have a vRS, I'd have to find some without the logo.

Ultimately, this depends on how you feel about the silica bag issue. As always, the question to address is "What is the problem I am trying to solve." If the problem is a leaking silica bag, then get rid of the silica bag. If the problem is having to pay for the damage caused by a leaking silica bag, then presumably you are good to go right now, but as that warranty won't last forever, and the likelihood of a bag failure increases with time, then IMO all you're doing is hoping you silica bag fails during your warranty, which seems like an unsatisfactory solution to me. However, if you plan to ditch the car just before the warranty ends, then you should be protected against the cost (if not the inconvenience) of the repair. So I'd get rid of the bag. In fact I did get rid of the bag. (Revealed preference beats stated preference every time. )

I remove them, swing and slap them together outdoors, sometimes smack them with the flat of my hand (if I'm in the mood) to dislodge the worst of the stuff on them (not that they're ever that bad), then simply bring them into the house and run the vacuum over them, like they were carpet. That way I get the vacuum action, plus the bush sweeping action. Works pretty well and is very quick. Cleaning the fitted carpet in the car is far more of a faff than cleaning the mats, IMO.

Excellent idea!

Behind the glovebox, Jim. The red rings are around the tabs you need to lift to tilt the cover down and lift out out the locking tabs at the bottom. Removing the glovebox isn't as difficult as everyone warns you it is. It's just a bit fiddly to re-fit the damping lever. The video I've linked to tells you all you need to know. (Taking the side panel off is easy enough if you have a spudger.)

That's a presentation from Jan 2018, but yes, it does say it's just for the A7 & A8 but the intention was to roll it out to other vehicles. I suppose a knowledgable tech might be able to clarify things.

Ah! That they are not found on the combi is pretty telling. I did watch the video of the production of the FL Octavia, and the holes didn't seem to be used to cart the bodyshell around, but as it's an edited video, so I can't say either way for sure. But they do seem like a neat way to locate roof bars securely, given the old fashioned rail slots are no longer a thing. (Which is a shame, IMO.)

I'd be tempted to try and obtain another old, heavily worn steering wheel (assuming you can get one for peanuts), and try out some rejuvenating techniques on that, before trying out anything drastic on the one in your car.

If you buy the right camera, it is literally plug and play. The thread I linked to details what's needed to install both the plug-and-play and also the OEM type cameras, which need some setting-up and calibration.

Hello, and congrats on getting a good deal on a car at the moment. Prices are generally pretty inflated right now.

You're welcome! Funnily enough I've come across this problem before and have proposed a solution. I sometimes have quite a game finding threads relevant to what I'm looking for, and even when I do find them, I'm sometimes stuck in the position of not being able to find them again. Being able to have an index of favourite threads on my home profile page would be useful, and allow me to share useful threads more easily.

I hope you have made a suitable addition to the appropriate Skoda dealer review section? I am sure nobody wants to repeat your experience. https://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/289-škoda-dealer-reviews/

Here's a relevant thread.

I did not know that. I watched the Octavia production video on YouTube, but I didn't see the holes being used. Thanks for the info. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJuKMYIPsXk

Are these holes used by roof bars on the hatch? I've wondered what they were for.

Hello there! I've been toying with the idea of getting an OBDEleven myself, but haven't taken the plunge yet.

Ah! That's a useful note which I (and I suspect a few other people) have missed. Edit: My manual just has the comment about the temperature being lower than 50C or faulty, then "--" is displayed. Nothing about 80C to 100C. So it's not surprising I missed it. Thank you for that.

No worries @nta16, I really hadn't assumed you were having a go, and even if you were, I'm not a teenage girl, I can handle a little criticism . It's all good. I was just interested in the thread and commented on your post.

There's been a concerted effort to get people to use their cars less and less, both by seemingly ever increasing taxes on car use (VED, fuel etc.), congestion charges, and environmental campaigns pointing to the local pollution issues cars cause. So it's not surprising that people are using their cars less. Sometimes I only use my car once a week, to pop to the local supermarket for the weekly shop, and that's about a 5 mile round trip. So I tend to take a circuitous route to the supermarket and ensure I get my car up to temperature (oil temp over 60 degrees, not water) by the time I arrive. Now the covid lockdown is lifting, I'm likely to be back in the office at least once a week, which is a 15-20 mile round trip, mostly motorway, so that will do the car good.

Good spot! I think they are being very slippery there. There's no mention of needing mains/240 power in the description. There's clearly a 3rd lead coming out of the unit, but only the 12v croc-clips are shown.

That is brilliant! I have a NOCO Boost X GBX155 as a "This will get it going!" solution, but the CS Free looks like a way better solution.

Hello! That looks like £750 very well spent!