FirstAndLastSkoda

DST Gearbox? Or do you mean DSG? Despite what both local Skoda dealerships told me when I had my 3 previous haldex oil changes with them, Gen4 haldex does have a mesh filter fitted. Local VAG indy carried out my fourth oil change and had to purchase the filter via a Volvo source, as Volvo replace the filters when carrying out this service on their vehicles. Haldex oil change with Skoda is about £75. Same service with VAG indy was £160, mesh filter was approximately £50.

About 10 years ago I attended a course where one of the lectures given was by a guy who's job was to return stolen-recovered vehicles. He started it was suspected by the team investigating the break-ins and thefts that some of the vehicles had been stolen due to criminals being able to somehow manipulate the remote central locking signal to leave a door (or doors) unlocked. As most people either don't check their vehicles are locked or only check the drivers door, they had a high probability rate of gaining access to the vehicle. Ever since then whenever I park up I go around and check all the doors in my vehicle are locked. Even if the guy was talking out of his jacksey, it doesn't do any harm. And if I was unfortunate to have my my vehicle either stolen or broken into whilst parked on my drive it will show quite clearly on my CCTV system me going around checking the doors.

The revs increase when the vehicle conducts an active regen. I only really notice it when dropping off or picking up my wife and she tells me the car smells like it's doing a regen (strong vinegary-diesel smell), sure enough the revs are about 200rpm above normal.

As there is frost, early morning condensation on the Honda behind, I would expect to see white smoke coming from your vehicle. I get it with mine when first starting on a cold day. As for your other issue, have a search on here (or Google) for DPF regens. Look for the explanations on passive and active regens. If the vehicle is stationary when conducting a regen, as well as the diesel smell, you should also see the revs rise from normal idle (iirc 750-800rpm) to about 1000rpm.

Disregard my last post. I always get Bothwell and Bellshill mixed up, which is why I am glad I'm not a taxi or bus driver. Bellshill is in North Lanarkshire. Sorry about the confusion. Not off to a good start, am I!

I hate to muddy the water even further, but Bothwell is in SOUTH Lanarkshire, and the majority of South Lanarkshire Council utility vehicles are painted that shade of blue in your phots, and nearly all of them have white numeral identifiers plastered front, side and back. The area was mostly used for coal mining and agriculture, and has shed loads of country parks. If you want to know what kind of life your vehicle may have had you may find the following link useful; South Lanarkshire Council