softscoop

Is yours an estate or hatch?

That looks like a vast improvement

Yes the date of manufacture is part of the DOT code: It's in a 4 digit format 2 digits for the week, and 2 for the year. https://www.kwik-fit.com/tyres/information/tyre-age#:~:text=The four-digit tyre age,represent the year of manufacture.

Hey up! It's been a while. What are you driving these days?

When I sold my Octavia last year, I listed it on Autotrader as well as Facebook. It also was drivable with plenty of MOT, but had faults that would need fixing before the next one. As you said, marketplace resulted in lots of daft questions or "is it still available" without any further interest. I priced it to sell. Not silly cheap, but slightly cheaper than the difference between the parts and what it would be worth without the faults. I took a deposit within 1 hour of it being live on autotrader, and was collected later the same day. It didn't cost anything to list, as you get a free 1 week listing if it's under £1000, which I assume your A4 also will be?

Ok, so I think I have found one. This place says they have 5 in stock but it is €38.74 + €13.44 postage to UK. https://alvadi.cz/en/original/16710058-FAA610012-VAG?sv=5

Wow this really is a challenge. I found it listed for sale here: https://www.autokelly.cz/Product/VAG-FAA610012/11922992 But it states: Available in: 0 branches Not on the central stock Looking at the pictures of the item, it looks like that earlier part no you found was correct "1Z0 807 449" This literally returns 0 results on Google. Looking at the pictures, it looks like a low volume, low quality plastic part. I can't find anywhere that has it listed as in stock.

5 litres is the normal amount to order when doing a DSG oil change. Usually around 4.3L is drained when undoing the bottom plug, and was around that when I last did mine. If they're only draining 2L, then either the box was very dry and probably would be broken at that point, or it wasn't a wet DSG box.

Have a look here: https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/octavia/oct/2007-419/1/121-121052/

One other thing to look at is what about your tyres? Different tyres can have a huge amount of difference between how noisy they are.

Well well, another one has shown up: LN04 AVJ https://www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/1182966285785791 Nicely specced. Xenon, sat nav, sunroof

Ok, I've done a bit more detective work on this. Part no FAA 610 002 is the lower rear bumper spoiler with "Sports suspension kit" This website lists the spoiler, and in the description is the below Replacement cap for towing eyelet art. FAA610012 This corresponds with no 7 on the above part diagram (trim for bumper tow hitch)

Are you 100% sure the part no starts with 1Z0 ? I would be very surprised. The part nos on the Mk2 Octavia are split into 3 groups. Each start with : 1Z0 is generic to the entire Octavia range. 1Z5 is used on parts specifically for the hatchback 1Z9 is used on parts specifically for the estate (combi) As the Sport was only ever sold as a hatch, I would expect the cover to start with 1Z5. Looking at the parts catalogue, there is no different part listed for the for Sport model. Given that you have tried the scout and the regular cover, looking at your pictures of the bumper, will the vRS cover fit? Looks different to the scout trim. https://www.skoda-parts.com/spare-part/1z5807441a-towing-lug-cover-rs-14080.html This is the catalogue for the vRS, which shows the different part.

There is one being sold on eBay at the minute which looks like it has the cover in place. Might be worth getting in touch with the seller and see I'll they'll help you out by having a look at the cover for a part no. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304481635069?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=BXpsMDiVS5-&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Actually scrub that one, looking again it's a regular Ambiente where everything on the bumpers has been colour coded.

Ah yes well spotted.

Can you not get hold of the correct ones locally? When I had my preFL Octavia I had to replace one of them. I bought a genuine one which wasn't expensive at all. Part no 1Z0955985

Has your windscreen ever been replaced? The pillar trim comes off easily, but with your airbag, disconnect the battery, pop off the airbag cover and unscrew. Then the trim pops off with clips. You might then get a better picture where the water is coming in.

https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/octavia/oct/2010-663/8/863-863020/#23 Item 23. 1K0863993 The correct suffix for your vehicle depends on the model year.

The key lock should just prevent it being stolen, the functionality of the towbar should be exactly the same with it locked or unlocked. I very much doubt you will break the towball with a hammer. A 750kg unbraked trailer will put much more force on it than you could do.

Also looking at your original picture, does the red/ green button need to be pressed in at the same time as turning the lever?

Have you got anyone assisting you? Probably easier if someone is using the hammer and you're pushing down on the release lever. Get some releasing fluid (plusgas or similar) into as much of the mechanism and where it all connects as you can. Give the towball a good whack in all directions as you push down on the lever.

If the locksmith left it unlocked then you don't need a key to get it off. Chances are the release mechanism is just stuck. Does the release mechanism move even a small amount as you try to turn it?

Did they leave the lock locked or unlocked? As I said even when I got mine unlocked, It took quite a few whacks with a 2lb hammer whilst turning the release lever to get it to free the mechanism.

Yes it looks like that one is long dead. Nothing as stunned to be a car as the Morgan aero8 though...

Could be an import, but it all looks ok with full UK mot history etc. I did spot another one in the wild, I think this was 2015 I spotted it. All I have is this screenshot from my dashcam.