Tilt

@slow_nick If by my post, yes, it is a little difficult to explain. If the op doesn't get it I will try and post picture. Or......... if you are on about the rust issue then I will assume you cut holes in your rubbers, and not the door bottom, as both me and the op presumed you meant.???? this would have the similar effect as what I have done.

@blackspaven I've put plastic plugs in to keep a hole between the bottom seal and the door metal. Two pieces on each door. This allows any water that would have got trapped (I had same issue as you) to run through these gaps in the seal rather than building up and running over into the car foot well. I trapped the pieces of plastic between the door metal and the door card. Quite simple, just need to get them correct length so when the door is closed it pushes these pieces of plastic onto the inner seal creating the gap around it. Same as nick............ no issues with water since I have done this.

Bare metal and water........... not good, but I cannot see it being a big enough issue to worry about in the bottom of the door.

It is the one thing I like missing from my old Octavia................ too much unnecessary 'technology'. If I get stuck in traffic I can turn my ignition off, and I like to stay awake and paying attention, reading the road whilst driving. I find it helps..........

Welcome b...... I'm sure you will find some helpful guys on here for if / when you have any issues... Good luck with the car.

Not everyone is loaded... Some folk have to make compromises if possible where they can. Maybe the op needs to. Very hard times for some.

Terrible problem on the Octavia's..... I do think once you have completed the job and bled the brakes you will find that all will be ok (taking into account all the above suggestions of course, ie 'working' the piston a few times carefully though, and removing reservoir cap. I doubt you have warped anything Just a good clean off of everything and possibly a bit of filing, refit using Ceratec grease rather than copper grease, especially on the rubbers, bleed them and you should be fine... A G clamp is your friend for pushing piston back in...

Good to see another Midlander.............. even one that thinks the Isle of Wight is abroad, . Glad you included Italy I love tinkering also, but DIY style is my forte.............. Absolutely useless with technology me... A warm welcome to you, and glad you like your car.

These look quite different to the Octavia's, but I managed to shear (no matter how hard I tried not to by cleaning and easing) one of the three bolts that go through the console when I attempted to swap the console's on mine a number of years back now. Cannot remember if it was the bigger one or one of the two smaller ones but ended up having to take it to a garage to sort it. Heat would have been my friend I think......

I've got a switch on mine just to the right of the steering wheel on the dash panel. Only took me about seven or eight years to suss out what it did, Lol....... Switches the 12v socket in the boot on or off....... Its possibly in all of the estates, maybe a certain spec...

Bit difficult to tell but it looks more like a picture of an alloy wheel to me, with a low profile tyre. If they really look that good then maybe they will look good on yours. Do you have low profile tyres??? What size wheels???

Bonus then....... Lol.

@lilstrop If you are keeping the car and can afford to purchase two then it makes sense to replace both of them, then you can keep the ok one as a spare... But no, IMO not particularly necessary to replace both.

There is / was (and probably still there) a VAG specialist garage on Harrimans Lane at the back of Showcase off Clifton Blvd. Not sure where in Notts you are though........... They looked after me and my A4 but it was a number of years ago.

@Colin170CR I will have a look at them but the cheapest front suspension (hardtail / NON full suss) I was looking at was circa £2000. The best Decathlon one doesn't look bad but demand for these (the quality ones) bikes has gone through the roof due to lock-down...... I guess it depends if you are serious rider... Thanks though.

@Colin170CR Can you point me to these e-MTB full suspension bikes that can be had for that price please. I'm interested. Cheers.

Just a thought, although maybe not practical but is it possible to fit and use a boot mounted bike rack but whilst making sure the boot is not opened whilst these are fitted???

It was the 'and became hard work' bit that got me, Lol. If a second or two's effort to shut a tailgate is hard work......... Maybe a building job or kitchen fitting or some hard physical labour might help overcome this issue. No offence intended to anyone......... everyone has their opinion.

Remove the struts.....................

You got a time machine????????

My slow leak was corrosion on the valve seat / seal... Ask the fitter to make sure it was cleaned before he fitted a new one.

Too much time on their hands during lock-down eh Mac...... Lol.

Well pointed out.

Would that be most roads then Root???, Lol.

As Root says, charge the battery.............. Smart charger required me thinks See what happens. Is the warning light just a low battery warning???