I've been trawling these forums the past couple of weeks looking for info on vRS's and they've been very helpful so far. I've found out about the cambelt changes which has been a useful bargaining tool but I'm unsure of what else to look out for.

Tomorrow I'm going back to see an 04 with 12k on the clock. From what I've seen so far it looks in very good condition. A couple of stone chips on the bonnet and 3 scratches on the drivers sideskirt thingy beneath the door are the only marks on the outside. All 4 wheels and spare are in pristine condition.

The dealer has offered to replace the cambelt. He hasn't offered to replace the water pump though. Is it worth while (considering the mileage) getting this replaced even if I have to pay the cost of the pump? If so I was thinking of ordering one from the internet and getting them to fit it while they change the cambelt.

When I test drove it then it sounded ok, no rattles etc

However, what else should I be looking for? The tyres are contisport contact jobs and all have decent tread left on them. I don't know about the brakes or how to check them though? I test drove it today and they seemed very sharp but then I only drove it for about 10 minutes. Longer test drive tomorrow. Is there any visible check I should do?

Also are there any other spots I should check?

Well the brakes are easy to see the condition of due to the open shape of the wheel, so check those. With 14k on the clock though theyre probably the originals with a good bit left on them. Check everything works as normal, make sure the original mats are there and it runs and pulls without hesitation. Not really major things.

Save up for the remap too.

hi mate,

yes its def worth getting a metal water pump impeller fitted with the cambelt, hardly difficult for the dealer to do if hes doing the cambelt and not expensive, most people get this done at the same time as cambelt.

Check all the electrics work, ie central locking etc as these can go wrong and be costly to repair.

Also i would check there is no water in the boot on the passenger side where the cd changer is (under it behind the carpet) as the washer pipe leaks here. Also check carpets at the front and back of footwells as they can leak under the pollen filter or on the drivers side by the bonnet cable release mechanism.

You should be able to feel if brakes are ok, try an emergency stop, visually check the discs and pads for score marks.

Are you going to a main dealer in the south east by the way?

It's a ford main dealer in the southeast.

Cheers for those tips, I've made a note of them and I'll check them out tomorrow.

Those tyres too are probably the originals.

is it a dealer in kent? just wondered as dealers are often more expensive so you def want to try and get the bits you are not happy with done and of course for a cheeky lower offer than what they will have it listed for!

how much??????

Dealer is in kent. Looking at £5500 at the moment which is over my budget so I'm hoping he'll come down to £5250 which I can *just* about justify.

Oh, also read that the bushes go fairly easily. What sort of signs should I be looking for if they have gone?

Edited 16 October, 200817 yr by mooseman4k

If your going to spend that kind of money why not think about Phil's WRC VRS http://briskoda.net/skodas-sale/octavia-vrs-wrc/107312/

I would snap it up if I had the cash

Not Lifestyle Ford in Tunbridge Wells is it?

Sounds cheap at £5500, mine was £5000 from the Skoda dealership in TW with at least six times the mileage of the one you're looking at, although they did throw a 12 month warranty in with mine.

At only 12k there's not much to worry about. If it's got any extra options such as sat-nav, a sunroof, cruise control and parking sensors then check those are all working ok

Oh and come along to one of the Kent meets once you've got it!

Might be worth taking a cheap scanner to look for codes – just in case:

Audi, VW, Seat, Skoda tools :: Gendan Automotive Products

If it's got a warranty it should all be OK though. Deffo get the water pump done as well because if that goes (and the old ones were prone to) it could be a big old headache. It's only about £30 I think and easy to do if they're doing the cambelt anyway. Sounds like a good price though for the miles.

Oh, check that it's got the six CD changer cartridge in the boot. When I got mine I nearly handed over the money but then remembered to ask him about the stereo. Had a look and the cartridge wasn't there. He got a new one for me in two days and held the car for me.

Good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of Skoda ownership

Oh, check that it's got the six CD changer cartridge in the boot.

I'll second that, I was looking at the price of those cartridges last month when I bought a fitting bracket for the changer in my sisters Seat Leon. £20 :eek: and thats for just the cartridge you put the CD's in!!! :eek:

Hmmm, I smell sarcasm. I thought they were more than that :confused:

No sarcasm intended

That was ebay prices IIRC it was £30 from the main dealer

You could buy the 6 CDs to put in it for less than that!

The bracket I bought was almost £6!!! (for a little bit of metal!)

And Skoda told me when I bought the car that their parts prices weren't bad!

Edited 17 October, 200817 yr by chicken_eyebrow

Apologies for misunderstanding. You're right though, the actual CD's will cost less, but still, £20 when you're spending £5.5k isn't going to make or break the deal. Just saves the hassle of having to wait for a new one when you all you want to do is turn The Who up and enjoy your new motor

have you considered going for a 4x4 instead? I know that stock there is a difference in the power but if you start down the well travelled road of tuning then the engines give the same results. If your worried that the 4x4 is not quite as economical then get it gassed! I did and loving it, more of a sleeper than the VRS as well 4x4's tend to be a bit cheaper to buy so the saving goes toward the cost of Gas or perfomance mods..

I'll second that, I was looking at the price of those cartridges last month when I bought a fitting bracket for the changer in my sisters Seat Leon. £20 :eek: and thats for just the cartridge you put the CD's in!!! :eek:

Hmm I've got a spare one I keep just to store CD's in the glovebox (my changer broke so bought a new one with another changer caddy)... I think I may be putting it on a certain auction website later!

Well I went way over my original budget and bought it Cheers for everybodys advice. I checked it over as thoroughly as I could checking for all that was recommended on here. It's gone off to a skoda dealership for new cambelt and metal water pump. Looking forward to picking it up now

Their gonna fit an aftermarket metal water pump at a Skoda dealership!?

Normally they just use the OE plastic ones and refuse to use aftermarket ones.

Thats well cheep for an 04 with 12k on !!!. I paid 7.3k 7 months ago for an 04 with 30k on it.

Grats on the buy you will love it

Wow, that is well cheap man innit! (rough translation - you got yourself a bargain)

Enjoy!!

Christ that is a good deal. I paid £6750 for mine (Jan 05 on a 54 with 53k on the clock) 6 months ago and that was from a dealer with a 12month warranty! I guess the credit crunch is having a big effect!

paid £6750 for my 54 reg with 67k on the clock in Jan (ok had a 1 year warranty with that as well) but think you have a bargain there! mines on 80k now and still running fantastically! unfortunatley ive been a lazy sod and only washed it a handful of times since ive owned it and the 150 odd mph drive down a "private road" seems to have produced stonechips all over the bonnet becuase i havent kept it clean and polished/waxed it to protect, also after a friend has been using it, the front bumper is very slightly dropped now, looks like he has reveresed over a speed ramp, grr lol , hope you have loads of fun with your octi, love mine to bits (shame mines prob only worth 3500-4000 now hehe.