If the engine management light comes on does that automatically put the car in limp home mode? I was test driving an octavia which had to be jump started and the engine light was on because the battery was charging. I felt the car wasn't pulling as much as it should. Possibly in limp home mode?

Walk away. Theres penlty out there.

It could be something simple or it could a nightmare.

Light doesn't always trow it into limp.

HTH