Hello there, not posted for some time, been quite busy. I've got a problem with a potential purchase of a mint Octy vRS TDI in race blue metallic, 57-plate (2007) with 18,000 miles from an independent garage. I've been after one of these for some time at the right price. The problem goes as follows;

1) Car is on sale at major car supermarket, but they've had to move it from their Leeds branch so that I could view it and test drive it. The car had previously been on sale in one of their branches near London for a few weeks and was then moved to Leeds branch. I tets drove it and was very happy with it. Problem is, there's no V5c doc with the car, but a service history book showing Horton Skoda as original seller to first buyer/owner. I'm worried about this and hence I voice my concerns with salesman. I also carry out my own hpi check on it - not good - the reg plate not only doesn't register with DVLA, but hpi says it is either too new to have a mark registered - can't be so, the car could be an import or the vehicle has the wrong plates on it. The salesman does his own hpi check in showroom and gets same as me. The salesman then says the vehicle is in the process of a plate change, i.e removal of private plate etc... His manager also informs me that the vehicle has SORN declared aswell but was driven from their Leeds branch.

Incidently, the advert for the vehicle online has one registration and the actual car in the showroom has the same reg bar the first letter of the reg being different from the advert??? (Neither of these two reg plates is a private plate either).

2) Having also noted that the price is rather low for the vehicle's age, mileage and spec i start to worry further. I also start to realise tha maybe not all the kit on the carcar is there either. i.e CD Autochanger, wheel jack kit looks incomplete and is the spare wheel housing outer (underside) supposed to have a plastic cowling over it? etc..

I have a horrible feeling this car is an import but I could be wrong.

I believe that the V5C is going to be sorted for me tomorrow and will hopefully confirm whether the car is an import or not.

I was wondering if anybody could confirm whether or not the standard spec for an Octy vRS 57-plate (2007) included a CD Autochanger (and it usual location in the car), what the full kit for the wheel jack comprised of and if cowling covered the spare wheel well underside??

I know this is a long-winded post but I'd really appreciate some help before I part with my hard-earned cash! :eek: :confused:

Cheers

Here's a picture of the underside of my spare wheel well...

Cheers for that, that's identical to what I saw yesterday so that's one worry I can tick

off the list!

sorry to say I think it sounds all very dubious to me. Anyway if the following is of help;

Contact Horton Skoda (if its the one I know there OK; based in Lincoln) if you have the VIN they will have it on record. (This would also point to it having an F prefix reg no unless it went straight onto a private plate).

You could also try inputting the Reg no. into the DVLA licensing web site, they have a vehicle enquiry link, see below.

Page Has Expired

If nothing comes up then the number does not exist or its hidden as the vehicle issued with that number is now on a private plate.

Hope it all works out OK, but if in doubt walk away.

Thanks for your advice, will look at DVLA websitenow. When you say the following,

'This would also point to it having an F prefix reg no unless it went straight onto a private plate'

are you suggesting the vehicle is an import or is just in the process of it having a private plate removed and awaiting a repalcemnt reg from DVLA?

Cars registered new under the current system start with a regional prefix, for example FX51 AAA would have been registered in Lincolnshire F also covers the Notts area too (F=fens & forest) here in Yorkshire they begin with a Y.

Only if the car went straight onto a private plate at first registration will this not be the case.

If a vehicle had a standard reg then went onto a private plate then the original number may remain with the car but hidden by the DVLA.

Yep cheers for that. I took a look at the DVLA site and filled in an enquiry. The car is described as blue and seems to match the reg plate in the showroom and is also showing as untaxed.

Import doesn't seem to be mentioned there. Maybe there is hope!

I shall find out no doubt tomorrow.

Many thanks for your help

No probs, hope all goes OK

Horton dont sell imports only Skoda UK supplied cars.

Not all VRs's had a CD changer, check the headunit. If the headunit is an "Audience" as opposed to "Stream" then the CD changer is built into the headunit and thats why you dont have one in the back.

Does the DVLA allow you to cross check the number plate with VIN or chassis No's?

It does seem fishy if the plates in the ads are different to those now on the car.

Walk away, plenty of others out there.

I'd give Hortons a ring with the details you have for the car. Quite a good idea to do that anyway, to get extra info on the car if they've dealt with it in the past.

Does seem a bit odd what you've described, but I'd keep an open mind until you've uncovered all that you can - then make a decision on whether to purchase or not.

Steve

If it's the car I think it is I've just seen it jump £1k !

You should also check whether that engine really is CR on a '57 plate.

Jump 1K?! :confused:

I'd get the VIN plate to a Skoda dealer, any dealer, sharpish for checking, especially for engine type and overall spec! There's the tale on here of a buyer being sold a PD when it was sold as a CR, and I don't think it's yet to be resolved - so avoid the hassle by checking pre-purchase.

Steve

I can't see anywhere on the original post where it says the car is common rail?

As others have posted if you are in any doubt walk away.

No, I realise the OP didn't mention CR but I'm pretty sure I know the ad in question & it claims CR.

Cheers for your input and advice guys.

I wondered whether or not it was actually a PD or CR unit. I asked the salesman and he couldn't tell me. I didn't think the CR engine was around on a 57-plate? To be honest if it's a PD unit, it doesn't bother me - I currently have a fabia vRS and the PD unit on that is quite fun to drive!

I have a feeling that the ad was a bit of a bodge job and that whoever wrote it/filled it out has 'guessed' at a few things, but I might be wrong. I'm going to ring Horton's today and Skoda UK aswell and try and get some answers.

Isn't the problem that you're buying a diseasal?

On a 57 plate it will be a PD, nothing wrong with that as its a very capable and tried/tested engine.

Look in the boot at the sticker and it will say CR DPF somewhere on that if it's a CR.

You could have just squeezed a CR onto a 57 plate IIRC, but literally by a few days.

Isn't the problem that you're buying a diseasal?

Stuck record?

CR cars started being produced 3 months after 57 plate finished.

Hi mate,

To end this once and for all give me a call on 01522 508650 and I will give you all the details of the car down to the last nut and bolt.

If the PDI stamp is from us, good chance we supplied it new......

Give me a call personally and I will sort it.

Regards,

Oliver Horton

Can't say fairer than that

PM me the VIN number and the registration number on the vehicle at the moment.

I'm always very dubious about car supermarket cars, especially since I took a Saab in PX that was one a large one just North of London and it turned out it was

a) stolen (and police still had an interest because of a crime that was commited in the car)

was crashed quite badly but the supermarket bought it before it claimed on so there was no trace of the crash on HPI but an inspection revealed heavy damage to the sill)

Just be very, very careful and if it's cheap then there is ALWAYS a reason, even if it is just an innocent one. I'd be inclined to get the car inspected by the AA or pay a touch more for one with a more traceble history.