This maybe a bit of an anorak question!

I have noticed that loads of 'nearly' new Skoda's have KW08 prefix. Described as ex-Skoda cars. A quick search says that this prefix comes from Northampton..

Are they really ex-Skoda (staff cars) ?, or rental companies etc?

Skoda (in fact VAG) HQ is in Milton Keynes so not a million miles away.

KU used to be a common prefix. You'll also see it for MB cars as they are there too.

Cheers, it does sound logical then that Skoda staff cars would come from there..

I had a VW in the past & knew that certain prefix (AFXX I recall) almost always meant that they were ex-rental cars - so good to avoid (or not if you were happy about that)..

A lot of ex-Skoda cars have the 'OY' prefix. But if you keep an eye on the road tests in Autocar and the like, you will see that other VAG group cars also get it, e.g. VWs and Audis.

my old L&K was an ex skoda car and it was a KX55

My car was ex-Skoda and it's a KU

It they've done about 12000 miles they're probably ex-rental vehicles. I bought one that was reputed to be 'ex-Skoda' but turned out it was owned by Enterprise.

Needed a new DSG gearbox within 3 weeks of having it and was rejected.

One of the rental companies uses a company name on the registration document but I can't remember what it was.....

Good idea. Check the V5 - mine said Skoda on it, it was loaded with extras and had low miles. Mind you, my clutch is a bit dodgy!

As it happens I have just bought one of these (an Octavia Scout with 6k miles) with the KW reg. The V5 came today and the previous registered keeper is:

SKODA AUTO, DELAWARE DRIVE, BLAKELANDS, MILTON KEYNES.

which ties in with what the salesman in the dealer's told me.