Hey,

I'm off to look at a 2001 (X-reg) Octavia Ambiente 1.6 and wondered what advice you'd give with regards things to watch out for or check. Are there any major problems I should be aware of?

Cheers for any help offered

Same as any other car really. Things more specific would include,

Do the instruments all work correctly, if they dont it could mean a new dashpod or repair.

Squeeky suspension due to worn or dry ARB bushes,

Then make sure everything works, and if buying from a dealer and something doesnt work then tell them before collection, sorting it later is more difficult.

Check all the electrics in the drivers door function properly:

- light in the bottom of the door

- control to all electric windows

- electric mirror adjustment control

- heated mirror control

- locks / unlocks / "childlock" thing

- LED flashes only when locked

Any of the above (maybe bar the mirrors) could be seen as signs of water ingress into the loom in the drivers door.

At that age, I would suggest checking for leaking shocks, and possibly maybe a broken off section off the front coils.

Otherwise not really that familiar with the 1.6, I guess cambelt will/should have been changed every 60k/4 years (which ever is sooner).

Less major:

- Check the locks actually work - I find that mine get very stiff if they are not used - especially the boot one, as I guess it gets a load of sh!t on it from the road - key goes in, but fails to turn, needs some oil and gentle wigglying to free it up.

- Rear windscreen washer works (hoses have a habbit of popping apart at the joints)

Many thanks for suggestions so far

I've been and had a quick chat and have been "told" its only fault is an idle problem, when sitting idling the revs go up and down. Any ideas on what could be the cause of this? Going back for a better look later with someone who knows a bit more than I do, so the list of things to check is much appreciated.

Cheers.

Phil

The idle problem could be a faulty coolant temp sensor, they're less than £30 to replace.

If you have a local Briskoda member with VAG-Com you could PM them and ask if they can come and scan the car for fault codes for a beer or two. That should tell you whether it is the coolant temp sensor or if there is any other problem with it.

And other things to check same as all cars really, do the numbers on the V5 logbook all match whats on the car? Are you happy with the service records and any receipts for work done in the past? Are the fluid levels ok and no smoke or noises when you take it for a test drive? check the brakes, is the exhaust looking ok or does it look like it's going to need replacing? and as others have said are all the electrical things working as these seem to be the costliest things to fix or replace on VAG cars (the mechanical side of things is quite reliable)

The guide I did to buying a VRS at the top of this forum might help with checking the basic things although there are things specific to the VRS (turbo etc) that won't apply here.

Edited 8 March, 201016 yr by chicken_eyebrow

Don't buy it.

It's a terrible slow car!

It could be the throttle body too which is mucky (causing the rough idle). I had that with mine. Don't expect sports car performance, as it isn't quick - 0-60 is about 12 seconds on mine. Its not too bad on economy if you don't thrash it, otherwise expect low 30's!

I drove one once and found it just fine if you are not in a hurry.....

well, I went back for a proper look and a few things scared me off, the garage knocking £300 off before I'd taken a look for a start. Dodgy drivers interior door handle, non-opening rear window, bit of mould on the back seat and the main one of engine light showing on dials. This as well as the idle problem and tape on a pipe in the engine bay put me off so I've decided to hold off for a while.

Thanks very much for the replies, gave me a good idea what to look for :yes:

interior door handles failing are quite common too - I forgot that earlier. Just needs a new cable (probably), was the cure for mine!

Mould on the back seat is just nasty!