I have been offered the chance to buy a 53 reg(2004) vrs estate in red with 30k on it,car is owned by a friend of the family,it has full skoda history,needs a valet to make it immaculate,a drivers door micro switch as interior light doesnt always work off drivers door, more importantly it needs a cambelt as its NEVER had one! the skoda dealer has offered him £3750 in part ex,he says i can have it for £4k. my dilemma is my own 53 plate vrs hatch which has done 122k has nothing wrong with it.should i keep mine or buy the estate? i know low mileage vrs estates are rare nowadays!

How can it have a full Skoda history but still be on the original Cam Belt? Skoda's Service schedule calls for it to be replaced at 4 years or 60,000 miles. The price is about right for the age and the mileage is low, but remember you'll need to factor in £300 odd to get the Cam Belt done. In your position, unless I needed an Estate I would stick with what I know. My car has 98,000 on the clock, but I know how I've driven it. I don't abuse the clutch or gearbox, and generally treat it with respect. I would hate to swap it for something the same age that had been driven by someone else all it's life.

I agree with the above,how can it have a full history and the cam belt hasn't been done?? Also he's been offered £3750 for it but wants £4k from you ,some friend.

The skoda dealer told him about cambelt been 60k or 4 years last two services but told him not to worry as they never fail! (i know a mechanic at the dealer & they are a very good dealer so this surprised me)either way its due a belt,would be due its second this year anyway.As for letting me buy it for £250 more than trade in value is fine with me,when i have brought cars from my motortrade friends over the years i have always had to pay a bit more than trade in value.The same dealer had a 02 vrs hatch with 37k for sale for £5795 & it sold in a week so good condition low mileage vrs,s are clearly in demand. thanks for all comments,keep them coming!

Ignore comment about 2nd belt due this year,wouldnt be due till 2012. doh.

How can it have a full Skoda history but still be on the original Cam Belt? Skoda's Service schedule calls for it to be replaced at 4 years or 60,000 miles. The price is about right for the age and the mileage is low, but remember you'll need to factor in £300 odd to get the Cam Belt done. In your position, unless I needed an Estate I would stick with what I know. My car has 98,000 on the clock, but I know how I've driven it. I don't abuse the clutch or gearbox, and generally treat it with respect. I would hate to swap it for something the same age that had been driven by someone else all it's life.

I will replace cambelt myself so will only cost will be parts,i also have a old transit van that once we move im getting rid off so a estate could be quite handy as swmbo has a ford puma! i know the owner of the vrs looks after it as me & my dad always chuckle about how anal he is with looking after it & driving it!

FSH doesn't necessarily mean everything that was needed was done (as you've discovered). All FSH means is that someone has stamped the book (and hopefully after they've given it some new oil and a new filter). It means nothing else at all.

at 30K, it will still be on all original suspension, probably on original tyres, brakes, bushes etc etc so while it may seem "good" value because it's such low mileage, but bear in mind that age has an effect on these wear and tear items too, and they will almost certainly all need replacing.

Edited 18 May, 201016 yr by TomGG

The skoda dealer told him about cambelt been 60k or 4 years last two services but told him not to worry as they never fail!

Scary!

Check the tailgate for rust......