Hi all, we are thinking of changing our current car, Nissan X trail 2.0SE+ auto (2002 model) and getting a 2 or 3 year old Skoda Octy Estate, I would like a 4x4 , my wife would like a L&K DSG auto, we`ve had a few probs in the past with the nissan. front drive shafts, wheel bearings, calipers seizing, crank and cam sensors, the cost of repairs could have bought us a new vehicle.. we are looking to buy from a Skoda used car dealership, and I understand that if the car has done less than 60k you get 1 yr skoda warranty.. what should i look for to ensure that the vehicle I purchase wont be as bad as our Nissan....

we`ve had the nissan since 2005 when it was 3 yrs old with 1 previous owner, all the servicing has been done at a main agent and I would use an approved service centre for the skoda. Any advice would be gratefully recieved.........alan

Im no expert or mech, but recent experience in this:

If the car has ESP, check if the ABS module has been replaced/recon'd (if it falls into the 'at risk' category of course).

There are a few recent threads on this.

Im not quite sure what options the dealer would give you if it hasnt.

Edited 28 May, 201016 yr by Rhoobarb

It's very much a case of the life the car has had, look out for traces of taxi signs, radio holes, aerial base mounts etc ...

If it's ex police check for crash damage repairs ....

Have as long a test drive as you can, there's plenty to choose from, so there's no need to buy a poor one.

As with most internet car forums, a lot of people appear on here with a problem, then disappear when it's fixed,

it does sometimes give a misleading impression of a generally solid car.

I would suggest you have a little look at some threads on turbos,

(a loud howling, like a police siren if you can't hear it with the window shut, it's probably ok),

but please remember to put it against a context of, most cars are fine.

Likewise the Teves mk60 ABS / ESP ECU ... a known flaw, but I don't think it's as common as the net might suggest

There's a recent thread entitled the bad bits review, which lists most of the niggly stuff too.

For example certain tyres make the car much noisier than others, so if you do drive one and think it's noisy on certain roads,

try to compare it against another and look which brand / size of tyre it has, it makes a suprising difference.

My best advice would be look at the meets section, if there's one near you, go along, chat to some real owners,

they'll be generally a happy friendly bunch & they'll be able to explain stuff by demonstrating it on a car,

in a way that the internet simply can't.

Couple of things I've had on my 57 plate.

1) Windscreen de-lamination. Look for misty line at bottom of Windscreen

2) Hairline crack developing in dashpod. Changed under warranty.

last Octavia was a 55 plate, at that time driveshafts and wheel bearings were known to go.

Also front windscreen delamination was fairly common.

Edited 29 May, 201016 yr by slider

Actually, just re-read the original post, if you're buying "Skoda approved used" then it should be in top notch condition.

Just take your time and look at several, I'd even suggest chatting to some cabbies, ask them who does their servicing etc..

Also check there is no wetness in the boot, indicating a detached washer pipe. Easy fix, but a real pain to dry out.

Similarly, there have been reports of leaking door carrier seals, soaking the carpets and underlay. Once again, easy enough to sort out, but a real pain and time consuming to dry out.

Rear tyre wear is also an issue, plenty of threads on here about that.

Having said all this, the octavia is a fine car, and you won't be disappointed.

Oh, and I'd be tempted to use an independent rather than main dealer for servicing etc.

Mike

Rear tyre wear was sorted a while ago.....and our local independant is far dearer than the local (very good) Skoda garage.

Just get the estate version and you will have no problems :-)

Had three not an ounce of bother with any of them except for an exhaust pressure sensor which was fixed under warranty anyway. CR diesels are relatively new but oh so quiet you won't know it is a diesel. Happy hunting and as others have said, drive a few. Dealers are usually happy to let you.

Hi, thank you for all the replies.. you are a wealth of information, and this should make our car hunting a little less fraught....

Hi, thank you for all the replies.. you are a wealth of information, and this should make our car hunting a little less fraught....

I made the move from being a long-time Nissan owner late last year - although not for reasons of unreliability (all the Nissans I had were pretty much trouble free) but with the demise of the Primera, they no longer offered the type of vehicle I wanted with a range that now consists mainly of 4x4 type SUV's and quirky small cars.

So far the Skoda experience has been extremely good, the Octavia has been totally reliable and is an excellent package of comfort, economy and features. I would have no hesitation in recommending it, in fact I already have and a colleague has bought one having looked at mine.

As suggested in the preceding posts, take your time to find a good one. I struggled to locate the spec I wanted within my budget in the dealer network and ended up buying from an independent.