A 2 year lease based on 30000 miles / year is very different to the private buyer who drives 10000 or less miles a year and keeps their car much longer.

If I get say £1000 back in 10 years time my Fabia will work out at £1250 / year.

If I bought a new A3 1.6TDi Sportback with the same engine and similar paper specification and optimistically got back £2500 the cost would be over £1900 / year.

Skoda's don't seem to suffer from the same sort of problems that other VAG makes do. It maybe that VW and Audi models use the latest technology and gimmicks, whereas Skoda are slightly behind but are tried and tested.

I think these are two of the main preferences for me personally for Skodas over other more premium brands. I keep my cars a long time so HP or lease arrangements don't figure in the equation whereas total overall cost over the term of ownership (10 years min usually) does. Also I'm more than happy with proven technology and don't feel the need to have the latest gadget or keep up with the Jones's.

I'm guessing the same also applies to a lot of others out there?

Maybe you should check this out.

Lol!

Banned advert by any chance?

Just sort of off topic.

I am old enough to remember absolutely terrible cars (especially for rust) called Datsun (I think now called Nissan) and Toyota where are they now?

Back in the 90s I worked for a big bakery, the cooked bread came out of the ovens and hey presto once sliced 3 different brands and costs, the difference the wrapper - oh sounds like VAG group and I wonder what bit of my Skoda could be in a Bentley?

I am not going to worry about a name, you buy what you like and can afford.