I'm looking at buying a year 2000 Octavia in Barcelona, 1.9 TDI, estate, 186.000km. He's asking for about 2.300 EUR. My only hesitation is the kilometers. The service has been regular, though it looks like I'll need to change the cam belt at around 200.000km. Most people seem to be worried about the mileage - they recommend spending more money (4.000) to get one that has about 145.000km.

I'm feeling a bit lost. My gut says go for the higher mileage. Any advice would be great!

I'm looking at buying a year 2000 Octavia in Barcelona, 1.9 TDI, estate, 186.000km. He's asking for about 2.300 EUR. My only hesitation is the kilometers. The service has been regular, though it looks like I'll need to change the cam belt at around 200.000km. Most people seem to be worried about the mileage - they recommend spending more money (4.000) to get one that has about 145.000km.

I'm feeling a bit lost. My gut says go for the higher mileage. Any advice would be great!

Well that is about 90000 miles that is nothing for that car as long as it has been taken care of....and welcome to the mad house..

My 2001, 110TDI will hit 180k (miles) by the end of this week.... and still going fine (I bought the car at around 60k miles, iirc).

I have changed the shocks and gearbox oil in that time, and had issues with the famous sticky vanes in the turbo, but engine wise, I run on Long Life servicing and it just chugs along, still returning high 50s/low 60s mpg depending on how much abuse I give it.

Mad house indeed!

Thanks for the feedback. The current owner also says he last changed the cam belt at 100.000k in 2007 - should I get it changed now or can I afford to wait? The car is for weekends only, so I don't expect to put more than 10.000k per year on it.

I'm taking it to a mechanic on Wed. for a revision - anything I should flag him to look out for? Any other high mileage Octavia advice is welcome!

Cambelt and waterpump should have been changed every 4 years/60k (miles), which ever is soonest.

Check for sticky vanes (logs a fault code, but no Engine Management light) - it might go into limp mode when you boot it up a hill in 3rd gear, and requires the initial to be cycled to clear the code before normal power can be resumed.

The recirc flap (in the fan blower assembly behind the glovebox) can get confused and just flick between positions all the time.

Check the bolts on the fuses (in the box on top of the battery) are all tight - they can become loose overtime, and the high resistance can cause heat/fire

Check the inside edges of the rear tyres, they can wear badly - while the outside edges look fine.

ARB bushes wear on the front, but are easy to change, etc.

186_000km: Is that all? Some of us know taxi drivers who've taken this engine to 800_000km with nothign more than regular servicing.

Cambelt and waterpump should have been changed every 4 years/60k (miles), which ever is soonest.

Check for sticky vanes (logs a fault code, but no Engine Management light) - it might go into limp mode when you boot it up a hill in 3rd gear, and requires the initial to be cycled to clear the code before normal power can be resumed.

The recirc flap (in the fan blower assembly behind the glovebox) can get confused and just flick between positions all the time.

Check the bolts on the fuses (in the box on top of the battery) are all tight - they can become loose overtime, and the high resistance can cause heat/fire

Check the inside edges of the rear tyres, they can wear badly - while the outside edges look fine.

ARB bushes wear on the front, but are easy to change, etc.

How much should I expect to pay for a cambelt/waterpump change? Looks like I'll be pretty close to needing a change...

its about 116,000 miles. nothing for a diesel.

How much should I expect to pay for a cambelt/waterpump change? Looks like I'll be pretty close to needing a change...

around the £250-300 for an independent to supply & fit I think. I tend to change them myself though. I would imagine a dealer would be £300-400 if they did a service at the same time.

Bought my car at 130k and now she is at 144k and she is still going stong. I have only had to replace a few rotten pipes so far. Saved myself about £1000 by buying it with 40k more miles.

Wow, great feedback. This madhouse is the best. I pick up the car on Wednesday and then take it to an official mechanic for a last check - wish me luck!