Please can you send any advice regarding buying a used VRS.

My budget will stretch to a late 06 or 07 plate.

Should I buy Private or go Dealer?

Is there anything I should be aware of on the 2.0 lt Petrol?

Many thanks

Its like most cars check the basics at that age full dealer history is a definate. A few options is a bonus and low milage is good. See if the geometry has been done. Theres loads of threads about this. Obviously no accident damage or badly damaged alloys. I'd personally go for 17 inch alloys for cheaper tyres and slightly more comfortable ride. I'd also avoid major mods. 1 owner from new is a definate. I've got someone travelling along way to look at mine. A good private should be 9500 -10500 on an 07 depending on what factory options it has and worth every penny. Have a good read through the threads on hear you're in the right place. Mines for sale but I think it will be gone by the end of the weekend. Good luck.

I'll just add my usual on this front.

Try and get a vRS that had the free specification upgrade:

18" Zenith Wheels

Jumbo Storage Box

Rear Electric Windows

Climatronic AC

These became standard at around the 07 plate era.

They do add a little "something" to the car.

They are by no means essential - but if you're looking at 07 plates they should have these additions.

Its like most cars check the basics at that age full dealer history is a definate. A few options is a bonus and low milage is good. See if the geometry has been done. Theres loads of threads about this. Obviously no accident damage or badly damaged alloys. I'd personally go for 17 inch alloys for cheaper tyres and slightly more comfortable ride. I'd also avoid major mods. 1 owner from new is a definate. I've got someone travelling along way to look at mine. A good private should be 9500 -10500 on an 07 depending on what factory options it has and worth every penny. Have a good read through the threads on hear you're in the right place. Mines for sale but I think it will be gone by the end of the weekend. Good luck.

Thank you for the advice, will keep you all posted

As a quick check, the brake calipers changed from green to red around the beginning of 2007.

Thank you for the advice, will keep you all posted

Come to the meet at the stretton fox this sunday and have a look at mine , i can take you out in it but its modified but will show you whats possible , and its a lot

Not much of a price difference between 17" and 18" tyres tbh and 18" as siad was offered in a pack of free upgrades for 07 cars. Any car of that age would stand out for not having those extras.

btw if you offered me £9.5 for mine I'd bite your hand off.

As a quick check, the brake calipers changed from green to red around the beginning of 2007.

Unfortunately not a hard and fast rule.

My 2006 vRS had Red Calipers and I know of at least one 07 plate with Green.

Also - to be fair, colour of calipers are not something the OP should concern himself with.

If his chosen car has Red or Green - isn't really going to make any difference.

Unfortunately not a hard and fast rule.

My 2006 vRS had Red Calipers and I know of at least one 07 plate with Green.

Also - to be fair, colour of calipers are not something the OP should concern himself with.

If his chosen car has Red or Green - isn't really going to make any difference.

You're right it's not a hard and fast rule, my car is a 56 (October 2006) and it has the red calipers and Stream MP3 head unit although no 18in wheels, rear electric windows or jumbo box. I assume the recommendation for red calipers isn't simply for the colour but more because it shows the car is more likely the later revision.

John

If you can't make it to the meet, I'm only down the end of the M65 (Bamber Bridge), welcome to have a look around mine if you wish. It's an 06 plate, petrol - a lot of miles on it, but you'd struggle to guess from driving it, a testament to how well built they are!

If you go for a used skoda from a dealer of that age if its done less than 60k miles you would probably get 12 months breakdown cover plus 12 extended skoda warranty like i did. paid slightly more than what i would have for a private sale but it was peace of mind for me so well worth it. great car!

Thank you for the advice

my $0.02; the main items (like with any car) to check are FSH, when the cambelt was changed, check condition of tyres and brakes, check for obvious signs of damage. Test drive the car through the full rev range and in all gears and check it brakes in a straight line. Buying private you get to meet the seller and this may give you an idea of if the car has been looked after. Big problem with dealers and garages is that many cars are bought at auction (you may get the part ex line, but there's no real way to find out). Regardless of how the car has come to the dealer, they'll do the basics to get it out of the door for the highest price and will not know the history of the vehicle. That said there is more comeback from a main dealer and you'll be buying it under the used approved program which has lots of benefits.

Skoda can be very cheap on these cars 2nd hand, mine was the same price as people were trying to sell them for privately.

I've no idea where the £9.5k comment come from above, I wouldn't pay anyway near that as there are plenty of good examples on the net for much less.

my $0.02; the main items (like with any car) to check are FSH, when the cambelt was changed, check condition of tyres and brakes, check for obvious signs of damage. Test drive the car through the full rev range and in all gears and check it brakes in a straight line. Buying private you get to meet the seller and this may give you an idea of if the car has been looked after. Big problem with dealers and garages is that many cars are bought at auction (you may get the part ex line, but there's no real way to find out). Regardless of how the car has come to the dealer, they'll do the basics to get it out of the door for the highest price and will not know the history of the vehicle. That said there is more comeback from a main dealer and you'll be buying it under the used approved program which has lots of benefits.

Skoda can be very cheap on these cars 2nd hand, mine was the same price as people were trying to sell them for privately.

I've no idea where the £9.5k comment come from above, I wouldn't pay anyway near that as there are plenty of good examples on the net for much less.

If you have a look for a good low milage 07 with fsh there aren't many under 9.5k

If you look on the Skoda website at the used cars there are quite a number between £8-9.5k, you'd obviously be looking to knock a few quid off as well come deal time. You'll also be getting the approved used package with Skoda so I'd personally be looking to pay a lot less from an independent dealer or private sale.

If you look on the Skoda website at the used cars there are quite a number between £8-9.5k, you'd obviously be looking to knock a few quid off as well come deal time. You'll also be getting the approved used package with Skoda so I'd personally be looking to pay a lot less from an independent dealer or private sale.

All I can think is that the dealers with the cheaper ones are paying alot less for trade in than the ones local to me. Which makes me question how good the condition of the cheaper cars really is. But there are quite a number that are more than 10k. You can buy private and pay a couple of hundred for a warranty and still be in pocket and you get to see what the previous owner is like which can help in the desicion to buy. I suppose location of a car to where you live has to be taken into account because if you buy one with a warranty then have to travel 100-200 miles for a warranty job you would have to think twice. If your part exchanging the difference comes off your part ex. At the end of the day dealers will be making money out of it. I've travelled to look at cars that have been in good condition and got there and ther not. Mines up for £9500 based on the trade in value on the table from a dealer who knows what they are doing and intend to make money on it. I suppose like all thinks its only worth what someones prepared to pay for it.

Couldn't agree more with what you have posted. Prices are very stange atm though, glass' prices does not value early examples very highly at all, the trade in price is very low. However dealers seem to be asking a lot of money for them, considerably more than the glass' valuation. However you'll see from the classifieds here than some people struggle to sell them, even for £6-7k.

I would check

1. Cambelt and water pump have been replaced at 60k or 4 years.

2. Check for wear on the inside edges of the tyres. Geometry is notoriously wrong on Octavias.

3. Check for crash damage.

Useful options

1. Jumbo Box (refrigerated cubby between seats and refrigerated glovebox)

2. Climatronic (Climate control rather than a/c)

3. Maxidot (Enhanced information system in dash)

4. Sat nav

5. Cruise control

I have the 17" alloys. They are the same design as the 18"s but obviously smaller and hte tyres are cheaper as a result. (Factor £120 per corner for decent Michelins. Mine was registered Aug 06 and is 2007 model year with red calipers.