Hi Guys hope you can help

Going to take a look at this car tonight

http://www.autotrade...age/1?logcode=p

Can any of you give any advice on what I should look out for, I am basically looking for a reliable car which all my family will fit into. ( I currently own a megane II and am sick of it keep breaking)

Any help or thoughts would be most appreciated

Kris

Going to take a look at this car tonight - http://www.autotrade...age/1?logcode=p

Can any of you give any advice on what I should look out for, I am basically looking for a reliable car which all my family will fit into.

Kris

Hi Kris,

I am a recent convert to Skoda from Citroen and have to say I am delighted with my 03 Octavia 1 estate.

Your link is broken so I can't tell what car you are looking at but the attached file is one I pulled together from various forum posts on what's good / what's not when looking at a used Octy. Thanks are due to the original posters and apologies for not directly crediting them as I didn't keep the post references.

Octavia buying notes from briskoda.txt

Cheers mate I appreciate it! ~Im not a big car buff

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201118386438827/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-from/3000/model/octavia/make/skoda/postcode/nr59au/radius/10/page/1?logcode=p

Does this link work?

Cheers

Hi Kris,

concerning the PD130 engine that is in the car that you're looking at. Check that the Water Pump and Cambelt service has been carried out at least once in that sort of mileage.

Ensure that the turbo whistle does not sound like a police siren as this is a sign it's on it's way out.

HTH

Hi guys thanks for the comment.

i had a look every thing seemed fine, cambelt changed at 40k, and actual mileage is 78000 so it will need another one im guessing,

I havent got alot of cash so was looking for a straight swap, but a deal was not made.

this model had cruise control, is this standard?

Cheers

Hi guys thanks for the comment.

i had a look every thing seemed fine, cambelt changed at 40k, and actual mileage is 78000 so it will need another one im guessing,

I havent got alot of cash so was looking for a straight swap, but a deal was not made.

this model had cruise control, is this standard?

Cheers

Looks a good price if in good condition, as mileage is low. One of the last of line Octy 1's and is a special edition based on Ambiente with 130PD engine and six speed box, cruise control, controls on steering wheel for radio plus standard Ambiente spec fittings including air con, electric windows x4 and 6 stack CD system.

The 130PD engine is fantastic and pretty good on fuel for the performance you get. Cambelt changes are every 60k or four years but it is important that water pump is replaced as well, so if done properly won't be ready until 100k.

Dan

Thanks Dan

the car has full skoda service history, and has a

had the anti roll bar bushings replaced last year, drove well no clanging, steering held straight, under breaking aswell, is there anything else i should be looking out for?

Thanks Dan

the car has full skoda service history, and has a

had the anti roll bar bushings replaced last year, drove well no clanging, steering held straight, under breaking aswell, is there anything else i should be looking out for?

Only other bits you could check is that ALL four electric windows operate as they should and that the central locking works correctly. Also check the operation of the rear wash/wipe as the motors can fail (fairly common). Worth giving the air-con a check to see if that works okay and gets nice and cold on its lowest setting - if not could be just a simple re-gas. If needed get the garage to have this regassed as part of the deal. Everything is fixable but obviously the cost of putting things right adds up!!

One final check would be to make sure there is no vibration felt in the cabin at tickover as this could be the dual-mass flywheel beginning to fail which is not a cheap fix (£700 minimum). At that mileage though it shouldn't be a problem.

If all is well and the deal ends up being right for you then go for it! You won't regret it - be quick though as if it is a good one it won't hang around!

Good luck

Dan

cheers mate, unfortunately the car did go quite swiftly!

I am pretty gutted, still on the lookout for a skoda saloon, can anyone give me any tips for what the best types are to look out for, from reading the forums, the fsh seems a big factor, aswell as the drive quality obviously.

Cheers

cheers mate, unfortunately the car did go quite swiftly!

I am pretty gutted, still on the lookout for a skoda saloon, can anyone give me any tips for what the best types are to look out for, from reading the forums, the fsh seems a big factor, aswell as the drive quality obviously.

Cheers

Really sorry to hear that - I know how you feel as I have been in the same position "must 'ave been a gud'un" as my Dad would say....

Keep looking though - there will be one out there for you. Go for a higher spec car - avoid the basic 'classic' model. Ambiente come in 90bhp (which is adequate and gives excellent economy), Ambiente SE (as you looked at) comes in 90bhp and 130bhp PD, Elegance comes in 110bhp and from 2003 available in 130bhp PD and then the top of the range Laurin and Klement which comes with all the extra's including full leather, Xenon headlights etc. They come in 110bhp and 130PD power outputs. Earlier models come with the beige leather which does not suit all tastes (not to my liking) but from 2003 comes with a black leather interior. There is also a couple of other special edition models based on the Ambiente including 'Silverline' and 'Blueline' - both come in 90bhp form.

In addition to the checks already mentioned, on any test drives make sure the turbo boosts properly and does not go into 'limp' mode. Do a search on the forum to explain what 'limp' mode is and what causes the problem - basically the variable vanes in the turbo stick due to excess build up of carbon deposits and cause overboost. The ECU will shut down the engine causing 'limp mode' so as not to destroy the engine!

Dan