Should I buy my Octy company lease car?

[Retsef]

Hi All,

Hope you guys out there can help me.

The situation is I have the option to buy my 2007 Octavia II 1.9 Tdi DSG Elegance. It currently has 30,800 miles on the clock, new 12 month MOT, 12 month tax, tidy condition. Quoted non-negotiable price is £8,000. Vehicle has just been serviced. Now here is the thing.....The cambelt is due to be replaced (4 years old) and the lease company will not pay for it. I have been quoted £450, including water pump from a main dealer.

Is it worth my while to buy the vehicle and replace the cambelt, or am I paying too high a price ??

Would love to have some views on this from you Octy lovers.

[blueR36]

Price is a bargain but you can have belt and pump for 350, shop around

[BilboBaggins]

Guess you have driven it since new- so you know exactly how it has been driven, and the service history. If you are in the market for a car this is definately a sensible way forward. think of the questions you would have about a 3/4 year old car with 30k on the clock for £8k if it was on a forecourt- you already have the answers- simples.

[giandougl]

So £8500 including cambelt belt, and you know the back ground how the car has been treated, (would be a certainty for me to say yes).

[mdk1]

Not a too bad price, go for it

[zeffania]

These are still going for £10,000 with more miles, I should know as thats the spec of my car that I got in January. Same mileage and it was up for £9,995 and happened to be the cheapest I could find with the lowest mileage.

You also have the bonus of being the driver of the previous miles so know the history

Snap it up and shop around for the cam belt

[LukeRs]

Without a doubt I'd buy it.

[SB1962]

I was quoted £305 for cambelt, bits & pieces plus waterpump (all oem parts) today or £265 without pump. - I forgot to ask if there was vat on that. Also that they'd beat any lower quote. That was in York.

I'd seriously consider buying it. we have guys do that at work for family & friends as the deals are usually so good.

[Captain Kremen]

I did exactly that a year ago with my 2007 Scout.

Look at your monthly bills & tax allowance on your current set up. I was paying about £170 per month tax, which for a new car is good, but still about £2k PA cost. so I bought my Scout at the end of it's lease.

Now I am claiming my fuel back it means I gain £250 per month after paying for the fuel. So I am about £400 a month better off buying my car. I worked out my annual running costs and calculated I would be about £4k a year better off, even after the loan for the car and the running costs.

One tip, if you take an allowance you will be taxed on it, if you take pence per mile you do not pay tax and it is better for the company as well, tax wise.

Edited 1 July, 2011 by Captain Kremen

[Aspman]

VW has a fixed price deal on for the cam belt and pump = £400

I'd be surprised if your Skoda dealer didn't at least match it to get the business.

[Retsef]

Hi All,

I came to the same conclusion that it is a good deal, even taking account of replacing the cambelt at my own cost. Just to satisfy your curiosity, I will report back next month with the cost of cambelt / pump replacement.

Thanks v much indeed for your replies - very relevant and friendly. Will visit this excellent forum more often.

[Wardy]

I'd go for it. Whereabouts in the country are you?

We might be able to suggest some recommendations for the cambelt/waterpump change.

[Retsef]

I'd go for it. Whereabouts in the country are you?

We might be able to suggest some recommendations for the cambelt/waterpump change.

I am in Tonbridge, Kent. Any recommendations gratefully received. My current thinking is to have it done by an Independent I know to be a good mechanic.

[PhilP1903]

Just checked Autotrader, one 57 reg at £5,000., 2 at £8900 and one at £10,000. I think as everybody here says that you have a good car at a good price and you know the history. Buy it NOW

[Wardy]

I am in Tonbridge, Kent. Any recommendations gratefully received. My current thinking is to have it done by an Independent I know to be a good mechanic.

Not my area of the country, but an idea might be to put a quick question in the General car section with 'Kent' & 'cambelt' in the title - see if anyone has some suggestions

[Captain Kremen]

Cares of Crowborough are an independent VW specialist, not the cheapest but not far off it, & certainly very good and very conscientious. Google it & speak to Gabby, & tell her Paul Rainbow recommended them to you.

Caffyns will want over £450. Cares quoted me £400.

Edited 3 July, 2011 by Captain Kremen

[g_tee]

I'd be buying that straight away.

[mdk1]

I am in Tonbridge, Kent. Any recommendations gratefully received. My current thinking is to have it done by an Independent I know to be a good mechanic.

You might want to have a read of Ritchie's thread,

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/180431-youngs-garage-wrotham-kent/

As Youngs are only about 15mins Blust up the Shipbourne Road

[Lyonzo]

Yes from me. The 1.9TDi Elegance is a fantastic car, and even better the fact that you're the previous owner!