hi guys/girls new to this website.just put a deposit down on a 2003 octavia vrs with 67 thousand on it but a noticed a funny colour on the oil cap.it was slightly creamy????i took the car for a test drive and it was running fine.the sales man said that it wasnt the head gasket (he would tho wouldt he).he said he would even put a years warranty on the engine which made me confident enough to put my deposit down.a wee bit silly iknow but the car looks n top form.is there anything i should b looking for in these cars???any common faults???

thanks skoda fans

If its been parked on a fourcourt for a while and spent most of its life doing short journeys then it will have some mayo near top of engine,

Prob just wants a decent oil change and a decent run to get it nice and warm

Make sure the timing belt and water pump have been done.

Timing belt, tensioner kit and water pump.

Also get the coolant bottle changed if there are any deposits on the prongs (it's a quick job and the part is less than £30) and easy if doing the water pump at the same time as you can flush out the system and put in new G12 coolant.

If you want to be certain on the engine, clean off the cap and take the car for a run down the m/way so that the engine is up to temperature for about 30 mins. If the mayo is still there walk away.

Also open up the turbo properly, buy giving the car full throttle in a lowish gear a few times. The VNT mechanism can stick, so it's worth making sure this has not. If you get a limp mode or warning light again walk away unless they will clean or replace the turbo.

Check the EGR for leaks and check that there isn't oil coming out of it.

Also worth checking is the spare wheel well, to make sure that there isn't any water in it. If so it's a leaking pipe at the side, behind the changer.

If it has a sunroof, go soak the car and check for leaks or built up leaves.

Also go and check the sills at the front, making sure they are not rusting. Leaves build up behind the wheel arch liners and if not removed can cause rust.

Also worth doing once you have the car:

- Clean the intake piping and intercooler.

- Gearbox oil change using genuine fluid

- Engine oil change.