Looking to buy an estate/people carrier of some kind, got the list narrowed down to Octavia, Astra, or Focus estate, Zafira or C-Max people carrier, as the car can't be much longer than 4.5m to fit safely into my parking space.

Found a 2006 2.0 TDi with 154k on the clock here - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201143424481175

Anything I should watch out for, or anything that might go horribly wrong and cost lots to fix?

I'll mostly be doing short journeys too, is that a consideration with the 2.0 TDi, as I seem to recall that the 1.9 TDi is OK doing shorter runs? Cheers.

That service history is incredible!

Simpsons Skoda 17,664

Simpsons Skoda 38,552

Simpsons Skoda 55,901

T Hayselden Skoda 77,856 Full Cambelt Kit

T Hayselden Skoda 76,976

T Hayselden Skoda 76,976 New Turbo £1327.88

T Hayselden Skoda 86,452

T Hayselden Skoda 90,661 New clutch & flywheel £1034.35

T Hayselden Skoda 97,132

T Hayselden Skoda 116,399

T Hayselden Skoda 126,982 AC pressure switch £359.89

T Hayselden Skoda 135,445

T Hayselden Skoda 145,179

T Hayselden Skoda 149,197 Throttle valve & AC condenser £730.17

I bought an almost identical car to this (a '56 plate 2.0 TDi PD Elegance) with 40k on it from the same dealer that has done most of the servicing of this car (Hayselden Skoda - Doncaster) in August 2010. So far, so good, and nothing other than consumables (i.e. brake discs, brake pads, tyres) to be replaced.

I see the cambelt was changed at 77k so having done another 79k since then it's highly likely that she's due another replacement on account of the mileage. I note that the cost of this wasn't listed in the service history while other repairs were! Probably didn't want to scare off potential buyers.

So, your shopping list will probably look like this:

1) Cambelt change

2) Tyres

3) Brake pads & discs

Good luck if you go for it...

I'll mostly be doing short journeys too, is that a consideration with the 2.0 TDi, as I seem to recall that the 1.9 TDi is OK doing shorter runs? Cheers.

I think the 2.0 TDi has a DPF (Dust Particulate Filter) which isn't suited to lots of short journeys, unless you are able to take it for a longer run occasionally to allow the DPF to regen.

A full Skoda service history up to that mileage is impressive and worth it's weight in gold, it also suggests that this car has been company/lease owned judging by the money its had spent on it.

The very fact it’s had the turbo, A/C, clutch and flywheel done means a lot of the expensive recognised faults have already been fixed.

I'd question what it's been towing for the last 150,000 miles, but then the clutch and flywheel have been changed already so no worries there.

Also the boot looks tatty, lots of scratches and stains on the plastics and carpet which may indicate a hard life, but for £4K with that level of service history you can't argue.

Worth a look I'd say!

Edited 8 November, 201114 yr by silver1011

That car wont have a DPF on it

If your doing short journeys do you really need a diesel? what sort of petrol octys are around for 4k?

Thanks for the replies.

Father in law's a mechanic, so a timing belt shouldn't be prohibitively expensive, and probably worth doing.

If it has got a DPF, it'll be no good to me anyway.

100% it won't have.

Good, good.

Don't need diesel at all, but it's only ten miles away and seemed like a reasonable buy. Don't seem to be too many petrol's around, but most of the petrol options apart from the 1.8t look a bit rubbish anyway.

100% it won't have.

Indeed, that 2.0PD does not have a DPF.

The PD170 did and a few other PD140 (Some scout etc) but that car will not have one.

100% it won't have.

Agreed

Looks a nice car, worth a look.

Brilliant cars these. Tempted myself as its the perfect mile cruncher!

Did anyone notice the tow bar?! I'd offer £3200 and see what happens, looks pretty good otherwise.

Did anyone notice the tow bar?! I'd offer £3200 and see what happens, looks pretty good otherwise.

I'd question what it's been towing for the last 150,000 miles, but then the clutch and flywheel have been changed already so no worries there.

Did anyone notice the tow bar?! I'd offer £3200 and see what happens, looks pretty good otherwise.

The tow bar's part of the attraction, it'll be getting used to lug mountain bikes around on weekends, so whatever car I get would be getting one fitted anyway.