I'm a newbie so please be kind!

I'm off to look at a 2010 vRS tomorrow with 34k on the clock. It's a DSG model with Xenons in Race Blue and looks the part.

What should I look out for when test driving?

Also what questions should I be asking the dealer as its quite a high mileage for a 21 month old car. One that springs to mind is has it had a DSG box oil change yet as from what I can gather that will set me back an extra £160 minimum in a couple of months time.

Welcome TJ VRS is the badger! you haven't said if its a diesel or petrol I know diesel the timing belt (an all would advise water pump at same time) be changed at 40000 miles or 4 years. If its a main dealers might be able to negotiate this into the deal somehow I know nothing about DSG as I have the fancier one with the extra pedal if its needed in near future along with belt and a big service could be a small fortune.

On test drive make sure things like tracking is spot on and also if you have not seen it already on the forum tyres saw toothing is worth a search as (not that yours will have them still on) the Dunlops were being chewed up on new cars fairly quick and they stopped putting them on new ones.

Pop into chat see if any of the knowledgeable people are about for advice link at top of page, or click here CHAT

Sorry forgot to add it was the CR170 TDI

Already checked the vehicle for signs of wear and tear on the outside and tyres for uneven wear.

The tyres it currently has on are Bridgestones all round..... Don't know exactly which ones but they look fairly new.

Edited 20 January, 201214 yr by TheJudge

Good stuff thats a bonus what extras has it got?

Good stuff thats a bonus what extras has it got?

The only extras are rear parking sensors and Xenons. May have the iPod interface..... Guess I'll find out tomorrow

Welcome TJ VRS is the badger! you haven't said if its a diesel or petrol I know diesel the timing belt (an all would advise water pump at same time) be changed at 40000 miles or 4 years. If its a main dealers might be able to negotiate this into the deal somehow I know nothing about DSG as I have the fancier one with the extra pedal if its needed in near future along with belt and a big service could be a small fortune.

On test drive make sure things like tracking is spot on and also if you have not seen it already on the forum tyres saw toothing is worth a search as (not that yours will have them still on) the Dunlops were being chewed up on new cars fairly quick and they stopped putting them on new ones.

Pop into chat see if any of the knowledgeable people are about for advice link at top of page, or click here CHAT

Timing belt change has been longer than 40,000 for some time - I will not quote here but i'm sure it is now in excess of 100,000 miles (don't know years)I'm sure there are pepe's out there who know much better than me

Timing belt change has been longer than 40,000 for some time - I will not quote here but i'm sure it is now in excess of 100,000 miles (don't know years)I'm sure there are pepe's out there who know much better than me

It is indeed 100000 miles with no time limit (new Continental technology belts).

Isn't that great a mileage to be fair. I have done 25k in mine (april '10) and thats only really commuting 50miles a day. Add a couple of trips abroad, longer commute, visiting relatives up and down the country and it will soon add up - doesn't mean its a bad thing (my mate does 35-40k a year just commuting!).

You could try and get the DSG oil change done but i wouldn't hold much hope of getting that done as that isn't for another 6k. I have had quotes of about £120 and will try and squeeze mine in before the warranty expires in case there are any problems discovered with the DSG!

No need to worry about sawtoothing as it was amended on the 2010 onwards cars and mine certainly hasn't suffered any issues.

Take a good look at the drivers seat bolster as a few of these have gone on the VRS's (the foam comes away from the frame, leaving the bolster loose - happens if you lean on it getting in and out of the car).

I have had to have the front bumper resprayed as have a couple of others for poor paint so give that a good check for peeling paint....also check rear spoiler and rear bumper for same issues.... (although i think it is only the flat colours that have had the issues that i have seen).

It is indeed 100000 miles with no time limit (new Continental technology belts).

Isn't that great a mileage to be fair. I have done 25k in mine (april '10) and thats only really commuting 50miles a day. Add a couple of trips abroad, longer commute, visiting relatives up and down the country and it will soon add up - doesn't mean its a bad thing (my mate does 35-40k a year just commuting!).

You could try and get the DSG oil change done but i wouldn't hold much hope of getting that done as that isn't for another 6k. I have had quotes of about £120 and will try and squeeze mine in before the warranty expires in case there are any problems discovered with the DSG!

No need to worry about sawtoothing as it was amended on the 2010 onwards cars and mine certainly hasn't suffered any issues.

Take a good look at the drivers seat bolster as a few of these have gone on the VRS's (the foam comes away from the frame, leaving the bolster loose - happens if you lean on it getting in and out of the car).

I have had to have the front bumper resprayed as have a couple of others for poor paint so give that a good check for peeling paint....also check rear spoiler and rear bumper for same issues.... (although i think it is only the flat colours that have had the issues that i have seen).

Whats the paintwork like in general on a Skoda?

Previously had an 09 reg Civic Type R in Milano Red and the paintwork was shocking. Had local resprays on various locations under warranty but the paint was so thin and soft it was doing my head in! Got rid soon after the respray to avoid more headaches.

Fantastic car other the paint and the rubbish MPG although economy isn't why you buy a car like that. Traded it it for a qashqai n-tec as we'd just had a little girl and thought that the extra practicality was appealing.

Edited 20 January, 201214 yr by TheJudge

Whats the paintwork like in general on a Skoda?

Previously had an 09 reg Civic Type R in Milano Red and the paintwork was shocking. Had local resprays on various locations under warranty but the paint was so thin and soft it was doing my head in! Got rid soon after the respray to avoid more headaches.

Fantastic car other the paint and the rubbish MPG although economy isn't why you buy a car like that. Traded it it for a qashqai n-tec as we'd just had a little girl and thought that the extra practicality was appealing.

Paintwork should be good. VAG paints are rock hard and i think it is just a manufacturing fault on the painting of the plastics. Nothing to worry about, just something to look for!

I love the CR170 - 170bhp, 0-60 in under 7 seconds and easy 55mpg on a run!

Less than 7 seconds to 60?!

The TDI isn't that quick.

Less than 7 seconds to 60?!

The TDI isn't that quick.

Yes it is with dsg. Proved on a qtr mile last year in my own car. Can only assume the official figures are dumbed down and didn't use launch control. It wouldn't want to be seen to be as good as a golf or a3 would it?

Well test drive completed and I must say I'm not too impressed with DSG. It seems too keen to drop gears even when accelerating steadily. It was in normal mode and not sport so I don't understand why it feels the need to drop gears that often. It also seemed to lag badly when dropping the gears and the power delivery was too sharp after that and jolted the car forward. Is this normal?

Other than that the car was fine although the ride was quite harsh..... even harsher than my old Civic Type R which surprised me a little. Does the vRS suffer from issues with the shocks/ dampers?

Well test drive completed and I must say I'm not too impressed with DSG. It seems too keen to drop gears even when accelerating steadily. It was in normal mode and not sport so I don't understand why it feels the need to drop gears that often. It also seemed to lag badly when dropping the gears and the power delivery was too sharp after that and jolted the car forward. Is this normal?

Other than that the car was fine although the ride was quite harsh..... even harsher than my old Civic Type R which surprised me a little. Does the vRS suffer from issues with the shocks/ dampers?

I'm surprised at how you found the DSG box. IIRC the DSG needs to 'learn' how the driver is using the box and then adapts.

So if yiu are gentle with the throttle and braking it will take on a smooth character, if driving flat out it will change up later up the rev range and will more readily drop down the gears.

I have just sold my near identical car and found the DSG great, new car also has it

My red VRS is for sale at this Skoda dealer, lower mileage. Absolutely nothing wrong with it

Red 2010 VRS DSG hatch

Yes the the ride I found hard and harsh but grip was excellent, tyre choice can make quite a difference

I'm surprised at how you found the DSG box. IIRC the DSG needs to 'learn' how the driver is using the box and then adapts.

So if yiu are gentle with the throttle and braking it will take on a smooth character, if driving flat out it will change up later up the rev range and will more readily drop down the gears.

I have just sold my near identical car and found the DSG great, new car also has it

My red VRS is for sale at this Skoda dealer, lower mileage. Absolutely nothing wrong with it

Red 2010 VRS DSG hatch

Yes the the ride I found hard and harsh but grip was excellent, tyre choice can make quite a difference

When driving off gas and then applying gentle pressure to the accelerator the DSG box would still drop from 6th to 4th and then after a second or so lag would all of a sudden start accelerating hard. Felt very strange to drive. Maybe it was a gearbox fault which needs a software update? I'm sure you guys know better than me

When driving off gas and then applying gentle pressure to the accelerator the DSG box would still drop from 6th to 4th and then after a second or so lag would all of a sudden start accelerating hard. Felt very strange to drive. Maybe it was a gearbox fault which needs a software update? I'm sure you guys know better than me

That doesn't sound right. I would test drive another to be sure it isn't your driving style. As Malc states - the DSG is adaptive, it also has sensors in it to know whether it is going up or down hill and will hold the gears longer or drop them down to aid engine braking and prevent labouring.

I'm a newbie so please be kind!

I'm off to look at a 2010 vRS tomorrow with 34k on the clock. It's a DSG model with Xenons in Race Blue and looks the part.

What should I look out for when test driving?

Also what questions should I be asking the dealer as its quite a high mileage for a 21 month old car. One that springs to mind is has it had a DSG box oil change yet as from what I can gather that will set me back an extra £160 minimum in a couple of months time.

If it's the one I'm thinking of (at Telford Skoda) I was sniffing around that at one point but they wanted to fleece me for trading in my Mazda 6 and came up with some very "interesting" deals. I confronted them with a couple of professional valuations of both my car and theirs and got numerous excuses. I know they are a business and in it to make money but they were just plain greedy and dishonest.

They've had it for a while and even lowered it to £13,750 for a few weeks before Christmas but seem to have put the price up to £15,250 again. Thought it was a bit overpriced at £15,250 but suprised it didn't go when it was up for £13,750.

Edited 22 January, 201214 yr by Craigy1D

If it's the one I'm thinking of (at Telford Skoda) I was sniffing around that at one point but they wanted to fleece me for trading in my Mazda 6 and came up with some very "interesting" deals. I confronted them with a couple of professional valuations of both my car and theirs and got numerous excuses. I know they are a business and in it to make money but they were just plain greedy and dishonest.

They've had it for a while and even lowered it to £13,750 for a few weeks before Christmas but seem to have put the price up to £15,250 again. Thought it was a bit overpriced at £15,250 but suprised it didn't go when it was up for £13,750.

That's the very one!

The deal they have offered isn't too bad to be honest. Would like a better one though to justify the high mileage.

Did you test drive? How did you find the DSG box?

Edited 22 January, 201214 yr by TheJudge

That's the very one!

The deal they have offered isn't too bad to be honest. Would like a better one though to justify the high mileage.

Did you test drive? How did you find the DSG box?

Didn't test drive it as I was horrified by what they were offering for mine so I paid for an independent valuation, and got a few other dealers to value it and Telford Skoda were about £1500 short. (they had the car up for £15,250 when I first saw it late last year).

I approached them again when they dropped the price (as the reduction to £13,750 made up for the £1500 shortfall they were offering me on mine) but my car had magically depreciated by £1500 to compensate (in the space of a week) so I was no better off. Now they've put the price back up to £15,250 I wonder if that means my cars magically appreciated in value.

If you go ahead with it I'd use the fact it was up for £13,750 late last year to negotiate, as if they were in a position to and could afford to sell it on for that price then, I don't really get what justifies the £15,250 price tag now, especially as they've had it for a while, it's depreciated in that time, probably some more wear and tear, short distance additional mileage on the clock while on test drives, etc.

Edited 22 January, 201214 yr by Craigy1D

Didn't test drive it as I was horrified by what they were offering for mine so I paid for an independent valuation, and got a few other dealers to value it and Telford Skoda were about £1500 short. (they had the car up for £15,250 when I first saw it late last year).

I approached them again when they dropped the price (as the reduction to £13,750 made up for the £1500 shortfall they were offering me on mine) but my car had magically depreciated by £1500 to compensate (in the space of a week) so I was no better off. Now they've put the price back up to £15,250 I wonder if that means my cars magically appreciated in value.

If you go ahead with it I'd use the fact it was up for £13,750 late last year to negotiate, as if they were in a position to and could afford to sell it on for that price then, I don't really get what justifies the £15,250 price tag now, especially as they've had it for a while, it's depreciated in that time, probably some more wear and tear, short distance additional mileage on the clock while on test drives, etc.

The price given on the finance is less than the forecourt price and not much higher than the £13,750. They've offered slightly more for mine than other dealers but not that much more to make it a sure deal. I'm just fussy and can't see how I would be in anything but negative equity should I wish to trade again in a couple of years.

The price given on the finance is less than the forecourt price and not much higher than the £13,750. They've offered slightly more for mine than other dealers but not that much more to make it a sure deal. I'm just fussy and can't see how I would be in anything but negative equity should I wish to trade again in a couple of years.

You're having finance?! :no:

What APR rate are they offering? Bearing in mind you can get a rate of 6.1% from Sainsburys.

You're having finance?! :no:

What APR rate are they offering? Bearing in mind you can get a rate of 6.1% from Sainsburys.

Thought about financing elsewhere but I've a feeling the deal on the table depends on taking there finance as I'm sure the dealer will top slice a commission.

Thought about financing elsewhere but I've a feeling the deal on the table depends on taking there finance as I'm sure the dealer will top slice a commission.

Depends on the rate?

for eg £7k at 6.1% = £677.75 interest

£7k at 14% = £1612.76

Thats over 3 years - increase that to 5 and you are looking at £1139.32 and £2772.67 respectively....

Depends on the rate?

for eg £7k at 6.1% = £677.75 interest

£7k at 14% = £1612.76

Thats over 3 years - increase that to 5 and you are looking at £1139.32 and £2772.67 respectively....

8.5% offered which isnt that great especially over a 5 year term when I'm borrowing more than the car is worth due to my current negative equity on my motor.

So they are charging you more than the car was being sold for last year when it was £13,750, and then on top of that charging you 8.5% on the finance? Let me guess, Telford have tried to tell you that this is a "great" deal.

8.5% offered which isnt that great especially over a 5 year term when I'm borrowing more than the car is worth due to my current negative equity on my motor.

Just take a personal loan, pay off the HP on your car and use the rest of the loan for the 'new' car.