Hello all,

My name is Stuart and I am new to the forum (so please be gentle!).

I am intending to go to Manhiem car auction in Bristol tomorrow for the purpose of purchasing a cheap, reliable, practical run-around to last me until the end of the summer.

My family have had really good experiences with Skodas, my uncle has owned two Yetis and my mum currently drives a Fabia VRS, so I have decided that perhaps a Skoda may fit the bill.

I have spotted a lovely Octavia 1.9 tdi Elegance. It is just less than six years old and in a very clean condition.

However, it has 160,000 miles on the clock. Normally I would steer well clear but it has been serviced 13 times, looks in good condition and has a decent length MOT left on it.

I know that buying a car is a lottery and anyone can end up with a moose, but am I silly to be considering such a high mileage ex fleet car?

Cheers Stuart

My just over 6 year old 2.0TDi has 145K on it, so I wouldn't be too worried.

Factor in a new cambelt as well as a service, £400-£450 should cover it.

Do you get a chance to drive them before bidding? You need to see what the clutch/flywheel and turbo are like, as they are probably the only things likely to catch you out on that kind of mileage. Clutch was probably replaced around the 100K mark if mine was anything to go by.

The 1.9 is a bulletproof engine, so it should be fine at that mileage.

Thank you for the fast reply.

You can sit in them and do pretty much anything but move it.

I normally go through all the gears, letting the clutch out a little.

I have the classic 1.9tdi estaite 55 plate as a taxi just past 190,000, just had a new clutch and camshaft and new hydraulic lifters and cam shells, cam wore through???? something to do with the way VW machine the cam lobs, so had the hardened cam and lifters fitted mech recons no more trouble now they are fitted, it even pulls much stronger now

Will be selling it shortly as I am looking for a superb hatch

It has leather interior full service history I might even leave the Columbus sat nav with tv in looking around £2500 taxed for year

Will be selling it shortly as I am looking for a superb hatch

Superb hatch? I thought they were estate or saloon.

Factor in a new cambelt as well as a service, £400-£450 should cover it.

.....that'll be gold-plated from your local friendly Stealer for that! :o

.....that'll be gold-plated from your local friendly Stealer for that! :o

What - cambelt kit, water pump, new coolant and a full service? You'll be lucky to get the cambelt and water pump for much less than £300, and about £100 for a service. I would expect if it is at auction chances are that service and cambelt are due, and you will lucky to get away without a couple of tyres or brake pads as well. I reckon if the OP sets aside about £450 it should see them right!

Some dealers will try and charge £450 for cambelt and water pump!

What - cambelt kit, water pump, new coolant and a full service? You'll be lucky to get the cambelt and water pump for much less than £300, and about £100 for a service. I would expect if it is at auction chances are that service and cambelt are due, and you will lucky to get away without a couple of tyres or brake pads as well. I reckon if the OP sets aside about £450 it should see them right!

Some dealers will try and charge £450 for cambelt and water pump!

My apologies, missed the "and a service" bit.

Had my belt etc done for £207.

With the positive response and reading a few of the other post regarding this engine, I think I will give it a punt tomorrow.

My friend has cap valued it for me and reckons around £1,400 trade, so I reckon my maximum bid will be around £1,250 plus buyers fees.

Unfortunately, it is fairly early in the auction so could potentially lose it to all the other private buyers!

Superb hatch? I thought they were estate or saloon.

The correct terminology is actually twindoor and estate.

The reason it's called a twindoor is because it is both a hatchback and a saloon. The boot lid can be opened in two different ways, without the glass as a saloon or with the glass as a hatch - neat

Good luck!

My apologies, missed the "and a service" bit.

Had my belt etc done for £207.

Nice price! I take it the water pump wasn't changed for that? Still a decent price though.

I got my belt (full kit) and water pump done for £250, but that was parts at trade from TPS and 'mates rates' for the work. That was on the 16v 2.0TDi so the belt kit is probably a little more expensive.

Welcome Stuart, the 1.9 PD TDi is one if not the most durable engine VAG have ever built.

If even gets praise from other manufacturers.

Sure it's not as refined as some of the latest common rail engines but who cares. It's also very efficient on fuel too.

You are also looking at the best body shape, the estate is a real load lugger / family motor and with the Elegance spec you are getting all the essential bells and whistles too.

The 13 services and condition of the interior/exterior are the best signs you can get of a well looked after car. Don't let the mileage put you off, as they say 'there is plenty of life in the old girl yet!'

The correct terminology is actually twindoor and estate.

The reason it's called a twindoor is because it is both a hatchback and a saloon. The boot lid can be opened in two different ways, without the glass as a saloon or with the glass as a hatch - neat

Ah! I remember reading somewhere that Octavia III was having that. Didn't know the Superb had it already. I thought the Superb was based on the Passat.

Ah! I remember reading somewhere that Octavia III was having that. Didn't know the Superb had it already. I thought the Superb was based on the Passat.

Same here - you learn something new every day!

Might look at a Superb for the next car then :-)

Welcome to the forum mate.

You really can't go wrong with an octy.

I'm a taxi driver & i recon I've covered about 500,000 in octavia's since starting. 160k is about half way through its life, however continue to look after it & you'll most likely reach half a million miles in it. They are solid cars.

There is plenty of ex taxi's out there, don't be put off by these, your generally find the body & interior is in poor condition but engine etc are solid.

The company's i worked for serviced the cars every 10k bang on & between servicing if anything was clinking or banging, anything at all it was changed. They do genuinely want for nothing. So really don't be put off by ex taxis. Plenty on gumtree, eBay etc.

I bought an old 51 plate ex taxi 1.9 SDi from my mate a few years ago, 305k on the clock for £350. Absolutely brilliant runner, I covered 70k in it ( personal use ) done a few services & serviceable parts on it & got offered £900 from my ex's grandad for it,.... I took it of course.

Best of luck chap

G

All the above

Great cars

Much better engine than the newer 2.0

Edited 26 January, 201214 yr by Stuart_J

It was really busy at the auction today and the car ended up selling for £2,400!

I think that the prices were high because traders are desperate for new stock after Christmas.

Never mind, I will keep on looking.

Thanks for all the help and advice.

It was really busy at the auction today and the car ended up selling for £2,400!

I think that the prices were high because traders are desperate for new stock after Christmas.

Never mind, I will keep on looking.

Thanks for all the help and advice.

Sounds like a private buyer that - can't see a trader turning a profit at that price, unless they already have someone lined up and just wanted to make a very quick hundred quid or so.

It was really busy at the auction today and the car ended up selling for £2,400!

I think that the prices were high because traders are desperate for new stock after Christmas.

Never mind, I will keep on looking.

Thanks for all the help and advice.

Watch gumtree & eBay, you'll find some crackers on there.

G

Stuart

I know that you are looking for an Octavia however; I have just listed my 2002 Skoda Superb 1.8T Comfort on the For Sale section for £1750. I have owned it for over five years and it has proven to be extremely reliable with 87500 miles and comes with service history and was MOT'd in Dec so it will comfortably give you many miles of enjoyable motoring.

Thanks for the offer, but I need a diesel for work.