Hi all,

I bought my used 2008 Octavia TFSI VRS back in June and have taken it in for servicing to find a variety of problems. Was just wondering what you think about prices and what I've been told

70,000km on the clock

290EUR - all oils/fluids/filters changed

560EUR - new clutch - it appears the previous owner was a total ....... (feel free to call him whatever)

620EUR - new front suspension components - not sure what all the parts are, but there seem to be quite a lot. The mechanic tells me that Octavia IIs suffer from these problems...he has a VRS which needed shocks changing, etc. Apparently Skoda fitted very poor quality shocks to pretty much all of the Octavias. Has anyone else had these problems?

140EUR - addition of cruise control stalk and re-programming.

Total circa 1600 EUR.

All prices are with VAT and fitting

The car has spent it's whole life driving in Slovakia where the roads are a little worse with regard to quality, so this could be a reason for the state of the suspension.

Any comments? ...

43,400 miles is very early for a clutch, the previous owner must really have neglected the poor car, or simply never grasped the basics of clutch/accelerator balance.

The prices seem a little high to me (comparing with UK prices). £240 for fluids and filters is high, a similar service (on a diesel with more expensive oil) can be had for £150 at a main Skoda dealer.

It would help to understand exactly what is being replaced on the front suspension. My 2007 vRS with 40,000 miles is also developing some noise from the front suspension but for £520 I'd be expecting more than just the front shocks...

Get a second opinion from a good independent garage. If it really is that bad consider trading it.