2007 Skoda Octavia VRS diesel. I've had error messages on the display in regard to this, and bought a new sensor from skoda and went to have it fitted today.

When they went to swap them, they noted the old block connector was taped up, and a resistor was in place where the connectors should have met.

I was all for taking out the resistor, putting either the old one back, and testing it, or at the least putting on the new one as a precaution.

Garage (VW dealership in Limerick) were hesitant to do this, in case it caused further faults (meh.) or damage (uh oh..)

Garage was wondering had it been chipped or something, and recommended I try to contact who may have done the work on the car. While I do have some service history, it doesn't mention arsing around with sticky tape!

Anyone any ideas what the purpose of this might have been?

Crude way of reducing a safety map of having an effect? Have you got access to VCDS to log the EGT?

That is a concern. Did this car have a DPF?

Still does, as far as I know.