Girlfriends Mum is going to look at a 2004 Skoda Octavia TDI (90 HP one) in Blueline trim tomorrow, it's done ~103k miles and is up for £2,300 (which seems a little high for me but it's very very local and from a garage).

Is there anything specific I need to check when looking at it?

EDIT - It would be also helpful to have a copy of the service schedule to make sure the cambelt etc is done and when it needs to be

Edited 12 March, 201313 yr by Jakg

Cambelt every 4 years or 40k miles including waterpump and tensioners. Diesels need regular oil changes, I do mine every 6-8k but otheres go longer. When you drive it (once its warm) put your foot hard on the floor in second or third somewhere you can get the engines rpm to red line, basically make sure the engine does not drop into limp mode where it will generate very little power past 1500/2000 rpm. Hopefully it will be above 7oC and the air con will function. Set to cold/low and turn air con on and you should feel cold air immediately, the engine rpm will drop and rise momentarily and the tone of the engine will change very slightly. If your cruising you should feel the resistance on the engine increase slightly. If none of that happens the air con clutch may have fallen off - if your mechanically minded its >usually< an easy fix.

I just bought a leon for my brother with the TDI 90 and these were the most important things I felt when looking with the knowledge I have of my own car.

I thought the belts where every 60k (can never remember the yearly bit, as I always get there on miles first).

Ideally do the red-line test up a long hill if you can find one.

Check the door puddle lights work / central locking / electric mirrors / windows.

Check for dampness in the rear passenger footwell

Went to see it today - everything looked ok, but:

Rear drivers side window wouldn't go up on the drivers door switch (but would on the rear door switch - suspect failed switchpack)

Aftermaret relay and some bare wires under the dash made me suspicious as to what had been previously wired in.

Dash was very UV damaged and a bit manky.

Worst of all - the cars suspension was like a boat. Handled worse than any car I've ever driven (including my old Proton) - either something was very very worn or more than likely broken. Gave absolutely no confidence at all while driving! The car felt like it was understeering on really ****ty tyres, even though it wasn't.

Suggested she didn't buy it

Shame as it would of been a brilliant car otherwise - cavernous inside.

Worse than a proton?! My dad has had two of them. I hate them with a passion.

Maybe you are right Mbanes, I'm most likely wrong

Don't worry you will find others like it. If you don't need such a large boot the Seat Leon of the same era is lovely. My brother just got one in TDI 90 S spec, 66k miles, FSH + cambelt for 2.5k which is cheap where I am.

Edited 13 March, 201313 yr by yesiamtom