Hello and thanks for looking,

The family has had skodas for the last 13 years since I wrote off the wife's Corsa. I promised her a fast car but we got a felecia! So I was happy when I saw a Fab VRS going at a reasonable price.

I'm going upto Newport on Sat to look at this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201312070387315/sort/default/usedcars/price-from/1000/price-to/4000/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/make/skoda/radius/100/postcode/ex83bs/page/2/model/fabia/fuel-type/diesel?logcode=p

If that didn't work it's a Fab VRS on an 05 plate with 108K.

8 service stamps, part service history. No record of cambelt change. Looks standard.

I would be very grateful if anyone could give me any tips on what to check for, especially with the clutch and cambelt. My Octavia had a cambelt fitted wrong years ago and it took a few turns to start up so I know to look for this but are there any other points please? Would you buy it?

A friend advised me to get the cambelt changed there by the dealers so I might do that.

Thank you very much for going out of your way to give me any advice you can.

Fingers crossed for a VRS.

Billy

Welcome,

 

Looks like a good bargain! but your mate is right, get the cambelt and water pump done asap. apart from that, check the service history and look for any flat spots when pulling away. hope you enjoy!

Thanks Howley

Ive moved this into the Fabia 1 forum. Apologies moderators.

Is it this one?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201312070387315/sort/default/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/maximum-age/up_to_10_years_old/postcode/pe196qp/maximum-mileage/over_100000_miles/model/fabia/body-type/hatchback/seller-type/trade_adverts/make/skoda/page/1/keywords/vRS/radius/200/onesearchad/used?logcode=p

At that age it should have had 2 cambelt changes already. And if my gently driven and lower mileage 07 plate is anything to go by, the console bushes may well need changing.

The link doesn't work on my iPad?

But,

If there is no record of a cam belt change, consider that it hasn't been done,a dm factor in approx £300 for that inc parts, labour and vat (personally I would rather have a specialist do it rather than a garage who may, or may not actually have it changed....)

A full service is around £135 at a specialist

If the car is standard, when test driving, reach about 50mph in 5th or 6th and bury the accelerator, accelerate up to 70+; it shouldn't slip, but if it does that's another £300ish on your horizon, potentially.

if the service stamps aren't backed up by full receipts and invoices, I always consider that the service history is suspect; that's not so ya it is, but why anyone would keep the service book but no bills etc beats me (others on her may and probably will disagree)

I go by this premise; it's my hard earned money that I'm spending, so I like to ensure as far as possible that everything is kosher....

Welcome along. You may be able to get someone with VCDS to go and do a scan on it for you.

 

To find someone nearby take a look here:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/262215-list-of-vcds-owners-previously-known-as-vag-com/

 

and here:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/224376-vcds-owners-map/

 

If someone does do that for you, take any fault codes that may come up with a pinch of salt. Chances are there's a few codes logged on a car with that age and mileage but the faults aren't really there. If codes point to defects that don't appear to be there then they probably aren't. My car showed a fault on the wipers when I got it, but I cleared it and they've always worked perfectly.

 

Best thing to do is scan it and note the codes, clear them and go for a test drive and look for any relevant faults, scan it again. If any codes come back or if defects are apparent then take it from there.

part service history

 

This is the killer part that would put me off.

 

Sounds like it hasn't been maintained properly. The PD engine needs to be serviced properly with the right oil to expect a long life.

I'd walk away. There are plenty about at reasonable prices to be picky.

Just to let you know, Ive merged your thread from the Introduce yourself section and the one you posted here

DGW Thanks. Yes that's the one. Thanks for yr advice.

RTZ62 tHanks I will look forward to putting my foot down in her! I completely agree on the service history. Hopefully she will be good.

Soft scoop thanks. I have a good mechanic so I'm hoping he will be able to smash her up. I'm more wary and better informed from all these posts though especially as I haven't had a pocket rocket before. Thanks again

JB thanks.

Thanks Damo

I took a bit of a risk and bought my Polo 1.9 tdi (similar engine) with NO paper service history whatsoever. Sounds dodgy at first, it gave lots of haggling room though and I first gave VW Care a call who were very helpful and revealed 5 services, a few repairs (all at the dealer) and a short description of work done. 

 

I had no record of a cambelt done at first either but I soon found an aged sticker under the bonnet detailing it had been done at 45k, which matched the records provided by VW care. I had a good mechanic go through the engine and suspension etc with a fine tooth comb, all they found was it failed a brake fluid test and a coolant pipe being rubbed by an engine lifting eye.

 

Been running sweet as a nut for 27k miles now (touch wood), 25k of which remapped, with normal oil usage and no major repairs.

 

Sometimes people do genuinely lose the book or fail to keep receipts, or there's a huge underlying problem I've not found yet! 

 

In short, give Skoda customer care a call and see what they have on record. They might have no more than you have already, but it's free to call so you've got nothing to lose.

Thanks Ben90 I will look around the engine bay for stickers and call Skoda up.

tbh i seen better for less, 

 

you have to assume its 10k off a cam belt service, unless garage can provide receipts that show otherwise, looks very standard which is fine not saying there is anything wrong with that, but since it does not stand out in a crowned the only selling feature is the price which means find the next 05vrs in decent condition, which will be the normal thing to find at any rep garage,  with 110000 and if it cost less then its a better buy.

 

to me im looking at a £2,900 motor if the condition is f'ing immaculate, has just been serviced, paintwork spotless showroom shine like its been kept in a garage all its life, never missed a service and as good inside.

 

£2,700 if its good but not quite perfect, but hey its 9 years old, its done 110k, you can see been used but its held up very well condition, and its just been serviced and the records are all in order.

 

if it lacks service proof within last 10k, hence you need to service it as soon as u buy and its in the ok as above condition or if there is proof of service but its next due in less that 5k or even 6k say, then hell im off looking for the next one unless they lest me have it for between £2,400 to £2,600 depending on how warn the condition is and how close the next service is, not that they will let it go for that price cos they and i both know someone less on the mark will give them least £2,900 for that motor, only i would not be that someone and instead fine a better deal

Edited 31 January, 201412 yr by KillerShark1978

if you promised your missus a ''fast'' car then she will be disappointed again 

My missus thinks my car is "quick" (even though it's standard power)

Thanks for yr tips will give it a look over tomorrow. I am in need of a car and their are more expensive ones. It also has a warranty that should cover it till I can get a cambelt on her. Hopefully the car will do 200k with regular services and cambelts every 30K.

Ive said it before to others Bill, if one crops up near me (North Derbyshire area) I'm happy to look it over for you.

I'm also near South Yorks, and anything near(ish) to Mansfield / Chesterfield is near enough as well.

Let me know if you see anything.

Andy

Thanks RTZ if she's no good I don't mind travelling back up North. Im on my way to Newport now. It'll be good to call on you if I can. Thanks again.

Gutted. No evidence of cambelt change. Faults and general signs of disrespect everywhere. Keep looking.

I bought my vrs 1 year ago this month. Travelled from Ireland to London to get it. No service history what so ever and a few small bits needing replacing like a window regulator, gas struts on the boot and two tyres.

The first thing I did when I got it home was to get a full service and a timing belt kit fitted. All the filters and the timing belt that were took out were genuine stuff and was replaced with genuine parts again.

I also fitted new console bushings and two drop links. These did not need replacing but I fitted them anyway when the car was going to be on the lift.

12 months and 25k later the car has not let me down once.

There is no magic recipe for finding a good car on paper I'm afraid Bill.

Despite fools that think they can quantify a great car with low miles or such, the only way to really tell a good car is as you have found - in the flesh with the mk1 eyeball. I think hence you answered your own post.

 

I think this is true of any car that like this is now MINIMUM 6-7 years old - looking over the car itself / taking it for test (ideally getting independant inspection like AA too) is a MUST.

Patience is a virtue - Good luck !