Hi to all

 

I'm hoping that the clearly very knowledgeable and helpful people here can advice and help me. 

 

I have an 03 Octy Estate (1.9Tdi/110) that has done nearly 255k miles! I've had it serviced and repairs done a couple of times in the 1.5 years that I've owned it - it's cost me quite a lot of money in bills but the car has never been 'right'. The brakes still judder badly (despite the replacement of discs and pads), there are still an awful lot of unnerving noises/creaks/groans (from the suspension?), the car makes an odd noise when turning (CV joints?) etc etc.

 

I've spent money on the car to ensure it remains reliable and to be fair it's not broken down (yet - touch wood!) and the mpg has been ok-ish. I totally understand it's unrealistic to expect a car of its age and mileage to be completely free of faults and to behave/sound like a newer car but.....I'm now at the point of wondering whether it's worth spending yet more money on the car to keep it going.

 

I've lost confidence in the place I've had the car serviced and repaired. They've cost me a lot and the car is still not in great shape. So I'm looking for some advice about where and to whom I could take the car

• to get it checked over and
• to be given some cold, hard but unbiased advice about what the car actually needs
• how much it's going to cost to (properly) rectify the faults, and
• whether it makes economic sense to do the work at all.

The situation is somewhat complicated by the fact that my daughter and I have to do a 400 mile round trip every fortnight to/from specialist hospitals (in London and Wakefield/Leeds) she has to attend. Therefore, I need a car that is reliable but, as a single parent where funds aren't exactly flush, I need to decide whether it makes better sense to cut my losses and invest in a replacement car or stick with the Octy but plough more money into it in the hope/expectation that it will serve us reliably for the next year or two.

 

Does anyone know of a reliable, honest Skoda independent garage or an Octy 'expert/specialist/fan' based in either London (South West) and/or the Wakefield/Leeds area who would be able to:-

• give the car a detailed going over and make a accurate and confident diagnosis of what's wrong and what needs doing, and
• give me an unbiased report with a reasonably accurate, non-loaded estimate of the costs involved and importantly
• a hard headed view as to whether it makes sense or not to spend whatever it needs?

If you do or can help in any way, I'd be truly grateful.

 

Many many thanks to all who offer advice, suggestions or help 

 

PS. In addition to the above, the car needs 2 rear tyres (c£100?) and the road tax expires at the end of December so the need to make some kind of decision is fairly pressing.

 

PPS. I'm no car expert (as is probably self-evident!) - hence my need to find and rely on someone trustworthy and knowledgeable...

Edited 13 November, 201411 yr by largeruk

Reference the judder on the brakes anymore than 0.002 mm run out on the discs and they are judged warped. If they measure Ok then check the run out on the hubs no more than 0.003 mm if greater than this replace the wheel bearing.

Has anyone suggested replacing suspension bushes? I've needed new discs (hence pads) and front wheel bearings, but neither of these caused juddering or creaks and groans.

Reference the judder on the brakes anymore than 0.002 mm run out on the discs and they are judged warped. If they measure Ok then check the run out on the hubs no more than 0.003 mm if greater than this replace the wheel bearing.

 

 

Has anyone suggested replacing suspension bushes? I've needed new discs (hence pads) and front wheel bearings, but neither of these caused juddering or creaks and groans.

 

I've just added a PPS to my OP to make it clear I'm no car expert - at all! I honestly can't remember if suspension bushes have been mentioned. Given my mechanical ignorance, I think it probably makes most sense to find and rely on someone who knows what they're looking at, talking about and is a hard-nosed realist...

I've just added a PPS to my OP to make it clear I'm no car expert - at all! I honestly can't remember if suspension bushes have been mentioned. Given my mechanical ignorance, I think it probably makes most sense to find and rely on someone who knows what they're looking at, talking about and is a hard-nosed realist...

I got that; my point was that I honestly don't think that replacing brakes or wheel bearings addressed your reported problems, but that suspension bushes may be the cause. 

I got that; my point was that I honestly don't think that replacing brakes or wheel bearings addressed your reported problems, but that suspension bushes may be the cause. 

Ah ok. If I can find a garage or anyone who comes recommended by people on here, then I'll ask them/him to check that out. Thanks for the advice.

roll bar and drop link bushes worth a check too, as they can make clunking creaking knocking noises when the rubber's knackered. If its something like that it's be cheap to repair

Reference the judder on the brakes anymore than 0.002 mm run out on the discs and they are judged warped. If they measure Ok then check the run out on the hubs no more than 0.003 mm if greater than this replace the wheel bearing.

Do you mean 0.002" ?

Well hard to say.

You say it has cost you a lot in repairs but you don't really say what you have had done and how much it cost.

What work have you had done.

Lol sorry 0.02mm and 0.03mm

Edited 14 November, 201411 yr by FLAPPERJACK7

I do appreciate everyone's suggestions about the possible causes of the judder & noises - these are all things I will mention to whoever I take the car to.

 

Sadly, I know very little about cars and really do need to find someone or a garage who are trustworthy and knows what they are doing. If anyone can recommend such a garage or person within reasonable distance of London or Leeds, then I'd be very very grateful.

 

Thanks

Anyone able to point me in the direction of a knowledgeable, trustworthy independent or individual? I'd really appreciate it.

 

Thanks

Bump