Hello All

This is my first post having just started looking for a Superb.

 

I've seen this and I'm tempted.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201501100078090/

 

The car is in really good condition and drives well but a couple of things are making me hesitant though.

Someone has glued patches of "leather" onto the doors where your elbow rests. Are these a sign of heavy use, or an extremely careful owner?! Also there's sticky stuff, like silicon, on the "ash tray" and velcro above it. I've got myself convinced it's been used as a taxi and the velcro was for the meter!

The rest of the car contradicts this though. The seats are in good condition, the bodywork is almost immaculate - no stone chips on the bonnet and only a couple of loading scratches on the rear bumper. In general, it is in the best condition of any of the Superbs I've seen.

 

The seller says it has 3 Skoda and 3 private garage stamps, although I haven't seen these yet. Timing belt done at approx 80000 apparently.

 

I've emailed the taxi licensing office where it was previously registered. I'm awaiting their response.

 

Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks in advance

Gary

The Velcro on the ashtray cover is most likely to hold a mobile phone as that area fits most phones, especially smart phones and I've seen a few people do that.  Not sure about the doors.  Sounds odd but then again that part of the door is not real leather and is more plastic AFAIK so it will wear over time.  It could be a careful owner as you say.  Mileage seems a little on the low side for a taxi at an average of 20k miles per year but then again it depends on where it was being used.  Your enquiry should confirm that though.  Sounds like it was well maintained.  Does the wear on the pedals and steering wheel look in line with 99k miles?  It does look like a bargain alright.

Thanks for the reply.

 

The pedals and wheel are showing a bit of wear but it is not bad. There's a bit more on the gear lever gaiter.

 

One council from its former area has confirmed it wasn't licensed with them. I'm just waiting to hear back from the other one in the area.

 

I've been doing more reading and I've found out that a meter needs to be visible, by law, to all passengers. Most seem to be fitted higher on the dash. So you could be right, it was a phone or holder.

It may just be me but isn't 9k a bit steep for a 5yr 100,000 mile motor ? I would also be slightly concerned they have to use a third party garage to sort cars before sale. It sounds to me like a one man band buying from auction and selling ? If there's a problem who takes responsibility for the car, the seller or the garage ? Having said all that they appear to have other stock vehicles and it looks OK in the photo's. 

Edited 19 June, 201511 yr by Laurie61

 I would also be slightly concerned they have to use a third party garage to sort cars before sale. 

how else is a small operation which only buys and sells cars going to make sure that what they sell is in good working order ? 

how else is a small operation which only buys and sells cars going to make sure that what they sell is in good working order ? 

 

Well they have no alternative except not bother doing anything but that is sort of my point. If buying from a dealer I would hope they could offer a full package of buy/check/sell/ warranty for piece of mind. The more complex the chain the more loop holes for folks to get out of fulfilling their commitments. As I said it's probably just me but I tend to look for problems before they happen and am likely over cautious. :sun:          

how else is a small operation which only buys and sells cars going to make sure that what they sell is in good working order ? 

 

Not exactly a small operation with 54 cars currently listed.

The patch on the door will be where the driver has rested his elbow on it, the rubbery type covering bubbles up then you get a hole in it. The door cards only come in one piece and there about £300-400 pounds to replace. 

I'd be careful, especially with the servicing, as this could've been done on the cheap. People here that are far more knowledgeable that me state that DSG Gearbox fluid must be changed regularly - not sure how often, so that's worth checking. Incidentally, it does not have park assist; it has rear parking sensors. Another one to check is that it does have "FULL HEATED LEATHER"?

 

There are also these Elegance in your price range, most of which are cheaper than the one you've seen.... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/skoda/superb/postcode/kt58hw/radius/1500/keywords/elegance/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/maximum-mileage/up_to_100000_miles/fuel-type/diesel/body-type/hatchback/sort/default/price-to/10000/transmission/automatic/maximum-age/up_to_5_years_old/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l

 

I'd keep searching and yes, you may have to travel a distance to see the car, but IMO, its worth it. As well as looking locally, we drove a 500 mile round trip to look at (and buy) our MKI and a 250 mile round trip to look (and buy) our MKII.

the licensing authority wont confirm anything, but with the V5 and reg/MOT you can check the MOT history and mileage on the DVLA site FOC and youd obviously do a Hpi check and sometimes that can throw up taxi history especially if registered in a company name

 

some cars with taxi firms are the bosses own car and get little used

I would not buy that car.

I have just flicked onto auto trader and immediately found 2011 elegance 2 litre diesel with 69k on clock.

There is better out there if you take the time to look.

Good luck

As above the leather patches are probably covering up something as its quite common to see deformed door trims on high mileage cars.

As above the leather patches are probably covering up something as its quite common to see deformed door trims on high mileage cars.

 

I guess this is the issue, at 99K miles my old MK2 Octavia was pretty bad. Caused by resting elbows on the door card, passenger side maybe done so matches the drivers side.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

I think I'm going to keep looking.

M8 id keep looking...i bought mine a 2011 / 1 owner 1.6 se plus hatch / boot with 132k & full history £5500 from a car sales pitch. 

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

I think I'm going to keep looking.

Right decision.

My Mondeo at 180,000 had a perfect interior, as did my Chevrolet Epica at 90,000

 

theres no reason this Skoda at its claimed mileage should be like that