I'm going to test drive a 59 reg Octavia SE 2.0 PD. It's got 91,000 on it and is up for £4500.

Does this sound reasonable? I've had a quick look at it and the bodywork is A1 although the engine bay is a bit scruffy.

From what I've read, if it has Siemens injectors it's best avoided. Is this correct? An aquaintance of mine has a 57 Passat which suffered injection failure. He discovered that there was a recall on his particular model and VAG replaced them foc. Would that have been for that reason?

Is there anything else I should be looking for?

Not correct as only vrs pd 170 has Siemens injectors, the pd140 will have Bosch ones for skodas. So the model you are referring is fine.

Yeah it was only the 170 engines that had an injector recall on them.

 

The 2.0 PD140 is a pretty solid engine. Not really too much to worry about. Just make sure it has a good service history using the correct grade oil as servicing is vital on the PD engine.

 

Make sure on a test drive it pulls strong, will rev right out and listen for rattly noises at idle/setting off (signs of DMF failure).

 

Phil

Thanks for the replies.

 

Make sure on a test drive it pulls strong, will rev right out and listen for rattly noises at idle/setting off (signs of DMF failure).

 

Phil

Yeah, having owned a Ford for the last 8 years I'm familiar with failing DMFs ;-)

Listen for untoward turbo noises would be my only advice, should have a nice sound to it (if you can call it such a thing for a diesel engine - I love it myself but many don't!) Mine had a new turbo fitted 6k before I purchased it under warranty but I suspect the original had sooted up due to the previous owner only doing 3k a year.

My only concern about this car is that as it's the car of choice of all the local private hire firms that it may have been used as a taxi. Is there any way I can find out what it was used for previously?

My only concern about this car is that as it's the car of choice of all the local private hire firms that it may have been used as a taxi. Is there any way I can find out what it was used for previously?

91k in 6 years doesn't seem enough for a taxi.

Taxi firms seem to favour the 1.9 engines.

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With that kind of miles it doesn't seem like taxi, it's becoming harder to tell if a car has been a taxi as most companies are moving to PDA's, so no holes in dash etc.

Look for signs of stickers, holes in bumpers from plate holders, secondary aerial, look at the roof near windscreen, or both corners at rear window( magmount )

Study the mot history.

Having said all that, I've still got my 2.0 140 Passat taxi, 09 plate and it's just shy of 300k...... Serviced EVERY 10k without fail, hasn't once broke down on me. Don't know why people are put off by ex taxis, they are tested twice per year and let's be honest, what taxi driver wants to be off the road because the car has broke down. I, like many others look after my cars to the best of my ability, my current 2012 Octavia will Be like winning a watch when that goes, it's been fully detailed, custom made seat covers since new, just been mapped and had the EGR & DPF removed. All parts I replace are upgraded to what's standard.

G

Ok, point taken.