I've owned a 2010 Race Blue VRS TSI combi since new. It was my pride and joy, Skoda serviced every 10k and virtually immaculate at 70k.  However an intermittent fault was traced to the common timing chain/cam failure. The internal damage caused by the time it was diagnosed was deemed enough to write off the engine.

 

I have finally agreed a settlement with Skoda based on a contribution against the repair or a replacement vehicle. I'm leaning towards the latter and selling on the vehicle salvage to cut my losses. Any thoughts on the value of an immaculate VRS combi with a knackered engine?

First, well done on getting a contribution from Skoda! I can't help on the value of your car but given it's as good as you say I wonder if it's not worth keeping with a new engine. I ended up

putting a new engine in my 2010 scout and, whilst it wasn't cheap, having just completed another run to Edinburgh and back in it I've no regrets. It's a great car and the 1.8 is a lovely engine. 

Yes, sounds like a nice car - new engine = a few years of trouble free motoring then could off load..?  Possibly try and find a reputable independent engine rebuilder with credentials and references!

 

I have no personal experience of this but on this forum, experience suggests £3,500 for a new rebuild with new pistons, conrods, rings etc.  I guess the value of the car in a non running state (assuming rebuildable engine), is the market value before engine failure, less £3,500 engine reubuild, less some extra hassle for the purchaser £500-£1000?.... 

 

But then again that gives you a motorcar with 70k miles but a brand new engine so maybe worth a few more ££ to offset against the hassle discount!!

Edited 5 February, 20179 yr by TheClient

Over £8k for a new engine from Skoda, been quoted at least £4K for a recon unit fitted privately. Either way big bucks to invest in a car worth around £7500 retail plus a load more hassle for me. It's too good to break in my opinion and would make a good buy for someone who could source another engine and had facilities to fit it. This thread is just to try and find out what I could expect to receive selling it on as an opportunity for someone else. 

It is a tough one but have you asked an independant engine specialist about rebuilding the engine you have. It may well work out cheaper as some parts may be able to be re used. 

If you had the repair done it would mean keeping the car for at least another 3 years and you wouldnt recoup any costs, as in 3 years time the car will proably be worth around 3000 max. If the car is paid for I would consider selling and using what money you make to buy a new car. The car as a part ex value in 3 years or so wont be worth more than £2000 and you might get £1500 as a none runner now.

So if it was me I would sell and use that money as a deposit for a new car. If the car was only 3 years old Id say keep and repair. But as it is 7 years old, the investment is not worth while.

Edited 5 February, 20179 yr by Ecomatt
Spelling error

1 hour ago, mikeholroyd said:

Have you tried putting the details in webuyanycar.com as a non-runner?

 

Can't see an option for non-runner only insurance write off which it is not. You can highlight engine damage, but this only extends to stuff like head gasket. Would also suspect I will get more selling privately than via WBAC.

 

The vehicle was still driveable, albeit with an intermittent fault, when it originally went in for fault diagnosis. Had I known then I would have traded it. Once stripped the damage, which had clearly been ongoing for some time, became evident. Despite being caught before major engine failure occurred pieces of metal were subsequently found in the sump oil. I was told that any repair could not be warranted and a new engine would be required.

Did they say which part the metal came from?

11 hours ago, Ecomatt said:

Did they say which part the metal came from?

 

There was clearly some damage to one port on the camshaft where there had been metal on metal contact and it looked like the oil pressure relief valve (ball bearing behind a mesh cover?) had also fallen apart. The timing chain tensioner was fully extended, but the engine was still running and had not yet fully lunched itself when stripped.

From what I'm hearing around £1500 looks about right. Someone with the right connections should then be able to do the necessary repairs and move it along at a tidy profit. Any thoughts on where I should advertise this for widest coverage?

If the car is as tidy as you say then no way would i sell it for £1500,id get a independant garage to fit a 2nd hand engine (after its had a new timing chain tensioner of course!) & keep it,if your heart is set on selling then you can sell on here after joining freedom or paying to market it or try ebay as im sure you would get a lot of attention & get more than £1500 for it,if i had the spare cash & space id snap your hand off at £1500.