Buying one privately, any advise on what to look out for?

[snowathlete]

We've been looking for a Superb for a few weeks now and we've found one nearby at the right price. We're likely to go ahead and buy it over the next week.

 

Any advice on what to look out for?

 

I was thinking it might be a good idea to buy a VAG scanner to check there are no fault codes in the system but don't really know what I'm doing. Are they easy to use? And where can I get one? I suppose the alternative would be to take it to a garage on the test drive and get it checked over? Or maybe I should just buy it without checking the codes if it drives ok?

 

It has had the emissions fix already, he says it drives smoother if anything and he hasn't noticed any drop in MPG, though of course he may not have been looking out for it. As long as it drives ok I guess I won't worry about it.

Edited 29 December, 2017 by snowathlete

[Ootohere]

Maybe tell something about it.

The miles it has done pre 'Fix'  how many registered keepers, servicing record, Age etc. 

 

Having had The Fix could be an issue to concern you.  

[snowathlete]

Thanks AwaoffSki.

It's a facelift model registered early 2014. Not sure how many previous owners. It does have service record, the book has stamps where it should though no details of what exactly was carried out. I'll ask if there's any other paperwork on the services, but I don't know at the moment.

It's a 2.0L diesel, 170bhp

Automatic

It's done around ~50k miles, but I've no idea at what point the fix was done. I'm guessing quite recently but I'll have to check. I understand that it should have had a gearbox and 4x4 service already but don't know if it did or not. If not I'll have to get that sorted, which I'm guessing will set me back around £300 local mechanic, on top of a normal service price.

 

I figure if it drives ok the fix won't be that big a deal? If it is then someone suggested I could get it remapped?

 

Edited 29 December, 2017 by snowathlete

[Ootohere]

 

How long has the current keeper owned the car?  Are they a trader?

 

Some idea of DSG Servicing and Haldex in the past would be a big thing. 

 

You will certainly need to be sure the haldex is working now as is.

As to The Fix then check with Skoda UK Customer Services when it was done, you need that 24 month guarantee of sorts, from when done.

http://skoda.co.uk/about-us/contact-us 

Edited 29 December, 2017 by AwaoffSki

[snowathlete]

It's a private sale, he's owned it a little over a year. 

 

I'll find out about the DSG servicing. In terms of checking its working my plan is to take it for a thorough test drive use all the features, get it up to speed, listen for any knocking, dodgy changes or anything like that. Is there anything specific I should look out for with that?

 

Thanks for the suggestion to check when the fix was done with Skoda, very helpful, I'll do that.

[kevberlin]

The Superb 2 is a great car. I declined the emissions fix on mine.

However, perhaps he is selling it because he had the emissions fix.

Just a thought.

[snowathlete]

interesting thought kevberlin.

[jafo]

Can't you take with you some friendly mechanics? He can see or even hear something that you won't notice.

 

If DSG/Haldex wasn't serviced properly - it could cost you a lot in the future - even if it works correctly right now.

 

"Fix" can be unfixed for about £120.

[snowathlete]

Skoda tell me that the fix was carried out a few months ago. Whether there is anything in it or not I don't know. If the fix broke stuff what sort of symptoms would I see?

If the fix can be unfixed fully for around £120 then it doesn't sound too big a risk.

 

It's actually done more like 45k miles actually, so if the haldex/dsg have not been serviced it's close enough I reckon that I could just get them done straight away once I've bought it. I'm gonna check though, they may have been done already. 

Edited 29 December, 2017 by snowathlete

[bigjohn]

9 hours ago, snowathlete said:

Thanks AwaoffSki.

It's a facelift model registered early 2014. Not sure how many previous owners. It does have service record, the book has stamps where it should though no details of what exactly was carried out.

 

 

Suspicions it has a book. My facelift 2014 Superb does not have such a thing. It is electronically held at the dealer and I receive an updated "statement " after each service

[brookfold1]

6 hours ago, bigjohn said:

 

Suspicions it has a book. My facelift 2014 Superb does not have such a thing. It is electronically held at the dealer and I receive an updated "statement " after each service

 

Mine is January 2014 and still has a service book

[Ootohere]

That will be because one was requested is it not, after Skoda UK stopped providing Service Books as a common practice back around 2012.

[bigjohn]

Probably service hostory is fine - just worth double checking with Skoda

 

Worth doing a HPI check to check it's not stolen , still on finace  etc - especially if private seller has only had it a year!

Edited 30 December, 2017 by bigjohn

[silver1011]

What is his reason for selling the car?

 

I'd be suspicious here, he has owned it for a little over a year and is looking to get rid only a few months after having the emissions fix.

 

There are lots of people out there complaining that the fix has adversely affected their cars, as a result it is fair to assume that there will be a higher percentage than normal of cars for sale with issues.

 

Owners become exasperated with Skoda UK's policy of not reversing the fix and their inability in a lot of cases to sort their ongoing issues (fuel economy, fuel and exhaust related component failure, random stalling, rough running / more difficult to drive smoothly, increased DPF regens, EGR and injector failures etc.).

 

Go in with your eyes open and perhaps budget for the £120 emissions fix rewind...

 

http://www.sharkperformance.co.uk/

 

Edited 30 December, 2017 by silver1011

[snowathlete]

3 hours ago, silver1011 said:

What is his reason for selling the car?

 

I'd be suspicious here, he has owned it for a little over a year and is looking to get rid only a few months after having the emissions fix.

 

There are lots of people out there complaining that the fix has adversely affected their cars, as a result it is fair to assume that there will be a higher percentage than normal of cars for sale with issues.

 

Owners become exasperated with Skoda UK's policy of not reversing the fix and their inability in a lot of cases to sort their ongoing issues (fuel economy, fuel and exhaust related component failure, random stalling, rough running / more difficult to drive smoothly, increased DPF regens, EGR and injector failures etc.).

 

Go in with your eyes open and perhaps budget for the £120 emissions fix rewind...

 

http://www.sharkperformance.co.uk/

 

 

I was a little suspicious myself but I decided it was genuine. He has a new job which is only a short compute and has got a smaller petrol car for that. He showed me the letter from Skoda which invited him to have the emissions fix and he had it shortly after that. I gave it a test drive and it drove well. As you suggest I factored the £120 into my thinking when buying it in case I need to reverse the emissions fix, so if it doesn't perform as expected I'll go get that done. Maybe I should get it reversed either way - it sounds like even if your car drives ok it may be harmful to some of the components so it's best not to have it.

 

Anyway, we bought it :-)

It hasn't had its gearbox or 4x4 service yet so I'll have to get those done right away. It's due a service this month anyway as it last had one a year ago. The price reflected this though so all seems good. Time will tell if it is good, or not. I hope so, it's always a risk buying a car.

 

In a few days I'll try to post some pics.

 

Thank you everyone for your help. I guess my husband and I will be around on here longer term now :-)

My husband didn't like the vibration (previous car is petrol) and the harder suspension (moving from an SUV) but otherwise thought it was good and I really liked it.

Edited 30 December, 2017 by snowathlete

[silver1011]

Great news, looking forward to seeing the pictures!

[simannjo]

3 hours ago, snowathlete said:

I was a little suspicious myself but I decided it was genuine. He has a new job which is only a short compute and has got a smaller petrol car for that. He showed me the letter from Skoda which invited him to have the emissions fix and he had it shortly after that. I gave it a test drive and it drove well. As you suggest I factored the £120 into my thinking when buying it in case I need to reverse the emissions fix, so if it doesn't perform as expected I'll go get that done. Maybe I should get it reversed either way - it sounds like even if your car drives ok it may be harmful to some of the components so it's best not to have it.

 

Anyway, we bought it :-)

It hasn't had its gearbox or 4x4 service yet so I'll have to get those done right away. It's due a service this month anyway as it last had one a year ago. The price reflected this though so all seems good. Time will tell if it is good, or not. I hope so, it's always a risk buying a car.

 

In a few days I'll try to post some pics.

 

Thank you everyone for your help. I guess my husband and I will be around on here longer term now :-)

My husband didn't like the vibration (previous car is petrol) and the harder suspension (moving from an SUV) but otherwise thought it was good and I really liked it.

 

Perfect attitude - And it will suit the Superb!

Defo worth looking after the 4X4 and G/Box - Look for a specialist independent - They look at these forums also!

 

I and my family were born in the motor trade. With several VAG motors among us, Not a VAG 'fixed' motor exists...

I would revert back to 'traditional' VAG...

 

Ive heard good things from Shark Performance J28 M1... and if your'e feeling  flush - The upgrade in BHP for the 4x4 is very much well thought of!

 

Edited 30 December, 2017 by simannjo
Shark

[snowathlete]

1 hour ago, simannjo said:

 

Perfect attitude - And it will suit the Superb!

Defo worth looking after the 4X4 and G/Box - Look for a specialist independent - They look at these forums also!

 

I and my family were born in the motor trade. With several VAG motors among us, Not a VAG 'fixed' motor exists...

I would revert back to 'traditional' VAG...

 

Ive heard good things from Shark Performance J28 M1... and if your'e feeling  flush - The upgrade in BHP for the 4x4 is very much well thought of!

 

Thanks for the recommendations, always valuable I find. I don't travel that far away from home (Wiltshire) usually so will either need to find somewhere closer to home or keep it in mind for when I'm up that way.

[simannjo]

2 minutes ago, snowathlete said:

Thanks for the recommendations, always valuable I find. I don't travel that far away from home (Wiltshire) usually so will either need to find somewhere closer to home or keep it in mind for when I'm up that way.

They might do agents... Ring Shark Performance, tell them what you have, tell them where you are... and listen...

Edited 30 December, 2017 by simannjo
are

[bigjohn]

6 hours ago, snowathlete said:

 

Anyway, we bought it :-)

 

 

Enjoy, 

 

We love our facelift Superb even though it's the poverty spec (still comes with cruise, auto headlights, steering wheel controls,  stop/start etc..). Fantastic mile muncher and thus far no issues.

 

The facelift models have much lower CO2 figures as well

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 30 December, 2017 by bigjohn

[jafo]

Unfix it anyway and then beef it up better MPG, safer to overtake and more fun overall 

Edited 31 December, 2017 by jafo

[Juhagpl]

Looking for the pictures! : )

[snowathlete]

Edited 3 January, 2018 by snowathlete
messed up the pics

[snowathlete]

Sorry the photos aren't great but the weather isn't great today. Better photos in the future.

 

 

 

[superbdreams]

ooo metallic brown too...nice

 

Does it have hill hold enabled ? (doesn't roll backwards when stopping on a hill)