Buying 2010 Octavia 1.8 TSI Estate

It’s from a main dealer with a 30 day return if I’m not happy, but after checking around the bodywork and interior on Monday I’ve put a deposit down and am picking it up on Saturday, though I’ll give it a quick test drive as the roads shouldn’t be too bad.

On Monday it was a case of just starting it up and checking the engine, which sounded a tad tappety though after checking this forum and others it became apparent this is quite normal for the 1.8 TSI, and nowhere near as bad as one example posted on YouTube.

In the first few days I’ll be checking oil consumption which has been flagged as an issue, and I’m aware of timing chain/tensioner issues though over a million Octavias have been sold so if just 5% sold where 1.8TSIs that’d be 50,000, and if 1% of those engines failed it would be 1,000.

If 10% of those owners took to the internet it’d be 100 angry posters to forums when it’s nowhere near.

Reason for posting here though is very simple.

The estate I’m getting has no spare wheel, but I have a full size 16 “ alloy for my current Passat which I’m assuming would fit the Octavia.

Question is, does the floor pan aperture in the Octavia take a full size tyre or does it need a space saver?

The appetite cover seems over flexible so really needs a tyre in the well as support for anything heavy placed in the boot, so I don’t want to stick a space saver in there if the cover then says down before testing against it.

Cheers in advance for the info, and Octavia owners please feel free to offer any general advice/info.

I’m a franchisee with a SMART repair company so if anyone needs advice on bodywork I’m all ears.

Best,

chris.