Just viewed an SE PLUS seemed in good order 2011 only 40k on the clock (no rattle)........even got a spare tyre!.  One thing that puzzles me, it has leather seats.  I thought this model didn't come with leather.  On reflection they look like they come from an 'Elegance',  is this ok they look good tbh.  i noticed the car had a plate change to a personalised plate for a year, then has gone back to original so I'm assuming this was when it was done/upgraded.  Any thoughts??

If the plate change lines up with change of owner I would not worry.

 

Colin

The plate went back to the original after the change. How do i check that ,any thoughts on the seats?

cheers

Perhaps the original buyer paid the extra to have leather seats. It was a factory option at that time.

7 minutes ago, Llanigraham said:

Perhaps the original buyer paid the extra to have leather seats. It was a factory option at that time.

This.

 

If you can see it in the flesh, get a picture of  paper label sticker in the boot which holds the codes of whatever options were fitted.

If the vehicle is not being sold via Skoda, you could contact a Skoda dealer and ask them to verify the original spec.

 

If it wasn't delivered from the factory with leather there are also aftermarket companies that specialise in this, Seat Surgeons being one. 

 

They could also have got them from a breakers/written off vehicle. 

If it has all the associated parts such as seat heating pads working it would imply it was supplied with these originally as an extra.

Was this a special edition with leather as the main difference?

Even if retrofitted it is worth having.

Does it also gave the desirable better headlights which were also available extra?

Personally I always went for the higher spec as it would be worth more on return than a lower model with lots of extras. Conversely if you have found an over specified car it should be a bargain

Leather seats are an option, I have them on my 2015/6 Yeti SEL

2 hours ago, gumdrop said:

Leather seats are an option, I have them on my 2015/6 Yeti SEL

 

As I do.

 

7 hours ago, gumdrop said:

Leather seats are an option, I have them on my 2015/6 Yeti SEL

A no cost choice of Leather seats or Alacantara are standard on the Elegance or the replaced by SE L and L&K

Here's the pdf of Yeti 2011 brochure,

I just had a quick look and leather seats were an optional extra on SE spec but not available on SE Plus. They were only Std on Elegance.

It maybe an elegance but they haven't figured it. 

brochure_yeti[1].pdf

Edited 3 April, 20197 yr by RickT

Thanks for all the replies................i took cold feet and decided not to buy.  The 1.2 tsi engine advice from here and local garages seemed just too problematic and i didn't have the 'balls' to go through with it.  Pity i really like the car !

What was the problems with the 1.2 Tis engine? As long as the timing chain was changed then there weren’t any other major problems with the 1.2. I had a 2012 1.2 DSG for 5 years and never had a moments problem in that time. Averaged over 42 MPG and I liked the car so much I bought another before they went off production.

Thats quite encouraging.....i was going to ask the garage to do a deal with the price and change the timing chain.    I spoke to a few mechanics in local garages today and most were, 'drawing breath and shaking heads'.  so hence the 'cold feet'.  Thanks for that positive, it could change my decision.

My four-year old 1.2TSi engine (with timing chain.... one of the last ones built in 2015)  has just clicked over 35000 miles,  and hasn't missed a beat in its life.  I have complete confidence in it.

VW / Skoda modified the timing chain in 2011-2012. Your Yeti being a 2011 car might need the update but not worth the risk so better to get it changed for peace of mind.

Incidentally Skoda UK might be able to advise if car is pre or post fix if you give them the vin number.

My 2013 Roomster had the 1.2tsi engine which ran as sweet as a nut. 

I only sold the car in order to bag one of the last Yetis (1.2tsi) before production ended. 

 

As above, make sure the timing chain issue has been fixed and you should be fine.

Yes, I think quite a few people did the same as you and me!

As discussed, i went to a test drive  the  2011 reg, 41112 miles yeti today an SE PLUS (Manual Petrol) with upgrades at small family garage.   Usual spec but with Electric heated leathers seats and the spare wheel pack.

I can get it for £6,200 with my elegance estate 95,000 miles thrown in.  They'll put on a new timing chain if i pay for the part i.e. £150 +vat.  Also a 6 months RAC warranty.

The thing is i noticed a  grubby skoda badge on the boot a small dent on the rear wheel arch and a couple of small rust spots i.e. one of which is on the bottom corner of a door and  one on the roof.  It was advertised with full service history but when i asked they can only find 2 recents.  Cant deny it drove well.

Is it worth it and am i nit picking for that price??.  I would appreciate an opinion i don't know what to do.

The car is 8 years old so it is not going to be in pristine condition, once you accept that then the major things are reliability and longevity. Don’t worry about Skoda badge (easily replaced) or small dent (these things happen. If the rust spots are small then probably nothing to worry about - just check that they are not more extensive on bottom of door. You can always get ChipsAway, or other mobile service to tidy those up for you if you want.

The garage will replace the timing chain for £150 so you know the engine will be okay - it will have an oil change etc as part of the job, make sure they replace the oil filter etc. - and you will have a 6 months RAC warranty - just check what that covers. Other thing to check is the overall “feel” of the car, is the inside clean and tidy, are there signs of excessive wear anywhere in the cabin or boot. You can usually tell a lot about how a car has been looked after by just looking at those things. Are the leather seats in good condition - no rips or tears? If the original owner went to the cost of speccing leather seats then he/she probably liked nice things so probably looked after them. A lot of probables there but you can get a good idea by how the car feels to you. The other thing is are you comfortable with the garage and the people there you are dealing with? If so and you are happy then that’s as good as it gets with a used 2011 car why not go for it!

Edited 11 April, 20197 yr by Expatman

I have a hole in my drivers seat leather bolster already, appeared at abot 18k miles.

Previous two cars didnt hole but all both quite tired looking drivers seat at more than 50k.

My last Yeti was 152k miles old and had no real wear on any of the leather on either seats or bolsters. I'm less impressed with the quality of the new Alcantara seats on my new Yeti.