Hello everybody. I'm just about to buy my first Octavia. Its a 52 plate VRS with 35k on the clock in black.

Could you give me an idea of things to look for - coil packs - cam belt - service intervals etc etc to aid me in my negotiations

nearly an owner, here's nearly a welcome. :P

At 35k cambelt shouldn't be an issue for some time to come (might be age related rather than mileage) Service intervals should become clear from the last services as with low mileage it might be done annually rather than on 10,000 intervals.

Coilpacks I believe were a problem on some ages of vRS - Hopefully a search for coilpacks on here will enable you to find out which ones were affected, and if those are in your potential car, you can ask for them to be replaced.

Nice one thanks for that. Are there any other common faults to watch out for.

There's silly things like when its raining, if you open the boot too fast it chucks a litre of water in your boot. But this is simply avoidable with taking care opening the boot.

Aside from that I don't remember reading about any other "common" faults at all. Coilpack issues aren't that common, and you've already mentioned that.

Welcome

Picking her up on Thursday night. 52 plate in black with 36 k on the clock

Get a good deal then? Did mentioning coilpacks spur any action?

Yes and no. They say that it'll be fully serviced, MOT'd & all my repairs done for thrusday and 3 month warrenty. Now that I know what to look for I'll check em out when I get her home & straight to my local dealer if they havent been done. The clincher was when the dealer asked what I was looking for my vectra in PX, he looked in glasses, found it was worth half what I was expecting him to say and he raised what they would offer straight away. I had previously mentioned in discussion what I was looking to pay on top of PX which was under what I ended up paying intentionally (Bull***t space) (margin) and when the offer came back at the top end of what I wanted to pay I thought that he's playing fair straight away so I should have the decency to do the same. We both go away happy with what we want. Job done.