Hi all, this weekend I'm going to look at a high mileage (over 100,000) 2014 Octavia VRS TDI estate. The idea is to get a higher mileage, but newer car tech-wise, to run into the ground as a family wagon.
 

I've done some research into the CR engines and people seem to be estimating the first belt change should come at around 120k or 4 years. The MOT on the car runs for another three months and the garage are offering a 3 month warranty. Now, I'm sceptical of any warranty as I feel garages will do whatever possible to avoid honouring them so before I drive the car away I want the garage to do a full MOT, service, cambelt and water pump change. From what I can tell from the garage, the car was a fleet car, hence the high mileage, and has been serviced at regular intervals by a Skoda garage before it turned up at Carworld.  
 

From experience, how much should I be expecting to pay for these parts on this car before labour? My Ford Focus cambelt change was around £250 all in but this was several years ago now.
 

The second question is regarding the garage themselves; Carworld, Peterborough. I've read several scathing reviews online about this particular garage where owners have bought cars, driven home and the engine management light has come on and displayed several faults and they have refused to do anything as it's not covered within their warranty (hence my scepticism towards one in the first place). Does anybody have any experience with this chain of garages, positive or negative. I always find it hard to judge with online reviews of dealerships as often people just don't know what they're talking about and far more people write negative reviews than they do positive ones.

 

Id get the water pump changed along with the belt. I'd budget £500 ish for it to get changed.

Buy part of the car on a credit card. Only needs to be over £100, but then you get Credit Card protection for the whole amount. So if you do have a problem like you describe, you can claim from the credit card company for the full amount.

oh and Cambelt and Water Pump change is £500 all in at a Skoda dealership, £400 for just Cambelt.

 

Given the issues with the diesel engine and waterpumps, best spend the extra £100 and get it changed

3 minutes ago, WayTooTall said:

oh and Cambelt and Water Pump change is £500 all in at a Skoda dealership, £400 for just Cambelt.

 

Given the issues with the diesel engine and waterpumps, best spend the extra £100 and get it changed

 

Thanks for the advice, especially regarding the credit card. I've already put a reservation fee down on my credit card and can pay the same amount again as a formal deposit. Both of these lump sums go towards the final price of the car so if I understand correctly, I'm already set with the credit card protection?

Definitely will get both changed, as I said it is higher mileage than I'd usually be looking at so want to make sure it's OK going forward. Hypothetically, if the garage I'm buying from offer me that service for the same amount, I take it it's still better to go to a legit Skoda garage? 

As long as one of the amounts on a credit card over £100, then you should be covered. Don't do 2 payments of £50, you won't be covered in that case, I don't think.

If the price is the same, I would probably go take it to a Skoda dealership, especially if you are not convinced by the garages reputation.

2 minutes ago, WayTooTall said:

As long as one of the amounts on a credit card over £100, then you should be covered. Don't do 2 payments of £50, you won't be covered in that case, I don't think.

If the price is the same, I would probably go take it to a Skoda dealership, especially if you are not convinced by the garages reputation.

 

Alright, cool thank you.

 

Also just because of my scepticism of the garage, I take it there's absolutely no reason that they should not be prepared to do an MOT on the car? It's going to be almost two weeks before I will be able to go and collect the car so they've got plenty of time to get it sorted. 

Not that I can see. If they don't want to do an MOT, I would walk away. Could be a load of expensive wear and tear items due, such as discs and pads etc.