I've started my search for a used Oktavia 1.9 or 2.0 TDI Estate, and been to see a few. Realised that I'm not very well prepared with any gotchas for these cars in particular and anything beyond the basics when it comes to used cars in general.

 

So looking for tips/advice on anything specific to this car, or if anyone has general used car checklists those would be appreciated too!

 

I'm looking at a 1.9 or 2.0 TDI estate, at least Ambient trim level, probably Elegance, L&K's seem to be way overpriced. Looking at around £2500-£3000 mark, which right now on average means 2007-2010 models with 100-120k miles.

 

Stuff I've got so far:

 

Things I know how to check for:

 

- Cambelt / water pump change - check for evidence in service history

- Obvious visual things with engine - oil leaks, gunk under oil cap, smokey exhaust

- A/C - check it blows cold

- Moisture in headlamps - visual check

 

Stuff that I don't know how to check for / don't know if it's important:

 

- Dualmass fly wheel?

- Life left in clutch.

- Front springs

- Turbo

- ABS warning light on the dashboard

- Warning lights on dash - what's important?

- Is it possible to visually check to see if cambelt has likely been changed?

- ... ?

 

Cheers all 🙂

 

ob

 

Pages where I took info from:

 

https://www.breakerlink.com/blog/cars/skoda-octavia-common-problems/

https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/tips-and-advice/154636/used-skoda-octavia-buying-guide-2004-2013-mk2

 

Haldex oil change history if you opt 4wd (from looking at your other post).

 

Also look for any accident  repairs - I did a 6 hr round trip to look at a Scout a Few years ago which the selling garage told me was mint.  I arrived to find one side of the car had been painted, and badly at that!

15 hours ago, ScoutCJB said:

Also look for any accident  repairs

 

The old 'magnet' trick is very helpful here BTW - run a magnet (carefully) over the metalwork and check to see if the attraction varies - areas with much filler will attract the magnet less.  I use a magnet wrapped in clingfilm so as not to scratch the paintwork.

 

 

On the 1.9 diesel if you do need to do a clutch change they can take a solid flywheel rather than sticking to a dual mass one .... 

 

The 1.9 litre was as far as I'm aware never fitted with a DPF and neither was the 2.0 litre BKD engine in the PFL models .. The 1.9 is also much more economical on diesel than the 2 litre... 

38 minutes ago, labman1001 said:

On the 1.9 diesel if you do need to do a clutch change they can take a solid flywheel rather than sticking to a dual mass one .... 

 

The 1.9 litre was as far as I'm aware never fitted with a DPF and neither was the 2.0 litre BKD engine in the PFL models .. The 1.9 is also much more economical on diesel than the 2 litre... 

 

yeah right now for all the cars i'm looking at cluthc + flywheel is my biggest worry for something that might go wrong and cost me £600-1000 to sort out later.

 

if it hasn't been done, wondering if there's a way to check for the life left in it? or any signs of imminent failure?

 

(some of the cars I'm looking at come with warranty but I always make the assumption that these won't pay for anything that they have any chance of classing as 'wear and tear' which is most things on a 100k miles car)