Currently looking for a new Octavia and spotted this 2015 Scout for £5,790.  Apparently 1 owner and full service history but it has done 166k miles.  Would I be mad to consider it?

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201905258334227

As long as the mileage on the clock doesn’t bother you then maybe. Unusual to spec a Scout to do such a high mileage as a personal or company car. Check it’s not a former rapid response car, Scout’s are popular in that field, being silver makes me suspicious of its past. Nothing wrong with ex rrv’s but they can be ragged about some and I would want to pay rock bottom for one. It’s speculation of course, but worth checking out.

The only sign I can see of the mileage is the seat collapsing a bit.  Otherwise it looks to be a good deal.  I'd be checking the service history like a hawk.  Was the water pump done when the belt was changed?  Brake fluid changed?  Regular oil and filter?  Fuel filter?  If the cabin filter has been changed its good sign that its been serviced to the book IMO.  Check if the tyres are all the same too.

Certainly looks very clean for the mileage. Could be a bargain. Passed its first MOT at 128k with an advisory on the windscreen. https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/?_ga=2.71607707.902955378.1564648239-1608142851.1564648239

Certainly seen worse with a lot less miles. 

At that mileage, the DPF might be nearly full. If it hasn't been replaced or cleaned (can VAG ones be cleaned?)

 

When viewing the car, bring a OBD2 dongle and Android phone with VAG DPF app. Check "oil ash residue", make sure it's not near 100%.

I bet it was a rapid response ambulance, like this one :

 

 

 

Not a reason not to get it, as the one in the ad looks pretty good, and is almost priced accordingly.

The mileage, and ex ambulance wouldn’t put me off but I’d want to give it a good look over and test first.

Edited 1 August, 20196 yr by classic

50 minutes ago, classic said:

I bet it was a rapid response ambulance, like this one :

 

 

 

Not a reason not to get it, as the one in the ad looks pretty good, and is almost priced accordingly.

The mileage, and ex ambulance wouldn’t put me off but I’d want to give it a good look over and test first.

Most NHS Ambulance Trusts have their own workshops for servicing so will be looked after. The reg is similar so could be. Have to say that RRVs in our trust are kept for 8-9 years. Could’ve been an officers car? Normally the dashes are ripped out for all the comms and emergency kit. The one in the ad looks stock. 

I have a 2018 scout now with 122000 on the clock. I've had her for three years and kept her serviced and she runs really well. I’m considering a Karoq Sportline, only as my Scout has such high mileage. Should I keep my Scout? She is really nice but is the mileage too high?

8 hours ago, Gary2112 said:

I have a 2018 scout now with 122000 on the clock

High Mileage - that's NOT high mileage. Car engine is now nicely worn in....

Honestly, the latest crop of Skoda's are not great. The MIB system to MIB3 is a well known disaster area (and continues to be) and the Scout (if its a good spec) are FANTASTIC cars.

The Koroq whilst an SUV are uninsipring and thirsty to boot.

KEEP

THE

SCOUT

Edited 22 April, 20251 yr by varaderoguy

Hi, Thanks for this, yes, I think I will keep hold then, I do love the car to be honest :)

16 hours ago, Gary2112 said:

I think I will keep hold then

What it is worth doing is find a GOOD local VAG specialist near you; taking it to them and asking them to go through it and ask what they think needs looking at. Tell them you are planning on keeping the car and want to make sure that everything is good for the future. I'm making an assumption that you have a TDI (either 150 or 190). Things I might consider:

• Coolant change (and change of header tank if you still have the silica bag in and cannot remove it)

• Cambelt and Water pump change

• HALDEX service (clean/replace gauze and fluid)

• DSG gearbox fluid and filter change (either for DQ250A-6 speed or DQ381A-7speed gearbox)

• Oil/Filter/Fuel Engine Flush - make sure you run the car on 5W30 (better for higher mileage Octavias)

• Running some Super Diesel through it to clean the EGR and keep the injectors and DPF happy (or you can do the normal diesel plus use the fuel additive I use - https://www.hydra-int.com/DPB000K.html) to keep things sweet.

• Air Conditioning charge, Aircon cleaner and a new cabin air filter

• Clean and waxoiling under the wheel arch liners to stop rot caused by the sponge of doom and in the chassis rails.

I heard a kitch saying - any fool can buy a new car, but it takes real men to take and keep running their old cars. Sorry - all a bit alpha male and all that nonsence but your carbon footprint will be considerably better and you'll have a car that you know/love.

Edited 23 April, 20251 yr by varaderoguy

It is a 2015 so a 6 speed DSG, and the oil is to VW504 00 / 507, Long Life, which will be 5w 30 FS III but can if wished 0w 30 FS III.

No DQ381 or VW508 00 / 509 00 in 2015.

PS

We are in a whole new world,

Real women or trans, or non-binary can keep old cars running well, even be technicians.

Edited 23 April, 20251 yr by Ootohere

Nowadays you have to be careful where you book a time for trans specialist. I woke up as a woman while I was pose to get my dsg mechatronic serviced 😔

On 23/04/2025 at 09:37, varaderoguy said:

What it is worth doing is find a GOOD local VAG specialist near you; taking it to them and asking them to go through it and ask what they think needs looking at. Tell them you are planning on keeping the car and want to make sure that everything is good for the future. I'm making an assumption that you have a TDI (either 150 or 190). Things I might consider:

• Coolant change (and change of header tank if you still have the silica bag in and cannot remove it)

• Cambelt and Water pump change

• HALDEX service (clean/replace gauze and fluid)

• DSG gearbox fluid and filter change (either for DQ250A-6 speed or DQ381A-7speed gearbox)

• Oil/Filter/Fuel Engine Flush - make sure you run the car on 5W30 (better for higher mileage Octavias)

• Running some Super Diesel through it to clean the EGR and keep the injectors and DPF happy (or you can do the normal diesel plus use the fuel additive I use - https://www.hydra-int.com/DPB000K.html) to keep things sweet.

• Air Conditioning charge, Aircon cleaner and a new cabin air filter

• Clean and waxoiling under the wheel arch liners to stop rot caused by the sponge of doom and in the chassis rails.

I heard a kitch saying - any fool can buy a new car, but it takes real men to take and keep running their old cars. Sorry - all a bit alpha male and all that nonsence but your carbon footprint will be considerably better and you'll have a car that you know/love.

Thanks for the list, I’ll get on to that 👍

On 23/04/2025 at 09:37, varaderoguy said:

What it is worth doing is find a GOOD local VAG specialist near you; taking it to them and asking them to go through it and ask what they think needs looking at. Tell them you are planning on keeping the car and want to make sure that everything is good for the future. I'm making an assumption that you have a TDI (either 150 or 190). Things I might consider:

• Coolant change (and change of header tank if you still have the silica bag in and cannot remove it)

• Cambelt and Water pump change

• HALDEX service (clean/replace gauze and fluid)

• DSG gearbox fluid and filter change (either for DQ250A-6 speed or DQ381A-7speed gearbox)

• Oil/Filter/Fuel Engine Flush - make sure you run the car on 5W30 (better for higher mileage Octavias)

• Running some Super Diesel through it to clean the EGR and keep the injectors and DPF happy (or you can do the normal diesel plus use the fuel additive I use - https://www.hydra-int.com/DPB000K.html) to keep things sweet.

• Air Conditioning charge, Aircon cleaner and a new cabin air filter

• Clean and waxoiling under the wheel arch liners to stop rot caused by the sponge of doom and in the chassis rails.

I heard a kitch saying - any fool can buy a new car, but it takes real men to take and keep running their old cars. Sorry - all a bit alpha male and all that nonsence but your carbon footprint will be considerably better and you'll have a car that you know/love.

Had it’s cambelt and water pump changed in June 2021 it had done almost 84,000 miles then.