Currently got a mk1 fabia vrs with 160k on the clock so it's time for an upgrade.

 

I have a few questions hopefully some of you can answer:

 

Budget of around £10k, am I able to get a decent mkIII octavia estate and what sort of mileage should I be looking at?

 

Was looking at the diesels as they're cheaper to insure and I intend to try and run it for as long as possible. Can I expect 150k miles out of a properly maintained 2.0 tdi?

 

And finally, should I avoid the dsg if I want to keep maintance cheap? not too bothered as Iike shifting gears.

 

Thanks

Just to add, I've found this https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/skoda/octavia-vrs/2013-63-skoda-octavia-2-0-vrs-tdi-cr-5d-181-bhp/10256558

 

Would something along these lines be a good idea?

Skoda's are good cars, I like them. I am on my fifth.

 

Cheap they used to be, but not anymore. £10,000 for a 2013 2.0 diesel 80,000 mile estate?

 

I think I'd pay the extra £1,000 for a something a bit special.

 

Same age, same mileage, the well proven OM651 2.1 litre diesel engine and the 7G+ torque conveter gearbox...

 

 

Edited 6 March, 20206 yr by silver1011

I spent a few nights looking at the 350s as an alternative to buying my leased 245. I couldn't bring myself to do it. They are gorgeous cars but unfortunately are more likely to go wrong and will certainly be more expensive to put right and maintain. 

 

In terms of the Skoda, I would try and find an enthusiastic private seller with loads of history. And a manual gearbox as you have hinted. 

Not sure about being more likely to go wrong, the OM642 is not without its faults but is also robust.

 

As for being more expensive to put right, that is a very valid point!

 

The vRS linked earlier looks good, for me it has the rare but all-important heated windscreen and seats.

Value of VW-group Diesels took a big hit because of the - you know - thingy gate - I went to part-ex mine for 12.5k it was a 2015 VRS TDI with DSG and 35k miles. There should be loads about in your price bracket. 

That's the thing though, did they actually?

 

Dealers are clever, offering you bottom dollar because of diesel gate but continuing to ask top money for their used stock.

Cheers for the advice guys. I've always liked those mercs but I don't think I could afford the servicing lol. Hopefully if I find the right Octavia it will treat me as well as my fabia which has so far needed only minor fixes to keep it going. I'll keep my eye out for the right one. Are there any particular years to avoid or are all the 2013+ generally pretty solid?

I wouldnt be put off by a DSG vehicle. I purchased my Octy VRS with DSG.  Never owned a DSG before and I am really impressed by how it drives. Like anything it wears out and a manual car may need a new clutch fitted if it was abused by the last owner. 

The only thing springs to mind is the water pump and tensioner pulley on the earlier models. Skoda fitted a revised water pump from approx 2015 onwards and similar time for the tensioner on the timing belt. If the car is approaching 5 years old, I would check to see if the timing belt has been changed or haggle that into the deal.

 

Edited 7 March, 20206 yr by Ecomatt

There was an issue with faulty water pumps around that time. A sticky internal sleeve resulted in random high temperature warnings. A well documented issue that has now quietened off but depending on mileage the issue still crops up from time-to-time.

 

On some production years Skoda placed a bag of silica in the coolant header tank, these had a habit of splitting and blocking the heater matrix. The expansion tank has the word silica written on it somewhere, near the min/max mark.

 

The xenon headlights on the vRS have an LED strip that runs along the bottom, any moisture that collects in the headlight can affect them so makesure they both work, no flickering etc.

 

It might also be worth buying an OBD reader (Carista etc.), some sellers will be happy letting you search for any stored fault codes.

 

Service history is key. I'd favour a car that's been serviced to the fixed rather than variable intervals.

 

Make sure the DSG has not missed its oil change interval (if applicable).

 

Edited 7 March, 20206 yr by silver1011

Cheers again for all the info, I've already got an OBD reader so I'll be sure to try and check for codes.

I won't write off DSG models, but I will be extra sure to check they've had the oil changed at the correct intervals. I quite like the idea of a DSG box for the commute so if I can get one without any extra worry then I probably will.

 

 

Edited 7 March, 20206 yr by ronmonster