Hi Folks

 

Am off to take in a test drive tomorrow and while I have a list I'm wondering if there's things I should be looking out for?

 

Car is a DSG early 2018.  Here's my list of things to tick off just so I don't walk away and think... "aahh I should have checked this or that."

 

1) Ice Scraper in fuel cap

2) Umbrella under seat?

3) Service History - I understand it's electronic?  Presume I can see it on the infotainment screen?

4) Cell phone holder/insert ?

5) Check for any signs of previous obvious damage/repair (check boot under carpet - in wheel well.)

6) Inspect wheel rims for damage

7) Check what life left in tyres

😎 It's a 230 - so does it have auto folder mirrors ... expecting it not to 🙂

9) Check all switch gear and radio works

10) Check Aircon works/Heating

11) Examine windscreen for damage

12) Ensure DSG works through the gears and in reverse

13) Check discs and brake pad for life

14) Check lights/indicators all working

15) Vin numbers match V5

16) Suppose I should lift the bonnet and have a look to pretend I know what everything should look like but also as in 5) check for obvious signs of damage.

17) It has a sunroof... tomorrow should be dry so need to test that works.

 

Anything else I should keep my eyes or ears open for?

 

Cheers

Phil

 

 

I don’t own the 230 so can’t help on specifics of that model but it sounds like you’ve got it covered.

 

If it’s a Skoda dealership they will be able to provide a printout of the digital service history. Failing that, if you install the My Skoda app to your phone and plug it in to the car via USB it will show there however will not provide specifics on what was carried out (there will be a ref no that Skoda can look up for the specifics).

 

Have a check of the wheel centre caps too, these tend to corrode and aren’t cheap for what they are. Recently had mine replaced under warranty although they will no doubt corrode again. Worth while getting the dealer to replace as the car will be “new” to you and, if like mine, it’s in mint condition you don’t want it spoilt by something as small as that to resolve.

Check the SD card is present or they at least have it for the sat nav.

They can go wallies.

I've got a 2017 230. No folding mirrors.

My wheels were buckled so get it on the motorway and maintain a speed of 70/80. If there's a wobble tell them you want it sorting and don't take it til yo're happy with it! Oem wheels are made of cheese.

 

Make sure coolant is at max (leaky pumps are common). 

 

Apart from that not much to say, check tyre wear, engine rattles (they're loud direct injection so injectors are noisy, not the quietest engines).

 

Mine also had a wheel bearing gone, again a humming noise at motorway speeds

Right - so a quick update.

 

Car had a super clean exterior.  Interior surfaces etc were clean but previous owners had kids so seats while still feel new - could stand a bit more cleaning.

 

Car drove like new - I was concerned I'd be looking at something that was just a bit tired.... none of that.  Was really nice,  very golf like from what I remember of the golf 7 GTD I had back in 2016.

 

Went through my checklist.  There are one or two items missing e.g. no umbrella - but to be fair I only looked under driver's seat.  The "cellphone holder" that goes into the drinks holder wasn't there (don't really care).  Oh and the other missing item weirdly was the wheelspanner which the dealer said he would sort.

 

It has a sunroof and the last car I had with a sunroof was back in 2003 and I've never bothered with them since.   It worked really well and the weather on Saturday really helped sell why you might want one.

 

Car drove so well and was so near to new I just couldn't walk away from it so deposit paid - picking it up next week.

 

 

Good to hear you've found something you liked. As I think I mentioned in one of your previous threads - these cars wear their mileage very well, it's no surprise the car still feels like new - it will probably still feel as good as new in another 2 years time with another 20k on it.

 

The missing bits are all easily replaceable and the only one i'd be particularly fussy on is the wheel wrench, which they're sorting for you anyway.

Was the Sat Nav card present as mentioned earlier as you require a Skoda one as the SID of the card is the Licence for Sat Nav. As far as I'm aware the mobile holder insert was an extra accessory anyway.

 

Glad that you've found one that you like, it would be worth checking out the various threads on the Sunroof, just so that you are aware how to keep the drains clear etc.

16 minutes ago, Gti Jazz Blue said:

Was the Sat Nav card present as mentioned earlier as you require a Skoda one as the SID of the card is the Licence for Sat Nav. As far as I'm aware the mobile holder insert was an extra accessory anyway.

 

Glad that you've found one that you like, it would be worth checking out the various threads on the Sunroof, just so that you are aware how to keep the drains clear etc.

Must admit - I only got this suggestion to check after I'd gotten back.  I know there was a SatNax "CD cover" which I presume held the sim card.   I'll get them to check it's there before I pay for and pick the car up.

 

I'll also have a look into the sunroof threads as suggested.

 

Just noticed from your signature that yours looks very similar to mine (same colour) but you have a raft of extras I see.   The only thing other than the colour that's the same is that it has DSG 🙂   I thought I would want the Black pack... but frankly the silver front grill sets off well against the metallic grey.

 

Hmm just checking your fuel consumption.... heavy right foot or reality?

 

1 minute ago, Insearchofaskoda said:

Must admit - I only got this suggestion to check after I'd gotten back.  I know there was a SatNax "CD cover" which I presume held the sim card.   I'll get them to check it's there before I pay for and pick the car up.

 

I'll also have a look into the sunroof threads as suggested.

 

Just noticed from your signature that yours looks very similar to mine (same colour) but you have a raft of extras I see.   The only thing other than the colour that's the same is that it has DSG 🙂   I thought I would want the Black pack... but frankly the silver front grill sets off well against the metallic grey.

 

Hmm just checking your fuel consumption.... heavy right foot or reality?

 

Heavy right foot and too many short trips, on a run for a week away in the UK or long weekend etc it is a lot better, best tank I've had was 40MPG. My one was an ex-demonstrator and they had opted for a few extras, so I've got the winter pack, heated rear seats, factory fit towbar, canton and DCC.

45 minutes ago, Kenai said:

Good to hear you've found something you liked. As I think I mentioned in one of your previous threads - these cars wear their mileage very well, it's no surprise the car still feels like new - it will probably still feel as good as new in another 2 years time with another 20k on it.

 

The missing bits are all easily replaceable and the only one i'd be particularly fussy on is the wheel wrench, which they're sorting for you anyway.

It's only done 16k and given my mileage these days it's likely to see a maximum of 8k per annum if that.

 

6 minutes ago, Gti Jazz Blue said:

Heavy right foot and too many short trips, on a run for a week away in the UK or long weekend etc it is a lot better, best tank I've had was 40MPG. My one was an ex-demonstrator and they had opted for a few extras, so I've got the winter pack, heated rear seats, factory fit towbar, canton and DCC.

 

Ah ok - I'd expect to see upwards of 40Mpg on a motorway trip - though I admit I can be fairly robust with the loud peddle at times myself.

 

Nice extras... finding a car with that many these days in the TSI seems near on impossible....or very very expensive.

Wouldnt worry about the phone holder ,first thing i took out of mine its rubbish and modern phones are mostly too big for it anyhoo .

You may struggle with much more than 40mpg on motorway journeys if you are heavy with the right foot and do 70mph.

 

I've done a few long runs, 70mph most of the way and depending on how hilly it is, got between 42 and 46mpg.  But that was making an effort to see what it did.

I've also got over 50mpg at 50mph

 

However the reality is, with anything resembling traffic, hills, the odd stretch when you take advantage of finally getting a clear road etc, you are likely to be high 30s.

I only do 10miles to work, of which about 6 is motoway, albeit the M27 and I probably get 29-35 depending on the time of year.  

Well, I now get 10000000mpg as my commute involves me walking into my study and not starting the engine as I am WFH.

Yes and my commute is similar at the moment.  Takes less than a minute to get to my study which is why I’m ok with the knock I’ll take on mpg

WFH for me too, The vRS is hardly doing any miles at all, the KESSY keeps switching off as it gets left so long and I have to find the remote button most of the time.

 

 

Maybe check around the base of the spoiler for rust. There was a thread here some time ago where some people were seeing it, not sure how common it is, just check for blistering/rust where spoiler meets boot.

25 minutes ago, lway said:

Maybe check around the base of the spoiler for rust. There was a thread here some time ago where some people were seeing it, not sure how common it is, just check for blistering/rust where spoiler meets boot.

Thanks - Car is only 2.5 years old and I've now paid a deposit so will keep an eye open for it when I pick it up next week.

39 minutes ago, Insearchofaskoda said:

Thanks - Car is only 2.5 years old and I've now paid a deposit so will keep an eye open for it when I pick it up next week.

 

You're just a deposit in right now, so certainly worth a final walk around before you hand over the cash.

I think it's being recognised that this has been, generally, the best built Octy - I don't think there are any major "known issues" with them.

Sure you'll read a few stories on here, but that is to be expected and the many thousands of people without issue don't have the time to post "Yer - all fine here thanks".