When can I leave it too

Depends how lucky you feel and did you buy those cloths pegs, and maybe if you have driven the car from new. 

 

Officially you will be told @ 5 years.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/502505-engine-failure

 

If your car is 2016 and it hasnt been done yet, that belt is 6 years old. A year over what VAG recommend. 

 

Why the recommendation? Rubber deteriorates and perishes. Personally I would get it done ASAP, its cheaper than a new engine.

I have had the car since New and I have done 23500 mls

Miles, or lack, of guarantees nothing. 

Mine was registered in October 2016 and it's only covered 30,000 miles so far (I've hardly used it over the past two years with lockdown).  I had the cam belt and water pump changed last year when it was 5 years old as I wouldn't want to take the risk and leave it longer, although it's not cheap but as it's only every 5 years, I'll have changed the car before it's due again.  The rear tyres on the car are the originals and they're starting to perish so I'll need to change them very soon.  The rubber cam belt could have be going the same way. 

 

We're planning on two trips abroad by car this year; next month to Croatia and to Lithuania in August.  I wouldn't want to set off on these journeys with any niggling doubt over whether I should have ignored service recommendations.  Also, as I had the work carried out at the main dealer, I have European breakdown cover for a year and if the cam belt or water pump broke, I'd expect a hefty contribution from Skoda.

i've always thought it strange that the uk is the only country that timing belts have to be changed due to time [ie  5 years]

i wonder why that is ? 

personally, i'd be more concerned about the water pump failing than the belt itself

It's booked in for timing belt and waterpump on the 16th may