After having "written off" my incredibly well looked after 1.6 TDI that was meticulously serviced every 6k miles, I'm after a cheap enough replacement that has enough power to keep me happy until more premium car prices finally fall from the sky, the VRS. Before you ask, I didn't bottle it with the TDI driving fast, I was merely doing 5-10 mph 🙄

 

I'm looking at a July 2013 S2000 CTHE with 62k miles for just under 7k. Skoda say the 34H5 Recall was done for the "W-Gearbox Control Unit" in June 2017 which I predict at 25k miles but I thought there was a 34F7 as well? Then there’s a 34F5? Very confusing. This particular car was serviced every year between 6-9k miles which is great. It has had a waterpump in 2019 but also a waterpump in 2022 (alarm bells yet?) along with a supercharger drive belt and aux belt. In one of few health checks the car has had, there is a comment stating no oil on the dipstick so advised to top up.....(🔔)

 

There's still tons I haven't read as I need to pick out the info for the CTHE and anything relevant from the CAVE. I'm still reading up on everything but tbh I'm already put off:

- Reading about the recalls tells me they should be done to keep the car healthy but also the recalls cause problems?

- The gearboxes are apparently 7 speed sealed units (Thought they were 6 speed) and they can still have issues with juddering, never driven an auto or DSG so if someone could tell me how to test this that would be great

- Spark plugs are still an issue and apparently difficult to remove and require a tool, are the OEM plugs now revised and good? Gapping is also not clear, do different brands need a different gap (These cars are big babies haha)

- There is/still is chain related issues (This car hasn't had that done as no service interval but has had new waterpump, aux belt and supercharger drive belt). Is there a rough price on changing this for peace of mind or will I be fine?

- Breather mod and oil spray jets still needed/an issue, there’s a TSB for this but does it apply to a July 2013 model? I'm assuming this car has only had one of the updates done, is 62k too late for whatever update/recall that is missing and some damage is already done?

 

There is an overwhelming amount of information that is duplicated and general chit chat that I need to get through, so I apologise if I'm asking obvious questions as I'm somewhat desperate to find a replacement car and wanted a rough summary as I'm after a CTHE only car. In essence, would this particular car with all the information I’ve provided put you off?

 

Thanks for reading, shoutout to toot for being involved in every similar thread helping us noobs out

Those various coloured vRS / S2000 advertised from 2011-2014 are Mk2 vRS, nothing S2000 about them. 

Autotrader various miss-advertised cars.

http://evo.co.uk/skoda/fabia/11433/skoda-fabia-vrs-s2000-hot-hatch-special

 

If actually a S2000 it would be Green with the S2000 stickers, or the stickers removed. 

They had a few standard parts like Arm Rest and i think electric rear windows.

Out in 2010 so CAVE engines.

No CTHE S2000's,  that is salespeople that know jack sh-it.

 

'34F7'  was not required on a CTHE vRS.

That recall started in 2014 on cars 2009-2012 not including CTHE. (see pinned thread at top on the ones that never got that.)

34H5 was started in 2017 on 2013-2015 cars. A software Update. 

 

You just need to find a good car.

@UrbanPanzerhas one.    Others will have ones.   Do not buy from sellers that do not even know how to advertise properly what they are selling.

 

The Servicing is dead simple on the cars if the people doing it are competent. 

 

Edited 23 February, 20233 yr by toot

Ah I see, there's several s2000s on autotrader but a reg check doesn't show they are. I'm not really fussed as tbh, it's just s2000 added to the car and not much else. I believe this is a good car but I feel they are selling it due to costing them money. The second water pump and supercharger belt plus other bits in 2022 was £930. Currently re reading through Lucifer's guide but there is a lot of stuff about the CAVEs. The PS5 tyres and invoices show that they didn't cheap out on the car but that doesn't necessarily mean it will be  a reliable one.

 

Based off the information I shared about said car, if you were in the market for a VRS, would you consider that or would you be a bit wary?

Lots on CAVE because that was the beginning.  We pretty know from the SEAT Ibiza to the first Mk2 vRS's what is what.

I had one of the first vRS registered an Ex Demonstrator and so did a few other members have the first 50 cars in the UK. 

Plenty still on the road, some with original engines.  Some were ruined because sales people / media never checked the oil.

 

But of the 1,800 CAVE in the UK about 25% have had new engines.  So never just discount a CAVE engine car.  But then it will be from 2010-late summer 2012.

 

Tyres means nothing. They can be replaced in an hour anyplace.

You want a well serviced car that runs well, good engine, DSG and brakes, suspension, steering etc.

 

If you know the reg number then out it up so we can look at the MOT history.

If there isan advert link it or say where advertised maybe. 

 

Edited 23 February, 20233 yr by toot

Reg is DF13UCM advert link is: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302043941270

 

MOT history doesn’t look that bad. Has a custom exhaust hence the advisory’s in the past and has had to new control arms. Might need to go and view to actually see what all those previous services included but I thought since it’s a sealed gearbox, there won’t have been any services for that 

There is no Servicing of a DQ200 DSG required.  There was 34H5 required on some because of failures, this was a preventative measure. But started after 3 years of unlucky owners with leaks / failures.

 

No service of a DQ200 DSG but that does not mean that someone does not change the oil in them, or that they need replacement clutch packs or selector forks, a replacement MCU etc. 

Idiots at Dealerships told people they were due at 40,000 miles.

Oh in case you wonder on the MOT history. The mileage issue is because they liked using KM and the MOT garages ignored this and took it as miles, it’s since been out back as miles

?

Why has DF13 UCM  had the Mileage at the last MOT June 2022 gone to 59,184   when in 2021 it was 84,118 ????

 

EDIT.

I read your post on Km and miles.     

?

Was it June 2020 that it was in Km and not an extra 37,000 miles then.  Is this what is sorted.?

 

April 2019 39,925 miles

June 2022 59,184 miles.      3 years 19,259.   I suppose there was lockdown. 

Edited 23 February, 20233 yr by toot

The owner says they’re from Germany and prefers kilometres. I converted everything and it seems to add up but there is that risk

I think that was owned by a member here previously.

How many previous registered keepers? 

3 registered owners. I’ve searched the registration here and on all Facebook groups and nothing comes back. Would be nice if they are in here 

Maybe not the car i thought it was was first registered March 2013 not July.

?

Has the seller had the car since 2018 and are they the name on the V5C ? 

 

It would be good if you had someone with you that knows Twinchargers or how the DSG should behave.

 

That orange sticker on the engine, drivers side,. if you are at the car take a picture of it. 

 

 

Edited 23 February, 20233 yr by toot

Yeah reg checking it shows V5C was requested in 2018 so I think that's when they got it. Unfortunately I don't have anyone I know that knows DSGs let alone twinchargers so more research will have to be done prior to viewing/test drive to know how they behave/drive. 

Great Thread.  I'm in the same dilemma in looking for a VRS as well.  I've seen quite a few now all of them with CAVE engine. 

What I noticed that all of them had dried wet patches like oil had been leaking under the gearbox, some of them had it on the sump aswell.  I've walked away from all of them until I understand its a characteristic of the car or a issue!   

 

I've seen a good CAVE engine with 88k 2001 reg, has had a timing chain and waterpump done, no recalls actioned for £4.5k however Im in 2 minds going for a CAVE engine, I would love a CTHE engine but they go for £6k+ which way above the budget.

So do i discount the CAVE engine completely or try to find one with low miles as possible?

 

If i do buy a CAVE, what are the mandatory things that should be carried to give me a peace of mind?

 

Thanks

 

@Awesam Was that a 2011?

No idea why it would not have had '34F7' done other than owners not wanting it done. 

You could find a CAVE with it's original engine maybe, but a replacement engine is not an issue if that has been recorded and is still OK. 

 

If you find a CAVE engine car it is over 10 years old now so all that matters is what can be proved as has been done before you get it.

What will need done after is anyone's guess.

Yep the oil around the gearbox is something I will be looking at as well and walking away completely if I find anything. Hopefully it doesn't have an under tray. When you say the chain and waterpump was done on that CAVE, did you see the invoice? If so, how much was it

2 minutes ago, ruida_silva said:

Yep the oil around the gearbox is something I will be looking at as well and walking away completely if I find anything. Hopefully it doesn't have an under tray. When you say the chain and waterpump was done on that CAVE, did you see the invoice? If so, how much was it

I'm going to view that one on Sunday so will let you know. Yes CAVE engine.

If it does not have an undertray that is because it is missing. 

 

The Waterpump is a common requirement to replace, and both belts.

The Timing chain and tensioner is not with a CAVE.   But has been an issue with some CTHE.

 

 

Edited 23 February, 20233 yr by toot

4 minutes ago, toot said:

@Awesam Was that a 2011?

No idea why it would not have had '34F7' done other than owners not wanting it done. 

You could find a CAVE with it's original engine maybe, but a replacement engine is not an issue if that has been recorded and is still OK. 

 

If you find a CAVE engine car it is over 10 years old now so all that matters is what can be proved as has been done before you get it.

What will need done after is anyone's guess.

The one I'm interested in, the owner has said that no remediation work has carried however he has only had it for 18 months.   But will know more on Sunday

13 minutes ago, toot said:

If it does not have an undertray that is because it is missing. 

 

The Waterpump is a common requirement to replace, and both belts.

The Timing chain and tensioner is not with a CAVE.   But has been an issue with some CTHE.

 

Yeah on the one I'm looking at the belts have been replaced. I assume you mean supercharger belt and aux belt. But has also had 2 water pumps within 3 years. Unless it was replaced because it's connected with the supercharger drive belt/aux belt?

The Parts are cheaper now. But using cheap parts that were crap was a false economy.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/45247-fabia-vrs-mk2-waterpumpsupercharger-clutch-part-number

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/501646-fabia-mk2-magnetic-clutch

 

I’ll be getting the Skoda extended warranty I think. £37 a month £0 excess and most comprehensive cover for 3 years is good. I just need to call them to see if it covers the most common major issues

People have wasted money on that before with Twinchargers,

They will sell you it.   Any known issues are known by Skoda / VW.

  http://www.insurewithskoda.co.uk/extended-warranty

 

If the car happens to have had an owner in the past that questioned oil use, or the DSG having issues then if you had aclaim they could knock it back.

 

Just a single example, but not unique.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/440772-nightmare-fabia-vrs-engine-replacement-needed

 

?

What are looking at buying, how many miles, do you know it is the original engine, and has it been serviced to Manufacturers Recommendations.

If the car is modified as in different Coils, remapped, exhaust system, suspension, brakes then do not waste money on a Skoda Warranty.

 

I had a Skoda Approved Car Care LTD warranty which really was a waste of money. 

Edited 25 February, 20233 yr by toot

Ah damn, it’s never easy is it. This one does have a stainless catback but nothing else really. I’ll be doing between 10-12k miles a year so thought the price was good

Have you put the reg number in and see how much the Warranty would be?

 

Really you need to see what is on the Skoda / VW System in the first 3 years for Servicing or Service Campaigns, Warranty work then anything since on the system.

 

The next thing is that you need to read the ECU and see if it is a factory map on it and not remapped.

Plenty used cars are remapped which is fine, but a waste of money buying a Warranty if you want the Engine or DSG covered. 

 

.............

£260.96

Edited 25 February, 20233 yr by toot