As I expected. Ta.

Hi.

If you ever needed any help with insurance for a re-map or tuning box then please feel free to drop me a line.

Regards,

Dan.

Out of interest, was this anyone's here?

It's in Cinderford.

After looking into it more, I think im holding out for a 245, but this looks a pretty nice example

So, im still torn, and still looking for exactly what I want, with constant changes of mind (not that I'm generally indecisive) what I do know, is I'm fancying the face-lift 245.

I've always driven manuals, feeling more involved, but now I've been leaning towards the DSG auto box. That said I've found a nice looking manual for sale.

So, is it a deal breaker to go with either auto or manual? Are any service costs, clutch issues or such like between the two a consideration?

Afternoon all.

So, I think I've finally found (my) perfect car, so stuck a retainer on it. Hopefully going to view it next Saturday.

It's been a long 10 years since I bought a car, so I was wondering if there was anything specific I should look for/look out for, or questions to ask when I'm looking around it.

Also, anything I should ask or know about before even taking on a 5 hour round trip to go look at it?

Cheers, as always.

31 minutes ago, BT_11vRS said:

Afternoon all.

So, I think I've finally found (my) perfect car, so stuck a retainer on it. Hopefully going to view it next Saturday.

It's been a long 10 years since I bought a car, so I was wondering if there was anything specific I should look for/look out for, or questions to ask when I'm looking around it.

Also, anything I should ask or know about before even taking on a 5 hour round trip to go look at it?

Cheers, as always.

Should maybe add, its a 19 plate, vrs 245 challenge.

 

BTW, what's with the black spoiler? Only thing that let's it down. Looks really cheap 😕

Enjoy it.

Was / is there a record of the servicing done to the manufacturers recommendations or guidelines including the VAQ diff? 

Thanks Toot, hopefully I will.

That's on my list for when I talk to them early next week, when they get the car. (It's from Arnold Clarke. Good or bad I'm not sure) I was told they had service records, but not gone too into detail.

I know you guys recommend the gear oil change at 40k, but I'd be surprised if it has been done (it's at 43k)

It's definitely something I'll keep on top of tho. Off the top of your head, what should I be looking at paying at a decent independent VAG garage?

@BT_11vRS

Where in the country is the car? 

 

The DSG Service of a DQ381 is not due @ 40,000 miles.

The VAQ Service was @ 3 years / 30,000 miles.

 

 

With Arnold Clark you have to be sure you get what you are paying for.

 

So if they have the Service History have them send you it.   They bought in the car knowing or not knowing the Service History and paid accordingly. 

 

 They have ripped me off or tried to and i worked for them way back when Sir Arnold was alive.

They have sold me a car and the 2nd key was not there and then neither was the salesperson any time i called.

He got a surprise when i just turned up and sat down at his desk.

They failed a car i bought at the first of 2 free mot's and services on things it failed at the MOT before i bought it. 

 

My Motability Corsa Electric has now been with them for a week. No call since they received it off a recovery truck last Friday.

They ball-esed up several attempts at services and fitting drop links. 

They are not all hopeless, only the ones that seem to stay working for them, anyone with any ability moves to someplace where they give a damn. 

Edited 21 April, 20233 yr by toot

8 minutes ago, toot said:

@BT_11vRS

The DSG Service of a DQ381 is not due @ 40,000 miles.

The VAQ Service was @ 3 years / 30,000 miles.

 

 

With Arnold Clark you have to be sure you get what you are paying for.

 

So if they have the Service History have them send you it.   They bought in the car knowing or not knowing the Service History and paid accordingly. 

 

 They have ripped me off or tried to and i worked for them way back when Sir Arnold was alive.

They have sold me a car and the 2nd key was not there and then neither was the salesperson any time i called.

He got a surprise when i just turned up and sat down at his desk.

They failed a car i bought at the first of 2 free mot's and services on things it failed at the MOT before i bought it. 

 

My Motability Corsa Electric has now been with them for a week. No call since they received it off a recovery truck last Friday.

They ball-esed up several attempts at services and fitting drop links. 

They are not all hopeless, only the ones that seem to stay working for them, anyone with any ability moves to someplace where they give a damn. 

My bad, 2 totally different items? Reading comprehension isn't my strong point. I thought I'd seen you say somewhere, the DQ381 service interval is 80k, but you'd not leave it much past 40k? I could well be wrong on that.

As for Arnold Clarke, I've not had any dealings with them in the past personally, but don't tend to hear the best of things about them. Cant say I was happy they're the seller, but the car is seemingly, exactly what I'm looking for.

I know you mentioned the service records are all online now, so I was gonna ask them to provide me with paper proof

Which part of the country is the car at?

 

They can e-mail you what they have on the cars records easily, not that they will want to.

They might have more of a record than they are prepared to print out.  Ask Skoda UK, a Skoda Dealership the Service History and any warranty work done etc that is on the system. 

 

I would not leave it to 80,000 miles, or not covered by a manufacturers warranty.

  Or a Skoda / VW Group warranty purchased.

 

Arnold Clark without an E.  Well maybe. 

 Squint number plates though are common, and the Yellow Stickers. 

Edited 21 April, 20233 yr by toot

@toot

Yellow sticker removal will be the first job!!

Save me a trip, if I was to go to my local skoda dealers, explained I was looking at buying the car. What's the likelihood they would give me any information on it?

5 minutes ago, toot said:

Which part of the country is the car at?

 

They can e-mail you what they have on the cars records easily, not that they will want to.

They might have more of a record than they are prepared to print out.  Ask Skoda UK, a Skoda Dealership the Service History and any warranty work done etc that is on the system. 

 

I would not leave it to 80,000 miles, or not covered by a manufacturers warranty.

  Or a Skoda / VW Group warranty purchased.

 

Arnold Clark without an E.  Well maybe. 

 Squint number plates though are common, and the Yellow Stickers. 

The car is in oldbury, near Solihull. Around 130miles from me.

As I say, I'm trying to compile a list of things/questions for when I speak to them again next week

I had found it. 

That's thr one. If I'm honest I don't think yhe picture quality does it justice 

@BT_11vRSDid the salesperson send you a video of them going around the car, close up on the tyres / wheels etc?

Matching pairs of tyres hopefully.

 

Best keep them on their toes and working for their commission. 

45 minutes ago, toot said:

@BT_11vRSDid the salesperson send you a video of them going around the car, close up on the tyres / wheels etc?

Matching pairs of tyres hopefully.

 

Best keep them on their toes and working for their commission. 

These are all things I need to discuss when they've got the vehicle there @Toots. I've already told him if there's any decent dents, scratches, scrapes, I wonna know about them before I even consider going to see it in person.

On the walk around video, I want him to focus on wheels/tires, and brakes

@tootyou've been a great help so far. Just to pick your brains a bit more, I think I know the answer, but  would you recommend a main deal or an independent specialist.

Also, wheres the best place to get service information? I.e dates/miles, what needs doing when.

Generally I've just had annual services, everything changed (all filters, oil and plugs) I'd like to try keep on top of this the best I can.

Cheers

These are a bit general and cover Fixed Service Interval Servicing. 

A bit of a guide though.

 

Edited 22 April, 20233 yr by toot

18 hours ago, toot said:

These are a bit general and cover Fixed Service Interval Servicing. 

A bit of a guide though.

 

Thanks for that @toot.

 

So, doing a little more digging. The car I'm going to look at, had a 50 month PCP on it (with VWFS) at the end of Nov 22, private plate put on early Dec 22. Now 4 months later, Arnold Clark have it?

Not sure what to think about that, if anything at all. Kinda seems strange to me, but I dont know how the whole PCP thing works. 

Clarks salesman says they're obviously settling the finance. I dunno why but I can't get my head around the sequence of events

I might just be giving that one a miss. 

See if a record of the VAQ serviced and the spark plugs changed.   

 

Find out from Skoda UK / Dealers if there has been any Warranty work and their History of the car if they have that service and warranty history.

Edited 23 April, 20233 yr by toot

7 minutes ago, toot said:

I might just be giving that one a miss. 

See if a record of the VAQ serviced and the spark plugs changed.   

 

Find out from Skoda UK / Dealers if there has been any Warranty work and their History of the car if they have that service and warranty history.

For what reason might you give it a miss Toots?

I am still trying to fathom any reasoning behind the turn around

If the servicing is not to Manufacturers Guidelines, Recommendations, Specifications or even schedule and i could not buy a Skoda Warranty and have the DQ381 DSG covered.

 

Because Arnold Clark are torture when there are any issues.

But if they use their System and the VW System and pull up the full history then good.   They can do that, they have Skoda Dealerships, they have the system, 

but sometimes they will sell at Skoda at non Skoda Dealership & then pretend they know nothing.

Edited 23 April, 20233 yr by toot

4 minutes ago, toot said:

If the servicing is not to Manufacturers Guidelines, Recommendations, Specifications or even schedule and i could not buy a Skoda Warranty and have the DQ381 DSG covered.

 

Because Arnold Clark are torture when there are any issues.

But if they use their System and the VW System and pull up the full history then good.   They can do that, they have Skoda Dealerships, they have the system, 

but sometimes they will sell at Skoda at non Skoda Dealership & then pretend they know nothing.

Yeah, i doubt I'll touch it if they can't provide me the full history.

I have just emailed Skoda UK, and if I get chance today, I'll pop into my local dealer, see if they'll provide me any information. 

On the warranty point, I've been looking at options. Would the 'Skoda all in' or an independent warranty company be the better option?

A Skoda Warranty.  VW Group owned Warranty Company.   Maybe not the 'Skoda All In.'

They do sell them though, and knock back claims saying faults were known.  Yes known by Skoda / VW.  

 

?

How much does a warranty show on here with the cars reg number & miles?

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