Buying advice

[zilla]

Hi,

 

Seen a second hand Octavia MK3 estate (facelift), going for about 16k, it's at a dealers and seems to have been with them for over a year nearly 2. 

It has the 1.4 with dsg. What should I be looking for when test driving.

Also any strategies to get it reduced in price? If it's been on the books for that long and I'm interested how likely are they to want to donate deal? Auto trader is saying it's about 800 over book price, but I do have a part ex I want rid of rather than trying to sell myself. 

Also is it worth asking for money.off if they don't service or warranty the car, so I can purchase my own warranty (I think Skoda will still warranty it according to online checks) and get it serviced at my local VAG specialist or the local Skoda dealers?

 

I'm 85% sure I want the car but it's a 160 miles away so need some plans before setting off on a day trip.

 

Cheers 

[Ootohere]

Welcome.

 

You have a Warranty for awhile and Consumer rights.

 

If the Servicing record is not up to date, with paperwork surely you are not parting with £16,000. & no Warranty.

 

It needs the Servicing to manufacturers guidelines, manufacturers recommendations before getting a Skoda Warranty is worth the money.

If there is according to them a known issue they knock back a claim, yet they have sold you a warranty. 

 

You would be looking for a car that starts and drives perfectly and you want to drive at least 20 miles.

Have you driven automatics or even a DSG before?

 

No lights should be on in the dash once you are going, and after 5-10 miles when it is warmed up and you boot it a bit.

If there is not much petrol in get a gallon in. 

 

How many miles has it done and how old is it?

Over the past 2 years how many miles between MOT,s.

 

Why has it been on the books for so long is the concern.  Has it been getting used as a courtesy car or something. 

 

Main Dealer Servicing does not have much doing without paying for the extras.

You want to know when the Spark Plugs were replaced.

The Brake Fluid.

The DSG does not get serviced it is a DQ200 twin dry clutch. *You want a warranty that covers it though.*

Edited 22 January by Rooted

[zilla]

23 minutes ago, Rooted said:

Welcome.

 

You have a Warranty for awhile and Consumer rights.

 

If the Servicing record is not up to date, with paperwork surely you are not parting with £16,000. & no Warranty.

 

It needs the Servicing to manufacturers guidelines, manufacturers recommendations before getting a Skoda Warranty is worth the money.

If there is according to them a known issue they knock back a claim, yet they have sold you a warranty. 

 

You would be looking for a car that starts and drives perfectly and you want to drive at least 20 miles.

Have you driven automatics or even a DSG before?

 

No lights should be on in the dash once you are going, and after 5-10 miles when it is warmed up and you boot it a bit.

If there is not much petrol in get a gallon in. 

 

How many miles has it done and how old is it?

Over the past 2 years how many miles between MOT,s.

 

Why has it been on the books for so long is the concern.  Has it been getting used as a courtesy car or something. 

 

Main Dealer Servicing does not have much doing without paying for the extras.

You want to know when the Spark Plugs were replaced.

The Brake Fluid.

The DSG does not get serviced it is a DQ200 twin dry clutch. *You want a warranty that covers it though.*

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers for the quick and thorough reply:
 

You have a Warranty for awhile and Consumer rights. - As in even if I don't opt for their extended on if offered?

 

If the Servicing record is not up to date, with paperwork surely you are not parting with £16,000. & no Warranty. - Not seen it yet just online, but I wont by without a visit or two. I just want to have things to ask in advance, and what to ask if I go.

 

It needs the Servicing to manufacturers guidelines, manufacturers recommendations before getting a Skoda Warranty is worth the money.

If there is according to them a known issue they knock back a claim, yet they have sold you a warranty. - So how do I tell if its on whichever servicing plan? If it was sat for sale but the yearly one came round and was missed des that negate any Skoda claim? Would other companies cover it? Any recommendations for good warranty companies or is that an oxymoron? 

 

You would be looking for a car that starts and drives perfectly and you want to drive at least 20 miles. - check

Have you driven automatics or even a DSG before? - Yes to both, currently rocking a Outlander Phev so sort of auto, and had many hire cars including this mark of Octavia and other VAG group cars, A1 was one that springs to mind that was fun to drive. I just don't know what a bad DSG sounds or feels like?

 

No lights should be on in the dash once you are going, and after 5-10 miles when it is warmed up and you boot it a bit. - Check

If there is not much petrol in get a gallon in. 

 

How many miles has it done and how old is it?  - Its on 49k and is a late September 19 car. 

Over the past 2 years how many miles between MOT,s. - So its a 2019 so I guessed it would have a 22 MOT? but the first one on the gov.uk site shows a date of October 23, it failed for:
Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects):

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Repair immediately (major defects):

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

 

Which were fixed that day and passed.

 

Why has it been on the books for so long is the concern.  Has it been getting used as a courtesy car or something. - Not from what they said when I asked. I had a few emails to and frow I asked things like:
Is there anything about the car that you would say needs looking at?
we will give the car a fresh mot and service prior to leaving ourselves , the car will also under go a full heath check to make sure everything is as it should be.
Can you send the reg number over? Just wanted to do some checks before making plans to visit. They sent it and I did a basic check and used it on the gov.uk check sites. I went back with. "do you have any info on the history of the car? 
I noticed it hasn't been taxed since March 2022. Is there a reason? Also I'm not missing anything in terms of it being a write off and repaired or anything you know of?"

We purchased the car from the previous owner which is a large who run a flet of Skoda’s.  They buy from new and change every 3 to 4 years.  

We did purchase about 15+ off them at the same time. Funnily enough they were from Portishead so down your neck off the woods.

The car has had 2 services and due its 3rd now , which we would do prior to leaving ourselves along with a fresh 12months M.O.T

We purchased the cars at the start of last year and this one is still with us, which sometimes happens.

The reason why it hasn’t sold, ive not the foggiest. Was it to expensive to start with? Was it the colour?  Was it the market? The mind just boggles.

The car is HPI clear so not an insurance right off, stolen, damaged or on finance. (please find attached ) - and included in attachment was a dealer HPI check. 

I went back with I'll think about it, still not 100% on driving all the way up at the moment, but thanked them.

 

Main Dealer Servicing does not have much doing without paying for the extras. -  As in don't bother?

You want to know when the Spark Plugs were replaced. - going on the reply you sent last with service info, it has had 2x service so not got to the spark plug one yet. 

The Brake Fluid. - See last reply (although I could get this knocked off the price/done by them as I know Skoda are picky about the brake fluids from the Rapid my partner has).

The DSG does not get serviced it is a DQ200 twin dry clutch. *You want a warranty that covers it though.* - Do you know anyone that covers it? Also is it a "servicable item" as in if I said its been standing for ages, I'd liek to get it serviced once I own it, and see if they knock some more off for that? Or is it a sealed unit?

Thanks again for the reply. My part ex was around £5k from reg number and me sending some picks, its a 135k so high mileage hence me looking to swap out. I dont do more than 8-9k a year I purchased it in lockdown with 110 on it.

[Ootohere]

A bad DQ200 7 speed dry clutch DSG will feel wrong if it is wrong, and the A1 if it had a s-tronic (DSG by another name) will have been a DQ200 if a 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 tsi or a 1.6 TDI.

Don't listen to anything about they 'All do that' if something feels weird. 

(The DSG does not get serviced.  It can be done, but there is no schedule for that, and there are 2 different oils in it, in the box and in the MCU.)

 

Be sure the tyres are matching or matching pairs. Spare wheel is there.  No tiny chips in the windscreen. 

 

Remember a HPI check does not let you know a vehicle has not had serious damage and repair if someone has not made an insurance claim.

 

People crash cars or they are in accidents, floods, damaged and not claimed on and maybe repaired.

As to not having VED that is no indication of anything as they can be driven on trade plates. 

 

You just need a record of servicing that any Warranty provider can check, use of the correct fluids and parts. Simple enough really. 

[zilla]

I think I'll ask for the mileage on the services, and dates to see if the not sold for 18 months holds up.

MOT needed on trade plates or not? Also when was first one due if 2019 car?

[Ootohere]

The cars come from the factory set for a Variable / Flexible service regime so from the PDI 24 months / 18,000-20,000 miles later.

A 2019 car might not need serviced until 2021. 

  (Some dealerships might reset the servicing to Fixed so 372 days / 9,400 miles because the buyer wants or there is a service plan & annual, or often because they can get away doing that.)

[zilla]

58 minutes ago, Rooted said:

(Some dealerships might reset the servicing to Fixed so 372 days / 9,400 miles because the buyer wants or there is a service plan & annual, or often because they can get away doing that.)

Interesting.

The Rapid we have was 2nd hand from Skoda dealer, we took the servicing option as it was COVID at the time and they were open, can it be changed after starting one regime? If they have switched hers to annual can we go back as she only does 6k a year max.

Oh and in the car can you press a combi of buttons to find out what regime it's on? Or via OBD2?

[kodiaqsportline]

Hi Zilla.

 

I thought a 2019 Mk3 would have the 1.5tsi engine rather than the 1.4tsi  Is this the car you're interested in?

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205035281763

 

If it is then I had a near identical spec 2017 car ( 1.4tsi ) in silver with a similar  list of factory extras therefore I see  no reason why it should have been sitting around for ages unsold if in that condition. If that is the car then I've a few comments from looking at those pics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 23 January by kodiaqsportline

[zilla]

oh yea, that one, what comments do you have?

 

[zilla]

Also what are the main differences between this https://www.jeanpierrelimited.co.uk/details/car-in-southampton,/skoda/octavia/1.5/1070580/ and that one? I cant seem to see much different?

[kodiaqsportline]

Looking at other similar cars I don't think their price is unreasonable for a main dealer but as far as I can make out but Heartys are only a used car dealer which makes it a tad expensive given the mileage.  That said the market is still recovering from Covid and iprices are all over the place. Selling prices are low whilst forecourt prices remain high, so if the car has been on their books for 18mths then my guess is there may be very little room for negotiation, unless of course they just want rid of it. Ask for £500 off perhaps? Will they include an extended warranty? ( something they can pass any potential profit on hence reducing the cars price for not a lot of money ). 

 

The SE-L comes with a variable boot floor. The pics have it in it's lowest position - make sure it can fold up to it's highest postion ( creating a level boot floor ) and that it isn't broken. Pay particular attention to the leather - make sure there are no tears. And make sure everything works  - that might take a while as there are several extras.   The text says the car comes with personalisation. I can't quite make out from the photos, but if it does then make sure the car comes with three keys rather than two. I think I can just see the top of the third key behind their green ID tag on the keyring, but best check. That car clearly has adaptive cruise control rather than just ordinary cruise control as per their specs. Make sure it works 100%. Same with the heated windscreen. The car looks to also have the heated steering wheel - make sure it works. ( it could be a long test drive ).

 

If the car was ex-fleet then the interior may show signs of neglect in places but at least the service history should be intact.

 

My concerns?   Both my Octavia and Karoq came with full leather and both were very well looked after. When I sell my cars, they're almost perfect, not far off showroom condition. That said I'm the first to admit that the leather Skoda uses isn't the best quality / fitment. Within a few thousand miles, the leather on both cars had a tendancy to sag / looks a little loose - looks like it needs stretching. The side bolsters on leather seats are man-made leather, as is the leather on normal SEL alcantara/leather seats. Even within a few thousand miles you'll start seeing creasing, it's unavoildable.  I know it's only a picture, but those seats do not look four years / 50,000 miles old - they look almost brand new to me.  It's defo worth looking for signs of wear around the cabin. It's one of those weird situations where if it's too good to be true...  especially from an ex-fleet car. 

 

As I say my car was an April 2017 car which I bought it for £18,000 and sold August 2020 for £13k direct to a Skoda dealer, a price which I was very happy with compared to other offers I received at the time. They put it up for sale at £16k which I thought that was a bit cheeky ( it was one of the most expensive Octavias advertised on Skoda used cars ) and expected it to be sitting there for ages.  Don't know what it actually sold for but it sat on their forecourt for no more than a week. You say the above car has been sitting around for 18mth?  I find that hard to believe, especially given the extras. Their sales team can't be very good at their job if it's true

 

They say the car has autodimming door mirrors. I was under the impression autodimming rear door mirrors could only be specified on SE-L if another option was selected - it may have been electric seats, Of course that was back in 2017, the 2019 specs may well have changed by then. Someone with a model of that era would be able to confirm. If it does come with those autodimming mirrors, pay attention that they're working correctly because it's a part of the car that's prone to accident damage and they're expensive to replace. In normal daylight they should look like they're tinted, but the view is clear. A damaged one may not show signs of cracks, but the view won't be clear.

 

Hope that helps. 

[kodiaqsportline]

36 minutes ago, zilla said:

Also what are the main differences between this https://www.jeanpierrelimited.co.uk/details/car-in-southampton,/skoda/octavia/1.5/1070580/ and that one? I cant seem to see much different?

 

It's hard to tell as there's no comprehensive description but at a quick glance, the differences are:

 

std seats vs full leather seats in the red car,

normal cruise control vs adaptive cruise control

spare wheel included vs the text says inflation kit ( but there's no photo )

 

The blue car also has front mudflaps and that heavy duty load cover for the boot ( these are very good quality ) therefore it's likely to have been specified with the protection pack which means that in addition to the velour mats you get as standard, it should also have come with four rubber mats ( which again were very good quality compared to the stuff you get on later cars ) when new.

 

It says it comes with 1yr infotainment online.  I haven't a clue but at an educated guess, I thought that would only apply if the car was sold via a Skoda dealer. So it may well be they've just cut n paste the specifications from elsewhere.  I could be wrong tho.

 

They say it has a winter pack and mention the heated screen and the heated seats but make no mention of a heated steering wheel. The red car defo has a heated steering wheel. Not sure if that was part of the winter pack on 2019 cars.

Edited 23 January by kodiaqsportline

[zilla]

Cheers

[EnterName]

6 hours ago, kodiaqsportline said:

Hi Zilla.

 

I thought a 2019 Mk3 would have the 1.5tsi engine rather than the 1.4tsi  Is this the car you're interested in?

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205035281763

 

If it is then I had a near identical spec 2017 car ( 1.4tsi ) in silver with a similar  list of factory extras therefore I see  no reason why it should have been sitting around for ages unsold if in that condition. If that is the car then I've a few comments from looking at those pics.

5 hours ago, zilla said:

oh yea, that one, what comments do you have?

 

I have a few concerns.

Unless things have changed dramatically since I bought my car 3.5 years ago (2019 SE L), cars with a really high spec like that are hard to find, and tend to get snapped up quickly. So a car in a good colour that is highly specced-up is unlikely to be sat at a dealer's for a couple of months, let alone 18 months. I hear Google Chrome has an extension that allows you to track price drops on AutoTrader. If that is correct, it might be worth seeing how much that car was originally put up for sale at and track the price changes.

Also, as @kodiaqsportline says, that interior really is very nice. That might be down to meticulous care by the previous owner, but if that were the case, it seems unlikely that a meticulous owner would let the brakes get to a dangerous state to be bounced at the MOT. That seems odd to me.

But if everything works and it drives well, it looks like a nice car with an unusually high spec.

I think I'd run a vehicle check on it to ensure there are no nasty surprises waiting to be discovered.

Good luck!

 

[zilla]

So I have reg number.

I have 2x chrome plugins the drop in price is £0

The listing info one shows it as advertised in may 2022

[zilla]

Maybe a 4 HR drive is required to Peterborough

Unless anyone has free time and lives there!

Edited 23 January by zilla

[zilla]

Another question.

If the cam belt hasn't yet been done, is it at 5 years it needs doing? 

Just thinking a cam belt changed 1 year older model might be a better bet at the cost of doing it.

[Ootohere]

Until July 2023 the Cam Belt / Tensioner recommendation from VW Group / Skoda in Dust Free UK was different from other Dust Free countries and 5 years / 50,000 miles.

That is not as it is now. 

[kodiaqsportline]

4 hours ago, Rooted said:

Until July 2023 the Cam Belt / Tensioner recommendation from VW Group / Skoda in Dust Free UK was different from other Dust Free countries and 5 years / 50,000 miles.

That is not as it is now. 

 

Even I'm confused by that one !

 

The simple answer Zilla is that Skodas current advice is, the cambelt doesn't need change every 5yr. Seems be recommended at 100,000 miles, so either car is fine on that point. 

 

Does that mean having a warranty is now all the more important?  For me personally, yes, but everyone will have their own opinion on risk.

 

22 hours ago, EnterName said:

Also, as @kodiaqsportline says, that interior really is very nice. That might be down to meticulous care by the previous owner, but if that were the case, it seems unlikely that a meticulous owner would let the brakes get to a dangerous state to be bounced at the MOT. That seems odd to me.

 

it's a very good point, but I'm one of those meticulous owners and my car failed the MOT despite my best attempts to make sure it passed 1st time.

 

My car not only went for a specific brake check the week before, but had a service a couple of days prior to the MOT.  I was informed by both parties my  car would likely need new discs and pads before it's next MOT but everything should be fine for the one the following week.   Nope - It failed it's MOT.   It's only when they put it on a rolling road that they found excessive 'wobble' if you like.   Brake inspections are just that, they inspect the brakes, they don't put them thru the MOT brake test.

 

If that hadn't of happened to me I too would have come to the same conclusion as you and thought the owner didn't care or was scrimping.

 

 

 

 

 

[Ootohere]

Simply @kodiaqsportlineYou word things your way and i will post my way.

 

If anyone is looking at a TSI with a cambelt first registered before June 2018 and the Cam Belt was not replaced by July 2023 then it was not being Serviced / Maintained to the Recommendations, Guidelines or Spec that Skoda / VW UK showed as required.

But then there were plenty Approved Used Skoda with FMDSH that might have a Full Service History but showing what was not done as much as what was maybe.

 

PS

Any old bucket of crap used car / Ex Demonstrator, / Taxi / Car lent out during Covid can be refurbished to be an immaculate showroom condition car.

A lovely new interior if it was maybe flood damaged.

As for a new set of Discs and Pads fitted and refurbished wheels, that is not expensive, dead cheap actually and any Kerb Side Auto,s can Joey a car up that way.

Shine the tyres, Man / Woman in a van Detailing or blow in some paint work that comes off if power washed.

Edited 24 January by Rooted

[zilla]

How would I interpret this service history?

 

 

octavia sh.pdf

[nta16]

There's next to none service history recorded there to interpret really.

 

Info available from above - 

Octavia Estate SE-L(?) 1.5 TSI, 150ps, DSG (red colour)

DPCA engine - Rooted and others might be able to say if any issues on those engines

• registered October 2019
• tax ran out 22 March 2022
• MoT until 27 October 2024

 

• 9-9-20 - 18, 641 miles
• 12-11-21 - 32,149 - "inspection with" engine oil change - (and(?) oil filter hopefully)?
• 30-11=21 - change of owner
• 28-10-23 - 49,642 miles - MoT

 

MoT 28 October 2023 - PASS - 49,642 miles

MoT 28 October 2023 - FAIL - 49.642 miles

• Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects): Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick - 
• Repair immediately (major defects): Offside Front Service brake excessively binding
• Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories): - Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively
• Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories): - Offside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively
• Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories): - Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin

 

What is not recorded, but might have been done -

• brake fluid change(s)
• spark plugs
• DSG oil change if required - Rooted and others would know more about that
• I think you can ignore the cambelt change but again Rooted and others would know more about that
• pollen filter
• air-con "service" is a debateable item
• engine air filter is at 6years/60k-miles
• you'd hope the front brake pads (and perhaps discs) had been changed at last MoT

Edited 27 January by nta16
spelling

[EnterName]

On 24/01/2024 at 15:23, kodiaqsportline said:

it's a very good point, but I'm one of those meticulous owners and my car failed the MOT despite my best attempts to make sure it passed 1st time.

 

My car not only went for a specific brake check the week before, but had a service a couple of days prior to the MOT.  I was informed by both parties my  car would likely need new discs and pads before it's next MOT but everything should be fine for the one the following week.   Nope - It failed it's MOT.   It's only when they put it on a rolling road that they found excessive 'wobble' if you like.   Brake inspections are just that, they inspect the brakes, they don't put them thru the MOT brake test.

 

If that hadn't of happened to me I too would have come to the same conclusion as you and thought the owner didn't care or was scrimping.

Respectfully, I suggest that to be meticulous with car maintenance means to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to anything that is not 100% okay.

You cannot accept that the brakes will need changing soon, but should be fine for next week's MOT and claim to be meticulous.

Delaying repair until absolutely necessary is a reasonable and cost-effective approach to car maintenance, but it is not meticulous.

 

[nta16]

One thing I meant to put, an MoT pass just means the car meet the minimum of statutory requirements to one (hopefully trained and qualified) person's opinion at that one put in time only, it doesn't mean the car generally was and is as good as it could or should be.

 

Note as there is no mileage difference between Fail and Pass and both were done on the day I assume (always dangerous) that the same garage where it failed also done the work to get it a pass.

 

Looking at mileage recorded -

9-9-20 to 12-11-21 is 14k-miles in 14 months

 

12-11-21 to 28-10-23 is 17k-miles in 23 months yet the tax ran out 22-3-22, so was 17k-miles done in 4 months or have I missed something?

 

[kodiaqsportline]

7 hours ago, EnterName said:

Respectfully, I suggest that to be meticulous with car maintenance means to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to anything that is not 100% okay

 

With even greater respect, that's YOUR definition, not the dictionary's definition.