So I currently drive a 1.0 petrol Scala 2019 model. 60km on the clock, brakes need replacing, timing belt, full major service and also my condenser needs to be replaced as it’s damaged and leaking.

I have been offered a mk3 Octavia Dsg 1.0tsi with same milage. Is it worth the upgrade/downgrade of certain items for more space and the items on the Octavia such as brakes and belt are being replaced as part of a trade in.

@Upsidedown90 Just a small point on your 2019 Scala, the Cam Belt recommendations on replacing changed in 2023. It is only due if you want it replaced or if there is an issue. Same thing with the Octavia.

20 minutes ago, Evolution13 said:

@Upsidedown90 Just a small point on your 2019 Scala, the Cam Belt recommendations on replacing changed in 2023. It is only due if you want it replaced or if there is an issue. Same thing with the Octavia.

I didn’t know about that. Still not sure to change or not. I can see a positive in bigger size of the Octavia and bit more comfortable. There’s a few small differences between them but not sure to change.

To be honest, I always change my belts and oils before the recommended intervals, including gearbox.

Never changing oils or belts, just puts you on the road to failure, earlier than normal imho

21 minutes ago, Trickiejohn said:

To be honest, I always change my belts and oils before the recommended intervals, including gearbox.

Never changing oils or belts, just puts you on the road to failure, earlier than normal imho

Yeah I am due to change belt and brakes on the Scala. Similarly the Octavia I am looking to change to needs both done too which garage is going to do can only see it as an upgrade

@Trickiejohn When up to 2 years ago the Schedule / Recommendation / Advice / Guidelines was to change the cam belt at 50,000 miles / 5 years on a TSI in the Non Dust Rich UK would you have changed earlier than that? This was a schedule unique to the UK! (Ireland as well but not other EU Countries.)

Edited 5 December, 20255 Dec by Evolution13

Yes,

My (just p/x’d for a Superb Estate) B8 Passat drive belt was changed at 5 years and close to 50K. Oil changes done at 8K and the manual box (lifetime no recommend change) at 70k.

Oils and lubes degrade over time. It makes no sense as a consumer to run your equipment close to failure. Manufacturers are interested in you buying a new car within a couple of years of the warranty expiring, not running it for 10-15 years and 150K plus miles.

It might cost a little more, but price the cost of a drive belt failure on an average car and see it that makes any sense at all? To me it doesn’t.

John

4 hours ago, Trickiejohn said:

Yes,

My (just p/x’d for a Superb Estate) B8 Passat drive belt was changed at 5 years and close to 50K. Oil changes done at 8K and the manual box (lifetime no recommend change) at 70k.

Oils and lubes degrade over time. It makes no sense as a consumer to run your equipment close to failure. Manufacturers are interested in you buying a new car within a couple of years of the warranty expiring, not running it for 10-15 years and 150K plus miles.

It might cost a little more, but price the cost of a drive belt failure on an average car and see it that makes any sense at all? To me it doesn’t.

John

The 5 years or 50K miles limit was only suggested by Skoda UK, not by any other country or manufacturer in the VAG "empire".

Please explain why the UK has climate conditions that only affect Skoda vehicles and are so much worse than the rest of the world.

I think, it’s a very sound idea to be honest. Maybe the average driving conditions/ traffic/length of journey are noticeably different in the UK - they definitely are different to German/Dutch/Belgium/Danish/Austrian/South African roads and conditions.

John