Hi all,

Names Stu, I purchased an Octavia TDI vrs MK3. It was a high mileage 200k Car with a full service History. Only 1 owner.

I'm not new to Mechanics but know I still have a lot to learn. One of those things how much thought has been put into Skoda. Thanks and Hello 😃

Hi, welcome.

If you've not already seen it, along with other sections on Briskoda, there's a Octavia section which includes a MK3 sections with experience, advice and help from owners. - https://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/169-%C5%A1koda-octavia/

Some advice, if you want it, if you are new to mechanics for older cars, or any cars, or been with them for many decades covering the basics of maintenance, service and repairs is always the starting point and you can't progress successfully unless you cover the basics first. Sexy, big-boys, macho toys are fine in their place but that's after covering the basics.

Newbies usually think of engine things like, engine oil and filter changes, as priorities when there are more important systems and components on the car such as brakes, steering, suspension (all three include tyres), safety electrics (lights, horn, wipers, blower, etc.) reflective number plates (see and be seen).

The car's 'Owner's Manual' (that would have been in the glovebox when the car was new) can tell you a lot about driving and using the car as well as its controls and servicing and maintenance and if you read it and refer to it it can save you unnecessary visits to garages, mechanics and auto-electrics. Despite what some may believe or tell you it is a good idea to read instructions rather than guessing or think you know.

If you don't have the original paper printed coped then you can get a free VWŠkoda pdf copy from the VWŠkoda Owner's Manual site. - https://www.skoda-auto.com/apps/manuals/Models

The state of charge and health of the car's 12v battery is important for use and when diagnosing and repairing faults and issues. An appropriate battery charger maintainer used in a preventative manner can potentially save PITA issues and extend the reliable serviceable life of the expensive batteries on VW's products.

HTH.

Thanks for the welcome. I'm new to Skoda but not mechanics or electrics. I did own a Subaru Sti about 20 years in California when they first came out. I had that engine modified and went a bit crazy modifying it.

Edited 15 December, 202515 Dec by StuOctVRS

Sorry, I should wear my glasses, I totally missed your word 'not'. Although all still applies, pity some professional in the UK motor trade don't follow it. I'm sure you'll have lots to do as its VW but not as much with a 2013 than later years.

If you're interested and not already seen there's a 'Octavia Projects' section and general 'Performance & Tuning Upgrades' section.

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/207-octavia-projects/

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/212-performance-tuning-upgrades/

Good luck.

(I must book in with Specsavers.)

😂 no worries mate. It was my Boss the introduced me to Skodas he's had probably 5 Octavia's.

I'm older now and hopefully will learn from my lessons from before. I installed the largest bolt on the WRX could have. Forced Performance FP RED. I had a stand alone ECU, Used big port JDM heads, 2.5 bottom end weisco pistons, alcohol injection FM ic. It was making 410 WHP but lost it's daily driver appeal.

I'd like to buy a TDI Rs Skoda. MK2 or 3 next year 👍

VW along with the other lost their high quality engineering build by start of this century, the Škoda brand gained from being a bit of a test brand for the name brand and Octaivias seem to good in the way Datsuns (Nissan) used to be in previous decades but the newer you get the further things drift with more complications, "assists", "aids" and comforts. Others will disagree but tipping points seem to me to generally be in the various years from perhaps a bit before say 2010 and then accumulating effects.

See how you get on with your present car, I'm sure you'll have things sorted.