I've been through the threads regarding belt replacement. But I would be grateful for Octavia owners views on when to change belt. My Octavia is now five years old with only 12000 miles. I'm thinking on replacing belt. What advice can you guys offer. Many happy New year motoring to you all.😀

@jazzyjeff Best you say what engine your car has, TSI (ACT or not) or a TDI and what capacity engine.

Silly me, Octavia 1.5 TSi, ACT, SE L. DSG.

Edited 29 December, 202529 Dec by jazzyjeff

Lots of expense as much as £1,000-£1,200. I would not be getting the cam belt changed at your mileage. Well actually i might because of how i drive. But normal use, if a technician will just check the belt i would be getting that done. I would get the spark plugs changed if not done, and the brake fluid, and have the air filter checked, probably replaced. Leave the DQ200 DSG well alone.

1 hour ago, jazzyjeff said:

Silly me, Octavia 1.5 TSi, ACT, SE L. DSG.

I've got the same engine, but manual 'box and 29k miles, 68 reg. Owned by me from new.

I won't be getting the belt done - VW UK changing the belt replacement interval to be inline with the rest of the world was a relief.

I think there's too much to go wrong with changing it even at (or especially at!) a Skoda main dealer. I get everything else done at my trusted independent garage.

As more 1.5 TSi ACT get to the 5 year+ mark or higher mileages I'm sure we'll see disaster stories on here or other outlets if they happen.

One caveat, it's your car, your choice 😉

They were at the 5 year time in 2023 and owners were not going to pay the ridiculous price at Main Dealers and were trading in cars rather than a huge 5 year Manufacturers guidelines, brakes, AC, cambelt, advised discs etc. So Franchised Dealers had cars that they would need to spend the supposed 6.5 hours doing the cam belt on. Many never had the equipment. Hense the Goose that laid the golden egg was slaughtered in the Non Dusty UK Region. So now Skoda / VW Approved Used cars might not have the Cam Belt changed.

As you know, Skodas official timing belt replacement interval for this engine has been extended.

I own a 20 plate 1.5tsi SEL dsg, mine has now covered 45k, I'll probably change mine somewhere between 8 to 10 years old, if I still have it then, probably at the same time change the dsg and mechatronic oil, too. Even though it's the sealed for life dq200 box.

I'm just considering whether to put in 0w 20, 5w 20 or 0w 30 oil in next, now it's out of manufacturers warranty. May go for 0w 30, instead of the recommended 0w 20, mainly because I think it'll probably provide better engine protection long term.