We're downsizing from a 7 seater and are very interested in this: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609176139141

Dealer says Haldex was done in 2024. DSG is due in the next 5,000-10,000 miles apparently.

He says the cambelt hasn't been done and based on Skoda official guidance shouldn't be done until 120,000-130,000. This sounded fishy to me. Is that the case?

It's 8 years old so should surely have had at least one cambelt change by now?

Any experts that could recommend what I do would be hugely appreciated.

From MOT history up until 2022 was doing roughly 10k miles per year, from 2022 yearly mileage is roughly 7k per year, suggesting either a change in circumstances or change of owner. Modern diesels don't like low annual mileages, and the last 4 years between 5k and 8k per year is low, whilst DPF may be OK the EGR valves are prone to clogging with short journeys or low annual mileages, a more likely issue is Ad Blue problems due to crystalisation on the sensors and injector due to low use.

Haldex is every 3 years - its nearly due again. more importantly is what were the dates of the previous Haldex services, should have had one in 2021.

DSG ask for the oil to be changed and the oil filter to be cleaned - Skoda say every 80k miles - independent specialists advise 40k.

Engine oil and filter changes - ideally every 12 months or 10k miles which ever is sooner, consider carefully if the vehicle has been on the Flexible service scheme which extends the intervals to 20k miles or 2 years, so should have had 8 service may only have had 3 or possibly 4.

Brake fluid and Coolant should have been changed at least twice if they haven't been done then ask for then to be done.

Check the rear tyres for uneven tread wear or an odd wear pattern, assuming the tyres have not been replaced - at around 80K miles the the rear suspension lower arm bushes may have worn - not enough to be an MOT advisory but sufficient to cause uneven tread wear.

Cambelt ask for it to be changed along with any other rubber belts (the oil pump is driven by a separate wet belt) , tensioner and water pump if applicable. If they don't want to do this then ask for a warranty to cover the cambelt for the next 50,000 miles.

If you are familiar with DSG gearboxes then you will know what it should drive like. If you are not familiar have a really long test drive with lots of stop start traffic, leave the Stop/Start switched ON - even if you don't like it this can expose issues with the DSG. Check Hill Hold and Auto Hold work properly without and with throttle. It should creep smoothly on tickover even up a slight incline in first and reverse.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by thamestrader

Haldex is at 3 years / 30,000 miles. So i would be wanting it done know as well as the Brake Fluid change if not done in the past 2 years. As far as the DSG i would want that now and the Warranty covering it. Not left till 80,000 miles.

What is the reason for choosing diesel & 4x4?

What will your usage look like in terms of weekly usage?

As @thamestrader has already alluded to, an elderly diesel with questionable usage could have all manner of issues just waiting to bit you on the *rse. Also note that the car will be too old to take Skoda's All-in service/warranty when the initial warranty has expired. There's quite a lot of relatively common faults like door locks, electric boot struts, leaking sunroof (if it hasn't been well maintained), fuel flaps, etc. together with the DSG & 4 x 4 system that you ideally would want covered.

19" wheels are prone to damage & many find the ride too compromised on the low profile tyres.