Hi all,

My dad is looking at this:

Skoda Octavia Estate 1.8 20v Auto

On a 51 plate with Metallic Blue paint, full leather trim, alloy wheels, full electric pack, air con, rem con locking, service history.

Creaks from radiator mounts and creaks from the suspension plus any banging that could indicate knackered ARB bushes.

The brakes should be pretty powerful, no obvious leaks, make sure the head lights all adjust up and down correctly and check for any signsof rust on the estate tailgate.

Make sure the climate blows freezing cold air when set to 'lo' and really hot air when set to 'hi'. Make sure all the dash pod items work correctly too as that is expensive.

If there is an annoying rattle then touch the button at the end of the handbrake and see if this makes it go away, mine did this and dealer changed the whole handbrake lever to fix it.

Set the central light to come on with the doors, then open and close each door in turn to make sure it goes on and off just fine, and that the microswitches in the doors are working. Also check that every door opens.

Ask if A/C has been serviced recently (eg in last 2-3 years too)

Sunroof is worth checking the operation, as are things like the rear demister etc.

No ideas on the 1.8T engine mind, although obviously make sure it runs well as that could point to coil packs etc.

Creaks from radiator mounts and creaks from the suspension plus any banging that could indicate knackered ARB bushes.

The brakes should be pretty powerful, no obvious leaks, make sure the head lights all adjust up and down correctly and check for any signsof rust on the estate tailgate.

Make sure the climate blows freezing cold air when set to 'lo' and really hot air when set to 'hi'. Make sure all the dash pod items work correctly too as that is expensive.

If there is an annoying rattle then touch the button at the end of the handbrake and see if this makes it go away, mine did this and dealer changed the whole handbrake lever to fix it.

Set the central light to come on with the doors, then open and close each door in turn to make sure it goes on and off just fine, and that the microswitches in the doors are working. Also check that every door opens.

Ask if A/C has been serviced recently (eg in last 2-3 years too)

Sunroof is worth checking the operation, as are things like the rear demister etc.

No ideas on the 1.8T engine mind, although obviously make sure it runs well as that could point to coil packs etc.

Thank you for the info

I hadnt seen it but my dad had last week, so this was my first look at it. I have to say that the first thing that caught my eye was "Laurin & Klement" whacked on the side of the car so at the

Looks like a proper bargain

nice car!

Any ideas if the alloys will fit my furby

Need to check a couple of bits still on it but it was in good enough nick to stick a deposit down - but didnt get a good check of the bodywork for crash damage, scratches etc which is cosmetic anyway and easy enough to sort out.

Oh, it had a rubber mat in the boot too, proper tavia one - perfect for the mutt to chew up:rofl:

WW VRS - Tis a steal like

EDIT,:eek: OMFG, just noticed it has roof bars aswell - *Rushes to buy roof box*.

Xenons too by the looks! Good buy.

Oh, and providing your Furby has 5-stud hubs (which im sure they all do?) you will be able to steal the wheels off your parents.

Oh, and providing your Furby has 5-stud hubs (which im sure they all do?) you will be able to steal the wheels off your parents.

Tehehehe:rofl:

Don't think they are xenon, just the standard fog lights which are projector types, although if there is a second projector lense (i can't make it out) then they are in fact xenon lights.

The reason I mentioned the A/C is that the compressor clutch has a nasty habit of just dropping off, and this isn't repairable unless you are very lucky, meaning a total stealer bill of about £1k.

The rear window switch may well turn out to be the motor inside the door, IIRC the wires can get damaged requiring a new window regulator unit.

Sounds not at all bad, i suggest if the A/C is working at present you leave it off and get it booked in ASAP to a dealer for a service specifically including a check of the bolt on the end of the A/C compressor clutch, and get them to do it up and apply new threadlock.

Those headlamps look different to my non-xenons and they were an option. Sadly you cant really tell but they *could* be. headlamp washers are standard on the L&K/Elegance too so thats no way to tell either.

Don't think they are xenon, just the standard fog lights which are projector types, although if there is a second projector lense (i can't make it out) then they are in fact xenon lights.

The reason I mentioned the A/C is that the compressor clutch has a nasty habit of just dropping off, and this isn't repairable unless you are very lucky, meaning a total stealer bill of about

Looks like a good buy, I would have it as a second car.

This is what a xenon light looks like... Note the second, slightly larger projector lamp along side the fog. If fitted it's worth making sure they self level when you turn the ignition on.

This is what a xenon light looks like... Note the second, slightly larger projector lamp along side the fog. If fitted it's worth making sure they self level when you turn the ignition on.

Fook, that car loooooooooks so nice

Fook, that car loooooooooks so nice

Looks even nicer in the flesh lol :P

Phil, now I know what to look out for, thank you!!

Lights, make sure they self level and adjuster works

Make sure aircon blows cold and hot, and that all the vents n flaps work

Also I need to check the service history for it being done (although I couldnt really see it in the myriad of paperwork)

Check headlamp washers work

Check bodywork for dints n scratches

Check tyre tread for unusual wear

Check brake discs for scratches

Check under the seats for lost

Looks good - how many miles on it Mike?

Steve

Looks good - how many miles on it Mike?

Steve

A fair few, just over 100k. Full service history with offical Skoda stamps in the book either every 10,000 miles or every year. Recipts for all the work is in there too. Looks very well looked after so I cant wait for my parents to pick it up. Only problem is that I want to be put on the insurance so I can have a play every now and then, but its a group 13 :( lol. I have told them though that Ill buy it off them when they are finished with it

Interesting that it has been serviced every 10000 miles as that car should be on variable servicing. Its not a problem though, just what the previous owner decided to do, I guess.

Another way to check for xenons is to look at them when turned on from cold. You should see them "strike" in quite a distinctive manner.

Incidentally, Jabba have remapped a 1.8T automatic before - that one should be good for 218bhp ish

One other isuue that it could have is random 17705 fault codes in the ECU. It is fairly common for this to happen on the 1.8T at this sorth of mileage but sadly you cant tell without VAG-COM. Many here have had to change a pipe between the intercooler and turbo to solve a very minor boost leak. The part costs about £35 and you can see a bit more info here:http://www.briskoda.net/forums/octavia/where-pipe/51329/?highlight=pipe

Not really anything to worry about but it *could* give you minor niggles (random, intermittent boost loss) in the future.

Interesting that it has been serviced every 10000 miles as that car should be on variable servicing. Its not a problem though, just what the previous owner decided to do, I guess.

Another way to check for xenons is to look at them when turned on from cold. You should see them "strike" in quite a distinctive manner.

Incidentally, Jabba have remapped a 1.8T automatic before - that one should be good for 218bhp ish

One other isuue that it could have is random 17705 fault codes in the ECU. It is fairly common for this to happen on the 1.8T at this sorth of mileage but sadly you cant tell without VAG-COM. Many here have had to change a pipe between the intercooler and turbo to solve a very minor boost leak. The part costs about

Headlamp washers should come on when you use the windscreen wash, with the lights on.

Steve

Condensation in front indicators - fairly normal, not just an Octavia thing.

Chip taken out of lower right of the left hand front side indicator, probably caused by a large stone chip - High mileage car.

Several stone chips on the bonnet, but have been (poorly) covered by the touch up paint - High mileage car

Bumper to bonnet lines up fine, however bumper seems as if it isnt attached to the right hand wing properly - Mine is like this - the low level of the bumper is well documented here. Its each to scrape it and dislodge the mountings. Sadly theres little you can do with this if its anything like mine.

Several light scratches, should come out with some polish

Some scratches have been covered by touch up pen making them more obvious

Alloys at first glance look ok but close up need reconditioning

Plastic part of the front grill is slightly cracked, but not noticable

Several stone chips on head lights

High mileage car (again )

Left hand front tyre is slightly more worn on the outside than the inside. - wheel alignment check/adjustment will sort this.

Cant for the life of me sus out how to work the headlight washers, assuming they do work - headlights on, hold windscreen washers on for several seconds (3 to 4 should do it)

Goochie,

I had a poke around but couldnt see anything out of place under the bonnet but I will ask someone on one of the local forums to read them just in case

See if anyone here is near you with VAG-COM. Must easier/cleaner way to check for faults

As said, headlight washers only work when the headlights are on. You pull to spray the windows and after a couple of seconds the headlights spray too. My manual says they work with sidelights but mine don't, they only work once you turn the xenons on.

My left indicator had condensation in, I removed it and dried it then ran a bit of clear silicone around the edge where the lens meets the reflector and it has been fine since.

If you pop the black plastic bumper strip off on the front bumper you will see the bolts which hold the bumper to the wing so they may need tightening/adjusting?

Hell of a lot of car for the cash

As said, headlight washers only work when the headlights are on. You pull to spray the windows and after a couple of seconds the headlights spray too. My manual says they work with sidelights but mine don't, they only work once you turn the xenons on.

My left indicator had condensation in, I removed it and dried it then ran a bit of clear silicone around the edge where the lens meets the reflector and it has been fine since.

If you pop the black plastic bumper strip off on the front bumper you will see the bolts which hold the bumper to the wing so they may need tightening/adjusting?

Hell of a lot of car for the cash

Might try that indicator trick next week, firstly I need to clean her up abit better (and my furby is in dire need of a clean too!) and pur chase a chip pen from Slackies.

Ill check the bumper tomorrow if I get time but it is not too noticable so not urgent - first thing is to get the aircon serviced.

Still sounds like a good car for the money TBH

Regarding your comment on 'climate' - it can be done theoretically, however there are a few catches.

1. The conversion I know has been done on a VW in the US

2. It is a LOT of work, mainly as you need extra sensors and that means wiring.

3. The wiring loom - is there one that is compatible with the Fabia?

4. The colour of the display - could the one from the Octy/Superb be used, if so perhaps the wiring would work too

5. Recoding of some ECUs - you have to tell the car about it

6. Cost - it will cost a fair amount

That said, I have been tempted to go for this, but due to recent high repair costs I am unable to pursue it at the moment. Shame really as it is a handy tool for sure