Recently picked up a gallon of oil and a filter in Halfords for my 2000 Octavia 1.6. Just drained the oil and removed the filter and it appears that the existing filter (now squashed to bits by the filter chain) was much deeper than the Halfords one and also had a different 3-digit number to the Halfords one. Anyone know which Halfords filter number I should be using in this? (I have a 20 mile drive to work tomorrow at 7:30, so need a car - and I don't fancy reusing the old one, I'd be afraid it'd leak). Help needed urgently.

Update: I've fitted the Halfords filter and it does fit - but is it safe to drive without verifying that its the correct one?

Who knows? CAnt help you with non genuine parts sorry.

Any reason you didnt buy a genuine one? There arent expensive and at least you would know its the right filter.

Only that the nearest Halfords is half a mile away, the nearest garage is miles away and I never get to leave work during business hours. Parts departments are not open Saturdays in these parts.

The one I have is HOF293 - anyone know if that's the right one?

I have searched the web HOF923 isn't coming up. Looked at Halfords site and they seem more interested in selling stereos etc. than providing an application chart for their part numbers.

we have had a couple of Fabia 8Vs in recently for service, the previous ones at the main dealer and they had Felicia oil filters fitted.

Why not order service parts from Butts? They'll supply OE Mann filters.

I'm sure I can depend on Ross to say if this is total MBF. A shorter filter will have a shorter lifespan and peak flow rate (less area to filter through). The second of these might cause the pressure relief valve to open in high revs high throttle situations, feeding unfiltered oil through the engine (and if so it'll get worse with time, as the filter clogs).

Also Halfrauds' catalogues have been known to be wrong (the one I looked at said the Octy 1 estate used festoon numberplate lights bulbs; reality says that mine has capless wedge bulbs), and don't they stock at least one of Fram and Champion (and maybe Bosch) filters as well as their own brand?

Checked with them today - the HOF293 is from the 1.8T model. Guy on the phone suggested the reason that its shorter is that there may be less room in the engine bay of the 1.8T. He also seemed surprised that anyone would consider letting their oil & filter change go to the recommended interval - he said he never lets his own car go beyond half way. Anyway, it won't be until I get into their store that I can check whether their shelf guide is what misled me - or whether I'm just getting bothered in my old age.

Given that it fits and is for a higher capacity engine, I'm hoping that it will be able to keep up with my engine (I'm a pretty sedate driver anyway) until I can pick a replacement, OEM filter up tomorrow or Wednesday. Seems not to have leaked at all and engine seems to be running fine. I will be changing it at the first opportunity though - not worth it. And I think I might buy a spare filter to have it in stock for the next change.

Thanks for your replies.

PS I got caught on the numberplate lights too - capless on the hatch too

Picked up a filter from a VW garage who also stock Skoda spares. Where Halfords charge E8.49 for their filter, VW charge E7.68 for the OEM. Needs a 5 mile drive but I won't make that mistake again.

Also Halfrauds' catalogues have been known to be wrong (the one I looked at said the Octy 1 estate used festoon numberplate lights bulbs; reality says that mine has capless wedge bulbs), and don't they stock at least one of Fram and Champion (and maybe Bosch) filters as well as their own brand?

mmm, I need to replace one of rear numberplate bulbs..... maybe when it stops raining!

The 1.6 engine and the 1.8T all use the same oil filter anyhow.

(unless you have a really rare AEE engined Octavia)

Need to know what 1.6 is fitted.

A touch off-topic, but some relevance too I think - My sis paid £19-95 to Halfrauds for a set of front blades for her Micra, with the connecting widgets fitted; I was paying £11-90 for the larger blades for a Xantia in a filling station, but had to sort out which widgets too use myself.

Single Wiper blade at halfords £8, Single blade of same size from dealer £3 something.

Shows that the big car places are very expensive for some things these days.