Hi Everyone.

Ive been a member on here for a few months now but ive finally found a VRS and pick it up on Monday, can't wait.

I have a couple of questions if someone would be kind enough to answer.

1) Its a 51 reg on 63,000 miles with full main dealer history but unfortunately i did not check to see if the cambelt had been done (:eek: ). It is on a variable service schedule and im hoping that because its FSSH this should of been done at 4 years i beleive. Its last service was done december 06 at 55K. Is it best to ring the dealer with the reg number and ask them to check?

2) If it hasn't been done, can i get the cambelt and new metal water pump done at a independeant specialist for peace of mind. Ive serached this forum and it seems that a main dealer will charge between

I had a similar dilema recently with a 2003 Octavia vRS (see previous post http://www.briskoda.net/forums/octavia/im-back/87996/)

in my experience, to the motor trade FSH means a small pamphlet with black smudgy stamps in it that you can make with a John Bull printing set... if you want to know what's been done you need to ask about everything, and hopefully have the paperwork receipts etc to support the FSH claim. I would hope if it's Skoda history then they should be able to trace what has been done even if the paperwork isn't present.

Assume nothing about so-called FSH until you can see it for yourself - at least that's my past experience. FSH generally means 'something' has been done when it should have, not neccessarily 'everything' that should have, especially when it comes to variable servicing - that just seems like a license to do no servicing and claim that they have.

Bought mine privately and the main reason was it had been serviced every 12k. as a result it felt the best of the ones I tried. I do not like this 20k and variable service intervals. Mine goes in every 12k and is running like a dream on 115k miles and 215bhp. If you have any question marks on the cambelt then I would change it.

1 more sleep...........

Hope you enjoy it shane,

Roger.

I have had my vRS from new and it's always been serviced at an independent (Star Performance). I don't like the idea of variable servicing, so mine is done every year/10000 miles.

For peace of mind, I'd get the belt changed :)

Mine is on variable (2004, 53 Plate), FSSH at 52k now. Due cambelt in January, this will be done by an independant garage along with future servicing which will be changed to fixed.

The guy I used is an ex-Audi tech' who has just set up on his own, he charged about

Hi Guys.

Thank you so much for all your comments, they are really appreciated.

It is the first time I have bought a car privately and totally agree that to some degree you are taking a leap of faith.

I have emailed the dealer this morning to ask if the cambelt has been changed, if not im going to get it done for peace of mind anyway.

Can you (and is there any financial benefit) purchase the cambelt kit and metal water pump separately and provide them to an independant garage to fit or will they be a bit cheesed off that you are providing the parts?

Anyway, pick it up tonight at 7:30, very excitied but still nervous (sods law i will be sat on the hard shoulder on the journey home, god i'm optomistic)

Cheers

Shane