Hopefully I'll be in a poition to buy a MK 1 octavia VRS shortly and I wondered if anyone has a link to a buyers guide? Either that or tips on what I should look out for?

Also whats the parts costs like? What are the running costs?

Might be a silly question and its probably been covered lots of times before - sorry if it has.

Thanks in advance

I don't have a link to a guide, but I can list a few things I know of.

1) Check the steering for play/knocks. Also, with the engine off, turn the steering wheel from left to right, about 1/3 to 1/2 a turn in each direction and listen for any clunking noises. There are a many things which can cause noises/play in the steering but mine turned out to be the rack which is quite expensive (and others have had the same problem, unfortionatly).

2) Check that the temperature gauge works and that the temperature stays around the 90 degrees mark both standing still and at full speed (70mph).

3) Check that the front wipers work, and check that they move at the sort of speed you would expect on the fastest setting. The linkages have a habit of seizing. They can be stripped and lubricated easily enough but it's much easier to do if they haven't seized yet!

4) Check the indicators work, the hazard switch sometimes causes problems, although it's not too expensive to replace.

5) Check the central exhaust mounting bracket. They snap off the exhaust due to rust. It's really easy to repair but will rattle if left. It's more difficult to repair if the bracket is completely missing.

6) Check that the boot mounted CD changer works, and selects all 6 discs (you'll need 6CD's for that I suppose!

7) Check the coil packs, they are a known fault. Most have been replaced with a revised version now but it's worth checking which ones are fitted. If you do a search on here you will be able to find which part number is which.

8) Check operation of the front windows, There's a component which can break which lets the window drop into the door, it's not difficult to repair but I know of one person who bought a car which had been repaired with a block of wood. Needles to say, the window didn’t go down!

9) Radiator mounts seem common, you can check them by literally trying to wobble the radiator back and forth slightly. Mine went at the bottom but not the top so check both. Expect a slight movement but anything more and they'll be on their way out. Cheap as chips for the part (about £2 each I think, there are 4), but labour intensive as quite a lot needs stripping to get them out. I have the cuts to prove it!

10) ARB bushes are a common problem, they've been revised now so it's worth checking to see if they're cracked.

thanks a lot for the advice mate.

Its appreciated.

What sort of MPG should I be expecting? My current cars a bit thirsty and I'm hoping it might be a bit less - bloody should be I'm getting 25 to the gallon at the minute lol.

Also whats the parts prices like? I'm assuming that with it being VAG they're fairly reasonable?

All depends what driving you are doing really.

I've averaged 29.9mpg over the last 1200 miles. This has included a good mix of town driving and a fair few longer runs (50-60 miles a time), so I think it's a fairly good indication.

When this has been asked before, I have come out slightly below the average so if you're a little bit more gentle with them you can get slightly better economy. I don't drive like a lunatic, but I do admit that I like accelerating quite quickly up to motorway speeds which doesn't help.

I certainly think you'll see an improvement over your current car.

And also the design of the wheels allow great visual checks on the disks and pads all round, so use this as a bargaining tool if theyre low. Open the bonnet and check the 2 fans come on when the climate control is operated and it also blows cold. And make sure you find one with 17" wheels as some of the early ones came with 16" ones which look lost in the arches.

Thanks for all the advice. Hoppefully I'll be able to start looking for the right car in a couple of months