I am a caravanner considering the purchase of a 'green' 4 x 4, I have virtually decided on an Octavia 4 x 4 140PS Td1 estate. I have read in 2 separate reviews that the Scout version has trailer stabilisation enabled as part of the ESP on the car.

(a) is that true?

and ( does the 'standard' 4 x 4 have this feature as well? - my local dealer was unsure.

I know you'll say "just get the Scout"! However it is a bit dearer and I'm still not sure about it's looks!

I've got a "standard "4x4 and it's not listed in the options I've decoded so would suggest that it isn't there. What I don't know though is whether the ESP is the same and simply has different options "enabled". If that was the case then I'm guessing someone with a VAG Com could do it but it'll take someone with a better knowledge than me to say for definite!

On a similar note, some cars have just ESP and others have ESP with hill hold control so trailer stabilisation may be an extra feature added to the standard ESP system.

In fact, VW and Audi mention this as a software extension so it's definitely being used within the VAG family.