In the past 2 days I have two 07reg mk1 octy taxis. Not unusual in itself as they're still making them for taxis and other markets.

What was unusual was that they looked like they were RACE BLUE! It was dark/gloomy so I can't be sure if it was the same but are Skoda now using VRS race blue on their run-out Octavia Tours?

There's a non-metallic blue that's very similar to race blue.

Maybe it was that

Yes, that blue often catches me out with fabia's

There's a non-metallic blue that's very similar to race blue.

Maybe it was that

Could have been but I'd not seen it before but in the dark and under sodium streetlights I couldn't tell.