Tips on buying a used car

noclaf

gord115 said:

Skoda Octavias are very reliable with a massive boot.
If it is used for short trips,get a petrol,if long trips, then a diesel.
Make sure the timing belt changes are up to date though as they aren't cheap.

Sorry to hijack the thread, I am quite fond of the Octavia(I actually like the bland Germanic saloon shape)  but would it be asking for trouble going for a 1.4 TSI mated with the DSG gearbox? I've heard horror stories about both so wondering if that's a dangerous combo. 

couriervanman

Top tip if you know nothing about cars take somebody with you to look over it/test drive who does

Stubod

Sorry to hijack the thread, I am quite fond of the Octavia(I actually like the bland Germanic saloon shape)  but would it be asking for trouble going for a 1.4 TSI mated with the DSG gearbox? I've heard horror stories about both so wondering if that's a dangerous combo. 

The 1.4 "horror" stories relate to the earlier "double(?)" turbo models. As far as I am aware the later models are fine. I am on my second VAG 1.4 car and the engines are a peach, smooth, quiet, plenty of torque and good economy, (currently 45+mpg..and that's with AWD).

Re the DSG, yes some horror stories, but in all the various models they put them in they must have made millions. Again I think the later generation "wet clutch" ones are supposed to be better. never owned one, but driven a couple and they are a really nice option.

gord115

noclaf said:

gord115 said:

Skoda Octavias are very reliable with a massive boot.
If it is used for short trips,get a petrol,if long trips, then a diesel.
Make sure the timing belt changes are up to date though as they aren't cheap.

Sorry to hijack the thread, I am quite fond of the Octavia(I actually like the bland Germanic saloon shape)  but would it be asking for trouble going for a 1.4 TSI mated with the DSG gearbox? I've heard horror stories about both so wondering if that's a dangerous combo. 

The 1.4 troubles are with the earlier Twincharged engines used in the Fabia VRS not the Octavia. 
As for DSG troubles,if it is the wet clutch gearbox and the oil and filter is changed at 40000 miles you should be fine. I have been using DSG gearboxes for 7 years with no problems