Ours is just turning 800 miles - not very long term:)

It's a Scout 105ps 7 speed DSG. A true 40mpg so far, mostly short runs or in the case of the the 200 mile indirect run home from South Yorkshire on collection day a crawl through the middle of Nottingham. It should (and probably will) do better - I did an 18 mile trip the other day and saw 47 on the trip computer (which seems very accurate).

Scout is not worth the extra IMO unless you really want the lower body cladding and unpainted bumpers, 16" wheels, roof rails and a few trivial other dfferences from the SE - at list, it's a few hundred quid more anyway, and you have to pay another £500 for met paint on the Scout which is free on the SE; the Scout however loses the glass roof, rear electric windows and parking sensors. (ours came pre-reg with a big discount and we didn't mind that).

Contrary to at least one so-called review I have read (Autocar online I think) that says the body roll on the Scout is greater owing to the higher ride height, the Scout is mechanically identical and has the same ride height! The overall height is greater because of the standard roof bars would be my guess.. The Scout actually has 16" wheels so has a slightly firmer ride. in my opinion (my test drive was in an SE with 15" wheels).

SE and Scout have height adjustment on both front seats; steering wheel is height and reach adjustable.

There is no spare wheel as standard - £70 as a factory extra. If you get one, it is described a temporary/spacesaver but is actually a full sized steel wheel and matching tyre if you have 15" wheels, if you have 16s you get the same one though. (Overall diameter is about the same, the 16s have lower profile tyres).

Happy with it so far. Loads of rear space including legroom if that matters to your relative; also the rear seats are slightly higher than the fronts so a ride in the back is quite pleasant, much better view htna from the back of most cars.

If there is still stock, some dealers have been offering 'limited editions' for £10k OTR. They have various different specs so check carefully - see Progress Skoda, Gordon Lamb, and Arnold Clark for instance.

If there are any specific questions I'll try to answer them, but what I can't give you is long term experience :(