Interesting theory GB! I had considered that it may have been driven in heavy floods before I bought it. I bought it at 5 years old with full Skoda s/h and 51K. I wanted the last of the PDs, with no DPF etc. Although it has been perfectly reliable across Europe for us, the gear whine developed about 60K and then a succession of bearing problems etc. I was hoping to take it to about 120K but will get shot sometime soon. There are other issues, the seat is uncomfortable for me on long trips and it is ridiculously noisy, as Skidpan says. If I loved the thing, I might consider having the box stripped down and some upgrades, plus rear suspension renewal. To be fair, it's a good workhorse and quite quick in a straight line, but I prefer driving my wife's Focus, which believe it or not is quieter and more comfortable! I have had Octavias since 2003, and they are a great practical car, I am sorely tempted by the MK 3, but there's so much griping on the forums and here about VAG's engine and customer service issues. I had a Mk1, which was excellent, this Mk2 is disappointing and I've not seen enough evidence that VAG have sorted themselves out. Honda or Toyota next I think!

Thanks skidpan good to know.

"1.9pd with manual box, well maintained you have at least another 200k there if you look after it, with quite poosibly only minor repairs."

Yes the engine and gearbox will go on for that long, is all the other bits that start falling off. And once cars get past a certain age they run the risk of developing electrical faults which simply cannot be tracked down and that ends up writing off an otherwise perfectly good car...

The current 1.4 TSi in 140 ps and 150 ps versions is brilliant in any car but Octavias registered earlier than March 2013 will be fitted with the older 1.4 TSi which was potentially troublesome and not especially economical.

Later versions of the previous model EA111 cam chain tsi engines (122-125) are still pretty good with a robust cast block liked by engine tuners - many chipped to an inch of their existance. The higher power "twinpower" versions fitted with both turbo and supercharger are to be avoided. However some important things to note:-

• Later versions better - some early versions had mis-manfuctured chains
• Avoid long life service intervals - cam chains like clean oil
• You must use OEM oil filters and fit carefully (These must have the correct non return valve and valve to release oil back into the sump on removal - if overtightened oil pressure cam be compromised causing excessive wear and chain tensioner problems

I'm finding my 2014 Skoda Superb BARGE is proving suprisingly economical averaging about 46mpg in my hands:- www.spritmonitor.de/en/detail/720963.html?share=1 - This is not much less than my previous diesel Superb did on the same journey/driving types

The later EA211 cam belt engine is a great engine especially the ACT versions (150ps!)

PS If you overdo it with the loud pedal the tsi does develop a bit of a drink problem

Edited by Big John on 17/02/2017 at 19:52