My advice would be to avoid the 2l PD engine, it's had various problems over the years.

The 1.9PD is an excellent efficient engine but must have had the special PD oil when serviced, so VW service history is important although some VW dealers use the wrong oil. There should be no ticking noise from the engine, the cam wears if incorrect oil is used.

If you have the money, go for the 2l CR engine, fitted from mid 2008. High mileage wouldn't bother me, they have usually been trundled up & down the motorways the whole of their life.

The B5 ( pre 2006 ) has some basic shortcommings with leaking pollen filter seals & blocked plenum chamber drains ( check passenger side carpets for any dampness ) but are easily fixed. Look at http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/ for in depth info.

The 2l PD are often advertised as having the CR engine, look under the bonnet at the engine cover, both have 4 flutes moulded into the plastic cover, the CR flutes are at a 45 degree angle wheras the PD cover flutes are in line with the car.

Hi Dave

Having been to 'not so' proud owner of an 06 Passat 2.0tdi140 I have to agree that althogh the ride is comforable, the gremlins in our particular car were too numerous. The airbag light for me was the final straw. Creaking suspension, poor finishing and trademark rattles made it more of an irritation than a joy to own. Whist the car was accomplished on the motorway (25k miles per year average) as with all things it had it challenges!

I ended up trading it on and getting a low carbon BMW 525d SE with 60k on it full main s****** history etc etc etc and more receipts than my wifes purse after a shopping spree. Much better drive and absolutely solid in every way. Best car I have owned. Service costs were appauling. £350 for a basic oil and filter change from a specialist inde was better than the £670 the s******s wanted. After 35k miles, BMW and I have parted and I now have the Skoda Superb Estate.

Go Skoda all the way and you will not regret it, I certainly havent. I thought long and hard and drove many models before opting for superb. Lifestyle and two small children meant an estate was a must., It was a close run between the Octavia and the Superb, but the deal on the table was such that I went for the larger of the two,,,but there really is not much in it. The difference in build quality between the Passat and the Skodas was incredible! The skoda is probably better put together than even the six pot BMW I passed up.

Octavia really is a car for the people and does its job very well. Three quaters of the taxi fleets in the UK cant be wrong, Long term it makes a sensible bet too as once you have finished with it, so long as it is maintained and relatively tidy, you have a captive market of willing purchasers in the form of the nations taxi crews.

Good luck and remember... you will never get bored with a ford.