Used Scout - what to check?

[woofy]

That's what confuses me more than anything, the UK Skoda brought it down from 105km/7 yrs to 4yrs/60k miles. There are a few members on Briskoda that had theirs break at 5 yrs, which seems to be what caused that. Skoda here are using the standard time, but at least one dealer is saying its not worth the drama and for the inspection they may as well replace it as its almost the same amount of work....I'm still none the wiser. When I asked the Skoda person what the inspection time was then, they didn't know.

[wfdTamar]

Yes, and I really doubt what use an inspection is going to be - sure it'll pick up a big obvious flaw in the belt, but not little fatigue cracks which would be the cause of some failures.

Surely by now they must know very well when the belts fail in certain climates and have a damned good idea when the should be changed. Considering how disastrous it can be if it happens it'd be nice if they could be definite and very public about the times.

Also for a supposedly modern engine, why can't they design something that has a decent interval for something so major? I mean if it is 4 years that's not very long.

60,000 km's sounds ridiculously short to me (that's what it is on my Vectra and that's only because it was a flaw in the engine design). I would expect at least 100,000 km's should be able to be designed into an engine. Otherwise use a sodding chain!

---------- Post added 08-02-2012 at 10:24 AM ---------- Previous post was 07-02-2012 at 12:18 PM ----------

Can I get opinions of these MTA inspection photo's? Of the Elegance 4x4 mentioned above. Dealer said, 'as good as you'll get' - excellent condition. How much do you reckon the flaws are worth knocking off my offer? Thanks.

Elegance 4x4 - a set on Flickr

[BluChris]

Hi wfdtamar - PM'ed a reply - you may have received it twice as it took time and I got logged out. Sorry if so. Short version - ask for more $ off to pay for refinish work and visible wear. Otherwise if not happy keep shopping. I'd agree with report - 7/10 (max).

There's also a Vic wagon on carsales and a SA wagon on Drive now but I suspect not for you - Vic: Ambiente 1.9 diesel, 2WD, DSG. On the other hand very low K's and from the photos appears very nice. 25K before haggling. SA: Elegance 2.0 diesel, 2WD, manual, ex-tour down under. 86K, private sale $18,500. Very limited photos.

[wfdTamar]

Wouldn't even consider the 1.9 unless it had something else I'm after (4x4) although HonestJohn.co.uk compares it favourably to the 2 litre.

Just asked a body shop what that sort of scratch would cost and they reckon up to $400 each panel that's affected because they need to do the whole panel and maybe blend it into the adjacent ones.

Won't buy it unless they go a fair bit lower - that worst ding could be pricey because it's gone right through. They could have saved themselves the MTA cost by doing better photo's and not BSing in the first place.

[wfdTamar]

Ok, I got the Elegance 4x4. They had it detailed before I got there (after the photo's I posted). Actually is much better than it looks in the photo's. Seats are fine (except for a bit of thread that's come out of the edge of the seat back). One small ding and a paint chip. The scratches almost all buffed out (one 30mm feint one left). Mechanically drives fine. Poshest car I've ever owned.

[BluChris]

Gotta love a happy ending