Newbie - buying advice MK1 Octavia VRS

[g-man85]

Hi guys, first post on this site since i'm selling current Arosa TDI to have a daily workhorse.

Within my budget the cars feature 100K+ miles, but is there anything specific to be warned about and anything specific to the Octavia's that I should bear in mind?

I know the waterpump and cambelt are needed every 60K, so 120K cars will need it doing but how are the clutches? Plus the interval and fixed servicing, but just don't want to end up buying a high miler but spend too much money servicing the high mileage when a lower mileaged example would prove more cost effective over the long run.

Any buying advice or links to buying guides would be most appreciated

[thebloyn]

Well im looking for an octavia VRS too, having had one before.
There are plenty round here for around £5k at 50-80k on the clock (51 plates) but ive seen one for £3.5k on a 53 plate with 100k miles. Now im normally one to disregard anything over 100k (not sure why, maybe its just the number) but the cars and engines are very reliable and its had 1 owner and all the services done on time so why not should i buy it, it seems a bit of a bargain (and worth a punt) as its way within my budget. Ive got a trusted independant garage round here should i need it and its had a recent cambelt and clutch yet friends are saying no dont touch with a bargepole, just because its done more miles.
So octavia vrs with 100k miles on the clock y/n

[DJM123]

Yes go for it! It will do plenty more than that as long as its looked after. Have seen some do 160 - 180k with little problems. Main things are as already said cambelt and water pump 4 yrs or 40k now i believe. Also I belive the suspension can be prone to wear but others on here will tell you more.

[DJM123]

Ex police car special offers - Direct sales of high performance used cars

Not sure mileage on the above example but is 05 car. Pic seems to be a library picture though but might be worth a look? Should have been well looked after.

[Lex Dysia]

I absolutley love my Vrs however if I had it to do again I would have opted for the 4x4 and put the Vrs kit on it. Shame Skoda didn't make the Vrs a rwd, would have been perfect

[pearce_jj]

You get what you pay for. If you want a 'daily work horse' honestly you'd be better off buying something new or at least newer. The 1.8T isn't known for it's efficiency and it only gets worse as it gets older too.

Problems you can expect - air con dead, rad/tyres/brakes/battery or course, cat, lamda, clutch if chipped, etc etc etc.

That's not to discredit them, just the same with any other motor at this mileage/age.