In order for the purchased car not to become your headache and the ruin of the family budget, you should take its acquisition with all seriousness and responsibility, sparing neither time nor money.
First of all, figure out what you want. If you need comfort, buy a luxury car, and if you want the money invested to have material value, buy an American "cruiser", especially since its price will not scare you, and high fuel consumption will be compensated by low operating costs. If you are an amateur long trips and family holidays in the bosom of nature, the station wagon is what you need, and, believe me, your choice will not disappoint you. It is comfortable, roomy and modern.
It is best to opt for a mid-range car with a body type "LX" / "GL", they are well equipped and in demand, but do not be touched and do not lay out extra money for a variety of additional equipment, of which only the power steering and sunroof are really valuable. roof. Automatic transmissions can cause a reduction in the resale price, especially for smaller machines.
So, you have decided on the model. Now, slowly, proceed to inspect the car.
First of all, carefully study the registration documents: how many owners were there, do the registration and identification numbers of the car match the numbers in the documents? According to the vehicle passport, make sure that technical inspections were carried out and this is marked with the appropriate warranty seals. Check the authenticity of the identification number plate (bent ends of the plate and new and clean rivets are a sign that something is not right and it is better to refuse further inspection). If everything is in order, feel free to move on and proceed to the external examination.
Check the car for natural light, and not in a garage or a car dealership, so you can notice many differences in color shades.
The main question - was the car in an accident? If it stands on all four wheels, there are no badly fitted panels, differences in paint shades and traces of putty, the side members are not bent, the centering of the bumper and headlights is not disturbed, there are no traces of the old license plate, which means that the car has avoided an accident and no repairs have been made before.
If you peel back the window seals and compare the color underneath with car color, then you will know if the car has been repainted. Also pay attention to traces of painting under the arches, doors, suspension parts.
Coloring the electrical wiring and hoses in the engine compartment to match the body color is a sign of careless repair.
The fact that the car was looked after, you will be told by liquids and clean engine oil filled by level.
Little details like worn out protectors or bent discs are quite expensive to replace.
Sagging seats in the cabin, worn-out rugs and upholstery, squeaks, knocking and strange smells, rust and dampness in the trunk easily betray themselves. All these are signs of a long life, and getting rid of them is quite expensive.
Do not forget to check the operation of the central lock, fog lights, power windows. You don't need expensive minor repairs.
By rocking the wheels vertically and looking at the wear pattern on each tire, you can check the wear on the undercarriage of the wheels and learn a lot about the condition of the suspension and steering system.
Rock the car from every corner. So you check the health of the shock absorbers and the stability of the car on all four wheels, especially if it is a station wagon or a car equipped with a towing device.
After an external examination, proceed to check the main mechanisms.
Engine
With a cold engine, check the automatic air damper and starting the engine with fuel injection. Any engine, including a diesel one, should not make noise and quickly switch to a quiet ride.
With the engine warm, driving at low speed in high gear, check for wear crankshaft and bearings. There should be no rumble. Check the cylinder and valve surfaces for wear by operating the throttle. If blue smoke appears, a serious engine repair is required, black smoke is a sign of worn injectors and problems with the fuel mixture.
The temperature sensor must work reliably under any change in conditions (for example, while working on Idling). Remember to make sure that the electric fan turns off in time.
After warming up, the engine should run quietly and smoothly, even a diesel. Light tapping indicates wear on the valve train or camshaft. With a hot, idling engine, remove the filler cap and check for smoke and deposits. Also check for leaks. The oil pressure warning light should normally be off. If this is not the case, then it indicates wear on the crank mechanism or oil pump.
Transmission
First of all, check the clutch. Try to start in high gear with the handbrake firmly set. The engine should stop immediately. Then check the clutch engagement. If it happens at the very end pedal travel, this indicates clutch wear.
Gear changes must be sure and the operation of the gearbox must be quiet.
Automation should work smoothly and very accurately: if the gearbox does not want to smoothly shift up, then it is likely to wear out or bad adjustment. Check if the switch works properly from normal to sports mode. Gearboxes on all-wheel drive vehicles should run particularly smoothly when driving, although some "sag" should be expected on some models. Check the oil level in the automatic transmission. If it is low or the box is completely dry, we advise you to stop further inspection of this machine. Repair automatic transmissions labor intensive and expensive.
Must travel at least 30 km different roads to identify all the shortcomings of the car.
Be careful: if the car wobbles or moves to the side, at best it is an incorrect alignment, at worst, suspension or steering parts are bent.
Checking for play, shake the steering wheel to the sides. If you have power steering, be sure to make sure it is reliable at different speeds and loads. On front-wheel drive vehicles, turn the steering wheel to maximum angle to check the degree of wear of the CV ball joints, as indicated by the clicking sound.
Rumble or floating indicate wear on the shock absorbers and springs. Check the electronic shock absorber adjustment in different modes.
Carefully check the brakes at different efforts. If the car moves to the side, then it may be a sticky caliper. Disc wear is indicated by a jogging pedal. Also check the anti-lock braking system (when driving, the signal light should not light up, and vice versa when starting).
Having checked your chosen one in this way, think carefully about whether your impressions correspond to the indicated mileage and, having weighed all the pros and cons, decide. A qualified informed choice is a guarantee that the car will become your assistant and friend.
Some more tips
Once upon a time, all car buying guides indicated that wear on the pedal rubber was a good indicator of mileage. These days, this defect is too well known to be trusted, because the rubber on the pedals is easy to change.
upholstery in modern cars much more durable than the one installed ten years ago, but still the driver's seat wears out first. Examine the outer edge (it rubs when the driver gets in and out of the car) - it is from this that the age of the car is determined.
Check the operation and condition of all lamps and other electrical devices. Cracked headlight lenses are especially important - some of them can be very expensive.
The condition of a tire is a good indicator of mileage - the claimed 40,000 km with mismatched tires is highly suspicious! The cost of replacement can also be factored in, especially in the case of low profile and other special tires.
From the driver's seat, check the operation of instruments and controls - dangling handles, as well as smooth surface steering wheel rims indicate high mileage.
Buying a used car in Russia is becoming increasingly difficult. The market has the most different variants technology, among which the amount of so-called "auto junk" is increasing. This category should include cars with a mileage of more than 300,000 kilometers, as well as various designers, vehicles poorly restored after an accident. Skoda Octavia One of the once most popular cars in the C-Class, the A5 is on the market in huge numbers. This is a hardy and quite attractive car, which is presented in two versions. After restyling in the typewriter, the appearance of the optics and the interior were somewhat changed. Today we will talk about a specific modification of this car with interesting parameters and technical characteristics. This is Octavia A5 2.0 FSI MT.
This power unit has become one of the most enduring and reliable in the lineup, so we will talk about it today. If you decide to buy a used Octavia, then it is better to give preference to this particular decision. The car is actually worthy of attention, but it also has a number of interesting features worth talking about. Just like buying any other vehicle, you run the risk of buying not the best deals if you don’t take the car to the service station. Therefore, the best option for verification will always be diagnostics from specialists. This will help you make sure that the machine is worth the investment and can offer the most comfortable operating conditions. To check this car, you will have to spend a lot of time at the station, since technical part machines are quite complex and unusual. So, let's talk about how to choose the right machine with the right characteristics on the market.
Should I buy Skoda Octavia A5 2.0 FSI with mechanics?
Unlike traditional gasoline aspirated MPI series FSI engines has fairly modern features. Of course, you cannot count on the fact that since 2004 (it was then that the unit began to be used on the Octavia A5), the engine has retained its relevance and all the excellent characteristics. In fact, there may be a number of problems with this power plant. Let's look at the main technical features this configuration of the machine in operation:
- the 2.0 FSI power unit has 150 horsepower and is aggregated with a 6-speed mechanical box gears from VAG - this bunch works fine;
- acceleration to hundreds takes 9.3 seconds, so you don’t have to count on an incredibly dynamic ride, you need to take into account a rather long set of revolutions when switching;
- fuel consumption in the urban cycle according to the passport is 10.1 liters, on old cars you can safely add a couple more liters, and also consider your driving style;
- original 15-inch wheels, but in fact, branded wheels from VW with 205/55 R16 tires fit perfectly into the arches, these wheels look more impressive and beautiful;
- these cars were not sold in a bad configuration, so you will immediately find a number of nice extras in the car, which will be a good bonus when buying.
By the way, you can find station wagons with such characteristics. This expands the range of car selection, allows you to independently determine all important parameters car for your use. It is interesting that in most cases this transport today can be considered practical and has remained relevant to this day. Answering the question whether to buy today Octavia A5 with a 2-liter engine, we can safely say that this is a great idea.
We check the technical aspects - the main problems of the car
Before buying a car, you need to know what potential problems the purchase will bring with it. This is quite difficult to determine, since the car has unusual capabilities. For its generation, the machine turned out to be one of the most technically gifted. But today, at a good service station, you can check any car to the last bolt. At checking Skoda Octavia A5 should pay special attention to the following important points:
- engine diagnostics with the determination of the real mileage - these cars can often go up to 500,000 kilometers, but you should not buy a car with such a mileage;
- a full inspection of the chassis, in Octavia of this generation, repair of the chassis is quite expensive, so it’s better to immediately identify all the existing problems and problems;
- checking the operation of the air conditioner and all the comfort elements in the car, so as not to invest heavily in restoring their functions and returning comfort;
- interior inspection - avoid buying a car in which plastic and fabric interior parts are destroyed, this indicates not too careful operation of the car;
- checking the history of a car by VIN code - given the endurance of the car, there are often transport options on the market after a dozen owners, such transport is not worth buying.
The mileage issue should be resolved professionally. On the Skoda Octavia A5 2.0 FSI MT, you can easily twist the mileage, presenting the car on the market as practically new. So pay special attention to this moment and buy only really worthwhile equipment options. The mileage can be determined on the computer diagnostics of transport, at the same time you will learn everything about errors in the car's electrical network and on all sensors.
Which generation of Skoda Octavia A5 to choose for purchase?
There are two generations of A5 on the market. This is a car from 2004 to 2010, which is the base, as well as a restyling of 2010, which lived on the assembly line until 2013. The latter option, of course, will cost more for buyers, can offer more comfort in the interior and is perfect for you if you want a little more modern car. You should buy a restyled version for several reasons:
- on the market you can find options that are very worthy in terms of technical condition for 600-700 thousand rubles with excellent equipment and quite modern appearance all details;
- the mileage of these cars will be significantly less than that of most representatives of the previous generation, it is easier to check the car and see the real performance;
- everything is very different in the interior, in the generation after restyling there are more high-quality materials, the entire interior is more modern and beautiful, there are no unpleasant details;
- the equipment is somewhat better than that of pure-generation A5 cars, better optics, well-thought-out options for controlling some objects in the car;
- the year of manufacture itself will be at least 2010, which already significantly improves the feeling of operating the machine, this gives its advantages and will certainly show benefits in the future.
But there are charms in the pre-styling version of Octavia. In particular, a 2006 machine will cost about 450,000 rubles per good condition. Outwardly, these cars remain attractive to this day, their specifications turn out to be relevant. But when buying, you will have to spend money on a good diagnosis at the service station. Otherwise, you can buy a car after a taxi with a mileage of several hundred thousand kilometers and spend your money in vain.
What alternatives to the Skoda Octavia for 150 horses can be found?
To find alternatives, we will take the price range of 600-700 thousand rubles and look for similar C-class sedans in the category. We will limit the release year to 2010-2012 in order to maintain the price segment and get real Octavia competitors. Also consider that we are talking about a car with a good 150-horsepower engine and a manual transmission in order to understand the real price difference. This will help determine that the main competitors for the Octavia A5 today are the following car models:
- Opel insignia - a car even higher class, which in 2011 model year today it is sold from 650,000 rubles. This is a great competitor that deserves your attention when choosing a Czech liftback.
- Chevrolet cruze with 141 forces, it fits perfectly into the category of practical and simple sedans, the car is in the C-class, it has good technology, it drives well and looks very modern, the cost of a car in 2012 is 600,000 rubles.
- Toyota Corolla - one of the most powerful competitors, in the 2012 model year the machine will cost more than 650,000 rubles if you want to buy a decent engine, as well as a normal package;
- Mitsubishi Lancer the tenth generation of 2012 was also sold with a 2-liter power plant and 150 horses, the machine costs about 650,000 rubles in good condition, so it is also worthy of competition.
As you can see, it says a lot about the competitive environment and buying opportunities. alternative cars. But in fact, this is more a matter of taste than the choice of brands, models and capabilities. technical equipment. When buying a used car, we pay more attention to the condition and residual life of the vehicle than to its equipment advantages and the number of horses under the hood. Therefore, the choice becomes more difficult and not always pleasant. We offer you to watch a short video about the restyled version of Octavia:
Summing up
The difficulty of buying a used car is obvious. If you decide to give preference to the Skoda Octavia A5 with a 2.0 FSI engine for 150 Horse power and 6-speed manual, there is every opportunity to do this. The car costs from 400,000 rubles for the earliest years of production. In the restyled version, you will have to pay from 600,000 rubles and more. But we are not just talking about Octavia, but about a legendary car with excellent equipment. This engine can serve you for a long time and will please you with its capabilities if you choose a decent option.
Having stopped on a specific car, use the services of a car service. By using computer diagnostics and careful inspection, you can easily get the necessary information on the car and present all the data quite simply. Without this procedure, it is extremely difficult to hope that the car will be worthy on all fronts. It is better to take half a day to check before buying than to regret the money spent later. If you choose a good option machine, you can enjoy your purchase for a long time.
Once we asked our Autoguru what kind of used car from the “not too expensive and not too cheap” category he would choose. After some hesitation and calculations, he replied: "Of course, Skoda Octavia A5!".
A very expected answer, we thought. Since the Skoda Octavia A5 is considered one of the most popular models in your class. Despite the fact that the car has already been discontinued and is expected to new model from, we set out to find out why it is still in great demand among domestic motorists.
For "testing" we took the version of the Skoda Octavia A5, released before the restyling of 2008. Since it is these representatives of the Skoda brand that are the majority on secondary market.
Among the used Skoda, two modifications of the second Octavia generations: the liftback is the most common in Ukraine, and the Combi station wagon, on the basis of which an SUV was also created Octavia Scout, "armed" all-wheel drive 4x4, increased ground clearance and a protective body kit around the entire perimeter of the body.
Skoda Octavia A5 cars of 2004-2005 were mainly assembled in the Czech Republic, in subsequent years the assembly took place at the Eurocar plant in the Transcarpathian region. Anticipating the skeptical smirk of our readers, we note that many auto mechanics assure that there are no comments on the Octavia A5 Ukrainian assembly.
Appearance and interior
The bodies of this model are perfectly protected from corrosion. And the plastic shields that cover part of the bottom not only significantly improve aerodynamics, but also protect the metal from various damages.
Salon Skoda Octavia A5 is decorated without unnecessary design "bells and whistles" in a simple style inherent in all models of the VW concern. All controls are very easy and convenient to use, as they are placed in the usual places. The interior of the car is quite spacious, it can easily accommodate five passengers. The finish is made of high quality plastic. It is also worth noting such important advantages of the Skoda Octavia A5 as a high carrying capacity and a fairly roomy trunk.
Sometimes during operation there are problems with power windows: the guides can become dirty, and the glass does not rise to the end. In such cases, it is necessary to carry out preventive cleaning of the mechanism. There are also breakdowns of compressors and air conditioning. It happens that freon can escape through filling valves that have lost their tightness.
Under the hood...
It should be noted that among gasoline engines, the Octavia A5 engine is considered the most trouble-free. Most often there are 1.6-liter units. The 2 liter engine is equipped with such modern systems as direct fuel injection into the FSI cylinders and variable valve timing. There is also an ignition system with individual coils for each spark plug. Usually these systems work without problems, but sometimes due to low-quality fuel and untimely replacement spark plugs, individual coils break. There is one more trouble - factory corrugations can break off exhaust system, and in 2.0 L Fsi engines, the timing belt sometimes fails prematurely.
Among diesel versions the 1.9 liter engine is considered more reliable. Its 2 liter counterpart has a very thin partition between the cooling jacket and the exhaust duct, which can easily crack. Because the given place extremely difficult to brew, you have to change the cylinder head.
Weaknesses of the car Skoda Octavia A5
Due to the too large distance between the honeycombs in the bumper, flying stones sometimes break through the air conditioner radiator. The problem can be easily solved by installing an additional proprietary grille.
In the 5-speed "mechanics", which is used with a 1.6 liter engine, the shaft bearings sometimes fail. And after a run of 70 thousand km in rear suspension the stabilizer links are very worn out.
Conclusion: if you are not afraid of the frequent purchase of bearings, then this car is quite reliable and justifies its price. Oh, we regretted, if it were not for loyalty to environmentally friendly principles, who knows how our automotive fate would have developed ...
The previous Octavia in the back of the A5 was produced for nine years - from 2004 to 2013. And in the prime of her life - in 2008 - she underwent a serious modernization. From "Octavy" in the secondary market ripples in the eyes. There is nothing to be surprised - smart, spacious, and, mechanics add, generally reliable. Although it was not without technical punctures (and sometimes failures).
Which motor to choose?
If you count all the options for the Octavia engines, you get 19 pieces with a volume of 1.2 to 2 liters. But most of them are hard to find in Russia. The two-liter FSI with direct injection retired back in 2008, the fresh 1.2 TSI did not become widespread (our driver does not believe in such a volume), traditional Russian thinking prevented the diesel 1.9 TDI and 2.0 TDI from gaining popularity, quite reliable and durable. Approximately 90% of all cars - with one of the three most running engines. Let's dwell on them.
Skoda Octavia 2004
Skoda Octavia 2008
In terms of reliability, mechanics put in first place atmospheric 102-horsepower 1.6MPI with distributed injection. It is very popular in the "secondary", but you should not blindly take such an "Octavia". So, the motor does not have piston cooling nozzles, which can lead to breakdowns due to overheating. In addition, quickly - possibly by 40-50 thousand km - they wear out valve stem seals. This increases oil consumption, although the cylinder mirror remains without wear. It is better to change the caps together with the piston rings. Working with spare parts will cost about 10-11 thousand rubles (hereinafter - the prices of an unofficial service). The mechanics also note that the timing of this engine has been changed compared to the “ancestor”. The car became more cheerful, but a feature appeared - on idling the tachometer needle floats a little. You just have to get used to it.
There are almost no common and at the same time expensive breakdowns in the Octavia electrician. If they meet, then from the category of small, albeit unpleasant. There are malfunctions on 1.6 MPI engines throttle valve. The main thing is not to change the entire unit in haste, most often the problem lies in the electrical connector and wiring. Repair costs a penny
And what about those for whom 102 aspirated power is not enough? There are, it would seem, golden mean in the form of a 122-horsepower 1.4 TSI - the perfect combination of power and economy. But for new car. On the secondary, the engine gained notoriety. The destruction of the pistons in the motors of the SAHA series is not uncommon. Replacing the piston group with a modernized one will result in an amount of no less than one hundred thousand rubles. Oil consumption more than a liter per thousand? It's time to sound the alarm. For those who refueled anywhere, the problem manifested itself even at 30-40 thousand mileage. Improvements on the machines since 2011 have somewhat improved the statistics, but they have not completely solved the problem with excessive oil consumption.
Oil on air filter indicates the need to replace the oil separator of the crankcase ventilation system, which will cost 6-8 thousand. Also, the power supply system is not reliable. Often there is a problem with the high pressure fuel pump, which causes gasoline to enter the crankcase. A foreign knock will help diagnose a malfunction in time. The issue is being resolved by replacing the pusher for 2,500 rubles or the entire injection pump for 15,000.
Among other problematic parts on 1.4 TSI - hydraulic timing chain tensioner. Due to the unsuccessful design of the latter, a jump occurs, which can lead to disaster. There was an extraneous knock - a bullet in the service. Few people managed to drive more than 75,000 km without replacing the node. A chain with a hydraulic tensioner, guides, a damper and gaskets will cost 10-12 thousand rubles, and work - another 8-10 thousand. In addition, 1.2 and 1.4 TSI engines warm up for a long time in winter, especially with a seven-speed DSG - we talked about this in the material.
Motors 1.8 TSI with a power of 152 hp more reliable, although they are also famous for their increased oil appetite - two or three liters between replacements. Since 2011, modernized piston groups have also been installed on them. Yes, and similar troubles with the oil separator and hydraulic tensioner happen. Here are just some of the costs are significantly higher. For example, a timing chain with components will cost from 21 to 27 thousand, and work - about seven. You should definitely listen to the engine in any modes. Knocks during a cold start often indicate the imminent death of the valve timing regulator (from 30 thousand).
Plus, on turbo engines can not avoid problems with boost. The only question is time. With proper operation, the turbine may not cause problems up to 150,000 km. A sure sign that the time has come for a repair is a loss of traction, especially noticeable in high gears. There are many reasons: various valves, actuators... Or maybe it's time to change the turbine itself. Accordingly, the costs are of a completely different order - from 4500 to 120 thousand rubles.
For some important work, such as replacing the timing chain, mechanics advise not to save money and install original spare parts, especially since the difference in costs is not so significant. But there is also a huge spread. For example, the price range for steering rack from 40 to 100 thousand
DSG, automatic or manual?
Really reliable at Octavia only mechanics, which usually does not remind of itself up to a hundred thousand mileage. The classic machine is also faithful to the owner for a long time, but it initially came only with a weak 1.6 engine. True, since the end of 2011, it has also been prescribed to the powerful 1.8 after numerous sad cases with DSG. The easiest way to identify such machines is by the gear lever - for robots, the abbreviation DSG is engraved on it. But weakness the automatic transmission still has it. Often the heat exchanger “flies” (15-20 thousand), because of which the box stops shifting to higher gears. A big plus when buying, if the previous owner was puzzled by installing an additional radiator.
Whether it's DSG ... A seven-speed robot with dry clutches at the dawn of its life received a solid "deuce" from mechanics for reliability. After passing only 20-30 thousand kilometers, some "Shkodov" changed the clutch! Distinct jerks and vibrations, especially in low gears, speak of a “dying” node. Who did not attach importance to this discomfort, reached the point of replacing the mechatronics, which costs 85 thousand rubles. There are people who up to 150 thousand changed the clutch three (!) times, but in general, a box almost never lives up to 200 thousand. By the way, up to 150 thousand or five years operating Skoda over time increased the warranty on the DSG. But if it is over, then you will have to lay out 45 thousand for a clutch repair kit, plus 10 thousand for work.
Less worried about the six-speed "wet" DSG on powerful machines, where double clutch works in an oil bath. Albeit less often, but the owners of cars with such boxes still visited the service with the same problems. In the VW concern, the box is constantly being finalized, and now it is no longer so weak. But on Octavias older than three years, anyway, DSG causes too many problems.
What other problems?
Otherwise, the second "Octavia" can be considered a model of reliability. At one time there were, of course, other malfunctions. For example, a pump whistle or a difficult cold start due to grease freezing in the starter retractor relay. But, in the vast majority of cases, these and other shortcomings were eliminated under warranty by the first owners a long time ago.
Suspension shouldn't be a problem. Until the first "hundred", as a rule, the owners are limited to replacing bushings and stabilizer struts. For everything about everything, you will have to pay around 3-4 thousand. Although, of course, there are children's sores. Of these, weak thrust bearings can be noted. When the wheels turn, a characteristic creak appears due to clogged sand or dirt - this is about two to three thousand work .. Most offers for pre-styling versions fit into the framework of 250,000 - 450,000 rubles. Updated "Octavia" - already completely different price category 400,000 - 750,000 rubles.
Alternative
Those who aim to buy the Octavia A5 often look at the fifth Volkswagen Jetta (350,000 - 500,000 rubles), the fifth or sixth Golf (300,000 - 700,000), the Volkswagen Passat B6 (380,000 - 700,000). Comparable in price competitors among sedans and hatchbacks of other concerns, as a rule, are cheaper, but inferior in size. For example, Opel Astra can be found for 250,000 rubles, and for 650,000 - under warranty. Three year old chevrolet cruze for 400,000 rubles? Easily! For the same money big choice four- and five-year-old Kia cee "d and Ford Focus. All of these models have an advantage of 100,000 - 150,000 compared to comparable Octavias. In turn, the Japanese Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic are roughly in the same price range of 380,000 - 700,000.
Most ReliableSkoda Octaviaare versions 1.6MPIand 1.8TSIon the handle or with a classic machine. turbocharged cars withDSGit is worth taking only “young”, and you will have to watch them carefully.
We express our gratitude to the technical center "Master-Motors" for their help in preparing the material.
Alexey Golikovsky