2014 Skoda Superb - anything I should know?

ToxicPaddy

Looking at a 2014 Skoda Superb for sale. It's got an DSG gearbox and is a 2.0 diesel. Reasonably low mileage, under 140k kms and had a single owner from new.

Are there any known issues I should look out for? Hoping to take it for a test drive next week.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

Toyotafanboi

Is it with a Skoda dealer?

Not too familiar with the Superb itself but with any VAG product of that era make sure the coolant is bright pink and the heaters are blowing strong hot air when the engine is at operating temp. The coolant systems did give a bit of bother, with the silica sludging the system. If the coolant is blackened or there is not hot air, it can be expensive and tricky to rectify.

The 2.0 in them is generally pretty decent, again like any VAG product the coolant pump will probably leak but you'll have no way to check that on inspection but at 140k kms I'd nearly factor the cost of replacing it into the price.

Some of them suffered from premature DPF failure, look at the tailpipe, the inside of the pipe should still be pretty much spotless, even at 6 years/ 140k. If the inside of the tailpipe is black or soothed this would indicate a DPF fault.

As with anything DSG, make sure there is no shuddering, vibration or chirping noises when taking off from standstill or between gearchanges, this would indicate a worn clutch pack. Get up and down through the gears as much as possible and make sure all changes are available and seamless.

Service intervals for the diesel could be every 15 or 30k kms depending on the owners preference and they are due a timing belt kit at 210k kms.

jmreire

ToxicPaddy wrote: »

Looking at a 2014 Skoda Superb for sale. It's got an DSG gearbox and is a 2.0 diesel. Reasonably low mileage, under 140k kms and had a single owner from new.

Are there any known issues I should look out for? Hoping to take it for a test drive next week.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

Generally Skoda are a very reliable car ( we have 4 of them in the family 2 x Octavia's a 2 x Superbs ) They are all manuals, and no problems. So for the DSG trans, I don't have any knowledge, either if they are good or bad. As Toyotafanboi says, the silicate in the coolant system can cause expensive problem's if the bag leak's silicate into the water system. All of ours are the 1.6 diesels, and they do what it says on the tin, but personally, I'd prefer the 2 litre engine. I'd try to get a diagnostic scan done on it before committing to purchase, it's one way of protecting yourself.

ToxicPaddy

Cheers for the info guys.

It's from a former Skoda dealer that gave up the dealership a few years back but kept specialising in Skoda and I know a few people that have dealt with them and have said good things about them so that definitely helps.

They are also offering a warranty and full service prior to collection.

I'll look at the few things pointed out, have some experience with DSG boxes so know what to look and listen for but limited experience with diesels so need to check out what you're saying.

I'll get a mechanic friend of the family to have a look before I buy.

manor

Brilliant car, had a 2012 Skoda Superb with 320,000km, no issues,. Traded in 2 years ago for a 2015 Superb estate DSG, have 159,000kms no issues, great car.

ToxicPaddy

Quick update, I did the deal today, all done n dusted. Got it for a great price and the car is spotless plus no issues with it. Took it for a good long test drive and had a good look under the bonnet, no issues found.

Collecting it next week and looking forward to the lockdown bring lifted so I can head down the country and give it a proper spin.

Thanks for all the advice guys, very much appreciated.

jmreire

ToxicPaddy wrote: »

Quick update, I did the deal today, all done n dusted. Got it for a great price and the car is spotless plus no issues with it. Took it for a good long test drive and had a good look under the bonnet, no issues found.

Collecting it next week and looking forward to the lockdown bring lifted so I can head down the country and give it a proper spin.

Thanks for all the advice guys, very much appreciated.

Good Luck with your purchase, and Welcome to Skoda Superbs.......:)

Belfast

FYI on DSG type gear boxes
if there is a tow bar I would avoid in as easy to damage the clutches towing.
I have Skoda Superb 2010 petrol manual gear box.
My sister drove several Skoda Superb as a commercial rap both the 1.6 and the 2.0 ideal with no problem, The ones she were manual gear boxes.

ToxicPaddy

Belfast wrote: »

FYI on DSG type gear boxes

Cheers for the info.

Thankfully I have no plans on towing, the car doesn't even have a towbar and my driveway is as flat as they get

Interesting video though, always good to get a little more info on different technologies etc. I did not know that a DCT and DSG were the say thing.

I learned long ago from family members. If you're towing, get a manual, never an auto, I think they learned from expensive mistakes over the years.

Green farmer

ToxicPaddy wrote: »

Cheers for the info.

I learned long ago from family members. If you're towing, get a manual, never an auto, I think they learned from expensive mistakes over the years.

I'm reading this thread with interest. I regularly tow 1.5 tonnes with an 12 year old manual bmw. Shes been giving me some issues recently,
so whenever the car dies, I intend replacing it with a few years old 2.0litre skoda superb because of the high towing capacity. Always thought the auto would be better for towing, but not so sure now, maybe a manual superb.

jmreire

Green farmer wrote: »

I'm reading this thread with interest. I regularly tow 1.5 tonnes with an 12 year old manual bmw. Shes been giving me some issues recently,
so whenever the car dies, I intend replacing it with a few years old 2.0litre skoda superb because of the high towing capacity. Always thought the auto would be better for towing, but not so sure now, maybe a manual superb.

I use an automatic ( 2010 MB E class 2.1 Automatic) for towing, and never a bother on it. Not so sure that I'd use a car fitted with a DSG box for towing though,,, mainly because I have never had one. But I'm sure that there are people here on the forum, who have cars with the DSG box fitted, and be interesting to hear what they have to say about it. The guy in the video seems to think that the danger time for towing with a DSG box is at very low revs...1st and reverse gear...because the clutches can be damaged,,,but as they are electronically controlled, unlike a manual pedal controlled clutch , I dont understand how this can happen, but then again, I dont have any experience with them. The MB tows fine..would prefer it any day over a manual transmission.

BOBIDGE

That's a good tip 're coolant.

Anything else to look out for?

Hoping to see this during the week:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-superb-ambition-1-6tdi-105hp-4/20100337?campaign=3

Will come with NCT and new TB. Prefer the bigger engine but this looks a clean example?

jmreire

BOBIDGE wrote: »

That's a good tip 're coolant.

Anything else to look out for?

Hoping to see this during the week:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/skoda-superb-ambition-1-6tdi-105hp-4/20100337?campaign=3

Will come with NCT and new TB. Prefer the bigger engine but this looks a clean example?

She's a fine solid looking car, and the 200.000 Klms would not bother me, plus it has Ambition specs. If you are happy with the deal, then go ahead with it. Moores will be giving a guarantee, I'm sure?. Have you given it a test drive? And asked them about the service history? If all that checks out, then personally,I'd go for it. We have 4 of them in the family, and so far, nothing major has happened.....we keep them all well serviced, which is more than half the battle. They are all the 1.6 TDI engine, and like you personally, I'd prefer the 2.0, but the 1.6 will do the job too.

jim-mcdee

used to have a 1.9 then a 1.6 as company car. both very good on mpg but dog slow its a heavy car, if your loaded in any way with a few passengers they struggle up hills quite badly i had to accelerate before a hill to get momentum up in order to avoid dropping gears. can be embarrassing to see a micra sailing past when you have your foot the floor and still dropping speed

BOBIDGE

jim-mcdee wrote: »

used to have a 1.9 then a 1.6 as company car. both very good on mpg but dog slow its a heavy car, if your loaded in any way with a few passengers they struggle up hills quite badly i had to accelerate before a hill to get momentum up in order to avoid dropping gears. can be embarrassing to see a micra sailing past when you have your foot the floor and still dropping speed

Yeah, speed, or lack thereof, is very noticeable. I think it will do for the time being.

The car I looked at is waiting for NCT. Drives well - new TB, WP and serviced. 6 months warranty. The only negatives being small chipped parts on alloys and a lot of surface rust on calipers.

jmreire

jim-mcdee wrote: »

used to have a 1.9 then a 1.6 as company car. both very good on mpg but dog slow its a heavy car, if your loaded in any way with a few passengers they struggle up hills quite badly i had to accelerate before a hill to get momentum up in order to avoid dropping gears. can be embarrassing to see a micra sailing past when you have your foot the floor and still dropping speed

Well, I can see where you are coming from, and I have driven Micra's, and in all fairness, they are a nippy little car and its easy to see how they could overtake the 1.6 Superb, travelling up a hill as you have described, and especially if its fully loaded. But overall, I'd take the Superb ( even the 1.6 TDi) over the Micra any day, if only for the comfort alone..in a Micra, you are driving all the time ( if that makes sense ) and its very noticeable on long drives....the Superb will just eat up the miles. Its a pity about the 1.6 TDi just being a bit under powered when it come's to hills etc. but it will still cruise all day long on the motorway at 120 KPH.