Faults:

Rear suspension lower spring holders corroded to the extent that spring burst through, causing car to list to one side - potentially very dangerous and a common problem according to the Skoda dealer. Replacement spring holders made from a different material and are thicker to avoid problem occuring again.

The car also does not like running in cold weather despite proper servicing - it has a tendency to cut out when warming up, or if engine laboured in traffic.

Recently discovered extensive rust in the lower corner of the rear windscreen, working its way through to the inside of the car very fast.

It has also somehow gone through three CV boots in the year I have owned it.

General Comments:

Generally a robust, hard wearing car in which Volkswagen's influence is obvious. It is certainly spacious, with a large luggage area and will comfortably seat five adults.

The only problem being that the engine may not be able to cope with the weight of these people and their belongings, on account of it being somewhat reluctant to propel the car at any decent speed. Attempts at hill climbing and hard acceleration are met by a raucous din from the engine, without much to show for it.

The unassisted steering is very heavy and ponderous and the car wallows through corners - it does not like to be hurried.

But clearly this is a vehicle that was not designed for racing. Instead it is a cunningly simple, straightforward family car which can turn its hand to most motoring situations without ever really disgracing itself in any of them.

A close look shows that this is a car designed with DIY servicing and repair in mind - under the bonnet, all is accessible and easily serviceable. The pushrod engine is well proven and uncomplicated, if noisy and underpowered, and fuel consumption is very good, with a 40mpg average.