]I might of been unlucky with the flunce. I've been driving an octavia the last two and a half years, bought it with very high mileage, 1.6 and haven't touched it. Only service. Opposite to John m.
Very little servicing in VAGs these days. Aside from topping up the screenwash the only fluids you need to touch are the engine oil (change with new filter every 20k is more than sufficient) and the brake fluid - change after 3 years and then every 2 years. Outside of that the pollen filter should be replaced every 60k - but I've always done mine at 40k 'cos I always have the cabin air on low - and the fuel and air filters every 90k. Piece of piss compared to all the bits and pieces that had to be done to older cars. The NCTS provide the annual inspection of steering, suspension, etc at a very reasonable rate.
I've only had the MKIII for a couple of months but I've already driven 10,000 kilos in her. Unlike the MKI and MKII I had to top up the engine oil by 640ml the other day. I only checked it because I was at it to change the brake fluid (it turned 3 this month) and a colleague told me they consume oil. The MKI and MKII never consumed more than 300ml between service intervals of 20k (so never required a top up) but this 1.6 engine seems to be completely different to previous VAG diesels e.g. despite being smaller it takes more oil (4.6L I think) than the MKII (3.8L). If/When the MKII consumes that amount of oil I'll switch it to the thicker 10W40 but that's not an option with the MKIII as the thinner 5W30 is specified for both fixed and variable service intervals so I'll just have to get into the habit of checking it every month with the screenwash, I guess.