I am retiring in January next year, my current company (lease) car (Skoda Octavia L&K Estate 20. DSG) expires when 4 years old in December. Mileage at that point will be around 32,000.

I am considering buying the car from the leasing company, running it for 4-5 months before having my retirement 'present' (a Jaguar XF!). I don't really want to get the Jag just before winter.

I'm not too worried about the cost, I realise I will loose money on the deal but I will need a car in December (another company car is not an option).

The Skoda has been 100% reliable, it has been to the garage twice - once for a service, once for its first MOT, but as it gets older, what is the likelihood of problems starting? (Flywheel? DSG box? brakes?).

Second service is due in October (while still under lease), and MOT late November. The majority of the milage has been done on long runs of 100-200 miles, plus some short local trips (although we tend to use my wife's Focus petrol for local things).

I like the Skoda, it is a great car to cover distances, economical (averaging 43mpg).