USED Skoda Octavia Estate (04 - )

My car

I reviewed this leased car after around 1,000 miles or so & my opinions haven't changed after 16,000 miles. Everything works as it should and fit and finish is still excellent. One or two hits by flying stones that would have gone through to bare metal on my Mazda have barely made a mark on the Skoda. The clutch was a touch sharp at first and occasionally stalled the engine when setting off uphill, but that's long past. Towing a caravan gave 33mpg over 700 miles and enforced slower motorway travelling has occasionally given 72mpg over my 35 mile trip to work. Luggage space is enormous and tall passengers find loads of headroom and legroom. The car attracts many good comments about the quality looks and equpment, some people thinking it's a Passat. The dual zone climate control is great because I like to stay cool & my partner likes to be warm. The ultimate compliment was from my partner who threatened never to speak to me again if I got a Skoda (she didn't for 4 days), but she now wants me to buy one when the lease expires.

My car

I bought a four year old 1.9 Ambiente Estate from a dealer in Kent in July 07. It had done 70,000 miles and bar the usual marks and scratches seemed in reasonable condition. It can average up to 60mpg on some runs and it can carry plenty in the back. I had read so much about the reliability of the Octavia that I was quite surprised that the radiator failed at 73,000 miles (within the dealers warranty period) and even more surprised when the synchromesh on 2nd failed after only 76,000 (alas no longer within the dealers warranty). My running costs per miles driven are therefore running higher than anything else I've owned. My verdict (apart from envying all those who don't seem to have any problems with their Octavias) is that I would be vary wary of buying another second hand one - although without all the defects I would rate the car higher.

My car

I have owned a Skoda Octavia Elegance estate 1.9 Tdi for two years since new, and am so happy with the car, that I have now replaced it with another new 08 reg Skoda Octavia Elegance. It consistantly does over 60mpg, and has enough storage to haul the contents of a two bed flat! It would take a very great deal to steer me away from the Skoda Octavia. Even the new Mondeo is rubbish compared with it.

My car

I have had this car as a company car for the past 18 months covering close to 70 000 miles. As an engineer the boot is fully loaded for 90% of my driving and still returns an average of 48mpg.

The car comes well equiped for the cost in comparison with the other estates available.

My next car is due in 3 months and will definately be ordering another one. However I will probably go for the 2.0 diesel as the 1.9 lacks that extra overtaking power when fully loaded.