USED Skoda Octavia Hatchback (98 - 04)

My car

I have chosen the 1.8 Vrs as it is the closest to my car.I have brought a new 2.0PD Tdi VRs 170.I have given it good ratings however it has done 422 miles and is now off the road until November 2006.Skoda know there is a problem with this model but is still selling them even the demonstrator at my local dealership has now got the same problem as minei;e the glow plug module is faulty.Beware any one who wishes to buy one of these cars make sure it is fixed prior to collecting the car.However they have no parts to fix them at present.

My car

I listed my car as the 2.0 Elegance since this is the nearest to my actual car - it is in fact the 2.0 Tdi PD Elegance (140 bhp). On economy, I achieved 60 mpg on a trip from Dublin to Galway and back; I achieved 35 mpg towing a caravan weighing 1400 Kg from Salzburg (Austria) to Strasbourg (France); and my average arround central Scotland is 48 mpg. Performance is excellent though I would not recomend the Goodyear Eagle tyres in the wet - the traction control did not cope - I have replaced the front ones with Michelin Primacy. My only warrenty return was for a faulty CD player. I have now done more than 23,000 miles, and would recomend the latest Skoda to anyone, and do so regularly.

My car

The Skoda Octavia Ambiente TDI PD8V is my second Skoda (my wife is also on her second Fabia). My issues actually relate to the support you get from warranty and servicing. I bought through All Electric Group in Halesowen West Midlands. The main problems were headlights that filled with water (Goldfish bowls). I took the car in in March 06 and have (1st September 06) just had the problem resolved with new lamps being fitted. The garage managed to make a real hash by repeatdly ordering the wrong headlamps, then, when thaey had them in stock, failing to tell me. Currently I have a cruise control failure which requires a warranty replacement. As of today (8th September 06) I am on my second visit to the garage. The first one was abortive because they failed to order all the parts required and then did not know how to fit them.

My car

I bought my Octavia one year old and have now clocked up 30,000 miles. I reluctantly traded in my trusty Volvo after twenty years' faithful service and dreaded making the switch. I'm a very happy Skoda owner. So far there's not been a single glitch and the running costs are unbelievably modest, especially after the Volvo! I average 60mpg even in town. There's an amazing amount of usable space and although the seats are nowehere near as comfortable as the Volvo's leather armchairs, in almost every other respect this is a happy car to drive.

The latest model is even more impressive, especially in terms of comfort and sound proofing as I discovered when the garage leant me one whilst mine was being serviced! No hesitation in recommending Skoda to anyone.