Used Skoda Octavia Hatchback 2013-2020 review
The Skoda Octavia is comfortable, spacious and a terrific used buy. It also has a good reputation for reliability.
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What's the used Skoda Octavia like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Alternatives
Reliability
George Hill
Updated: 27 August 2025
How we test cars
What's the used Skoda Octavia like?
The Skoda Octavia is the brand's best-selling model worldwide. With great popularity comes great responsibility, of course, so when this third-generation model was introduced in 2013, its push slightly upmarket was seen as a bit of a gamble.
It soon paid off, though, with healthy sales and a rapid rise in the Octavia's reputation as a sensible, practical family hatchback that can hold its own against premium rivals such as the Audi A3 and VW Golf. Indeed it was so successful it lasted right the way through – with the help of one facelift in 2017 – until 2020 when it was replaced by a larger and all-new fourth-generation version.
Overview
The Skoda Octavia is one of the best used family cars you can buy, being affordable, comfortable and spacious. It also has a very good reliability record.
Pros
- Smart, spacious and practical interior
- Cheap to buy and run
- Good reliability record
Cons
- Not as comfortable as a Golf
- Entry-level S trim is a bit basic
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Skoda OCTAVIA
1.6 TDI Elegance Euro 5 5dr
RRP £17,417
£1,295
Skoda Octavia
1.4 TSI Elegance Euro 4 5dr
£1,495
Skoda Octavia
1.6 TDI Elegance Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£1,495
Skoda Octavia
1.6 FSI Ambiente Tiptronic Euro 4 5dr
£1,499
Skoda Octavia
1.6 TDI S Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£1,590
Skoda Octavia
1.9 TDI Ambiente SE 5dr
£1,695
Skoda Octavia
1.6 MPI SE Euro 5 5dr
£1,699
Skoda Octavia
1.6 TDI Elegance Euro 5 5dr
£1,790
Skoda OCTAVIA
1.9 TDI Ambiente Euro 4 5dr
RRP £13,554
£1,800
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Engines and performance: The Octavia features a range of familiar Volkswagen Group engines. These include a 113bhp 1.0-litre petrol, a 148bhp 1.4-litre petrol (later replaced with a 1.5-litre), a 113bhp 1.6-litre diesel and a 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel. More explosive Skoda Octavia vRS versions are also available, in either petrol or diesel form.
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All of the engine options deliver adequate performance and are capable of 0-62mph in less than 10 seconds, although the larger units are more flexible and better-suited to motorway cruising and cross-country driving.
That aforementioned facelift in 2017 brought a more distinctive nose with quad headlights, though there were few other design changes. More equipment was added to each model, though, while the 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre petrol turbos were replaced by 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre engines respectively.
Ride and handling: The Octavia's ride isn't quite as smooth as that of the Golf, but it's still very comfortable, and heaps better than many rivals'.
And while it's no sports car, it nevertheless handles very tidily; responsive steering and well set-up suspension mean the Octavia changes direction fast and always feels composed, and there's more than enough grip on offer too.
Interior and practicality: The interior falls short of being truly premium (perhaps unsurprisingly, given it doesn't bare a truly premium badge), but it's a step above most mainstream rivals, such as the Seat Leon. There are plenty of soft-touch materials and the switchgear feels relatively classy.
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While the Octavia shares a platform with its Volkswagen Group siblings, it has been lengthened to provide superior interior and boot space. Indeed, there’s very little to touch it in the space and practicality department; there’s plenty of head and leg room inside and a huge boot that offers more than enough luggage room for a family.
Trims and equipment: There’s a choice of models, too, ranging from the entry-level S up to the posh Laurin & Klement, which comes kitted up to the hilt. In between, you'll find SE, SE Technology and SE L are the most popular versions; the former gets dual-zone climate control and front fog lights as standard, while SE Technology adds an upgraded touchscreen sat nav and, in later cars, automatic emergency braking. SE L, meanwhile, adds snazzier Alcantara seat trim and privacy glass.
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"At this price point, I struggle to find anything that can faze the Octavia's high level of practicality and comfort. It's the ultimate all-rounder." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor
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Interested in buying a used Skoda Octavia? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.
Tips & Advice
How to test drive a car
There’s no substitute for a test drive in a new car. Take it on a variety of roads and surfaces to ensure it measures up.
Make sure you’re insured for the test drive
Short-term car insurance – also called test-drive insurance – will ensure you’re legal when you’re shopping for your next car
Will the car fit your needs?
As part of the test drive, fill the car with regularly-carried luggage, and make sure the family can get comfy before you buy
Ownership cost
What used Skoda Octavia will I get for my budget?
You can buy a used Skoda Octavia for around £2500 if you don't mind astronomical mileage and/or previous damage. However, we recommend a budget of around £7000 to start off with, that way you'll have a choice of a few respectable examples. It'll likely be 2017/2018 model in the popular SE, SE Technology or SE L trims.
Later models, from the 2017 facelift up until 2020, go from around £7000 to £11,000, depending on your desired specification.
Check the value of a used Skoda Octavia with What Car? Valuations
Find used Skoda cars for sale
How much does cost to run a Skoda Octavia?
MPG
The diesel-engined cars are, unsurprisingly, the most economical – but not by as huge a margin as you might think. Having said that, the 1.6 TDI engine helps the Octavia achieve a combined fuel consumption of 68.9mpg, under the old NEDC tests, or 57.7mpg under the newer, tougher WLTP tests, while the 2.0 TDI 150, which is one of our favourite engines, achieves 65.7mpg, or 56.5mpg under the WLTP.
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The 1.0 TSI 115 three-cylinder petrol engine is a more recent addition to the range, but this sprightly performer can returns a combined 58.9mpg under the NEDC, and 52.3mpg under the WLTP. The 1.4 TSI 150 petrol engine can return a figure of 54.3mpg, while the latest 1.5-litre engined Octavia averages 57.7mpg, or 51.4mpg under the WLTP tests.
CO2 emissions
Not all engines were available before the April 2017 tax changes, so we're concentrating on the ones that are here. The 1.6 TDI has the lowest figure of 99g/km, while our preferred 2.0 TDI puts out 117g/km. The best petrol is the 1.0 with 104g/km. Pay attention to which 1.4 petrol you have because the 148bhp version has lower emissions (118g/km) compared with the 138bhp model (121g/km).
The slow-selling 1.2 and 1.8 petrols put out 114g/km and 141g/km, respectively.
Road tax
Annual car tax (VED) is based upon CO2 emissions for cars registered before April 2017, and is charged at a flat rate for cars registered after that date. This is currently £200 per year.
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Servicing
Servicing is cheaper than many rivals and Skoda has a fixed price scheme for cars over three years old where an oil change is £184, along with periodic intervals for the air filter (£45), pollen filter (£35) and - where equipped - diesel fuel filter (£59).
It’s worth noting that all diesel Octavias and most petrols have a timing belt that needs to be replaced every five years at a Skoda dealer at a cost of £449. In addition, it makes sense to replace the water pump at the same time.
Insurance
Insurance costs are slightly cheaper than an equivalent Volkswagen due to Skoda’s cheaper repair costs.
Reliability
The Skoda Octavia (2013-2020) earned mixed feedback in our latest Reliability Survey, based on real-world owner reviews.
Many owners praised their cars for strong dependability, with one clocking over 100,000 miles without issue. However, others experienced faults – most commonly with diesel models – ranging from faulty parking sensors to intermittent warning lights and infotainment glitches.
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Servicing also drew varied responses. Some owners praised fast, efficient dealer support, while others complained of delays, poor communication and costly repairs that didn’t always solve the problem first time.
Discover more about Skoda Octavia reliability on our dedicated page.
Tips & Advice
Organise your motoring life
Whether you need to keep tabs on your insurance renewal, sort breakdown cover, or book a service, My What Car? has you covered
Never miss a motoring date
Remembering to arrange insurance, book a service or buy breakdown cover can be a pain. Fortunately, My What Car? is here to help
Can I buy a car with cash?
Paying cash isn’t always an easy way to a new car – and you may not be able to get the big discounts you might expect
Protect your investment
GAP insurance allows you to get the full price for your car if it’s stolen or written off, but only a quarter of Brits buy it
Reduce your car finance bills
Refinancing your car effectively means taking out one loan to pay off another, which could help reduce your monthly payments, or reduce your finance term
What is hire purchase?
Hire purchase allows you to make monthly payments to buy your next car – although these will be higher than with a PCP
What is PCP finance?
Low monthly payments are key to the appeal of Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements. But are there downsides?
Our recommendations
Which used Skoda Octavia should I buy?
Engine
If you can stretch to one of the newer, 1.0-litre or 1.5-litre engined cars, we reckon these are the best balance of punch and fuel economy. However, they're still rare and relatively pricey, so for most budgets, the older 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre engines will do just fine. The latter is our favourite, as it was far more popular when new and so is now easier to find on the used market; what's more, it offers a great balance of efficiency, performance and smoothness. If you do enough miles to require the fuel efficiency of a diesel, the 2.0 is the one to have, as it's smoother and punchier than the 1.6.
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Specification
Almost any version of the Octavia will be satisfying to own, but we like the SE best of all. Mind you, if you're flush with cash and buying a later model, an upgrade to the SE Technology version isn't such a bad idea.
Our favourite Skoda Octavia: 1.5 TSI 150 SE
Tips & Advice
Which smartphone integration should I have?
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fantastic – and free – technologies. Here we show you the benefits, drawbacks and best apps
Avoid ULEZ and clean-air zone fines
If you regularly drive into a clean air zone, you’ll want to ensure your next car is compliant to avoid costly fines
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used Skoda Octavia?
Cheaper Octavias find themselves up against the Vauxhall Astra, a ubiquitous but pleasant hatch that’s good to drive and comes with a practical interior. Entry-level versions can be a bit sparse and the diesel engines can be gruff. On top of that, the low-speed ride is a little firm.
The Ford Focus is great to drive, with a smooth and quiet Ecoboost engine in some versions and low running costs. Some of its rivals are cheaper to buy, however, and the Octavia offers more space and more kit, and also feels better-made.
The VW Golf shares its underpinnings with the Octavia, despite being a shorter and less capacious car. It’s brilliant to drive, well equipped, refined and comparatively cheap to run. On the other hand, it’s not as roomy inside as the Octavia and the interior is a little dreary.
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If you'd like to buy a used Skoda Octavia, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our Used Cars For Sale pages
Skoda Octavia owner reviews
Sort by: Most Recent Star rating
RICHARD MATHEWS
Skoda Octavia 1.5 petrol estate
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing
Nov 3, 2025 8:49 PM
Bought used. Within the short warranty period, there was a fault with the cruise control - It randomly switched itself off. Potentially dangerous on the motorway. However, the nation wide dealership eventually let me take the car to a Å KODA main dealer. This was fixed, successfully, within the next 3 weeks. All is now working as it should. I do enjoy the LED headlights, but I am dazzled by similar lights on SUVs and posh vans which seem to be set too high. Fuel consumption is a little worse than I expected. On motorways the car cruises beautifully at national speed limits.
Anonymous
Skoda Octavia 2.0 petrol estate
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
Jun 17, 2025 1:48 PM
Fast,comfortable, reliable
Alan
Skoda Octavia 1.5 petrol estate
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
Jun 16, 2025 2:01 PM
Not small not large just perfect, good engine and mechanics. Comfortable and easy to drive
Christopher Bell
Skoda Octavia 2.0 petrol estate
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing
Jun 16, 2025 12:58 PM
This is my 4th Skoda in succession. I find Skoda very reliable. I like their presence. My Octavia vRS has 245 bhp and is quick, which is what I like. It's a very comfortable, spacious car with huge boot space.. it's Inffontaknment/Navigation system is very good.
John
Skoda Octavia 1.6 diesel hatchback
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
Jun 1, 2025 11:01 PM
Had Octavia for 6 years now and it's been a great car. My first Skoda and will be happy to have another
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How reliable is the Skoda Octavia ?
Skoda Octavia
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Used cars available now
In partnership with
Skoda OCTAVIA
1.6 TDI Elegance Euro 5 5dr
RRP £17,417
£1,295
Skoda Octavia
1.4 TSI Elegance Euro 4 5dr
£1,495
Skoda Octavia
1.6 TDI Elegance Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£1,495
Skoda Octavia
1.6 FSI Ambiente Tiptronic Euro 4 5dr
£1,499
Skoda Octavia
1.6 TDI S Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£1,590
Skoda Octavia
1.9 TDI Ambiente SE 5dr
£1,695
Skoda Octavia
1.6 MPI SE Euro 5 5dr
£1,699
Skoda Octavia
1.6 TDI Elegance Euro 5 5dr
£1,790
Skoda OCTAVIA
1.9 TDI Ambiente Euro 4 5dr
RRP £13,554
£1,800
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: George Hill
Title: Used car writer
Follow George Hill on
George Hill first joined the What Car? team as a staff writer in 2021, before becoming a used car writer in 2024 and a reviewer in 2026. In his current role he writes new car reviews for What Car? magazine and whatcar.com.
If you follow What Car? on social media, you might see him presenting the odd video on new cars too.
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