We are in the planning/research stage of buying a used car. Our tatty Stilo is 10 yrs old and we are ready for a change (80,000, trouble free miles by the way).

Being a tightfisted Yorkshireman I’m drawn to the Octavia estate and like the look of the Vrs diesel but I know very little about which engines or cars to avoid.

Does the CR in CR Vrs denote the engine.

We’ll be buying as new & as lower mileage as possible. If the newer engines are any good, we’ll then keeping it till it’s done 150,000 at least. My T4’s just clicked 150,000 and I’m aiming for another 100,000 on that.

Anything I should avoid or anything else I should consider? It’s for the missus and her requirements are ‘it’s got to be an estate’ & ‘I’d like silver or grey’.

Not in a rush to buy, the Fiat will do another year…hopefully.

does it mean Common Rail? (to do with the diesel-ness of the engine)

We have a 61 octavia estate. Ours is a 1.4tsi. Hope this helps.

The good
– very comfy and nice to drive
– lots of passenger room
– very pokey
– great for long journeys
– good equipment (we have an se plus)

The bad
– only get 42mpg. Deffo get a diesel. I’m pretty hacked off with the crap fuel consumption
– check the rear seats fold flat. They don’t in our model and it’s a right pain
– I don’t think I the boot is that big. We have a jazz and it’s design means we almost get as much in that

But million pound question is would I get another? Yes, but diesel

Err – “very pokey” and 42mpg in a big car sounds good, doesn’t it??

The 42mpg is me driving sensibly. If it’s poked (missus) all the time it get mid 30s to low 30s.

It’s pokey in that it has a lot of go if you need it.

I’m pretty hacked off with the crap fuel consumption

Thats good!

Deffo get a diesel

Only if you do the mileage to justify it and are prepared to accept potentially big bills with high pressure common rail parts, EGR, particulate filters, dual mass flywheels etc.. particularly if as you say it’s a keeper.

Running 58 plate Octavia VRS Estate and have put about 10k miles a year on it over about 4 years. Did plenty of research before buying and concur with comments about drive comfort and handling, which are good.

Driving the A roads of Scotland with a steady right foot, it would return 50 mpg, though now frequently have roof fitted bike rack which obviously increases consumption.

It has been reliable and has only suffered from the DPF problem (which is common – have a look online) and though the local garage didn’t have a clue how to resolve and the Manchester Skoda dealers were very unhelpful, David Herd directed us to an electrical specialist in Salford. Diagnosed as faulty sensor and cured for £170, which actually turned out to be a relief.

Bad points are boot floor is not flat (lip at rear) so not great for sitting and chilling post ride, 18″ alloys and sports tyres fitted were abysmal on snow – not really a surprise – so had a set of steel wheels and winter tyres for Nov to April. Factor winter wheels into cost.

Was thinking of getting a van but reluctant to part with the Skoda. Hope this helps.

You say 42 is good but even on a long motorway journey (used to travel from Oxford to Warrington a lot) it only gets 44mpg, which I don’t think is that good really. And only driving at 70-80.

Anyway they are good cars and I think they would be a good buy.

It all helps, good & bad 🙂

Ta.

I love mine. It’s an ace car. Rapid when you want it and economical when you want. Can fit loads in it. Diesel only any good if you so the mileage. Petrol vrs is a hoot though. We have an older diesel vrs and can easily fit 2 adults 2 kids in kids seats, a dog and stuff for a self catering week away no problem. Bikes in the roof if we’re taking them and it’ll still shift along at a brisk pace with good mpg.
Egr and dpf have potential to be an issue but if it happens it happens. It’s been great so far.

As a Octavia estate owner and previous Mondeo owner, I would look at Mondeos as well.
We have the 2.0 petrol 4×4, so that doesn’t help you but overall the Mondeo was a nicer car. The Octavia certainly isn’t a bad car though and the VRS gets all the toys, which might make the difference.

My VRs was a sensor popping nightmare.

Ex dem, 400 miles on the clock when I got it, 49,000 when I got shut of it 2 years later.

It was seen by 8 RAC man in that time. 😯

Always a sensor going wrong, all fixed under warranty but what a pain in the butt!

It was the CR diesel engine BTW.

Jason – we’ve just (Friday just gone) got rid of our Octy vRS estate. It was an early mk2 (2006) petrol and we’ve had it for just over 3 years which is a record for us. It was a good car. One thing I will say is they’re over hyped. Compared to a VW, Audi, BMW, even newer Fords I looked at they weren’t very well built. Perfectly fine but not brilliant. Fuel economy even on the petrol wasn’t too bad and the engine never gave us any problems. The only issues in over 3 years of ownership were the MAF sensor fell off (thank god for zip ties) and the rest was just consumables – tyres and brake pads and it did like a drink of oil. Regularly.

So mechanically fine. Build quality average. I didn’t really get on with the seats – couldn’t ever get really comfortable in them vs my old Mondeo with its big heated leather armchairs up front!

Where it did excel though was the space. For a small’ish car the boot was absolutely massive. Look at the sizes – I think its actually bigger than an A6 estate!! Rear leg room is slightly compromised as a result though.

Overall though, a good car, just not a great one. When we were looking to replace it we looked hard at another Octavia and actually put a deposit down on an Octavia Scout but then decided it wasn’t quite right.

One other thing is that the hatcback boot is exactly the same size as the estate (but obviously without the head room) if that sways the bosses thoughts on estates…

Oh and the vRS doesn’t get all the toys – some of them are pretty poorly specced. If you want something pretty loaded out the factory look at an L&K.

Cheers Dave, we haven’t totally discounted Mondeo’s either. I’ve also got mate with a 2yr old A4 Avant Executive (148bhp) that he’ll want rid of at some point but the cost of fixing Audi’s scares me!

I asked a friend, who just happens to be one the founders of Briskoda

Can’t offer much knowledge on the mk3 octy tbf…

the CR 170 is a lovely engine in a “big hearted creamy” kinda way, not sure it’s sporty enough for the VRS tag tbh

It’s not slow, but it’s not exciting

There was a PD version before the CR version, narrower torque band but felt a bit punchier I believe.

I’ve had 3x Mk1 octavias, now in a CR170 Superb. The engine is very creamy and quick, but not exciting – although it is coupled to a DSG in mine.

Sister of a friend has a PD140 Octavia Scout and it chugs along / puts up with all abuse, but it does rattle a lot more than the CR units.

Ref economy, the Superb is heavier, but I see 50 easily on Motorway use, 55 with a little effort, and 60 if I really can’t be bothered breaking 70.

I’m selling the Superb, but it’s a (huge) hatch so probably of no use. We’ve always put bikes on the roof / towbar (family of five)

Cougar – Moderator
I asked a friend, who just happens to be one the founders of Briskoda

..and I resemble that friend.

Well, that could’ve saved me some cutting and pasting. (-:

Just re-read my post above. Whilst in our ownership I just thought the general creaks and squeaks the interior made were normal. Only when we started looking at replacements for it did I realise how poorly put together in comparison with other cars they were.

That said, the newer Scout we were going to buy was a very, very nice car and felt much more solid. That was a 2010 car though so it may have felt the same as our old one a few years down the line…

I have a 2010 1.9tdi estate 4×4. 130k on the clock. Had two amjor accidents in it. Sill going strong. Had a clutch at 100k. Other than that you can’t kill it (ive tried)

My girlfriend has had a 60 plate Octavia VRS 2.0 CR170 from new. The car is knocking on the door for 90k miles now after 3 years.
There was a recall at some point early on for something I can’t remember.
Other than that it’s just been serviced and hasn’t had a single thing go wrong.
Her driving is a lot of motorway miles and economy seems to sit around 55mpg.
Very spacious boot.
She had an A6 before and prefers the Skoda.

Cheers folks, sounds good so far. I’d better start saving!

I’ve got a 59 plate VRS estate. Bought 10 months ago with 95k, since done 12k ish miles with only a cheapish aux water pump failure. I love it.

Common Rail engines replaced the PD diesel engines in 2009: PD engines seemed to suffer a lot of DPF issues but CR engines largely trouble free. mpg anywhere between 45 and 60mpg depending how I drive.

Fairly basic spec on most VRS compared to a lot if similar cars: xenons, heated seats, auto lights and wipers etc are relatively rare. Likely to get a lot more with a Mondeo or Mazda 6 which I also looked at (they are a bit bigger too). I also didn’t get on with the seats: very aggressive side bolsters which hurt my legs (same seats as you get on a Golf though). Seats are part leather, part fabric, part silver alcantara stuff which does not suit an outdoor lifestyle! There are a fair few with black leather though which might be worth searching out.

Good support through briskoda.net but can suck you into the modding game: based on the VW Golf so loads of upgrade bits available!

All those ‘extras’ you don’t get are less to go wrong as it gets older 🙂

can’t add much…but I oredered a new vrs tsi 220 in mid december….another 14 weeks or so to wait. I’m excited 😀

Mechanically good cars but like with all Skoda’s they’re pig ugly.

I looked at Octavia Estates not long back. Never got the VRS thing with them as it just a dull estate car with bigger alloys and a bit more poke, but with less equipment.

I drove a 1.4 tsi which is only fractionally slower than the diesel VRS. It drove ok, but was quite frankly dull to drive. They handle ok but nothing more. I’d go for an elegance with more toys over a VRS any day.

Have you considered a Seat Leon ST? Same platform, but looks nicer, and better suspension set up too.

I would agree that looking with looking at a Mondeo as they drive better.

How are you going to buy? PCP/Lease/HP?

If the first 2, then a BMW 3 series touring may not work out much more expensive. I will be getting a 3 series touring in March, which IMO is a car in a different league to the Skoda.

We got a mk2 in 2006 with a few hundred miles on clock. 4×4 1.9Tdi – 105PS – no racer/looker I’ll concede that.

It has however been a great servant. Without roof bars and taking it easy 60mpg achievable. These days with bars on full time and less time to spare I’m happy with 50mpg and never see less than 45mpg. That’s driving 50% A roads 50% B roads in rural Aberdeenshire mainly.

160,000miles reached last week and have only ever had to replace parts due to wear & tear (mainly brakes and shocks). Guess it’ll need another timing belt soon…

(Also had two deer impacts to deal with but can’t blame that on the car…)

With steel wheels and winter tyres it’s yet to be stopped by the snow (apart from in extreme cases in the those bad winders 2-3 years ago when it was so deep only tractors with ploughs could get anywhere!),

Body work pretty ropey now but no surprise given amount of salt it sees up here, and the fact I’ve only cleaned it maybe once a year…

I expect to run it in to the ground if that is less than 200,000 miles I’ll be very disappointed. After that quite likely I’d buy another which I suppose says a lot. This time I think I’d get a late mk2 scour or higher PS 4×4 with a few more miles on the clock so I get hit less by initial depreciation.

If you want a cheap (i.e. not A4 quattro) diesel 4×4 estate the options are limited, which is one reason I’d probably get another. As 4×4 doesn’t seem to be requirement for you there are plenty of other good options but I’d definitely recommend an Octavia based on my experience.

Hope this helps…

Does anyone have the latest model Octavia estate and tell me if it still has the lipped boot as per the previous model?

we ve an 08 1.9tdi octavia base that we ve had from new and will have done 100k. mr had a front spring snap replaced the tyres once new front pads 5 litresof oil and several thousand gallons of diesel.. thats it

base model is functional everyday good value id say although i dont think it ll do more than 45mpg but it hauls us a boot load of gear and the caravan easy..

FunkyDunc – it’ll be 2nd hand but if not I’ll bear the Beemer in mind.

Travellinjones – sounds great 🙂

Yes the new model has the lipped boot, but you can get an optional floor raiser thing which (I believe) gives hidden underfloor storage space (for laptops etc).

You mention Audis above – we’ve had an A4 for the past 6 years, it’s been wonderful and the most expensive thing has been the cam belt replacment (previous owner messed it up) and tyres.

It’s starting to feel its age now though so I am just about to replace it with another one, this one a spring chicken at just 6 years old and 42,000 miles. Fingers crossed it’s as good!

Don’t wish to hjijack, but anyone know where’s a good place to advertise the old one? Autotrader I suppose….

Craigxxl
New 2013 1.6D estate here (company car, 3 weeks old)
seats don’t fold flat unless you have the variable boot floor. Lucky for me it’s std on Elegance model which was cheaper to lease than S or SE variants

New 2013 1.6D estate here (company car, 3 weeks old)
seats don’t fold flat unless you have the variable boot floor. Lucky for me it’s std on Elegance model which was cheaper to lease than S or SE variants

Does it give the underfloor storage like Dashed suggested and it there any load rating on it. Reason I ask is I know some spacers are nothing more than compressed foam so reduce the load rating.

It doesn’t have a load rating sticker and I haven’t RTFM yet.

I can tell you it has a plastic frame which also includes fixings for the roof rack etc
If you do Google image search for “Skoda Octavia variable boot floor” the images do clearly show this especially the one from Skoda-auto.com

It looks robust but time will tell

I’ve got a 1.6D Elegance Estate and the variable Boot floor sits on two runners either side, so the load is spread. There are 4 D-Lock rings to secure it in place. It is quite handy to pop up the front of it and stuff smelly cycling kit in!

1.6D doesn’t quite have enough power IMO, but it is very economical – 47 to 60MPG depending on heaviness of right foot.

I’ve put 30K on it in the last 18 months and had two issues, 1 with the DPF failing and also a split gasket on the turbo. Both of which were fixed by the really friendly team at DM Keith in Leeds. (Recommend them!)

I’ll go for the 2.0D MK4 Next time as it’s still £30 per year to tax but has more poke, or might stretch to a Superb Estate.

I think it is very well built. I’d have one any day over an A4 Avant, which are much smaller than people think!

“it only gets 44mpg, which I don’t think is that good really. And only driving at 70-80.”

Maybe drive within the speed limit?

When the floor is raised, it has a 75kg limit on it. Lowered, I can’t recall seeing anything, which is what you’d expect. Now 4k on mine (2.0tdi Elegance) and economy around 46-48 average (by computer, not by calculating) and slowly increasing. No oil being used, which is good, and it is being driven quite hard.
‘Sport’ mode quite nice – more aggressive engine map and steering a bit more ‘grrr’ – but I am always left feeling a little underwhelmed by it. Also the seats are not nice – very wide and flat. I can never seem to get comfy and often feel I need to stop after as little as an hour.