Faults:

Central locking went intermittent shortly after purchase, but fixed itself two weeks later!

Loss of power under hard acceleration on the motorway 21 months after purchase was traced to a faulty air mass sensor - fixed under guarantee and no problems since.

General Comments:

The Octavia estate replaced a much-loved BMW 730 which was costing me an arm and a leg; the wonderfully squashy BMW leather seats also gave me serious backache, which I've never experienced in a car before.

My research suggested that an Octavia diesel estate met the bill for a largish car; one test drive and I was hooked. The driving position is perfect for me and the seats have never caused me the slightest niggle. The clutch and gearbox action are the best I've experienced in 43 years of motoring and the ride, while firm, swallows bumps effectively.

Overall mileage is composed of town driving or fast motorway work and averages 45.6 mpg - some 5 mpg better than our other car, which is a 600cc Smart coupe!

Downsides? Well, as most people point out, the rear legroom is pretty tight - the penalty no doubt of using the Golf platform with a longer rear overhang. But the load space is fantastic, increased by removal of the false floor (and there's more secret storage in the spare wheel well underneath).

Would I buy another one? Definitely, were there not a new Octavia coming out later this year. I'll wait for that and hope it includes an automatic diesel in the range...

Faults:

Temperature transmitter became intermittent - replaced by dealer under warranty.

CD auto-changer in back doesn't like the damp and playing CDs becomes a trial.

Mechanically reliable though a bit of a rasp on the overrun that the dealer described as "normal".

Tyre wear is significant, but given the power and performance, not surprising.

General Comments:

Good value for money and surprisingly high residual value at 3 years.

It took a while for my wife to come to terms us owning a Skoda - but she likes driving it.

It is really only an occasional 5-seater (unless the rear seat passengers are small children). But then, I wasn't after a large car, I wanted a smallish estate with room in the back for our two border collies - and they liked it!

Faults:

Fault with Air Conditioning Unit Meant that condensation leaked directly into rear near side foot well - common fault apparently.

New light to dashboard!!

General Comments:

After getting over the initial stigman of actually owning a Skoda - I have never looked back!

An absolutely fantastic vehicle for company car drivers - cheap to run, cheap to buy and low CO2 emissions. Best of all worlds.

Due for replacement next year when we reach 100K (in 3 years), so probably go for the Elegance next - just for that arm-rest!!!

Faults:

A 50p light bulb on the indicators.

The rear wash wipe pipe will become detached if you let the washer solution become weak in the frosty nights. Easily fixed if you know where it attaches.

A recall fault on ABS.

General Comments:

Over 2 years of ownership and I'm still delighted with the car.

Totally reliable, you can easily get 50mpg - 60mpg if you drive very steadily.

The front tires I got 35k wear from, which was a hell of a lot more than I got from the trashy Vectra I used to own. I tend to cover long distances and have never arrived fatigued at my destination, which speaks volumes for the comfort level.

The paintwork has been excellent with only a few stone chips.

If there's a better VFM car on the road I'd like to see it.

Find yourself a good dealer (just ask local owners) and you'll be the one laughing, at all the ignorant sneerer's, (who've obviously never test driven one) who like to pay shed loads for a 2 inch badge.

Take a test drive and see!

The step up from a Fabia is marked, but unless you've got a fat wallet don't test drive the Superb. You'll only tease yourself.