Faults:

Alternator drive-belt snapped, renewed with alternator.

ABS sensor.

Suspension, brakes, exhaust (wear and tear).

Hazard relay.

That's it! Keeps these cars serviced on time and change the cam-belt and you will have no major problems!

General Comments:

This early Octavia MK1 was one of the best cars I ever had. Fast and economical, it could put something more modern to shame.

Elegance model has the lot, electrics, comfy seats, nice alloy wheels. Interior dull drab and grey, but otherwise no complaints.

Ride is smooth but the engine noise is a bit intrusive sometimes, but other than that it is OK for longer journeys. Spacious and comfortable, boot was huge.

The car drives very well, easy to use controls, light clutch and gearbox, handles OK, and the 110 BHP 1.9 TDi is the one to have - good acceleration while still managing around 50 mpg.

I look back on it with love because in more recent years I have had other modern diesels and have had constant problems with injectors and DPF's; these early cars however did not suffer from this! God I was a fool to sell it, because it was still going strong at 15 years old with over 150,000 miles on it! Bloody miss it lots.

Faults:

Well the driver's door handle feels a little flimsy after 13 years, but this is acceptable. Nothing other than that except consumables - brakes, service, etc.

General Comments:

Excellent, famously reliable car that lives up to its name.

Average ride and handling. Decent looking.

Could do with more equipment; the base models don't even get electric windows.

Nice to drive and performance is adequate. MPG averages around 55. Can't say fairer than that for an older car.

Not much more to say; just a good all round car that is better than many rivals out there.

Faults:

Coils needed to be replaced after 30,000 miles and continually on eight different occasions, until very recently when they had to be replaced again.

Clutch replaced at 90,000 miles, temperature gauge sensor replaced at 80000 miles.

Boot lock and door lock problems.

Window regulators replaced twice.

General Comments:

Generally the Octavia is a solid and reliable car, which owes me nothing at this stage.

Apart from regular problems with coils, I have had no other major problems.

For a family of five, it is ideal with a fantastic boot, which we have filled with camping equipment on many occasions.

After 12 years there is still no sign of rusting, and there's minimal wear and tear on the inside.

Faults:

Oil leak from oil sender unit - fixed under warranty, 2005.

Brake light sender unit failed, 2007.

ARB bushes failed, 2007.

Alternator failure, 2011.

Springs under driver's seat failed, 2009.

Driver's seat back worn back to foam on door side, 2012.

ARB bushes failing, 2012.

Original exhaust will need replacing in 2012.

General Comments:

71000 owner miles and still going strong!

Got this car April 02 car in March 03, with a high 16100 miles on the clock, fully serviced and ex fleet rental in perfect condition. The documentation in the car indicated the car had done 16k in 6 months.

Fuel consumption is excellent, even approaching its 10th birthday, averaging 48 MPG (combined) with peaks of 72 MPG on a family holiday to Cornwall and back. Currently (driving carefully), I am able to to get 58 MPG on the run to work with fuel from Morrison's.

Handling has been good, but getting sloppy, I fear the ARB bushes have gone again, as the front is not as tight as it should be; I'll get them fixed with the MOT next month. The extra roll seems to affect the braking as well. Tyre wear is slightly strange, the original front Firehawks did in excess of 50000 miles, but the TZ300 replacements are nearly worn out in 22000 miles For the record, the last original Firehawk (on the rear) was replaced 6 months ago.

Performance is average for its age, 0-60 in about 12 seconds, or slightly more in order to get the miles out of the fuel.

Load performance, the boot is massive! Over the years, Silver Cross metal chassis, carry cot, push chairs, suitcases, toys, food, not to mention furniture and fence panels (with the seats down), add that to a very large (now ex) wife and 3 children in the back.

Will be keeping this car as long as I can. Well I can't afford a newer model.