Faults:

Very little. Failed alternator at 100K, plus the usual consumables, tyres, brake discs and pads, etc.

General Comments:

A very good car that I have enjoyed for the year or so I've had it. Put close to 70,000 miles on it so far, serviced on time and never let me down once apart from that alternator (my fault, should have listened to that rattling noise it made before it gave up). Mind you, that's the only bad thing about this car - the noise from the TDI engine is rather loud and drowns out any other noises it may be making! Generally it's unrefined, so if you want a whisper quiet car, look elsewhere.

That's enough negatives though, here's the positives - very reliable, decent interior with nice kit, electrics on GLX models and above (Classic trim is very basic), performance is fine, and with 55 MPG average you can see why this is a popular car. It's just like a text book example of a car - but not in a boring way, there's something about it that makes it better than Japanese and other such rivals. Or if you drive a Mondeo or something similar and are looking for a reliable alternative, check out the Octavia 98 - 05 model.

Faults:

Driver's window-winder mechanism had to be replaced in 2010.

General Comments:

Although a newer version came out in 2004, this is the older version.

It has been dependable for us, and is nice to drive. We'd expect to hold onto it for quite a few more years.

The long term average fuel consumption according to the onboard trip computer is approx 42mpg - more rural than urban driving. (I can get around 50mpg on long trips)

Faults:

Idler bearing needed replacing at 124,000.

New clutch before I purchased it at 124,000.

General Comments:

Even though I have only just purchased the car, my family have had them for several years and proved to be excellent.

Typical VW engineering and performance, which I am very happy with. Currently getting over 50 mpg.

Pressing the horn switch on the edges is much easier than the middle (previous gripe on here from someone else), which is something I can live with.

Another previous gripe was the clutch, which is no problem in normal traffic, although I did find it a little uncomfortable in stop start traffic for more than 45 minutes.

The idler pulley was squealing when cold, but disappeared when warmed up. Quick and easy job to replace.

The vision all round is excellent with crystal clear rear view mirror and side mirrors, and the space in the rear is ginormous!

Gear changing is not as smooth as the VW's, but a split second longer in neutral before the next gear solves that issue.

Cold start is excellent, with only a second or two to wait before turning the key, which is much better than any other diesel I have owned.

Rear heating element does not seem to activate a light in the dash, which I need to look at.

There seems to be a "noise leak" around the rear passenger doors. Road noise is being transmitted at certain frequencies through the car, giving the impression the back doors are not closed properly, but I suspect this is a design flaw, not a fault.

Overall extremely happy with the car, but then I am comparing it to my previous 98 Renault Megane, which was easily improved upon.

Next purchase will be German diesel such as BMW, VW, Audi as French diesels are too fragile in my opinion. They win over interior styling and comfort, but their diesel engines just seem to break for the smallest reason, as evidenced by feedback on here and my own personal experience.