Faults:

If you have one of these cars with the intentions of taking them over high mileage (100K +) it is worth changing the timing belt and water pump. Expensive at over £300, but worth it.

The car has went through the usual mechanical wear and tear expected of age and mileage, such as wheel bearings, brakes and suspension components. Some parts are expensive, really depends on the garage you use, my local independent is cheap enough, but can't always get around expensive part cost. Servicing is usually priced OK.

Cosmetically the car looks great. Walk away from any high mileage rough Octavia - it will have almost certainly been used as a taxi, which these cars are popular as. But you can find a nice, privately owned, low mileage, good condition, used example if you look hard enough.

General Comments:

I have had this Octavia for a few years now and it has been an all round excellent and reliable car. Mine is blue with good looking alloy wheels, and the Elegance model is near top of range. Electric everything.

The car is good to drive, 2.0 TDi is the best all round engine, fast enough and still cheap enough to tax and insure. 50 - 60 mpg is also possible driving realistically.

Inside the interior is black/grey. Pretty typical and dull and modern, but very functional and laid out well. Surprisingly, refinement is not a strong point - there is a bit of road and engine noise that gets a bit intrusive. The car also feels a little rough around town. Don't get me wrong, it is a comfortable enough car, but far from perfect. I have driven lots of cars, so put it this way - if you have just come from driving a Ford Fiesta you will probably fine being in this car fine. If you are just after driving a BMW 5 series, you might say the Octavia is a bit rough.

Finer points aside, if you find a used Octavia at low mileage and good condition at a good price, go for it, you will struggle to find a better used car.

Faults:

Cam-belt replaced recently.

Rear springs and shocks.

Every service since 2013.

Cosmetically a little rough inside and out, but it is older now and getting near higher mileage. I suspect it was also used as a taxi at some point, these cars are known for it.

General Comments:

Cheap to tax, insure, and with over 60 mpg you tell me a better family car that is this size. The Octavia is the best as far as I am concerned.

2.0 TDi is the one to go for, fast and economical. The car handles OK, but do not expect anything exciting.

Ride is smooth most of the time, but can get a little jerky and jarring around town if you are not smooth with the controls.

Interior is very comfortable, though early SE models did not get an armrest! I do have 4x electric windows, electric mirrors and air con however. Center console might be a bit dated for some people's standards, but does me just fine and there is an AUX point for your phone / USB music playlists.

Basically it is the perfect all round car - spacious, economical, reliable, not bad to drive, what more could you want?

Faults:

Suspension has been the biggest expense, required new front shocks and springs. Wear and tear at the mileage now, same for brakes, new discs and pads. Rear exhaust box is looking a little worse for wear, will expect to renew at next MOT.

Oil and belt changes are a must as with any car, I keep on top of servicing. Look after this car and it won't give any major trouble.

Bodywork is unmarked with no signs of rust, this is a solid car. Inside some cheaper plastics are looking worn, but nothing out of the ordinary for a 9 year old car.

General Comments:

This is the first of the newer shaped Octavia introduced in 2013. A smart looking car, but never stands out. Mine is white and everyone thinks I am a taxi if I stop in a busy street to pick a friend or family member up!

It is just such a good all round car, hence why I titled this review "Jack of all trades". Given I have had many similar mid range family cars since the 1980s, this honestly feels like one of the best no nonsense cars you can get and it is no surprise they are popular.

SE model is mid range and has plenty of electric features and nice alloy wheels. Seats and comfortable and inside is spacious. Sound system is rather basic, but does the job.

1.6 TDi has adequate acceleration and up to 70 MPG is possible, and yes I calculated that myself, not just looking at the trip computer. You do need to be unloaded, have perfect weather conditions, and an endless motorway cruising at 65 MPH to get the best miles per gallon, but it is possible. In real world driving a solid 60 MPG can still be expected with mixed driving - this is one of the most economical diesels you can get. I'd imagine the 2.0 diesel is better to drive however, and probably still has good economy. Whichever you drive all Octavia's are well equipped, and even the petrol versions are OK on fuel.

In conclusion if you are looking for a good reliable all round car, check out the Octavia. It's nothing special, but give me reliability and economy any day, especially now with the uncertainty of the world.