Faults:

Lots of wear and tear parts replaced. Rarely any serious problems, the car was cared for well, all services plus cambelt changes.

Alternator failed at 110K.

Oil leak.

Rust in its final years.

General Comments:

A great car for high mileage and economy, Skoda got the first generation Octavia just right.

Very durable, I only scrapped this car a year or so ago (MOT failure) and at over 20 years old and with a crazy high mileage, I say I got my monies worth many times over.

1.9 TDi engine is a great one, good performance and always around 50 mpg on diesel.

Inside this was a basic model so not many features, but it was still a comfy car.

OK looking exterior once I added alloy wheels.

Economy and durability will likely not be repeated in even the more modern Octavia. I miss this car a lot!

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.