2012 Skoda Octavia Greenline Estate 1.6 TDi from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Basic, boring, but solid, safe and reliable

Faults:

Since I have the car a year I have given it a service and replaced the front brakes.

The A/C does not work well, passenger door handle broke, and there is a small rust patch starting at the rear arches.

Basically nothing out of the ordinary for a 10 year old car with over 100K on it.

General Comments:

The Octavia was always regarded as a basic but durable vehicle due to its popularity as a taxi. I bought mine a year ago, and it has not let me down and has lived up to its reputation very well.

Green-line is basically a more economical spec with the cheaper to tax 1.6 diesel engine; it is very cheap to run and does over 60 mpg regularly. The car's spec inside is similar to SE models, plenty of electrical items, good enough for me. Good looking car in silver.

Inside the dull grey interior is however very spacious, and being an estate car, lots of space and the rear can hold lots of luggage.

Not special to drive, but cruises along the motorway quiet enough, but the ride is a little firm around town. The car handles OK for what it is. I'd imagine the VRS models would be very interesting to drive.

If you are after an economical car, take a look at these. Cheap to tax and insure, and good on fuel, however I have heard repairs can get expensive if something goes wrong, so when buying used choose a nice one; there is plenty on the used market and no need to buy a rough one whatever your budget. This is the last of the older generation on a 2012 car. The newer model is also great I have heard, and was introduced in 2013, you can get those cheap enough on the used market also.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd November, 2022

2012 Skoda Octavia Elegance TDi 1.6 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Best used car on the market

Faults:

Various wear and tear - brakes, suspension, etc. Serviced on time. Timing belt changed - can be expensive (around £200-£250), but well worth doing.

No major faults, only small cosmetic things, and some plastic buttons/trim feeling loose here and there.

General Comments:

Having previously owned an older 2002 Octavia that ran to over 250,000 miles, my next car was an easy choice for me - the newer Octavia. This 2012 model is the last of the updated shape before the all new model came in 2013, which currently are still a bit expensive to buy used, but no doubt I'll get another Octavia next. Why? Simple really - this car has been very reliable and cheap to run. Which is why I believe it makes a perfect used buy that you simply cannot get better for the money in the UK's current used market.

Economy - you can expect 60MPG average if you drive carefully, more on a long run. This was an improvement on my previous car's already great 55MPG. This is the main reason you see so many Octavias as taxis in the UK and elsewhere.

Comfort - interior is spacious if a little dull. Controls are logically laid out, and easy to reach. Climate control is fiddly - as per modern car, but you get used to it. Seats are not the best but are comfortable enough - I'm about 5'10 and can sit anywhere in this car just fine, though if you are over 6 feet tall the rear may be a bit cramped.

Driving - acceleration from the 1.6 TDi is fine with around 100BHP - no racing car, but moves when it needs to. Handling is boring - does the job and no more. Grip levels good and understeers if pushed as per front wheel drive car with predictability. Suspension is a bit too soft and bouncy for some, but it's bearable for me; I've been in much worse, though it's not the most refined car - noise levels are average.

Overall this is a perfect all round car that does everything good. The "Elegance" model is the one to go for - lots of electric equipment. Avoid the base "Classic" models; you do not get much with them. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a good economical used car with enough room for the average family.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st January, 2019

8th Sep 2019, 14:22

Update by original author; still have the car and loving it, however was recently hit with my first big repair on a serious issue - the car went into limp home mode and mechanic diagnosed a faulty injector.

Cost in excess of £500 to repair! Apparently this is a common fault on modern diesel engines with common rail injectors. Just hope I do not have any more problems, such as DPF issues or other typical diesel faults. To be fair it is not just Skoda; all modern diesels seem to have these problems. Makes you wonder if it's worth it.

Still like the car and I would recommend it, however only if you do a high mileage - to save on fuel and justify the expensive repairs, otherwise get a petrol one if you do not drive much to avoid problems like this.

In reply to 8th Sep 2019, 14:22

8th Sep 2019, 18:20

Many modern petrol engines now have direct injection, which has high-pressure fuel pumps and injectors. So, no escaping the repair costs of modern technology.

In reply to 8th Sep 2019, 18:20

10th Sep 2019, 10:40

Yeah I heard. I guess the only advantage of petrol over diesel now is they are still ultimately quieter and smoother, and no Diesel Particle Filter (DPF) to deal with at least.

In reply to 10th Sep 2019, 10:40

10th Sep 2019, 18:28

Uh, not... quite. New petrol cars are now coming out with particulate filters. I know new VW group cars do. But from what I have read, petrol engines run hotter than diesel so will be less vulnerable to the DPF problems. If not, it’s back to horses for us.

In reply to 8th Sep 2019, 14:22

17th Dec 2022, 16:01

I had one of these cars a few years ago as well. Overrated I'd say. I had the injectors fail also, cost me over £600 to repair at an injector specialist. DMF and clutch failed also at high cost.

Don't get me wrong, the Octavia is a good, and generally reliable family car, but suffers from the typical expensive diesel faults as much as any. I've heard the faults are more prone to the "common rail" 1.6 TDi engine, so the later 2.0 TDi or older 1.9 TDi engines are best, avoid the 1.6 diesel if you can. You could try a petrol, they seem to be reliable enough, but they are obviously not as good on fuel.

In reply to 17th Dec 2022, 16:01

27th Jan 2023, 14:50

I have a 2.0 TDi, a fine unit, but the car in general is still quite expensive to maintain, the only good thing about the Octavia is the genuine 50 - 60 mpg you get from most diesels, and cheaper tax. All other cars in this sector struggle a bit for 50 mpg. That's why it is most popular with taxi drivers. But the car is no better than a Mondeo or Insignia.