2017 Skoda Octavia SE 1.6 TDi from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Nice!

Faults:

Nothing yet. The car was bought approved used. Has a tiny rattle from the suspension, I will attend to it soon.

Soon I will change the cam-belt as a precaution though it's not due for while; I always change it early on all my cars.

General Comments:

This Skoda Octavia is a world away from my old Ford Fiesta in terms of looks, practicality, and drivability and reliability. An impressive car in every way! I totally get now why you see lots of them as private hire taxi cars everywhere!

SE model has nice options and good looking alloy wheels. Interior a bit dull but I can live with it. Seats are comfortable. The car is refined on the move, diesel engine gets a bit noisy sometimes but never too intrusive. If I have any complaints the ride is a bit too firm.

1.6 TDi is a decent engine, good power and still manages around 60 mpg no matter how I drive it, easily as economical as smaller cars in lower classes, yet the car feels like a bigger family car or smaller executive. Cheap tax / insurance. Service costs reasonable. Boot space is huge. Why bother with smaller hatchback cars like Fiestas and Corsas?? This Octavia offers so much more for basically the same running costs!

Certainly it's nothing special, but a very good car to own and drive, well worth the money! Two years and no issues. Recommended if you just want reliability and ease of ownership.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd June, 2024

2017 Skoda Octavia SE Sport Estate 1.6 TDi from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Solid car so far

Faults:

Not much, had it one year, serviced with new brakes upon purchase. Interior trim a little rattly but nothing has broken. Parking sensors a bit hit and miss!

General Comments:

Octavia sport estate, very modern and functional car. Bought for economy and longevity and it does feel like it will last.

Sport SE model has very nice seats and plenty of electric features. I love this car's interior. Visibility is good and the car is very spacious.

Exterior stunning looking in bright red with alloy wheels.

Ride a bit rough and unrefined but never unbearable.

1.6 TDi is not fast but will do a solid 60 mpg all day. Pretty good to drive, nothing special but never feels like a chore.

I can see myself keeping this car a long time, cannot argue with reliable economical transport!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st May, 2024

2017 Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 TDi from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Fun car, love it

Faults:

So far nothing. Does like oil, done seven thousand miles and had to give it a little top up. Been advised this is normal for the 2.0 TDi in the vRS.

General Comments:

Octavia vRS is a great car to drive. Fast and can be economical.

Sports seats hug you as you drive. Suspension setup is great, handling is very good.

Acceleration is amazing. Or you can take it easy and return 45 - 50 mpg or more.

The standard Octavia is popular as a taxi, but the vRS is a very different beast for just a bit of extra cash. Well worth it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th February, 2024

2017 Skoda Octavia Scout 2.0 150bhp from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Boring, dull, horrid car

Faults:

The gear change from 2nd to 3rd is awkward; cannot find 3rd gear sometimes.

Regularly cuts out even though you have stop start turned off; you have to start it manually.

The comfort is pretty dire.

The seats are black cloth stain and very easily.

When you open and close sunroof, the warning light comes on the dash.

General Comments:

Great tow car.

MPG over 50.

A very boring lump of a car.

Having the different driving modes does not make any difference in driving economy.

Some other drivers mistake the car for a unmarked police car, and that is the only highlight on this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 20th August, 2017

21st Aug 2017, 21:21

I'd get the gear change and the cutting out looked at while it's still under warranty. Unacceptable on a 2017 car. Myself I have a 2003 Octavia used as a taxi, and it is a dull but very reliable car with no major problems.

21st Aug 2018, 21:23

Now 58,000kms on the Octavia Scout.

Has never let me down once.

Still boring as hell though.

I am thinking of trading in for a Hyundai, but after having so many Skodas it's very hard to leave the brand. I have had a 2005 Fabia vRS, 2x 2007 Fabia vRS, 2008 Octavia Scout 2.0 PD, 2006 Octavia 1.9 PD 4x4, 2016 Octavia vRS DSG 4x4, and now the 2017 Octavia Scout; all great cars.

In reply to 21st Aug 2018, 21:23

22nd Aug 2018, 12:30

Hyundai's are OK, however as you mentioned it's hard to move on from a reliable manufacturer like Skoda. As boring as some cars are, you can't put a price on reliability. In the UK for the past 15 years the Octavia has been the number one choice for taxi use - that says it all. 250,000 miles + is not uncommon out of these cars.

6th Apr 2019, 19:07

With my 2017 Octavia Scout, I had to change 2 alloy wheels; they buckled rather easily and the tyre pressure monitor comes in very handy. Got an awful amount of punctures, though that spare wheel tread depth was worn down.

Had 77,000km and was getting great MPG before trading it in for a Toyota Corolla Hybrid 1.8 Sports Tourer.

In reply to 6th Apr 2019, 19:07

29th Jul 2019, 13:56

The Corolla is a good choice. As for the Octavia, I tend to agree with your review - comfort and refinement are this car's biggest killer. They are probably the lowest rated in the class for this car. My 2011 Octavia has been good (noise and comfort aside) and I'm looking to trade for a new model; I really hope the Octavia 2019 is an improved model otherwise I will be getting a VW Passat - had a test drive and it was a much more smooth and refined car. But then it's more expensive, so you get what you pay for.

Don't get me wrong, Octavia's are good cars, but if you want refinement, look elsewhere. Driving is pretty jerky, even when you try to be smooth, and the arm rest rubs your elbow, and engine noise is loud. Taxi drivers swear by them for good economy and reliability, but personally I do not think they are any better than a Ford Mondeo or Vauxhall Insignia.