Skoda Octavia hatchback (2005-2013) | owner reviews: MPG, Problems & Reliability

Tell us what you think about your car?

First off, I'm a big German car fan and have had everything from an rs4 Audi to M5 BMW and all in between. But I got made redundant from oil and gas industry and the days of having flash cars was over. We needed something practical for the family and I still wanted performance so we decided on the Octavia VRS Hatchback and I was pleasantly surprised how much of a good this car is to drive and own. I get average of 55-65 Mpg on long runs and there is heaps of space for the kids and all the stuff that has to come everywhere with us. The car is serviced every 8000 miles and had timing belt done at 48000 miles. It's been the most reliable car we have ever had, the only bad side is the rear brake calipers seem to seize up very now and again. I've just replaced calipers as stripping and cleaning them was getting annoying, I got a set of calipers and pads for less than 200 quid in the same red as factory standard. Overall this car has been a peach to own, the economy is ace and the space is cracking. I'd recommend this car to anyone looking for a practical and fast hatchback. Every car has bad points (try owning an RS4 that's an expensive everyday driver and if they go wrong it's catastrophic and you need deep pockets to own and run) ours has been a good practical and ace car to own. When we change again it's gonna be another vRS without hesitation.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I bought the car in July 2015 whith 70,400 miles on the clock and two previous owners and it was serviced before purchase with a new timing belt kit fitted and given a years MOT. I had it serviced on Feb 17th 2016 just under 79,800 miles with new oil, filter, air filter and pollen filter costing about £50 from Euro Car Parts and my local garage changed the lot for £20.. I did the pollen filter myself - it's a 5 minute job and other than diesel, screen wash and a bottle or two of redex that's all I've spent on the car. Being the top of the range, the car's extremely well specced with pale grey leather interior, heated front seats, electric drivers with memory and lumbar support, 4 electric windows, electric and heated mirrors, dipping passengers mirror when reversing, auto dimming interior mirror, rear sun blind, in built 6 disc CD player with MP3 playback, steering wheel controls, cruise control, multi function computer, auto locking and opening doors, xenon headlights, front fog lights, auto lights and wipers, rear parking sensors.. On the road it's amazingly responsive with the plenty of pulling power and overtaking ability, it's remarkably comfortable and swallows up the mile with a foot rest when using cruise control for both feet ... it's a bit jiggly around town owing to the 17" inch wheels and the low profile 225/45 tyres but on the open road and motorway it's one magnificent car and I only wish I'd bought one years ago.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

It works well and has had no problems in 2 years (as a new car should) - nothing more to add

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

canot fault it

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems at al

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Totally faultless one hundred percent reliable

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

The Skoda Octavia is built like a solid tractor. One of the most reliable cars out there (although a tad noisy on the inside).

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

always perfect

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Great

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Bullet proof

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Only 1 problem in time owned (Driver lumbar support adjuster broke)

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

mechanical good, electrical poor

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

lovely car Always starts .

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very reliable but have had steering column replaced and only six months old.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Has not gone wrong yet

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very reliable a great improvement on the diesel version.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

This is the second Octavia VRS i have bought and they are the best cars ever. All i do is put full in them and service them when needed, alhough the first one I bought came with free servicing!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Not had a problem (yet).

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

It works as hoped it would

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

very good

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

ok

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Its been great

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Ultra reliable and trustworthy

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

no problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Never any problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Excellent

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Has never let me down, still has original exhaust, battery, brakes

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I had a minor problem with the gearbox that was fixed the same day, on a Saturday and I was given a loan car.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Appears reliable for as long as I've had the car.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

My car does what I expect of it

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

no problems at all

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Does just what it says on the tin 100%

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No faults at all !

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems at all

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

no reliability issues

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

It's OK

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Han no issues with reliability whatsoever

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Faultless since new

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

IN 15 MONTHS it has been completelet reliable

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Nothing has gone wrong

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Never a problem

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

A couple of problems were sorted under warranty and other than general wear and tear the car has been very reliable.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I travel at least twice a year to Italy trough France chosing different routes and in all seasons and these Octavias never let me down(this is my Third).The DSG system also is the best partcularly for long trips.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Was let down by a clutch failure at 25K hence the 4 score other that a brilliant car.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

After nearly 15,000 miles it's developing clutch judder, otherwise OK

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

it never let me down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I have never had a problem with it

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

no problems (touch wood)

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

never broken down or needed repair

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No issues since new. One dealer recal.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems at all, it just works well every time.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Apart from a sensitive alarm no problems to report

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

-

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

ok, a few niggles but overall ok

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

only 1 problem from new, coolant leak from water pump.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Slight coolant leak at 2 months old, otherwise no problems.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Few electrical problems when first purchased, fuel sensor

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

design fault on fuel inlet valve. No recall, but reduced rate on repair cost.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Alround very solid car to drive.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

One sticking parking sensor, no other problems at all

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems with the car since purchase

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems whatsoever.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems so far

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Electrics very occasionally have a wobbly and water leaking into car only minor problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

ONE MAIN PROBLEM (SAME WITH SAME PREVIOUS VERSION THAT I OWNED) IN COLD WEATHER THE REAR WINDSCREEN WASHER FREEZES AND BLOWS.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Very relible no problems

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

only one problem since bought - turbo failure early this year

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Never fails. Totally reliable

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

totally reliable to date except had air compressor for air conditioning replaced under guarantee after almost exactly one year.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No faults at all

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Skoda Octavia hatchback (2005-2013): owner reviews

"Classy, well built and comfortable to drive, the Golf-based Octavia makes a smashing family car for drivers seeking space and quality on a budget."

Reviews

Owner Reviews

Common Problems

Most Popular

Tips & advice

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

Top 10 best car interiors

The 10 best electric cars in 2026

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2025

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2025

carbuyer news & reviews

Signup today for regular updates