Used Skoda Octavia review

Likes

RS models are theoretically the perfect car.
Superb driving dynamics.
Excellent value for money on the used market.
Performance, and practicality all wrapped in something a little different.

Dislikes

Many used examples have been driven hard.
Require fastidious maintenance to be at their best.
Reliability and longevity concerns.
Parts and labour costs can be expensive.

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Sedan
Wagon

Publish: August 25, 2023

Stuff you should know

For those not in the know, picture a Volkswagen Golf GTI but in wagon form – that pretty much sums up the third-generation SKODA Octavia RS. Now, before we dig into the nitty-gritty, here’s the scoop: SKODA, is under the wing of Volkswagen. This means the Golf and Octavia share more than just a family tie; they have common underpinnings, engines, and various other components. While the Golf GTI already has its fanbase, the Octavia RS tries to stand out with a body style twist.

Let’s set the context. This cheat sheet/review takes a peek at the third-gen Octavia, kicking around from 2014 to roughly 2020, available in both the standard lift-back hatch and the more “funky” wagon.

A pivotal moment for this Octavia generation came in 2017 when a sizeable update gave it a fresh look. The unique split-headlight design replaced the previous single piece unit, but beyond the visual overhaul, this update claims to bring advancements in technology, features, safety systems, and mechanical components. We’ll unravel these supposed upgrades below.

Depending on where you’re reading this from, the Octavia lineup throws at you a baffling range of options, all with different engines. Wrap your head around this: acro9ss the Octavia range, there were more than 30 different models, sporting both petrol and diesel powerplants. Even here in Australia, you can chew on the variety of 20 different Octavia models.

Now, here’s the twist. The story’s star players are, in many cases, the Octavia RS models. A total of six RS versions cater to those with a craving for something sportier. While this cheat sheet covers aspects that apply to the entire Octavia family, we’ll give a bit more attention to these RS models.

Time to tackle the naming maze – it’s a bit of a head-scratcher. The digits supposedly represent the power output, but the unit of measurement isn’t consistent. The RS162, for instance, equates to a power output of 162 kilowatts of power. Yet, when it comes to the 230 and later 245 versions, that number stands for horsepower, not kilowatts. Maybe it’s time for SKODA to keep it simple; those fancy number games might not be fooling anyone these days.

To sum it up, the third-generation SKODA Octavia RS might catch your eye if you’re into a fusion of the practicality of a wagon and a dash of performance. Whether you’re sizing up the whole Octavia range or just eyeballing those RS versions, one thing’s evident – SKODA wants to offer a package that promises power, style, and innovation.

However, as this generation ages, many concerns can arise interns of reliability and an appetite for fastidious maintenance. Neither assisted by generally expensive parts and labour costs.

What goes wrong

Exterior:

Numerous reports have emerged regarding the powered tailgate struts, often failing to close properly or intermittently malfunctioning. Unfortunately, these instances tend to occur precisely when one’s hands are full of groceries or you’re in a rush.

There are sporadic accounts of sunroofs being unresponsive to opening and closing, or solely the blind not operating.

For vehicles equipped with a sunroof, it’s imperative to regularly clean the drain plugs. Neglecting this can lead to water infiltrating the cabin, wreaking havoc on the electronics.

On the topic of electronics, an array of complaints pertains to various electrical components. Challenges encompass erratic behavior of tail lights, finicky power windows, and malfunctioning door lock actuators.

Early vehicles have exhibited issues with deteriorating door seals. Certain owners have encountered problems stemming from blocked door drain plugs.

The matter of tyres presents an intriguing aspect. Many owners suggest that the standard tire size may be inadequately suited for Australian road conditions. Apparently, opting for a higher profile tire can yield significant improvements.

Interior:

Turning our attention to the interior, the saga of electronic issues persists. Users have reported complaints about glitchy infotainment systems, with reports even noting that screens can become excessively hot.

A common complaint revolves around the scroll wheels on the steering wheel, which tends to malfunction or even disintegrate. While not a complex problem to fix, it’s undeniably aggravating.

Many owners choose to always disable the auto start-stop feature due to a notable improvement on battery life and overall battery performance.

In addition, grievances extend to the stitching on the seats, which has been observed to unravel prematurely, even at relatively low mileage.

The issue of rattles emerges prominently, with numerous accounts citing rattles originating from the dashboard, A, B, and C pillars, beneath the seats, and within the doors.

Mechanically:

When considering the unmodified versions of the third-generation SKODA Octavia RS, the most prevalent and somewhat costly issue revolves around the water pump and thermostat. These components tend to experience premature and frequent failures. Remarkably, some factory-installed water pumps can develop leaks after covering only 50 to 60k kilometres. It has become and almost routine part of the maintenance schedule. Interestingly, non-genuine replacement pumps often prove more durable than their genuine counterparts.

Some examples have coolant header tanks with a silica bag, the bag can burst and block the heater matrix leading to an expensive repair.

DSG transmissions can suffer from mechatronics failures, often resulting in very expensive repair costs, while there are less common reports of difficulty shifting gears, leaking fluid, clutch juddering, and failed clutch or, worst case scenario catastrophic transmission failures. In addition, other owners have reported delayed shifts, and clunking noise when shifting gears.

Frequently,

Exterior:

Numerous reports have emerged regarding the powered tailgate struts, often failing to close properly or intermittently malfunctioning. Unfortunately, these instances tend to occur precisely when one’s hands are full of groceries or you’re in a rush.

There are sporadic accounts of sunroofs being unresponsive to opening and closing, or solely the blind not operating.

For vehicles equipped with a sunroof, it’s imperative to regularly clean the drain plugs. Neglecting this can lead to water infiltrating the cabin, wreaking havoc on the electronics.

On the topic of electronics, an array of complaints pertains to various electrical components. Challenges encompass erratic behavior of tail lights, finicky power windows, and malfunctioning door lock actuators.

Early vehicles have exhibited issues with deteriorating door seals. Certain owners have encountered problems stemming from blocked door drain plugs.

The matter of tyres presents an intriguing aspect. Many owners suggest that the standard tire size may be inadequately suited for Australian road conditions. Apparently, opting for a higher profile tire can yield significant improvements.

Interior:

Turning our attention to the interior, the saga of electronic issues persists. Users have reported complaints about glitchy infotainment systems, with reports even noting that screens can become excessively hot.

A common complaint revolves around the scroll wheels on the steering wheel, which tends to malfunction or even disintegrate. While not a complex problem to fix, it’s undeniably aggravating.

Many owners choose to always disable the auto start-stop feature due to a notable improvement on battery life and overall battery performance.

In addition, grievances extend to the stitching on the seats, which has been observed to unravel prematurely, even at relatively low mileage.

The issue of rattles emerges prominently, with numerous accounts citing rattles originating from the dashboard, A, B, and C pillars, beneath the seats, and within the doors.

Mechanically:

When considering the unmodified versions of the third-generation SKODA Octavia RS, the most prevalent and somewhat costly issue revolves around the water pump and thermostat. These components tend to experience premature and frequent failures. Remarkably, some factory-installed water pumps can develop leaks after covering only 50 to 60k kilometres. It has become and almost routine part of the maintenance schedule. Interestingly, non-genuine replacement pumps often prove more durable than their genuine counterparts.

Some examples have coolant header tanks with a silica bag, the bag can burst and block the heater matrix leading to an expensive repair.

DSG transmissions can suffer from mechatronics failures, often resulting in very expensive repair costs, while there are less common reports of difficulty shifting gears, leaking fluid, clutch juddering, and failed clutch or, worst case scenario catastrophic transmission failures. In addition, other owners have reported delayed shifts, and clunking noise when shifting gears.

Frequently, ignition coils require replacement. Complications involving Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) systems and engine oil leaks are common culprits. These coils are also highly susceptible to oil consumption. Occasionally, timing chain issues come to the forefront. Newer iterations of this engine tend to experience fewer issues with inlet tract blockages due to the incorporation of both direct and port injection.

In regards to the 2.0 diesel variant, it utilises a timing belt instead of a chain, necessitating replacement every 105k kilometres or 7 years.

However, the timing belt replacement might need to occur sooner if there are any oil leaks in the area – a frequent occurrence in these models. Additionally, the timing belt tensioners and idler bearings have been known to fail prematurely.

The inlet systems, encompassing throttle bodies and EGR valves, are notably prone to clogging. While the installation of a catch can could substantially benefit these systems, it’s a rarity in this vehicle type. The engine bay in these models is notably tight, leaving very little space for additional components.

Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) in these vehicles generally exhibit issues on par with other vehicles in the same category.

Historically, older European cars commonly grapple with problems tied to weak engine bay plastics, reminiscent of the water pump situation. As these vehicles age, it’s likely that similar issues will emerge in the third-generation SKODA Octavia RS as well.