FixItAgainTrevor

I am currently deliberating over buying my first Skoda (second hand), and am wondering what people's preferences are between the pre-2017 and post 2017 models (with the split front lights). I don't do a huge amount of miles per year, but the journeys I do are generally fairly long (I'm a rock climber based in the south east), and as I am moving to Scotland soon, those trips are likely to get longer. I have therefore been looking mainly at 1.6 diesels, as they seem to be powered well enough, and easier to come by than petrol. I prefer manual (I did try an auto the other day, but still think I would rather have gears), and ideally SE L trim, for they have seats that fold flat. I have noticed 2016 models are often fitted with lower emission engines (i.e. Co2/km), and therefore come with a lower rate of road tax than later models, along with being a bit cheaper with a similar number of miles on the clock. Anyways, I thought it would be a good call to ask a forum of Skoda owners. Are there any glaring reasons for or against a particular version? Is there anything that is a total pain to maintain with them? Thanks.