threadbear

Keeping your Octavia for a decade is impressive. Looking after your car to try and keep in tip top condition for long term ownership is paramount if it is going to last and be reliable. No intention of selling mine either.

I think however well a car is repaired after accident damage it is never as good as when it came out the factory. I scrapped the side of my Octavia a few months ago and was really annoyed with myself. Mostly paintwork damage, so got a local paint shop to sort it out, Nothing structural, but when it was resprayed, they didnt replace that stone protector at the bottom of the wheel arch by the rear door. Also a bit of overspray under the car.....😒

One positive outcome of reading car forums both here and Pistonheads, is that I have come to the realisation that new cars are way too much hassle and unreliable and too techie for my liking. My 2016 Octavia hasn't cruise/ACC or front sensors or lane assist or touchscreen heating and is all the better for it! I have had both Kamiq and Scala courtesy cars and neither have felt as good as my Octavia. Several times I have had the lane assist trying to pull me into the hedge, and once slammed on the brakes for no reason.

If your not entirely happy with the car after the service and cambelt change, Id take it back. It certainly sounds more clattery than usual! If the work was done by a Skoda dealer, I believe there is a two year warranty on belt changes. Mines having a belt and pump change next month with its MOT.

There is a review on Pistonheads of the Enyaq which mentions issues of software not working correctly on a press car, so I dont think the Enyaq is entirely fault free. No consolation I know for the continuing frustrations that Octavia 4 owners seem to be suffering. RE: Living with an Enyaq | PH Footnote - Page 1 - General Gassing - PistonHeads UK

My 1.6Tdi is 5 years old in September and has just past 52k. Going in for a cambelt and water pump change along with MOT in middle of September. I haven't scrimped on servicing and don't wish to ruin what is a good car as intend to keep a while longer.

Has your current Octavia been reliable? Mine is due a cambelt change etc in September when the MOT is due and have no plans at getting rid of. Okay I spend plenty of time looking at the websites but no real intentions as of yet. Okay, you’ve got a hefty maintenance bill due soon, but in reality, that’s only probably 3 monthlies on a new car. I’d pay the bill, save the money in your accounts and stick with what you know. The Octavia Mk3 is a damn good car and I wouldnt touch a MkIV right now. I wouldn’t mind a Superb either but can’t justify the size! Thats is my opinion. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of others too.

Very happy at 75-80 mph in 5th gear! Prefers a decent journey to warm up and easy to get 60+ mpg. Cambelt and water pump needs to be done @ 5 years old irrespective of mileage. Spacious well built, climate is great, wouldn’t be without it now. Just a bit noisy at times.

Whilst the Toyota Relax scheme seems a good idea especially for Toyota`s servicing departments and they must have faith in their products, I know they make reliable cars, they are just plain ugly in my eyes, and I cannot get excited about them.

Different software most likely. Much like you can get 1.0tsi in various states of tune.....

I’ve got a 1.6 TDi and it doesn’t sound like that! That “rumbling” sound looks like a visit to a garage! How miles has your car done?

WBAC first offered me about £6500 for my 1.6 TDi SE at around 44k at beginning of year, peaking in late May at £7100 (!) at about 48k and now down to £6800 in late June at 50k.

Plenty of MkIII petrol SELs on Autotrader. Guess it depends on your budget too and how far you are prepared to travel. Attitude of the dealer has lot to do with whether they get a sale or not. And interior condition is a good indicator of how well the car has been looked after.

I had a dual mass flywheel go on an Octavia Mk2 years ago, in fact when that failed, that’s when I found Briskoda. My DMF went within a couple of days of it starting to play up. Had to be recovered by the AA. Funnily enough, that was about 6 months after a turbo failure.

On my 2016 50k 1.6TDi the fuel consumption drops a bit, but I don’t notice a loss of power during regeneration . Does your DPF need a clean out?

My red Fabia SE Estate 1.6 TDi 105 from 2010 is still going according to the MOT checker with few advisories and about 130k at last MOT.

Hopefully it’ll be more reliable than the others on the MkIV forum!

My Dad has a 18 plate mk7.5 Golf 130 evo DSG and he has never mentioned any kangarooing to me. He has been perfectly happy with it and has had loads of cars!

I have a perfectly good nearly 5 year old Mk3 Octavia, and having had a previously fault laden Polo, I know what it’s like to have a car that is unreliable. It is so frustrating! The mkIV was always going to be my next car, but having read all the issues with them, I’m not prepared to take the risk right now. Having driven both Scala and Kamiq, neither I felt were as well built as my tank like Mk3. Having a DSG to contend with doesn’t help with the experience when your used to manual. I also don’t want a digital cockpit or touchscreen heating controls. So for the time being, my monthly payments are staying in my savings account and no mkIV on the horizon.

Have to say that looks the business. Very smart.

The ice scraper is very effective, used a few times this winter. Handy to have except when the fuel filler flap was frozen shut!

Are your niggles on your 2015 Octavia age or mileage related. I have a 2016 1.6 TDi with only 49k.

Have you tried an interior cleaner on the knobs, like Auto Finesse Total, give the knob a bit of a soak? Can’t be any worse than Coca Cola? Or I’m sure someone on the car cleaning forum will have an idea? Or if on Facebook, try the Detailing Addicts group.

Couldn`t agree more! As I have got older, tech seems to be outpacing me and so much of what is happening to cars seems unnecessary. Why do I need to create an account on my car, I`m the only one who drives it! I dont need electric seats either. Why??

Having read up on all the woes over on the Mk4 forums with regards software issues and unnecessary complexity, are many MkIII owners going to stay with what they know, or looking at going elsewhere? My Octavia has proved extremely reliable so far and probably will keep for a good while yet.