On my new vRS (only 500 miles) noticed quite a bit of brake dust on the rear wheels. Probably just new pads bedding it.

I took a look on the web though, and noticed many many people having problems with sticky rear calipers on the Golf/Jetta. The caliper design on the Octavia seems to be the same. Is this a common problem on these cars? Noticed my handbrake locks at just one click (this seems to be within spec).

yup had mine back to the dealers a few times, after a fast drive the rear brakes were hotter than the front! i know they dont get the same cooling as the fronts but they dont do the same amount of work

still not right, some times it will squeal like mad and there always seems to be excessive amounts of brake dust that easily equals that of the front

What did the dealer do?

Seems that people in the US getting replacement calipers..

happened to me the other week . my dad took it to a place in wakefield to get it sorted out . they re-furished the piston . good as new now