A gentle reminder...

[soapywalrus]

Just on the forum for the first time in a few days, and it's all very doom and gloom, reliability issues etc etc etc. And serious stuff too, not minor problems.

I bought my car because of the fabulous reports in the motoring press, particularly about reliability, dealer support and driver satisfaction.

So, two weeks into ownership, should I be as nervous as hell, or should I carry on feeling smug?!?

[Guest]

You have to look at this in context. Only a very small number of forum members have had significant problems and the rest of us have had relatively hassle free motoring (he says touching wood!). On a forum like this you'll always hear about the problems more than people saying how reliable and great their car is - that's just the way it is.

[cjb]

Remember a forum is where people come for help.

I ran a Fabia vRS for 2 years and 30k miles with no issues whatsoever. All cars have 'features' and these tend to get amplified in a forum.

[mr_awol]

I agree with cjb. Most people will come to a car forum because they are an enthusiast, because they are looking to buy, or because they have a problem and need advice.

Therefore you will get lots of problems reported on here - either by those coming for help or those who are 'into' their cars and therefore looking for perfection.

I have my own little grumbles here and there, but given my money back would buy the same* car.

* Same = VRS TFSi. I'm not convinced i'd have gone with the one i did, as it perhaps wasnt the great deal i thought it was at the time, partly due to hindsight with the facelift and general drop in used values. I also woulld perhaps have waited for one with certain other options added.

[Plantman]

Yea thats the trouble with forums sometimes....the opinion is skewed towards faults.

The only reason that made me purchase my own skoda was being forced to drive the ones at work. Loved the drive so much it was destined to be my next choice. Thought I would never leave the Blue Oval.

Would of never even looked at the option of owning an Octavia but everything about it I love. Handling, steering, features, even looks at certain angles.

This is from someone who previously owned a warm hatch (Focus ST170).

Reliability is luck of the draw on ANY car. I've owned 2 Focus's, one never gave me any issues, the other was a bit of a troublesome one.

I've known family with cars less then 3 years old with about the same mileage, one was plagued with various faults, the other has been trouble free.

Lottery, bit like life I guess

Just my 2 pence.....

[Kaj]

My car is a Scooby STi and the VRS Octy is my wifes car (when she gets a shot)! The Octy maybe not just as quick or raw but it is a better car in so many areas, especially the interior. The trim, the sound system, the storage areas etc are all far superior.

The Skoda has so many little good design features such as the sliding centre console arm rest, split air con, under seat storage, flush windscreen seal, recessed wipers below the bonnet line. The boot space and comfort is unbeatable.

I've done 10K miles in mine and the only issue I've had is a new aerial amp base and a creaking pax door seal which about to be replaced under warranty.

This is my first Skoda and I think it's a fantastic car! Sit a VRS beside a Passat or many other VW cars and it's easy to see which one looks the best by a country mile. (Fords and Vauxhalls omitted for obvious reasons)

I wouldn't hesitate to buying another one.

[ednmra]

I'm on my third in a row, all from new - must mean something!

Edited 18 January, 2009 by ednmra

[JustinCider]

Im now on my 4th Octavia vRS and I haven't had a major problem with any of them.

If you read the JD power surveys for the last couple of years, the Octavia is rated very highly in reliability.

As said before I think your'll find that people use these forums when they do have trouble. However the vast majority have happy trouble free motoring.

Never worry about something that 'might' happen, only worry abou something that 'is' happening!

[DangerMouse]

I'm on my 4th Skoda and I've never had any issues with any of them (touch wood!). I've talked quite a few friends into buying them too, and none of them have any problems (beyond crashing anyway)!

[gregozedobe]

I love my Octy. It is a long, long time since I looked forward to a drive because of what I was driving

The only "issues" I've had so far are dealer supplied options : the weathershields for the windows (interfered with the closing of the windows), and the plastic headlight protectors (too hard for me to remove for cleaning, but one removed itself somewhere on our last 3,000Km trip).

So the car as supplied by the factory has had zero faults (that's sure to put the mozz on it ! ). That puts it a very long way ahead of my Transporter, which has been a regular visitor to the dealer for warranty work (mostly electricals), and has had to make its way home on the back of a flat-top truck on two separate occasions.

Even the missus loves it, and she usually has no interest in cars (her total input into selecting the Octy was "make sure it has 4 doors", and "what colours can you get ? " )

[g_tee]

Counting all the cars between me and my dad...

We're actually on our 5th Skoda

We've had: -

1991 Skoda Favorit

1995 Skoda Favorit LXIe Flaireline (both belonged to my dad)

2003 Skoda Octavia MK1 2.0 Ambiente (Mine)

2005 Skoda Octavia MK2 2.0 TDI DSG Elegance (Dad's)

2006 Skoda Octavia MK2 2.0 TDI DSG Elegance (Mine)

Only issue I had with the MK1 Ambiente was the hairline crack in the inlet manifold. I put 40,000 on the clock of that car with 0 other issues.

My dad's MK2 Octy has only 15K on the clock, as he is retired.

My new Octy 2 has 22K on the clock so early days, but so far so good.

My last car was a Seat Ibiza 1.9 TDI FR... and I had that from 9,000 -> 59,000 with only a wheel bearing fault to complain about.

[Tomo1971]

I agree you need to put it all into context, millions of them are sold and people will rarely post a thread saying my car is trouble free.

I also own a Landrover TD4 Commercial, now thats a car with a bad reputation. Bought it last yr with 12k on it, now on 36K.

Problems?

MAF Sensor (changed at dealer cost)

Front Prop bearing is split, getting that done next month.

Other than that, and 2 services (£250 at a specialist, 3nd at £150 as a homer from a LR tech) and will need a set of front pads soon (still on originals) the car has been faultless.

So even on motors with bad reputations there are some good ones out there. Treat them well, drive with mechanical sympathy, service them well and all will be OK.

Steve

[sms]

people are always quick to shout off the faults but not the good points, ive had a couple of minor problems but nothing to steer me away from buying another one!!

[g_tee]

Well the inlet manifold, despite costing me £700 and a row with a dealer, would certainly not stop me buying another... (As i've proved )

[WW_VRS]

Fair point have been made already, just adding my little bit:

• Faults and questions are posted here
  
• Plenty of tuning related stuff going on - some may lead to having to uprate/replace items, say a clutch, sooner
  
• All manufacturers have problems of various levels, QA is strict but never 100% as it costs too much
  

If anything goes wrong with your car, the dealer can make or break the experience with the brand. A site like this one, has some dealers that go the extra mile, and give something back too.

The good thing is that you can usually find fixes here or useful advise

[Obadiah]

We are on our second Skoda. First was a '96 1.6 Felicia, bought second hand in '99 and sold in '05, with on;y regular servicing and a couple of minor niggles. Second is my '08 Octy 4x4. 3.5k on the clock faults? One. For some reason the 1st trip does not reset the mileage. Will get sorted when I have to go to the dealer. Am I happy? YES!!! Would I buy the same again? YES!!

[soapywalrus]

My faith in Skodas is re-affirmed - not just by everybody's positivity, but by today's outing...

Been car shopping with a mate today, looking to upsize because his family is doing the same. Had a brilliant drive out into the country to get to the dealers in the first place, and an equally enjoyable (and brisk) drive back, first time I've managed to properly drive the vRS in anger and loved it. Front grip, especially on the power, is genuinely impressive on dry roads.

And then looking at the cars that he was interested in, all I could think was "that's not as smart as the Skoda".

I am chuffed.

[sms]

there is nothing wrong with skodas, they have same engines as audi's you can get the parts from vw or any vag dealer and the money you save buying a skoda to one of the others can keep swmbo happy when you take her shoe shopping

[G.K.]

The perfect and perfectly reliable car has yet to be invented.

Many of the ultra reliable japanese cars have the reputation of being "lacking in character".

My first Skoda was a new Octy estate 2.0tdi Elegance in 2005. I tend to keep my cars for 3 years and by that time (after owning BMW's VW' etc ) I usually can't wait to change my car for something else and the 3rd year usually drags on and I begin to trawl the road tests looking to make up a short list for my next motor. With my Octy the 3 years passed in a blink and when I made up my "wish list" it only contained one car ..Another Octy !!

Many popular brands are let down by poor after sales service (VW especially), BMW,Audi, Merc etc pick your eyes out when it comes to maitainance and parts.

When, (not if), a snag or a fault occurs in any car it is important that your dealer has the enthusiasm and the capability to correct it properly and politely. My local dealer has had their fair share of my moans due to a faulty Columbus unit and poor economy but on the whole a satisfied customer is usually a repeat customer.

[little_bey]

I don't think it's possible to build the perfect car with no faults occuring over the years you own and drive it. What's important is the response to problems that your dealership, or Skoda Customer Service give you. We have all heard what has happened to Mercedes customer service - or lack of it. I was worried a bit about a problem that didn't seem to want to be fixed despite the best effort of Elmise Garage in Beckenham - bit they finally got it sorted. On my second Skoda - and thinking my next will be too. I was orginally looking at VW, Ford and Audi until one of my son's friends suggested Skoda. I read up on it, text drove one and haven' looked back.

[Chalky]

I am on my 4th Skoda all have proven to be very good value for money. I have not read much here about accidents in a Skoda and rightly so as its not a pleasant subject however it is an important one so here's my tale of an Octavia and beech tree!!

To cut a long story short my wife had an accident in our octavia involving a large beech tree, the car hit the tree at 40 mph and rolled twice ending up on its roof, the only part/panel on the car that was not damaged was the rear number plate!!. The car was obviously written off . My wife suffered no physical injury whatsoever not even bruising, shaken up a little and that is all. I immediatelly baught a new Octavia as it proved to ba a very strong vehicle in an accident. Hope this gives some peace of mind to Skoda drivers.

[dieseldarren]

I am on my 4th Skoda all have proven to be very good value for money. I have not read much here about accidents in a Skoda and rightly so as its not a pleasant subject however it is an important one so here's my tale of an Octavia and beech tree!!

To cut a long story short my wife had an accident in our octavia involving a large beech tree, the car hit the tree at 40 mph and rolled twice ending up on its roof, the only part/panel on the car that was not damaged was the rear number plate!!. The car was obviously written off . My wife suffered no physical injury whatsoever not even bruising, shaken up a little and that is all. I immediatelly baught a new Octavia as it proved to ba a very strong vehicle in an accident. Hope this gives some peace of mind to Skoda drivers.

Crikey that's a thorough road test!

Glad she's alright though

[Taxi 219]

You will get it with all cars and not just Skoda.No car is perfect but we are all here to help each other when a problem does arise.