I have a vRS Octavia on order (due next month) but having read the constant problems am getting cold feet. I appreciate sometimes minor problems are often highlighted and they become over accentuated given the constant forum discussions and yes, cars are cars, mass produced for the masses!

However, the water ingress, misting up, water pi**ing in the boot upon opening, the seat bolsters and the list goes on.......is putting me off given I have a car without ANY problems.

I put down a deposit (£500) and am considering contacting the dealer re my concerns with a view to cancelling the order - I would hope to recover the deposit as at least the water dripping into the boot on the hatch is a recognised problem (a design flaw) that cannot be remedied.

The vRS is an oustanding car but having had other Skoda models and converted to the Skoda brand a few years ago I can't help thinking they have let themselves down here.

I could lose the deposit or I could take the car and sell it for more then I paid (poor supply of diesel engined motors) if it turns out to be a turkey!

Any thoughts re cancelling would be appreciated.

Get it don't go on what others say yours might be fine!

Is it a diesel vRS you have on order?

If so, then you might get lucky, demand is huge at the moment so your dealer could sell your car ten times over.

But there lies the important point. There is a very good reason demand is so high.

The Octavia is a fantastic car in all guises, a hell of a lot car for not a lot of money.

As a Superb owner I'm sure I don't need to tell you how far Skoda has come in recent years.

All manufacturers suffer problems from time to time; some more than others, a little water leaking into the boot is not worth cancelling your order.

As you've already acknowledged a lot of owners use forums to identify faults so what you read on here is not a fair representation.

Have a quick look at www.whatcar.com and read the very many reader reviews on the Octavia. Then read the same reviews for other main stream models, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Also take a look at the rave reviews Skoda is getting in the media at the moment. The Yeti and Superb have all won accolades recently but it is the Octavia that is the back bone of the Skoda brand in the UK.

Take delivery of your vRS then come back in a few months and let us know what you think, I reckon you'll be a very "happy driver"

The whole point of a forum is to discuss and solve niggles and problems , the forum would not last a week if everyone posted how happy they were with their car( me included) Many play the lottery with a more probable chance of being struck by lightening than hitting the jackpot. You would be silly to cancel,and don't watch holidays from hell either or you wont go on holiday

I have a vRS Octavia on order (due next month) but having read the constant problems am getting cold feet. I appreciate sometimes minor problems are often highlighted and they become over accentuated given the constant forum discussions and yes, cars are cars, mass produced for the masses!

However, the water ingress, misting up, water pi**ing in the boot upon opening, the seat bolsters and the list goes on.......is putting me off given I have a car without ANY problems.

I put down a deposit (£500) and am considering contacting the dealer re my concerns with a view to cancelling the order - I would hope to recover the deposit as at least the water dripping into the boot on the hatch is a recognised problem (a design flaw) that cannot be remedied.

The vRS is an oustanding car but having had other Skoda models and converted to the Skoda brand a few years ago I can't help thinking they have let themselves down here.

I could lose the deposit or I could take the car and sell it for more then I paid (poor supply of diesel engined motors) if it turns out to be a turkey!

Any thoughts re cancelling would be appreciated.

my car is an 04 Octavia, and has not had any water ingress or bolster failing although I dont have a VRS seat. Also, the water from the boot is not only a problem in Octavias, but in most hatchbacks its easily avoided, and a splash of water wont do any harm anyway! go for it and enjoy the car!

I pick mine up next week. I have been through the same concerns while waiting since June and posted a topic called "Nervous about my new car". Its worth a read. I came to the conclusion that I was getting irrationally edgy because posts are often problem related. There are loads of people out there ecstatic about their trouble free VRS's.

As a last resort, if you are unhappy with the VRS, it is apparent you can sell with minimal losses (if diesel).

Good luck.

My car is 8k miles old. This is my first Skoda. I love it more now than the day it arrived.

I've never had a single problem, or even a hint of niggle. It feels showroom new to drive right now even after this time. Everything is solid. These are very well made cars.

This demonstrates the down side of forums. Like hospitals, they attract people with complaints.

I'm on my 4th Octavia (2 being vRS models) and never had a single problem with any of them in 10 years of motoring.

I just spent a week in barbados & all i wanted was my car to be out there with me! Was excited to get home over the prospect of driving it again...only for it to have a flat battery! doh :(

All fixed and driven now though so happy bunny! :D

People will shout about complaints, but very rarely shout the praises! It is a truely fantastic car & I adore mine to bits. A bit of water leaking into the boot is nothing compared to the joy of driving it. Just open the boot a tad slower then normal & you'll be fine!

Many thanks to all those who replied - a LOT of encouraging words! Perhaps my expectations are a little high?

As stated, the internet is great for combining all the knowledge and experience of ownership of things, especially cars. You can find out all the faults and niggles and be better aware of things that CAN (not will) go wrong, to the point where when I had a Seat Leon I told the dealer what was wrong with it as it was the same as many others! This is a great thing, but don't let it put you off. You say your car is perfect, but if you were to go on forums etc and look up about it I'll wager you'll find a myriad of things that could go wrong.

any car will have problems - take a look at JD power surveys if you want to put them in perspective. Skoda Octavia has been scoring high for many years now, joint second this year - there is a reason for that and its not design defects

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/jd-power-survey-2010/small-family-cars--the-top-10/250115

If you don’t want the car, I would use the delivery time as the reason, just cant wait any longer. IMO you can hardly use "I’ve read bad things" and expect to get your deposit back without a struggle.

Ive had 4 Skoda’s now and haven’t encountered any of the defects that you can see reported on the boards. Of course like many others I don’t post every 5 minutes saying how nothings wrong so you will see a lot of niggles being reported by comparison. I have a petrol VRS DSG (its the wifes actually) that we've had for 11 months from new. I’m so impressed with it that I’m buying another VRS for myself (estate this time so we can tell them apart on the drive:) )

IMO the Octy is a very good car, fantastic value for money, great build quality and reliability and running costs are cheap. Its not everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you put any value on badges - I gave up on that after having a crap time with a new BMW 328 many moons ago.

Me, I'd say wait for the car but then as already established I’m biased

Edited 29 December, 201015 yr by Voyager220v

I agree with what most have already said.

These forums are for helping resolve issues people have, or posting useful tips, so they will all project their brand as being the worst on the planet, but you have to put things into perspective.

The more cars a brand sells the more likely youre going to read of problems, its the seriousness of the problems to look for, IMHO Skoda have mainly niggly issues, any serious ones stand out, specially here as there are very few.

Like every brand your car just might be that really good Wednesday build car.

To back up some of the comments so far

The forums can seem as if they constantly complain about faults but should also be taken as the worst case scenario, and most of the faults do tend to be niggles rather than major mechanical faults.

I had a new shape Honda Civic before ordering my VRS and had lots of problems with supposedly a very reliable marque, (clutch failure, rear brake discs replaced, handbrake recall, various suspension parts repalced, steering pump the list went on and on)

If you want to see major complaining and faults with cars join the Civinfo forum.

In contrast the Octavia has so far been faultless, it is in my opinion better built than the Honda (overall quality and the touch points in the car) and as has already been mentioned go for it and you will love the car.

I know I do :yes:

All car manufacturers have problems with their cars reliability at times, it's a fact of life, so more importantly is how these issues are dealt with by the dealers and manufacturers. Overall I've been very impressed with the Skoda dealers when issues have arisen (particularly with my last vRS PD, which went through the whole catelogue of DPF issues!).

They were always quick to provide a courtesy car and go out of their way to make sure I was mobile.

Forums are a place for disgruntled owners to express their grivences, but having spent about 3½ years on this site, I'd say that in general, most posts relate to either minor issues or modifications or advice or complementary comments about members own cars. And in that respect, having browsed some forums for other makes, I'd say Skoda are one of the better manufacturers around, plus they keep winning or coming near the top in owners satisfaction surveys.

Many thanks to all those who replied - a LOT of encouraging words! Perhaps my expectations are a little high?

I think they are spot on, it is a fantastic car and one you should be really really looking forward to owning!

i am a member of a few car forums and ive realised that no car is perfect they all have gremlins, i had my vrs for 2 years with no problems i think its just depends on the vehicle it self.

i regreat getting rid of my vrs and would have another one today. stick with it you may be suprised.

ALL very positive on the feedback, thanks again for all your responses

TBH i don't think you would have ordered the car if you didn't have faith in it . I was the same shortly after collecting mine and reading pages and pages of faults on here but to be honest no car is perfect a nd in the end it's the joys of motoring that keep us going . Order it , relax and enjoy it when it arrives and you won't look back.

I am a newly converted skoda maniac and i would have one over any VW anyday.

I've had most of the problems highlighted on here, but they're minor irritations and I still love driving the Octy. We drove back from my mums in dense fog on backroads to avoid the M40 jam, and I loved it

I had my brother, pregnant wife and 4-year-old with me, and the car is superb. It doesn't miss a beat, feels safe, planted, smooth, comfortable and I managed an average 38MPG, albeit on the trip computer.

Anyway, enjoy the car - you'll love it

BTW The water dripping in the boot on opening is easily remedied by opening the boot slower in the wet. The water just rolls down the sills instead of pouring into the boot

I have a vRS Octavia on order (due next month) but having read the constant problems am getting cold feet. I appreciate sometimes minor problems are often highlighted and they become over accentuated given the constant forum discussions and yes, cars are cars, mass produced for the masses!

However, the water ingress, misting up, water pi**ing in the boot upon opening, the seat bolsters and the list goes on.......is putting me off given I have a car without ANY problems.

I put down a deposit (£500) and am considering contacting the dealer re my concerns with a view to cancelling the order - I would hope to recover the deposit as at least the water dripping into the boot on the hatch is a recognised problem (a design flaw) that cannot be remedied.

The vRS is an oustanding car but having had other Skoda models and converted to the Skoda brand a few years ago I can't help thinking they have let themselves down here.

I could lose the deposit or I could take the car and sell it for more then I paid (poor supply of diesel engined motors) if it turns out to be a turkey!

Any thoughts re cancelling would be appreciated.

Well, the time has arrived - the new CR vRS (blue hatch with DSG, rear PDC, auto mirror, lights, wipers, spare wheel) has landed at the dealers. Time to make up my mind and put a call in to the dealer tomorrow.

Will mull it over AGAIN this evening - it may be for sale as of tomorrow and I'll be £500 lighter! :S

Edited 26 January, 201115 yr by Chubbs

you are joking, arent you?

GET IT!!!!!! GET IT!!!!!! GET IT!!!!!!! I have a Black Octy TDI VRS picked up in september, had no problems with water ingress no mechanical problems, tyre noise is better than my old Fiat Stilo Estate. As regards the water running in when you open the hatch, you just need to remember to wipe the window down before you open it, and tbh even when i forget i dont get loads of water going in.

On the plus side WHAT A CAR, pulls like a train drives brilliantly i love it , best car i have ever owned and for what i paid is definitely the best deal i ever made. Also if you buy it and dont like it with the waiting times for diesels you will be able to sell it for almost as much as you bought it and at least you will know for sure.

I think you'd be mad to cancel, they are such a fun car to drive.

If you do, I'm sure you can get your deposit back given the cars are in such high demand and the dealer will have a car in stock at pre-vat price. I got a £500 deposit back on a 22 grand audi a few years ago, had changed my mind and as it was a new facelift model the dealer could sell it on easy so were fair about it.

Just say circumstances have changed, your not in a position to finance it and you'd like your deposit back if thats possible.

If you can afford it, IMO you'd be ******* nuts not to take it.

Nuts I tells ya.