I know they'll probably be guzzlers but in general are they ok, I think it's a 1.8 mk1 he was looking at

They were good when new, and will be good still when it is a good one, 

and a bad one will be just another Money Pit.

 

So best find the best he can afford,

maybe from a real enthusiast, rather than someone getting shot of a bad one.

 

The MK1 Octavia Section might be a good place to ask, 

but confirming what he is looking at might be a good idea.

Had no problems with mine but only had it a year.

51 plate with 122k on the clock, bit tatty around the edges but I only gave £900 for it.