Hi folks,

 

Im new to Skodas so I am looking for a bit of advice. I have previously looked into the Fabia but after a test drive in an Octavia I've decided to go for that for instead. To minimize the cost I've been looking at lightly used Octavias from 2013/14 with the 1.4 TSI engine (140 hp version).

 

I was hoping you could share some of your experience in terms of weaknesses etc. with this model. I have already looked around the forum to gain an overview but I was hoping to get some more details about this model in particular. Any information, good or bad, is very welcome :-)

 

Sincerely,

A soon to be Octavia owner

I've had mine from new in June 2013, it was built late April 13, so an early MY13 build as they were only launched in Feb 13 and pre April 13 cars would have been launch weekend demos. Myself and a few early adopters had various teething troubles with ride quality and electrical gremlins so my advice would be to buy as late a model as your budget will stretch, even if that means you go for one with a few extra miles. MY14 cars built after late June 2013 should be better on the ride quality although quite a few still complain about rear shocks and booming issues so test drive with an ear on the rear! vRS or 4x4 will also get independent rear suspension, much better than the torsion beam fitted to other models. Easy way to spot MY14 cars on a 13 plate will be the steering wheel has piano black trim around the airbag whereas MY13 is just matt plastic. Good luck with your purchase.

Also consider a new one as big discounts are available and 0% finance from dealer.

I have a late 2013 Elegance (SEL) estate, a minor vibration from the B piller,I have power boot and don't get the booming form the boot, front doors hold water until they are open

 

Beware the little 1.4 is a lot quicker then you think, ACC is a joy..

I have had a MY14 Elegance 2.0 TDI estate manual from new...nearly 2 years on bar a faulty boot light bulb it has been utterly fautless. My biggest gripe is that its lost so much residual value (worth trade nearly half what I paid for it already).

I think I have a gooden.....some people have had very mixed experiences with theirs regardless of the age.....the booming noise, electrical gremlins and interior rattles being most prevalent. Mine is good on all counts...it doesnt boom...it rattles a little but its acceptable and the electrics other than the v occasional glitch in the infotainmemt have been fine.

I have a Mk7 Golf GTD which ironically has been a bit more troublesome but the Golf does feel that bit more substantial and better developed...they just are nothing like (estate perhaps excluded) as practical.

I have a late 2013 Elegance (SEL) estate, a minor vibration from the B piller,I have power boot and don't get the booming form the boot, front doors hold water until they are open

 

Beware the little 1.4 is a lot quicker then you think, ACC is a joy..

 

1.4 TSI S 5d DSG. 9.4 secs. 125 mph. 120 bhp

or 2.0 tsi vRS         6.6 secs. 154 mph. 216 bhp

 

I'd justify my own personal purchase of the 2l petrol on account of the above though.

But definitely, if you didn't need the full fat version of the Octy power unit, certainly the 1.4 is no slug and pretty decent for most traffic situations.

I just wanted to have a bit more fun with mine having come from an already great car ( the diesel fabia vRS ), its a bit of a weekend car as I've decided to keep my Fabia for the moment and run it into the ground.

 

On the other accounts I notice the booming (slightly) but only if I don't have the radio on at all, the radio cancels it out somehow.

Although I put part of it down to poor mix of tyres on my car so would be useful to compare once I have a decent set on.

 

I also have slight wear issue with the seat belt plastic wear ( non issue ).

Not noticed any electrnic / info system issue?

I have had a MY14 Elegance 2.0 TDI estate manual from new...nearly 2 years on bar a faulty boot light bulb it has been utterly fautless. My biggest gripe is that its lost so much residual value (worth trade nearly half what I paid for it already).

l.

You have made that point about residuals many, many times but within the context of this thread you are saying the OP should be able to purchase a second hand Octavia at a very good price?

Edited 13 December, 201510 yr by Gerrycan

1.4 TSI S 5d DSG. 9.4 secs. 125 mph. 120 bhp

or 2.0 tsi vRS         6.6 secs. 154 mph. 216 bhp

 

 

 

According to the Australian Skoda published figures for the 0 - 100 kph dash, the 1.4tsi (103kw/140bhp/250Nm)  is 8.5 seconds and the petrol vRS is 6.8 seconds.

Can't speak for the vRS but for the 1.4tsi it seems about right to me.

It's a big jump from a Fabia to an Octavia. Have you looked at the Roomster, Rapid, Rapid Spaceback and Yeti? Also there seem to be some bargain Superbs on the used market...

Edited 13 December, 201510 yr by Tom_vRS

Thanks alot for your input guys...

 

I hadn't actually thought about it - but stearing clear of the early models sounds like a good idea

I have thought about buying a new car but I think there's quite a lot of money to be saved on a used one (at least in Denmark)

Power-wise I think the 140hp version will suit me very well. From my short testdrive is seemed pretty quick.

I have driven the Rapid shortly but what can I say - an Octavia just seems more like a car for me :-) 

 

The electrical gremlins are a bit anoying. Those things seem hard to check for when looking at a used car :-/

 

Does anyone happen to have a link to a video with the "booming" ? I tried searching for it but came up empty. It would help to hear a video since its hard to image how it sounds. I am quite picky when it comes to sounds in the cabin though, so maybe I'll notice if its there ?

You have made that point about residuals many, many times but within the context of this thread you are saying the OP should be able to purchase a second hand Octavia at a very good price?

Residuals are likely less relevant in Oz as Id wager you pay a load more money for one in the first place (being imported) and they probably dont see in the volumes there that they do in the UK so likely better used values and not the oversupply issue we seem to be suffering here.

But its all relative...pay maybe £14k for a couple year old one now....in another couple of years its probably only going to be worth £6-7k best trade so still a 50% loss going by the current trend....thats not good by anyones standards.

One thing that has come up a few times here is to check the finish of the sealent at the top of the A pillar where it joins the roof panel, and again at the back at the end of the same line of sealant. A few have cracked or been badly tooled before painting.