Loved skodas since the relaunch, owned numerous felicias, a couple of mk1 octys and a fabia.  Convinced family to buy, always sing their praises.  Cut me in half, find skoda written round the outside.  

 

Then I bought a mk2 octy -_- 

 

8wks in and already the injector has failed and now having electrical problems.  Plumbed in the towbar and lost dashboard functions.  I did thpusands upon thousands of miles in my mk1 vehicles and never broke down, only work done maintenancey type stuff - new belts, clutches etc. 

 

It's not just that but more that when i google it, the feedback on mk2+ ALL i hear is negativity.  In fact, i dont even have to google it, this morning i was on a completely unrelated forum minding my own business and a thread about a car with electrical problems pops up - yes, a mk2 skoda, and the feedback was 'oh, skoda/vw are riddled with electrical problems'.

 

Google mk1s, you only find praise about reliability. 

 

Reliability and economy are my reasons for owning a car.  Is there light at tge end of the tunnel here or should i be researching other brands?  Very unhappy after nigh on 20yrs of being delighted! 

I've never owned a MK1 Octavia, but I've had my 59 plate MK2 for 2 years now and it's been every bit the reliable workhorse I was hoping for. I've done pretty much all the maintenance myself, and it hasn't given me any problems apart from the well documented sticky VNT turbo, which is common across lots of other manufacturers as well.

 

So far so good, and I'm looking forward to many more years of happy motoring in my Octy! 

Completely disagree.

 

I had a mk1 Octavia VRS and loved it. Very reliable, speedy and economical and looked great. Window regulators on both front windows went but that was it.

 

I own a Mk2 Octavia VRS FL and arguably it’s a better car. Loaded with options and it’s done 145,000 without any real issues with just servicing parts being replaced and I certainly have no electrical issues.

 

i have owned mk4 and MK5 golfs and had more issues with them. Audi S3 which I loved and no issues with it. Previous to the Octavia I have now I had a bmw 535d and that was riddled with issues!

 

 

Sounds like you have been very unlucky 

 

 

Never had a MK1 Octy, but my 2007 MK2 TDI 140 which I had from new as my company car was the best car I ever had and the most reliable by a big margin. I was very happy to buy the car from the company when I retired, and when I bought the MK3 Scout almost 4 years ago I decided to keep the MK2 as a second car. For most of the 12 years the MK2 has not needed anything apart from regular servicing and normal wear and tear items, and has passed the MOT first time every time apart from last year with the third brake light. Recently it has not been quite so good. It needed a new radiator about a year ago, and this August the traction control warning light came on and stayed on just before the MOT and I had to get the ABS control unit replaced at a cost of almost £800. I am hoping that having incurred these items the running costs will go back down. Time will tell. Bodywork is all rust free apart from a few small blemishes on the tailgate (paint may have been damaged when rear screen got broken). Exhaust is original and in good condition. Mileage just over 87,000. Very little depreciation these days and no DPF to worry about.

 

My late father had 2 MK2 diesels between 2005 and 2014. Both of those were great cars.

 

The MK3 Scout has been fine over 4 years and 31,000 miles. There is a question mark over the DSG gear selector, as the position P warning message has come up a few times.

 

1 hour ago, phil08 said:

Sounds like you have been very unlucky

I agree with that, though the OP has not given details of age, mileage or history of the car.

 

I made the same journey as you from super reliable stratospheric mileage MK1 to low mileage MK2 and knoww exactly what you are saying, I really really did not like the drive either, totally disconnected from the road surface compared to the MK1 mainly through the electric power steering, the traction control is rubbish also as it cuts most of the engine power for a tiny amount of wheelslip, the MK1 braked the wheel and transferred the torque to the other, it was graunchy but safe when pulling out from a junction.

 

It probably took me longer than the 8 weeks you have owned yours to become used to it, to have forgotten what a real car should feel like but also to appreciate the numerous improvements and benefits that the MK2 brings, initially I would have gone back to a MK1 if a good example came up, now I wouldn't but I definitely am not tempted by anything newer.

 

VCDS and a couple of months of playing experimenting and learning is essential on the MK2, electronics knowledge wise I had a decade of catch up to do which is no bad thing, the MK1 was just so reliable I never needed VCDS and after 14 years I did not even realise that it had canbus systems.

 

I wont know if its the better car until I have put another 200K miles and 14 years on it to compare, mechanically it might be, electronics wise no way but with VCDS you can be on top of the game.

Oh this thing's a youngster - 100k miles on the clock, 2010 1.6 automatic diesel.  

 

Thanks for the stories, i spose i'll get there 😕

The reliable  mk2s are the 1.9 engined models. I have put 200k on mine and it’s been ok except a few annoyances. DMF to SMF never really got rid of clutch judder. Apart from wear and tear items nothing extra on top. Never broke down always starts and just goes. 

1.6 engined diesels are prone to issues so I hear. 

At what mileage did your DMF need changing and did you have any warning of it?

 

On my MK1 it failed catastrophically and I was lucky not to lose the gearbox but I had only just taken ownership and maybe did not notice any changes or warning signs.

 

A lot of people change them as a precaution and I get that but if Iknew that there would be some warning or some way of testing then I would like to go on for as many miles as I can, my 1.9TDi has done 123K miles, DMF never changed according to service history, on the MK1 it failed at 188K and the new one I took to 325K without incident.

7 hours ago, J.R. said:

At what mileage did your DMF need changing and did you have any warning of it?

 

On my MK1 it failed catastrophically and I was lucky not to lose the gearbox but I had only just taken ownership and maybe did not notice any changes or warning signs.

 

A lot of people change them as a precaution and I get that but if Iknew that there would be some warning or some way of testing then I would like to go on for as many miles as I can, my 1.9TDi has done 123K miles, DMF never changed according to service history, on the MK1 it failed at 188K and the new one I took to 325K without incident.

Here’s the thing. I never knew what the vibration/buzzing was when I got the car at 29k and this noise developed after ownership from near the glovebox. Fast forward on to over 100K. I decided to change it due to the judder more than anything. The DMF was quite bad but thankfully not disintegrated. The only cause I can find for it was the towbar suggests the owner perhaps had a caravan or something which put extra pressure on the clutch. The SMF conversion is well documented here, but like I said my own car was never perfect after that. Apparently a DMF is a consumable part and can last around 80k. 

Ach!  I so very nearly held out for a 1.9 but i dont need to tow as much thesedays and thought a 1.6 wouldnt hurt.  Noted - when the warranty is up i plan to move to a superb! 

Interesting, mine developed a resonant rattle/buzz which I put down to having removed the alarm box and the security cover being a loose flappy piece of metal without the box to clamp, it still happened occasionally after refitting.

 

Now I have an inaudible resonance when driving at the lowest sustainable revs in 5th gear in a 30 limit, it vibrates the glass on my drivers door mirror.

 

I will keep an ear and eye open to see if other vibrations follow, luckily I do know what precedes a catastrophic failure.

 

Mine has towed, it came with a  towbar and caravan electrics, I still do tow but rarely now.

On my second MK2, both of them have been brilliant, reliable and cheap to run (though not to insure, but living in london does not help)

 

My first was a 2.0 tdi pd pre fl, it blew a turbo but thats a known fault on 2.0tdi pd lumps, other then that nothing went wrong at all.

 

My second and current is a 1.8TSi FL, like's a drink of oil (flawed engine design) it had a set of coil packs and sparkplugs, the plugs were due to be changed (need changing at 60k) but changed the coils as they were staring to break down (i'm a mechanic/mot tester by trade so could feel a very slight miss fire when accelerating),

 

No electrical problems with either car.

 

i find the drive, handling top notch although the steering is a bit numb (most EPAS systems are)and they are very very practical cars.

 

In conclusion love the MK2 octy (pre fl and fl) great cars.

6 hours ago, Solly said:

Ach!  I so very nearly held out for a 1.9 but i dont need to tow as much thesedays and thought a 1.6 wouldnt hurt.  Noted - when the warranty is up i plan to move to a superb! 

 

At least you can do your homework now on specific model / engine types to find the Superb that is most reliable and suitable for your needs.......

 

As said, my 1.9 been pretty good so far after 8 years ownership. Main issue (which for some reason is a common issue on these) has been the brakes seizing.

Some blame a lack of maintenance on the brakes but I have never had a similar issue on any other car that I have owned...

16 hours ago, J.R. said:

At what mileage did your DMF need changing and did you have any warning of it?

 

On my MK1 it failed catastrophically and I was lucky not to lose the gearbox but I had only just taken ownership and maybe did not notice any changes or warning signs.

 

A lot of people change them as a precaution and I get that but if Iknew that there would be some warning or some way of testing then I would like to go on for as many miles as I can, my 1.9TDi has done 123K miles, DMF never changed according to service history, on the MK1 it failed at 188K and the new one I took to 325K without incident.

 

Listen for a rattle coming from behind the NSF wheel......

 

It was something I noticed just after I test drove mine as it was idling on the forecourt....And I'm not as mechanically minded as you are and that was above the 1.9pd rattle. I'm sure you'd notice it JR.

A mechanic from next door to the sellers garage said straight away that it was the DMF. they replaced it for me.

What an interesting discussion!

My wife has had 7 Skoda's - Felicia, Fabia's, Roomster & now a Yeti. Have nothing but praise for them!

I recently bought a 2010 Octavia from our main dealer - not a car they were going to retail as it's too old but it was a p/x & they did me a deal as I just want something cheap & cheerful.

It's a 1.8TSI Auto Elegance & absolutely brilliant! 58k miles, not a rattle, squeak or any other irritant, it's as smooth as silk, quick, fairly economical and so far, no issues whatsoever.

I can only hope that this continues & avoids the issues above!

I had a 2004 mk1 1.9tdi, that i bought "cheap, for a year" and kept for 4 1/2 yrs. I put 76k miles on it, and only wear n tear stuff...

Door lock mech, bearings, shocks, timing belt.

242k on it when i traded it with a leaky steering rack for a problem child inshi7nia.

Octy never let me down... i still miss it.

Im now in a 1.6cr diesel since easter a 2013 mk2. Havnt any trouble yet, though i did get the flashing coil light twice either on braking from mway cruise or speeding back up again..

Not sure which as both times was when i going through a toll plaza..

 

Since I  had a MK 1 Octy I've had a Fabia a Seat Leon and a KIa Sportage previous to this FL Mk 2 Octy and generally change cars every 2 years.

 

Well its 3 1/2 years since I acquired this 1.8 TSI L&K and though its nearly 9 years old, I'm still loath to think about changing it.

Its mapped and had the precat deleted, and it is a classic sleeper car which has embarrassed many other supposedly potent charges.

 

OK I was lucky to get a 6 year old car with less than 3 year old engine(previous owner had engine cam chain fail.).

I have had one fault with it, The cable to the airbag sensor in the door bellows which I repaired myself.

 

I paid £3k for it + a Fabia trade in. (6K price). What a bargain, the paintwork is still blemish free and the leather seats as sumptuous as new.

It still handles well and is a pleasure to drive... MK2 octy... great car.... money in the bank

 

 

 

 

Edited 2 September, 20196 yr by promethian

5 hours ago, Tilt said:

 

Listen for a rattle coming from behind the NSF wheel......

 

It was something I noticed just after I test drove mine as it was idling on the forecourt....And I'm not as mechanically minded as you are and that was above the 1.9pd rattle. I'm sure you'd notice it JR.

A mechanic from next door to the sellers garage said straight away that it was the DMF. they replaced it for me.

 

Thanks for that Tilt.

 

I am so conscious of listening for every noise that I heard a tinkling coming from exactly the area you describe, it was a high frequency like breaking glass and I could hear it echoing off walls etc when I drove with the window open (on the right here in France)

 

Turned out to be the second new aircon pump running with oil but not yet charged with regrigerant, its still almost as noisy now its charged.

 

So the DMF will have to be heard above that, I'm on the case though.

 

Just realised you spoke f the NSF wheel and I am talking about the OSF, I'm sure that I will hear it when it starts though.

I have found the Mk2 to be supremely reliable after owning such crap as Mk2 Zafira and Xsara Picasso which were dreadful cars at less than 12 months old!! I started off 10 years ago in a 3 yr old 1.9 elegance estate with 77k on and took it to 152k still on original clutch and dmf (getting a bit rattly and turbo limp mode) but other than servicing and cambelt it had 1 rear caliper. Traded in on 3 yd old fl tdi vrs estate with 113k that I took to 182k and traded in on Sunday on a Mk3 superb. The vrs had a drop link and a rear spring other than servicing and cambelt etc. 144k in 10 yrs on the pair of them and no more than £250 spent on repairs other than servicing. Hope the Superb is as reliable!!

You've bought a 9 year old used car and you don't know how the previous owner serviced it or drove it and have a minor failure and call it unreliable?

 

lol

 

My 2007 Octy I bought new and have done 195,000km with has been great.  As good as any of the Japanese cars I've owned.

Probably no consolation Solly but I can't say enough good words words about my MK2 Octy VRS.  Had it for 4 years since 40,000 miles and done 90,000 in it myself, only had to change 2 sensors (both last month) and 1 turbo actuator the whole time.  Regularly serviced it myself and never had any issues apart from the aforementioned. 

 

I do remember a couple of years ago having a recall letter in the post relating to an earth/ground fault that they had found in certain MK2 Octavia models, it may relate to that in some way but i honestly can't remember the details.

On 01/09/2019 at 13:08, J.R. said:

 initially I would have gone back to a MK1 if a good example came up, now I wouldn't but I definitely am not tempted by anything newer.

 

 

I wont know if its the better car until I have put another 200K miles and 14 years on it to compare,

 

Quoting myself here to admit that I dont practice what I preach, I have just bought a 2015 2.0TDi 4x4 salvage Yeti

 

When its repaired & I have driven it a while only then will I decide whether to sell the Octavia but on the face of it I am throwing away all the advantages of the PD engine, no DPF, EU5 emissions control, non common rail injection, no haldex clutch etc etc.

 

I was bored and needed a project, we will see which one wins the duel.

Had 2 Mk1 Octavia Estate, a GLX 1.6i version (decided to buy the one in a  Skoda showroom, do they still let you do that ?) had a sunroof but no air con as was then standard on very early Octavia.   Traded it for a 1.8T auto L&K (Y-reg) which the dealer manager had used for a few months.  Brilliant car, it then went to my father in law who lived in rural area and it eventually got too expensive to repair at about 140k miles

 

Later had a Mk2 2 litre FSI auto L&K  (spot the trend), think it was 2005 also a brilliant car, again started life as a demo so had dual climate and a sunroof.  Traded it in 2013 as thought it might get expensive to maintain (and the Government massively up road tax on it as it was 201 CO2)

 

We bought another Skoda, but didn't need a car as big as Octavia by then, as no longer carrying baby stuff or doing big DIY project, and London area parking encourages shorter cars

 

For completeness since had 2 more Skoda as second cars.  Still rate them, but not as good value as used to be, and not sure the excessive electronics on the latest models will be good for 12+ years