Hi all, I'm thinking of buying an Octavia Mk3 estate in march and was wondering what the differences are year to year? I'm currently looking at (2013) as that's what seems to fit my budget best.  Given that 2015 is about twice the price of 2013 I don't think there's much point in me buying anything newer than 2013, what might I be missing out on?

Are there common component failures that I should look out for with these cars and also does anyone know of an android auto headunit that is fully compatible with the 2013 octavia? I'm not interested in fast speedy cars so I might get the 1.6, will this still be powerful enough to get up a relatively steep hill with passengers or is it completely gutless?

 

I know this is a lot of questions but if anyone could answer even just a few that'd be wonderful :)

1.6 is not gutless. You can drive it fully loaded. Of course, it has its limitations and with that in mind, you will have no issues. I myself got into some tricky situations when overtaking with it (only me in the car) and I managed. But, that also exposed to me those limits. I cannot say I have full confidence in it, but with careful driving style you will have no issues.

 I have 2015 octavia (model year 2016), but I do not have experience with earlier models. I believe usual applies, as cars are produced later in the lifespan of the model, more and more issues of early cars get fixed.

Also, FL model, for me at least, has that terrible touch screen buttons on infotainment system. I hate that. I like physical buttons and for that, I like that I purchased pre FL model.

That being said, I think that in early models (pre 2015) you cannot retroactively purchase apple carplay/android auto as those earlier models have incompatible infotainment systems. Others here with more knowledge will probably give you more info.

I would avoid the 1.6tdi as that engine is not one of the VAG groups best design's, if you do a lot of town/city driving or short journeys then it will start to have Diesel Particulate Filter problems (DPF is part of the exhaust which takes soot and harmful gases out of what comes out of the exhaust pipe.) it's not got a lot of power and to me feels slow and gruff.

 

I would have a 1.4TSi, very economical, has a useful amount of power (not lots only 140bhp) and is smooth and refined and is just a peach to drive, it will cope when fully loaded with people and luggage.

 

Spec wise its depends on budget but SE or Elegance give useful equipment and comfort, i have a hatchback but i think the estate does look better and the boot in both is huge. Although i love my DSG (automatic) i would go for manual (only got DSG as being an MOT tester by trade i drive 10-12 cars on and off a ramp every day so when i go home i just want to put the car into "D" and let it do the work) 

Don't get the 1.6 TDI as it's woefully under-powered. I've been in a golf with that engine and it struggled with a car load of people. Add the Octavia's additional weight and it will struggle more.

 

A 1.4 TSI would be ideal as it's got enough power and torque to get you moving with a car full and it's not expensive to run. With your apparent price range, SE and Elegance trim cars should be £30 road tax. Avoid the S trim; unless it's had any additional featured specced onto it, it will be baron.

 

You may struggle to find an estate of that age with a petrol engine. A lot would be the 1.6 and 2.0 diesels with a zillion motorway miles on. Again, as mentioned above, if you're not doing the miles, you'll run into DPF problems. The question to ask is do you need an estate? Me daily I don't, but when I go on trips with my bike and all the gear in the boot, it comes into it's own. It would be worth comparing what your current car's boot size is (seats up and down) compared to an Octavia hatchback's boot (seats up and down).

If you are looking at a 2013 then you are not going to get the modern phone connectivity etc.

 

Engines : as already stated, seek out a 1.4 tsi

 

Specs : At that age would avoid the higher spec, you won’t get some of the gizmos and gadgets, but there will be a lot less to go wrong as car gets older.

 

Not sure if you have chosen the Octavia estate because you need the carrying capacity, but if something slightly smaller will do, then one of the last mk2 Fabia estates (2014, might even be early 2015) would be good alternative 

 

 

Android auto came in around late 2015 I think.  If it important to you then keep hunting for vintage of that age.  A high mileage 2.0 tdi se-l would be ok if your motoring style suits the DPF.  I do roughly 15k a year in a 14 plate 2.0tdi with a commute of 10 miles each way on country roads.  It's just enough to keep it at bay with the odd longer trip.

If you absolutely need to go for an older model then Android Auto is able to be retrofitted by fitting the later MIB2 infotainment system.  Budget from £700 for Amundsen with small screen to £1200 for Columbus with big screen or £1k if going aftermarket.  Should be noted that I don't think aftermarket ones have been changed since 2016ish and are on the sluggish side and don't have all the integrations.

 Have a 1.6TDi and whilst it can be a clatters, it is extremely economical and can cruise at a decent speed all day. I have done 34k in mine in under 3 years with no issues with the DPF. I get it serviced when it is required. I have recently replaced all the tyres with a new Continental EcoContact 6s and the car feels brand new again. The car feels like it will last for ever. Look for something that looks and feels good with fish, decent tyres, non scuffed alloys and good interior trim Do you need really an estate? I’d like an Octavia estate, but do I really need one? Not really. The Octavia is a great car.