I've just picked up a 2009 Octavia which I will be using for a month or so until my new car is delivered.

 

She's a bit tatty and a workhorse with 200k on the clock but drives well.

 

The rear passenger tail light is out, I've read a few threads on different forums on whether its a 4w or 5w bulb and if it functions as tail light/brake light.

 

I understand Halfords systems may not select correct bulb either.

 

Any ideas please it's a saloon 2009. Also to replace the bulbs think I need a socket of some sort? Looks fairly OK to change though from video I saw.

Bulb type is often printed into the plastic of the bulb holder adjacent to where it goes.

There are four tail light bulbs per side, arranged in a ‘C’ shape.

 

The upper section is brake / tail. Earlier models used a 21/5W twin filament bulb, later models (including your 2009) should have a single filament 21W bulb, the car regulating the voltage depending on the required output.

 

The middle two bulbs are 3W (W3W). If you use 5W they may work but they often bring on the blown bulb warning and blacken quickly.

 

The lower section is the same as the brake / tail but fog / tail instead, the fog being enabled for offside only.

Thanks silver, most helpful.

 

So something like this would fit?

 

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs/382-p21w-car-bulb-plus-25-percent-longer-life-halfords-twin-pack-717565.html?istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istFeedId=367c5610-f937-4c81-8609-f84582324cd6&istItemId=wrmqtllpq&istBid=t&_$ja=tsid:|cid:18030148076|agid:|tid:|crid:|nw:x|rnd:7890845195733522135|dvc:m|adp:|mt:|loc:9045360&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiApOyqBhDlARIsAGfnyMr6MfExU2QOgA0exCpgFrK0S4knzX7pPkp83_f7C90mLDyCJCGZeBAaApzaEALw_wcB

 

Not sure if the P has any bearing

I’ve just checked the owners manual, from 2009…

https://manual.skoda-auto.com/004/en-com/Detail?model=Octavia_1Z&edition=05-2009&market=&manualLang=en

 

It seems that the hatchback still has the P21/4W twin filament bulb for the upper brake / tail function.

 

It’s the estate that gets the single filament brake / tail bulb.

 

Assuming it is the brake / tail function that has failed (the highest bulb in the ‘C’) then you’ll need one of these…

 

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs/566-p21%2F4w-car-bulb-manufacturers-standard-halfords-single-pack-717961.html?istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istFeedId=367c5610-f937-4c81-8609-f84582324cd6&istItemId=wlimawawa&istBid=t&_$ja=tsid:|cid:18030148076|agid:|tid:|crid:|nw:x|rnd:5849715147702503271|dvc:m|adp:|mt:|loc:1007266&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAx_GqBhBQEiwAlDNAZh6gSMrdhw8R51pJ6_toGImxs5igh7j3GxsEFRwb7w4nrmmz8I3ewBoC6hkQAvD_BwE