Hello everyone,

I'm currently looking for a second-hand MK3 Octavia with a TSI engine at and around the 120.000-mile range. My focus is on either the 1.0 litre (85kw, 116 HP) (2017 and up models), and the 1.4 litre (110kw, 140 HP) (2013-). I'm looking for both facelift and pre-facelift models, as it is not a major selling point. 
I've done some research here on BRISKODA and on other forums/reviewers, but I would really appreciate some first-hand opinions on used models, experiences and your take on what would you buy if you were in my shoes.

 

My use case is quite the usual TSI use case IMHO. Mostly inner city driving, 15-20 miles a day on average. Occasionally some motorway driving, the longest planned route I'd be doing is 155-200 miles in one sitting, but this is maybe once or twice a year. I'd mostly travel alone or with +1 passenger (wife) and occasionally with 4 people on board. On the regular, I do not plan on carrying huge loads of luggage all the time, but the large boot space is a must for convenience for me. 

 

My main buying argument for VW group models and the MQB platform as a whole is that I feel like the maintenance costs on regular components are not that high, even after all these years/miles. I know that timing components are a costly replacement every 8.000-10.000 miles, possible turbo component replacements, but I can deal with that when everything else (usual maintenance changes) seems dirt cheap compared to other options on the used market. 

I have had a 2010 1.4 chain driven Octavia in the family, currently still kicking with ~250.000 miles, so I have plenty of good to say about these older engines (despite the fact that they were and are deemed quite unreliable). I gathered from the forum that these modernised engines are much more well-received and appear much more reliable, but I would like to get your take on this situation.

Could you enlighten me on the following?
 

• 1.0 TSI: How is the reliability and longevity? Do they last over 150.000? What are the general maintenance stops coming up at and around this mileage? Is it worth buying in my above-described usecase?
• 1.4 TSI: How is the reliability and longevity? Do they last over 150.000? What are the general maintenance stops coming up at and around this mileage?

 

I know that these engines live and die by timely maintenance, so I'm restricting my search for models with an oil change period of 7.500 or less.

Your input is deeply appreciated and I'm open to any of your other suggestions if there is any!

5 minutes ago, GODEFFO said:

Hello everyone,

I'm currently looking for a second-hand MK3 Octavia with a TSI engine at and around the 120.000-mile range. My focus is on either the 1.0 litre (85kw, 116 HP) (2017 and up models), and the 1.4 litre (110kw, 140 HP) (2013-). I'm looking for both facelift and pre-facelift models, as it is not a major selling point. 
I've done some research here on BRISKODA and on other forums/reviewers, but I would really appreciate some first-hand opinions on used models, experiences and your take on what would you buy if you were in my shoes.

 

My use case is quite the usual TSI use case IMHO. Mostly inner city driving, 15-20 miles a day on average. Occasionally some motorway driving, the longest planned route I'd be doing is 155-200 miles in one sitting, but this is maybe once or twice a year. I'd mostly travel alone or with +1 passenger (wife) and occasionally with 4 people on board. On the regular, I do not plan on carrying huge loads of luggage all the time, but the large boot space is a must for convenience for me. 

 

My main buying argument for VW group models and the MQB platform as a whole is that I feel like the maintenance costs on regular components are not that high, even after all these years/miles. I know that timing components are a costly replacement every 8.000-10.000 miles, possible turbo component replacements, but I can deal with that when everything else (usual maintenance changes) seems dirt cheap compared to other options on the used market. 

I have had a 2010 1.4 chain driven Octavia in the family, currently still kicking with ~250.000 miles, so I have plenty of good to say about these older engines (despite the fact that they were and are deemed quite unreliable). I gathered from the forum that these modernised engines are much more well-received and appear much more reliable, but I would like to get your take on this situation.

Could you enlighten me on the following?
 

• 1.0 TSI: How is the reliability and longevity? Do they last over 150.000? What are the general maintenance stops coming up at and around this mileage? Is it worth buying in my above-described usecase?
• 1.4 TSI: How is the reliability and longevity? Do they last over 150.000? What are the general maintenance stops coming up at and around this mileage?

 

I know that these engines live and die by timely maintenance, so I'm restricting my search for models with an oil change period of 7.500 or less.

Your input is deeply appreciated and I'm open to any of your other suggestions if there is any!

 

I'm just replying to try get notifications on this post. Bought my 1.4tsi ( 140ps, CHPA EA211 ) Mk3 Octavia just yesterday and I made a post for things to look out for in case you want to check the replies I got. They seem to be reliable from what I've researched. Main thing is the cambelt and waterpump replacement I believe. The engine is super smooth and quiet, really nice driving experience in my opinion. Hoping this engine will last me a long time!

1 hour ago, dmniel said:

Main thing is the cambelt and waterpump replacement I believe. 

I think you're getting confused with the larger engined Octavia's - the EA211 (1.0, 1.4 & 1.5 TSI) have no reputation for water pump problems and Skoda UK earlier this year aligned their guidance on cambelt replacement to be in line with the rest of the VAG 'empire' so the 5 year guideline is history as it was never sensible.

@PetrolDave Thank you for the input.

I see that you have also owned a 1.4 TSI from this generation, how many miles did you get on it and how was the experience (in terms of service and other unforeseen costs)?

2 hours ago, GODEFFO said:

@PetrolDave Thank you for the input.

I see that you have also owned a 1.4 TSI from this generation, how many miles did you get on it and how was the experience (in terms of service and other unforeseen costs)?

When I had to "give" it to my ex (as part of the divorce settlement) it had done approx 45,000 miles with no unplanned maintenance (just annual servicing) and only 1 warranty job when the front inner left parking sensor failed. It never failed to get us from A-to-B without drama. It was a 6 speed manual estate and averaged around 45mpg mainly rural and motorway driving, which was far better than my previous Audi RS4 (4.2V8, 420PS, 6 speed manual).

 

According to the online MOT check it's now done just under 72,000 miles and the only MOT failure has been when a new owner hasn't checked the tyre condition.

 

I enjoyed driving it so much that's why at the first opportunity I traded my Toyota Aygo for another Octavia, I would have liked another estate but this 1.8 L&K hatchback tempted me too much!

Edited 21 August, 20241 yr by PetrolDave

I’ve had two 1.4tsi estates, a 2014 and a 2015. Absolutely awesome engine, both of mine had over 100,000 miles on when I sold them, still original turbos and clutch. Both were very reliable, I serviced them every 10,000 miles in my opinion these engines will easily do 200k miles.

Whilst I don’t see the timing belt and water pumps as being any kind of issue, both of mine needed new water pumps around 80,000 miles, they both started dripping coolant so I just noticed the level dropping slightly.

The water pump assembly cost about £250 from Skoda and I fitted them myself, they are driven off the gearbox end of the exhaust cam by their own little toothed belt.

I would add that I now have a 1.5tsi act Superb and find that to be a great engine too.

All the best in your search.

Edited 21 August, 20241 yr by classic

4 hours ago, classic said:

I’ve had two 1.4tsi estates, a 2014 and a 2015. Absolutely awesome engine, both of mine had over 100,000 miles on when I sold them, still original turbos and clutch. Both were very reliable, I serviced them every 10,000 miles in my opinion these engines will easily do 200k miles.

Whilst I don’t see the timing belt and water pumps as being any kind of issue, both of mine needed new water pumps around 80,000 miles, they both started dripping coolant so I just noticed the level dropping slightly.

The water pump assembly cost about £250 from Skoda and I fitted them myself, they are driven off the gearbox end of the exhaust cam by their own little toothed belt.

I would add that I now have a 1.5tsi act Superb and find that to be a great engine too.

All the best in your search.

really happy to hear this to be honest. loving my octavia so far so would love to be able to keep it for 200k miles!