OK I have lived in ireland for the past 17 years but originally from maldon, Essex. I have had my 1.0 tsi for 10 months and apart from the slightly sloppy gear change ( a feature of all the 3 cyl engines according to vw and skoda dealers I've spoken to)  I'm really happy with it.  So recently I drove it over to my daughter's place in Bishops stortford, Herts. It's a 5 hour drive from Holyhead and I also spent some time with my in laws in Upminster, London. In the entire week I was there I saw just three mk 4 Octavias which to me seems a bit strange. Are they not popular in the UK despite all the 5 star reviews ? Is there still a bit of badge snobbery lingering from the 1970s etc. My mother in law who is in her late 70s did ask jokingly if I could park down the road so the neighbours wouldn't see a Skoda parked outside their house so I just wondered if that sort of nonsense still exists. In Ireland Mk 4s are everywhere albeit possibly helped by 0% Apr and rather generous trade in deals from Skoda dealers

56 minutes ago, fredcat said:

OK I have lived in ireland for the past 17 years but originally from maldon, Essex. I have had my 1.0 tsi for 10 months and apart from the slightly sloppy gear change ( a feature of all the 3 cyl engines according to vw and skoda dealers I've spoken to)  I'm really happy with it.  So recently I drove it over to my daughter's place in Bishops stortford, Herts. It's a 5 hour drive from Holyhead and I also spent some time with my in laws in Upminster, London. In the entire week I was there I saw just three mk 4 Octavias which to me seems a bit strange. Are they not popular in the UK despite all the 5 star reviews ? Is there still a bit of badge snobbery lingering from the 1970s etc. My mother in law who is in her late 70s did ask jokingly if I could park down the road so the neighbours wouldn't see a Skoda parked outside their house so I just wondered if that sort of nonsense still exists. In Ireland Mk 4s are everywhere albeit possibly helped by 0% Apr and rather generous trade in deals from Skoda dealers

I think you must have been unlucky, I live in a small village up in N/W Derbyshire and I see about five regularly, I when I drive a round I usually see one and say "not another" they are common  

I’ve no stats to back this up, but my anecdotal evidence suggests that Scots buy Skoda cars in good numbers as they realise that they are fundamentally tried and tested VW/Audi cars under the skin.  I see Mk4s driving about but still see plenty earlier Octavia versions on the road - if it ain’t broke, hang on to it.  I might be unusual being a private buyer who changes their Octavia every 4 years.  Circumstances might change in the future and I will hang onto my car longer.  I think the 1980s Škoda joke has now passed and anyone who still has badge snobbery is missing out.  The worst customer service I have had is from VW dealers and my least reliable cars have been Polos.  Never had issues with Škoda dealers or cars which is why I go back.

Edited 26 October, 20241 yr by BA Baracus

I live in Hampshire where Octavias and Rapids make up most of the taxi stock (in Southampton and Portsmouth at least).
However I rarely see any other VRSs, no idea why that is, but it's nice because it makes me feel a bit special 😁

Edited 27 October, 20241 yr by dan245