Hi

I am currently looking for another MK2 or MK3 Octavia 1.6 tdi estate in good condition and with lower mileage.

I'm in Kent so if anyone has a good example of the above for sale then please let me know. Thanks

Not sure but personally I would look for 1.9tdi MK2 PD engine. Had one for 5 years with high mileage and no problems. No dpf fitted and best MPG was over 70. Apart from odd bushes and ball joints it was bomb proof.

Alasdair

Thanks for the advice. It's just finding one with reasonable mileage

I suppose it's hard to answer without knowing what "reasonable mileage" means to you. Is it 100,000 miles or fewer? 150,000? These cars, at their age, will all likely have what a lot of people would consider 'high' mileage but that doesn't really mean much if you get one with a full (and I mean "lots of services" not "lots of paper") service history and proper maintenance etc.

Mine is on 253,000 miles and has just been voted Car of the Year 2025 at the South Wales Car Awards. Admittedly the awards only exist in my house, so there's only one nominee, but it's still deserved I'd say.

I’m a proud owner of a 61plt 1.6tdi on 123k i’m the second owner first owner had it up to may this year

Its surprising what you can find out using DVLA MOT history check. When we looked for a fabia for our son we found loads in so called good condition and supposedly well maintained. MOT check proved otherwise with underbody rust, weakened rusty sub frames, bald tyres with canvas showing and brake pipes etc covered in underseal which I assume is to hide corosion to name but a few. Avoid any that don't show number plate in advert if buying privately. Theres a reason they don't want you to check up on the car. As your in kent look for local registrations as they will be cleaner due to less salt on roads in winter. Up here in Inverness the winters are death to cars. Sons fabia originally came from I think cornwall and for an 06 plate is pretty spotless underneath where as my 08 plate Octavia is now past MOT due to severe body and subframe rust. Keeping it as a donor car for spares. As long as they have an excellent regular service history mehanicaly should be ok

Alasdair

@Redestate Did the previous owner allow The Fix to be carried out?

@Alasdair1 A vehicle that resides at the seaside in Cornwall can be as rusty as one that stays seaside at the Moray Firth.

Edited 9 June, 20259 Jun by Ootohere

4 hours ago, JamieH86 said:

I suppose it's hard to answer without knowing what "reasonable mileage" means to you. Is it 100,000 miles or fewer? 150,000? These cars, at their age, will all likely have what a lot of people would consider 'high' mileage but that doesn't really mean much if you get one with a full (and I mean "lots of services" not "lots of paper") service history and proper maintenance etc.

Mine is on 253,000 miles and has just been voted Car of the Year 2025 at the South Wales Car Awards. Admittedly the awards only exist in my house, so there's only one nominee, but it's still deserved I'd say.

Mine is currently approaching 153k, so I was looking for one with around 100k.

That's a lot of miles but yes I understand if they have been serviced regularly then they should go on for many miles.

Well done on the award 👍

3 hours ago, Alasdair1 said:

Its surprising what you can find out using DVLA MOT history check. When we looked for a fabia for our son we found loads in so called good condition and supposedly well maintained. MOT check proved otherwise with underbody rust, weakened rusty sub frames, bald tyres with canvas showing and brake pipes etc covered in underseal which I assume is to hide corosion to name but a few. Avoid any that don't show number plate in advert if buying privately. Theres a reason they don't want you to check up on the car. As your in kent look for local registrations as they will be cleaner due to less salt on roads in winter. Up here in Inverness the winters are death to cars. Sons fabia originally came from I think cornwall and for an 06 plate is pretty spotless underneath where as my 08 plate Octavia is now past MOT due to severe body and subframe rust. Keeping it as a donor car for spares. As long as they have an excellent regular service history mehanicaly should be ok

Alasdair

Thanks. Yes it's good to be wary when looking for cars, and to do your research.

Regular servicing and proof of it is definitely something to look for too

Things that always put me off...

1. No service history.

2. No plate visible.

3. Short MOTs.

To be honest once you discount these three red flags, anything left is probably ok.

39 minutes ago, JamieH86 said:

Things that always put me off...

1. No service history.

2. No plate visible.

3. Short MOTs.

To be honest once you discount these three red flags, anything left is probably ok.

I'd agree there. Does anyone know of good places to look?

10 hours ago, Tezza2020 said:

I'd agree there. Does anyone know of good places to look?

No but both my both octavia came from small independent garages that sell a few second hand cars. They were fairly cheap as they were older with around 100k and had full service history plus had belts etc done. Not perfect but well maintained and a lot cheaper than a dealer. Gave up trying to buy privately as so many were walk away now or the person selling never gets back to you or in a few cases its sold by the time you travel to look at it. Not many up here in Inverness at reasonable price so had to travel a good bit further south.

Alasdair

AA cars is a good place. Usually come with a new MOT, year's AA membership and warranty etc.

Used Skoda Octavia cars for sale...

Used Skoda Octavia cars for sale

The road tax on my old MK2 1.9tdi pd was £190 the tax on my 1.6tdi MK2 is £35-00. Maybe something to take into consideration. Neither are Ulez complient as well. Still prefer the 1,9tdi though

Alasdair

3 hours ago, Alasdair1 said:

The road tax on my old MK2 1.9tdi pd was £190 the tax on my 1.6tdi MK2 is £35-00. Maybe something to take into consideration. Neither are Ulez complient as well. Still prefer the 1,9tdi though

Alasdair

You’re right there , that’s why I brought a 1.6tdi , copes well with the short motorway stretch I do and is good around town