The Skoda Octavia is a popular car that’s has its fans in taxi firms all over the UK as well as police departments. According to many motoring journalists, this is the car that killed Skoda’s reputation as a poor Eastern Block cousin of the American and Japanese makes and firmly cemented it as a quality contender in Western markets.
Expect consistent engineering from the Octavia, although due to its workhorse like nature you may find many vehicles on the used-car market have a number of miles on the clock. Take the time to perform the following checks to ensure your second-hand Skoda hits the mark.
So what are the common faults with the Skoda Octavia?
DPF Issues
The engine in the Skoda Octavia is designed to be pushed to a high level of performance periodically. Failure to do so can result in a blockage in the diesel particulate filter, which will need cleaning as a result. Lights on the dashboard may point to this issue and resolution can sometimes be found by driving out on the open road in 4th gear for a good 10-15 minutes.
Leaks in the Car
Check throughout the vehicle for signs of water damage. There are several known problems with drainage through-out this Skoda. Widely reported issues with the seals in the boot of the car can allow water to leak through during heavy rain, colouring the carpet. Additionally, drainage in the front section of the vehicle, under the bottom of the windscreen, can become blocked and cause substantial water ingress into the front interior.
Headlamps
Water has not only been known to make its way into the interior of the car. There are also reports of moisture getting into the headlamp units, which could cause the part to short prematurely or water on the lens may cause problems with effective diffraction. A simple visual inspection should verify if this issue is present.
Dual Mass Flywheel
One of the worst recalls issued for the Skoda Octavia concerns the dual mass flywheel. This part has been known to come apart causing massive failure within the engine. Check the service history to see if the second-hand car you’re thinking of buying was one of those included in this servicing.
Gearboxes
The gearbox on automatic Skoda Octavias is the well-known Volkswagen DGS. Over time this gearbox is known to have problems shifting in between gears leading to a clunky feel when accelerating and decelerating. This is due to faults occurring in both the gearbox and the Mechatronic control system. If you are looking at purchasing an automatic, take it on an extensive test drive and take it up to the full legal speed limit on a dual carriageway or motorway.
With several options available for the Octavia, ranging from a simple hatchback through to a full on 5 door estate car, there’s sure to be something out there to suit your individual or family needs. With good fuel economy and a decent reliability index, you can’t go too far wrong with this car.
For affordable replacement engines, gearboxes and more, check out our new and used Skoda Octavia parts page.
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