Used Skoda Octavia Estate 2020-present reliability
Category: Estate car
The Skoda Octavia Estate is a stellar jack of all trades. It'd be a five-star car if it wasn't for its mixed reliability record.
What should I look for in a used Skoda Octavia estate?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
On the whole, the Octavia is a solid and sensible family car, usually bought by people who look after their cars well. Check the interior for signs of wear and tear and alloys for kerb damage; if there's a lot of the latter, it could be a sign that the suspension has been subjected to harsh treatment.
What are the most common problems with a used Skoda Octavia estate?
The fuse in the high-voltage system of plug-in hybrid vehicles was partly produced with an insufficient amount of what's known as fire extinguishing sand. Number of affected vehicles: 2038. Years applicable: 2020, 2021, 2022.
Engine covers could come loose from their attachment. Number of affected vehicles: 1150. Years applicable: 2020, 2021, 2022.
Click here for more information. Contact your local Skoda dealer if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.
Is a used Skoda Octavia estate reliable?
Our data suggests the Skoda Octavia Estate is an unreliable car. In our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, the Octavia came 27th out of 29 cars in the family car class. Its score was a concerning 80.3%. The Ford Focus Estate and Mini Clubman are among the many more reliable alternatives. Only the latest VW Golf and Audi A3 ranked below the Octavia.
The Octavia is troubled by a broad spectrum of problems, with 49% of owners citing issues with the air-con, bodywork, engine and non-engine electrics, interior trim or sat-nav/infotainment. Most cars could still be driven, and all faults were fixed for free, but 37% took more than a week to sort out.
As a car brand, Skoda ranked 16th out of 32 manufacturers. Its overall reliability score was 91.4%.
Used Skoda Octavia Estate reliability: the owners' view
As part of our annual Reliability Survey, What Car? readers said the Octavia has shown mixed results regarding reliability and dealer service.
Several owners of both petrol and diesel models reported issues with electrical systems, particularly related to the infotainment unit, which some described as glitchy or unresponsive. A few drivers experienced warning lights appearing without an identifiable cause, leading to multiple trips to the dealership.
On the plus side, readers generally found Skoda’s dealer network responsive, with most faults addressed promptly. However, some expressed frustration with the time taken to source replacement parts, which led to extended repair times. A few also noted that while minor issues were resolved quickly, more complex problems sometimes required repeat visits, impacting their confidence in the car's long-term reliability.
Overall, the Octavia is liked for its practicality, but those reliability concerns have lessened some owners’ enthusiasm.
