Used Skoda Octavia Estate 2013-2020 review

It might not look like it’ll set your heart on fire, but the Skoda Octavia Estate is probably, in the real world, one of the best all-round cars you can buy. Indeed seldom will you encounter a car that offers such space and practicality, such easy-going refinement and such superb value for money.

This version was so successful it remained on sale from 2013 to 2020, with one facelift in 2018, before being replaced by an all-new and slightly larger model. That success isn't surprising, as this modestly priced, well-built and eminently practical car is based on a stretched version of the platform used by its classy Volkswagen Group siblings, the Seat Leon ST and VW Golf Estate, and gives you the solidity and design detail you'd expect allied to a vast and cavernous interior and boot.

Engines: The Octavia Estate's engine range includes a 113bhp 1.0-litre petrol, a 148bhp 1.4-litre petrol (replaced in 2018 with a 1.5-litre), a 113bhp 1.6-litre diesel and a 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel. The more explosive Octavia vRS is also available, in both petrol and diesel forms.

Trims and equipment: There’s a choice of trims, too, starting with the entry-level S, and topping out with the equipment-laden Laurin & Klement. The mid-range versions are the most popular, though, especially the SE, SE Technology and SE L. The former comes with dual-zone climate control and front fog lights, while SE Technology adds an upgraded touchscreen sat-nav and, in later cars, automatic emergency braking. SE L, meanwhile, adds snazzier Alcantara seat trim and privacy glass.

Interior and practicality: Inside is where the Octavia plays its trump card; there’s a surfeit of head and leg room, and in the boot, more than enough luggage room for a family. Indeed, you'll find more space inside an Octavia than you will in most estate cars of its size.

Ride and handling: Out on the road, there's plenty more to like. All deliver more than enough performance for most drivers, although the larger engines are more flexible and better-suited to motorway work. The 1.0-litre petrol engine is surprisingly peppy around town and can easily keep up with most traffic, while the 1.4 TSI 150 petrol is smooth and quick, as is the later 1.5 version. All the diesel options deliver good low-down punch and balance that with better economy.

The Octavia's ride isn't quite as smooth as that of the Golf, but it's still very comfortable, and heaps better than many rivals'. And while it's no sports car, it nevertheless handles very tidily; responsive steering and well set-up suspension mean the Octavia changes direction fast and always feels composed, and there's more than enough grip on offer too.

That facelift in 2018 brought a more distinctive nose with quad headlights, though there were few other design changes. More equipment was added to each model, though, while the 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre petrol turbos were replaced by 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre engines respectively.

A so-called Scout version, with a chunky body kit, a 30mm raised ride height and four-wheel drive, is also available with the 2.0-litre diesel engine in two power outputs (the higher one reserved for the DSG automatic gearbox).

If you'd like to buy a used Octavia, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our Used Cars For Sale pages

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You can buy a high-mileage version of the car for around £3500, but just under £4000 seems to be the starting point for a 2013 Octavia Estate with a service history and an average mileage for the year, bought privately or from a trader. Up the wedge to between £5000 and £8000 and you should find a good 2015 or 2016 car with a full history and an average mileage from an independent dealer. £10,000-£12,000 should secure you a 2017 or 2018 car, bought the same way, and between £12,000 and £14,000 will get you a 2019 car with a low mileage, possibly from a franchised dealer. Spend between £12,000 and £15,000 on a late-run 2020 car.

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MPG

The 1.6 TDI is easily the most economical Octavia Estate and has a combined fuel consumption figure of 68.9mpg under the old NEDC tests, or 56.5mpg measured via the newer and tougher WLTP tests, while the 2.0 TDI 150, which is one of our favourite engines, achieves 65.7mpg, or 54.4mpg under WLTP. The 1.0-litre TSI 115 three-cylinder petrol engine, meanwhile, can returns a combined NEDC number of 58.9mpg, or 50.4mpg WLTP, while the 1.4 TSI 140 can return 54.3mpg (NEDC), while the latest 1.5-litre can claim an average of 51.4mpg under the WLTP tests.

CO2 emissions

Not all engines were available before the April 2017 tax changes, so we're concentrating on the ones that are here. The 1.6 TDI has the lowest figure of 99g/km, while our preferred 2.0 TDI puts out 117g/km. The best petrol is the 1.0 with 105g/km. Pay attention to which 1.4 petrol you have because the 148bhp version has lower emissions (119g/km) compared with the 138bhp model (121g/km).

The slow-selling 1.2 and 1.8 petrols put out 117g/km and 141g/km, respectively.

Road Tax

Annual car tax (VED) is based upon CO2 emissions for cars registered before April 2017, and is charged at a flat rate for cars registered after that date. The current rate is £180 per year.

Servicing

Servicing is cheaper than many rivals and Skoda has a fixed price scheme for cars over three years old where an oil change is £184, along with periodic intervals for the air filter (£45), pollen filter (£35) and - where equipped - diesel fuel filter (£59).

It’s worth noting that all diesel Octavias and most petrols have a timing belt that needs to be replaced every five years at a Skoda dealer at a cost of £449. In addition, it makes sense to replace the water pump at the same time.

Insurance

Insurance costs are slightly cheaper than an equivalent Volkswagen due to Skoda’s cheaper repair costs.

Reliability

According to real-world owner reviews from our annual What Car? Reliability Survey, the Octavia shows great reliability.

However, diesel models frequently suffer from engine warning lights, leading to expensive repairs. Electrical issues, such as faulty sensors and infotainment glitches, were also reported.

Petrol models generally fared better, though some owners experienced minor problems like dashboard warnings and start-stop faults. Dealer service received varied feedback, with complaints about high repair costs and long wait times.

Despite these issues, many owners highly recommend the Octavia for its practicality and performance.

Learn more about the used Skoda Octavia’s reliability on our dedicated page.

Engines

Tough one, this, because for our money the best Octavias come in petrol form, but only around a fifth of Octavia estates sold were powered by petrol. The rest are diesels, which makes diesel versions much easier to find.

If you're prepared to put in the legwork to find a petrol model, we'd recommend you do so. You're likely to find the 1.4-litre engine to be the easiest to find, which is handy as it's one of the best engines, with a winning blend of efficiency, punch and smoothness. The same applies to the later 1.5 engine too.

Trims

We think the SE is the best Octavia model, meanwhile, although if you can stretch to it and you're buying a later model, an upgrade to the SE Technology version isn't such a bad idea.

Our favourite Skoda Octavia Estate 1.5 TSI 150 SE

The related VW Golf Estate has a large boot, supple ride and a well-built interior, and is good to drive, too. It’s not the most sparkling of cars, inside and out, and that competence robs it of a certain charm, but it’s hugely impressive. Up against the Octavia, though, it’s more expensive and its boot is smaller.

The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer has plenty of room, is well equipped and has a range of very strong and economical engines. Countered against that, the boot isn’t that flexible and some of its rivals are better to drive.

The Seat Leon ST is also related via the VW Group and is very nearly as capacious as the Octavia. It’s well equipped and cheap to buy both new and used, and is also cheap to run. Against that, it has a rather firm ride and an uninteresting interior.

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If you'd like to buy a used Octavia, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our Used Cars For Sale pages