Should you buy a used Skoda Octavia?

Comfort is king in India and we love being pampered in comfort while we drive our cars. From plush interior upholstery to soft suspensions, the more comfortable the car, the more we like to spend our time driving. Sedans are known to provide this exact pleasant experience we seek but there is often a high price attached to that level of comfort. The Skoda Octavia is one such car that bucks this trend and seeing many models in the used car market will make you wonder whether it is worth buying a used Skoda Octavia. If you are one such person, read on to see whether you should buy a pre-owned Skoda Octavia in 2021.

Why you should consider the Skoda Octavia

The Skoda Octavia is possibly the most popular premium sedan from the Skoda stable. This is the car that is often termed as being a value premium car that offers many of the features of more expensive Mercedes, Audi, and BMW sedans. As a pre-owned car, there are several reasons why you should be considering a used Skoda Octavia that goes beyond the value proposition.

Performance-oriented Engines

First things first, one thing that makes a pre-owned Skoda Octavia a premium sedan worth buying are its power-packed, diverse and efficient engine choices. The Octavia was offered with a 1.4-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine mated to a 6-speed manual returning 16.80 kmpl. Alongside that was the 1.8-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine that was tastefully mated to a 7-speed DSG automatic that returned a decent mileage of 14.7 kmpl. The diesel engine on offer was a 2.0-litre TDI turbo-diesel engine mated to a 6-speed manual that returned 22.60 kmpl of mileage and a 7-speed DSG returning 19.3 kmpl. In its 2017 facelift, the Octavia received several enhancements for its entire engine range, making them much more efficient and capable.

Skoda’s Premium Design

If looks are something that determines your decision of buying a pre-owned premium sedan, then the Skoda Octavia would never disappoint you. Throughout its existence, the Skoda Octavia has been a superb looking vehicle. Back in 2013, the Octavia came with modern day elements such as smoked swept back headlamps with projectors and LED DRLs, Skoda’s signature tiger nose grille, smartly defined creases and an overall silhouette that could turn heads.

With the 2017 facelift, things got even more exciting as the Octavia started wearing a timeless and futuristic design. Modern cues such as a quad-headlamp set up with projector and LED DRLs, along with chrome surrounded tiger nose grille, new 16 inch alloys, and a well-balanced rear profile with crystalline boot lines made the Octavia more attractive. In fact, the design is so modern that the Skoda Octavia is one of the few premium sedans that ages gracefully and puts many newer sedans to shame.

Best-in-Class Space

Facing competition from the likes of the Toyota Corolla Altis, Volkswagen Jetta, and Hyundai Elantra, one that the Octavia always excels at is the wide, spacious interior space it offers. With a wheelbase of 2688mm the Octavia was more spacious than the Volkswagen Jetta and the Toyota Altis. A larger wheelbase of the Octavia also gave it comfortable seating and maximum comfort for passengers both at the front as well as the rear, making the Octavia a superb pick for those looking for a chauffeur-driven experience. Another thing that makes the Octavia a worthy pick is its 590 liters of huge boot space that is more than enough for all your luggage needs. In fact, the Octavia’s boot space is one of the largest in the segment.

Impeccable Safety

To add a cherry on top of an already promising package, one of the best things about owning a Skoda vehicle is its commitment to safety. In fact, the Skoda Octavia is one of the safest premium sedans currently available in the pre-owned car market right now. The testament of Octavia’s safety, is the fact that even back in 2013, the Skoda Octavia possessed a 5-star NCAP rating with safety inclusions such as 6 airbags, ABS + EBD, Electronic Stability Program, and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL).

How old should your pre-owned Skoda Octavia be?

A used Skoda Octavia is an amazing car to consider if you are in the market for a premium sedan. However, since the Skoda Octavia has been around in India since 2002, it is important you buy the right pre-owned Octavia. You should consider used Skoda Octavia models that were made after 2013. These cars were equipped with the exciting TSI and TDI engines as well as more reliable DSG automatic gearboxes. These cars are also priced very close to a brand new Honda City, offering a credible choice to the popular midsize segment.

What to look out for when you buy a Skoda Octavia?

While the Skoda Octavia is a durable car to own, it isn’t without its problems. There are a number of mechanical issues that you need to be aware of before considering a used Octavia for yourself and your family.

Problems with Transmission

One of the most well-known problems affecting pre-owned Skoda Octavia cars is a serious concern with the automatic transmission of the vehicle. The Skoda Octavia comes with a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DSG automatic. Both these units have a dual-mass flywheel, which is reported to fail prematurely quite often. Therefore, when on a test drive, check for vibrations during gear shifts and clutch slippage as these usually suggest a worn flywheel. Moreover, since the mechatronics system in the DSG is prone to malfunction, make sure to get it checked by a mechanic to check whether it will need a replacement or if it has already been replaced.

Problems with Fuel System

While there is no doubt that the TDI and TSI engines of the Octavia are highly capable, they are also associated with a common problem that haunts quite a few Skoda Octavia cars. Specifically for the Octavia TSI turbo-petrol engine, there have been several reports of leaks that could occur from the sending unit, fuel pump, high-pressure lift pump, or in the fuel lines themselves. Thus, we would advise taking a highly trained mechanic along and diagnose any or every issue that can arise from a faulty fuel system.

Issue with Child Lock and Electronic Components

Another common problem reported by Octavia owners is the fact that the child lock function fails to work. This isn’t a rare problem as 539 units of the Skoda Octavia launched between November 2015 and April 2016 were actually recalled for faulty child lock switches. Therefore, make sure that the car in question has attended this recall and has got the issue fixed. 

Another issue with aged Octavia’s is non-working electronic components such as power windows, electronic ORVMs and sometimes even the sunroof. And since the Octavia is a premium vehicle, make sure to check all components beforehand.

Worn out suspension

Irrespective of which model you are eyeing, one thing that you should definitely look out for is a worn out suspension which can cause a fortune to replace and repair. To check any possible faults with the suspensions, take out the pre-owned Skoda Octavia on a ride over a few bumps and carefully listen to any rattling or signs that signify a worn out suspension.

How much should pre-owned Octavia cost?

A brand new Skoda Octavia can cost you anywhere between ₹30-35 lakhs. While this is cheaper than most premium sedans from other luxury car makers, it is still more towards the expensive side. Keeping this in mind, a pre-owned Skoda Octavia can cost you as low as ₹10 lakhs for models built between 2013 to 2015, ₹15-18 lakhs for 2015-17 models, and up to ₹20-22 lakhs for 2017-19 Octavia models, depending on the variant and the condition of the car.

Is a used Skoda Octavia worth buying in 2021?

For many potential buyers, buying a pre-owned Skoda Octavia is a very enticing option. This premium sedan offers the comfort and features found in luxury brands at a significantly lower price to those brands. Add to this the exceptional driving experience as well as the spacious and comfortable interiors, a used Skoda Octavia becomes a car that is very hard to ignore. If you come across a used Skoda Octavia in great condition, you should definitely make preparations to become a Skoda owner.

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FAQ about Skoda Octavia

Is Skoda Octavia expensive to maintain?

As the Skoda Octavia is a premium sedan, the maintenance costs are on the higher side. You should expect to spend Rs. 15,000 on average per service for the Skoda Octavia.

Is Skoda Octavia a reliable car?

Skoda Octavia models built after 2015 are generally reliable as they feature improved and more reliable DSG gearboxes.

Which Skoda Octavia engine is the best?

For the most responsive driving experience, the 1.8-litre TSI engine is the best to have in your Skoda Octavia. For more mileage, the 2.0-litre TDI engine will provide better fuel efficiency.

Are Skoda Octavia cars long lasting?

With regular maintenance, Skoda Octavia are long lasting cars, with many owners able to drive with more than 1,00,000 km on the odometer.

Is a used Skoda Octavia worth buying?

Yes, a used Skoda Octavia is worth buying as it provides great performance and a spacious interior at a fraction of the price.