Skoda road test reports and car reviews

Skoda Octavia TDi Elegance 2007

I am a taxi driver in Glasgow and all I can say about this car is that I have covered 160,000 miles, never needing to replace a bearing or bush spring shocker. I have serviced it every nine thousand miles and replaced one cv boot at a grand total of £7. What a car! What a taxi!! It really has got that expensive car feel. You can keep your Fords, Vauxhalls, pugs and every other piece of scrap you care to mention. Skoda is the main workhorse for the taxi trade (especially all around Europe).

Skoda Octavia Estate Elegance 1.8 2009

Now on my 5th Skoda having owned two Felicia Estates and three Octavia Estates, two being diesel, but my current car is petrol. I have not been able to fault any of them; build quality, drive quality and comfort have been first class. I had two Volkswagens prior to Skoda and they just do not compare, being overated and overpriced. My dealer is D.M.Keith Ltd in Ossett, West Yorkshire and nothing is too much trouble for them. Excellent! Will certainly be sticking with Skoda.

Skoda Octavia Estate VRS TDI PD ESTATE 2006

I keep thinking I’ll change the car, but it does it all so well. I read a lot of criticism about the low boot floor and the fact that the seats do not fold flat. This is rectified by installing the dual boot floor option which is a good value addition on the VRS and removing the headrests which is easy peasy. I find these store ok under the front seats My full size touring cycle slides straight in and lies flat in the load bay. Plus storage under the floor too. Having owned my VRS from new I have mapped it and fitted Nuespeed roll bars and Bilstein dampers, which has made it quite a quality car. Love it to bits!!

Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo 1.2 TSI 105 2011

What can I say about this car? Sadly it hasn’t been the best experience. It was my first new car and things went wrong from day one. The dealership delivered the car to me (after a 3 month wait) with the wrong specification, wrong alloy wheels on one side of the vehicle (that’s right, my car had 2 different sets!) and over the past 3 months a catalogue of faults that cannot be rectified. Skoda UK have been useless, the finance company haven’t been helpful and the supplying dealer just told me to go away as the car is "fine". The car rattles like a bag of nails, pulls to the left, leaks, squeaks, creaks, loud noises appear from the engine bay when idling etc. Such a shame, I expected more from the VAG group. I guess I’m just unlucky as reports suggest the car should be decent. The car inside is quite nice though, comfy seats, quite spacious (I’m 6’3), but just seems the dealerships cannot provide decent service and with all the issues I’ve had I’ll be selling it to go back to a Japanese manufacturer. Such a shame, it’s a very nice looking car! Needs to be a bit more than that though.

Skoda Superb Estate 2011

Fantastic car, does what it says on the tin and then some. I traded in a crap TDV8 Range Rover which spent all its life being fixed by useless Land Rover mechanics. I recommend to everyone. Well done Skoda, top notch piece of engineering.

Skoda Superb Estate 2011

Bought Superb in June, excellent car, great value, plenty of extras for price, would recommend to anybody.

Skoda Fabia Estate 1.4tdi 2008

I bought a 3 month old 1.4tdi in Jan ’09 and I regulary get 62mpg doing 60mph on a daily round trip of 60miles. A very comfortable car with good handling and plenty of space. Yes it is a bit noisy, but you have to realise it will run and run and is cheap to keep.

Skoda Superb Estate 2011

A great car and the best value for money!

Skoda Octavia Estate 1.8 20v turbo L&K 2000

How can I fault it. I bought this car in 2001, 6 months old with 5000 miles on it. I’ve had it now for 10 years and in that time I’ve travelled all over the British Isles, lived in France and covered most of western Europe. The car is still in perfect body condition and the only major work I’ve had to do was a front offside suspension leg in 2009 and a new clutch in 2010. Still the same exhaust! The car is regularly serviced, not by a main dealer, but by a very good reputable sole owner garage at a fraction of the cost usually associated. In France I found the car hard on tyres (French roads), but here in the UK no complaints. Fuel consumption on a run as high as 43 mpg but stop and start around 33 mpg. And the petrol engine runs as sweet as a nut. I am currently thinking of buying another L&K estate but with the auto DSG box and diesel; unfortunately they seem to be quite rare but that’s how highly I regard the Skoda Octavia. My other car is also a Skoda (Fabia).

Skoda Fabia vrs 2008

I have had my Fabia VRS for three years now and have had no problems so far, fingers crossed. A great car for the money; all my other cars that I’ve owned before have been golf GTIs. Good mpg at 55+. The tyres can wear quick, but that can be due to heavy right foot.

Skoda Octavia TDi SE DSG auto 2009

I bought this new in 2009 with the aid of the scrappage scheme, getting rid of an old and much-loved Mondeo, which we were very sorry to consign to the scrap-heap, but you couldn’t say no to £2,000. So the Skoda had a lot to live up to, and has done in spades. We had a very specific requirement for a mid-sized diesel automatic, which narrowed the field down a lot, leaving you with the outrageously expensive (e.g., BMW), the distinctly unappetising (Vauxhall, Ford) or the VW Group. After looking seriously at VW, I thought, why pay an extra three grand for the badge? and went for the Skoda. Best decision I ever made! The car has been brilliant; solid as a rock, very adequate performance (it’s only the 105 bhp diesel, after all), excellent roadholding, if not quite up to the Focus we also had, and the DSG gearbox is quite amazing. 55 mpg from a medium-sized automatic! While it is true that the car shares a drive train with the rest of the VW group, Skoda regularly beats the others in reliability surveys, even the VW itself. We have not had a single fault in 2 years and 30,000 miles, and it has not yet flagged itself up for its second service (first one came up at 16,000 miles). Only one really minor niggle - there is some road noise, the drive train makes a happy warbling sound at speed, which makes you think a wheel bearing is going until you get used to it. I don’t know if this is a standard feature or reflects the tyres it is fitted with, but it has been like it from new. Just had two new fronts at 29,000, rears are good for many more miles. Overall it’s an outstanding car. Highly recommended.

Responses to this review

Hi, you will find this is a tracking problem with the rear wheels. An issue it seems with all VAG cars with the same chassis. The tracking drifts out of true and you get uneven wear on the rear tyres. If under warranty the fix is free from your dealer. The new tyres aren’t though. A pair a Barums set me back more than £100. Better tyres than the Dunlops the Octy came with! - Michael Lloyd from East Lothian (Haddingtonshire)

Skoda Fabia Estate 1.4td 2008

Have just bought the motor four weeks ago and find it doing everything I want it to. I have spinal trouble but find it comfortable to drive. I have done a thousand miles since I bought it and find it so economical to run. I used to put £30 to £35 of diesel in my last car, a Peugeot Partner 1.6 td a week, but only put £15 to £20 in the Skoda, a great saving. Top gear is a bit high and very rarely get in to 5th gear, but soon got used to it. A great car, would buy another one.

Skoda Superb Elegance 2010

As a company car driver, I can’t knock it!

Skoda Fabia 105 BHP DIESEL 2011

Probably the best money I have ever spent on a car; 20% off the price also off the extras then add in the packages it adds up to one great deal and may I just tell you it drives like a dream.

Skoda Superb 2.0tdi 56reg 2006

I bought it at 142,000 miles. Changed Cambelt then put into taxis. It runs like a dream. Full spec elegance worth every penny and more. Very fast for the size of it too. It’s an ideal family car and anyone who slates these cars have no knowledge of the automotive world, they just pay extra for a badge and think they’ve got a good deal. FOOLS!

Skoda Superb SE 2.0 TDI CR 140PS DSG 2011

I purchased a Superb SE 2.0 TDI CR 140PS DSG after looking at both the Mondeo and Passat. While not being quite the driver’s car the Mondeo is, it blows both away for comfort, quality and level of equipment, and also manages to be individual and stylish in a Russian Mafia kind of way. I couldn’t get over just how much better it is than a VW. In my experience, the interior of the Superb is as good as as a Merc. Personally if I was VW I’d be wanting to swap the badges on the two brands, or at least get the Skoda interior designers working on the big VW cars. Add to this that Skoda dealers are a decent bunch with none of the pretensions or snobbery of VW (who seem to think they are doing you a favour by selling you one), and you really can’t lose. Oh and I’m never going to get bored with the twin-door system, it’s fantastically useful!

Skoda Roomster 1.9 D LEVEL 3 2007

Second skoda to own. Both good. I get 58mpg on long run and 49mpg in town. I had a fan resistor fail at 31000, used dealer garage to repair. The only negative is tyre noise(on 205/45r16 Bridgestone turanza).

Skoda Octavia Elegance 1.9 tdi 2002

OK, I’m no car expert, but I must say this is one of the best cars that I’ve owned from the dozen I previously had. I agree with the positive comments on here, especially with regards to its reliability and economy. It also has a reasonable degree of comfort and feels solid. I have had this car for 3 years now and it has never broken down on the road (as yet) and has always started in the morning, even when completely covered in snow! My next car will probably be a newer version of this, or the Superb and hopefully a Lauren and Klement version, as this is fully loaded with features. If you’re looking for a high performance car or for just for its sporty or gimmicky looks, this is not for you, but for an all rounder, I think the Octavia’s hard to beat, just ask a taxi driver, as half of them seem to be driving Skodas! My only downside is the electrics, as this is where most of its faults have occurred , but I would live with that, rather than the engine or gearbox failing, or breaking down while getting to work, as my some of my other cars have done.

Skoda Superb SE 4x4 2009

Having worked in Automotive OEMs most of my working life and including a 15 year spell in a very prestigious Engineering Consultancy I feel qualified to comment on this VAG masterpiece. Look at an A6 saloon, Quattro and think I’ve just saved £10 K at least, oh and it ’s handling over a sportline is far more compliant too. It ain’t the prettiest car in the world but after Mercs, 5 series Beemers, Jags etc., it is a very well made, dynamically competant, spacious, load of fun because the Haldex system gives it the same off road qualities as Audis, Volvos and BMWs. I’m sold ! Estate version next year.

Skoda Octavia VRS 20vT 2002

I bought my car in 2002 with 30k on the clock, and I have to say it’s possibley one of the best cars I have owned,in terms of bang for your buck. I have a remapped engine, performance exhaust and a few other mods, and would say it has performance to match or maybe beat the 80s-90s classic Ford Cosworth.

Skoda Octavia Estate Elegance 2007

We both love this car. We get fantastic MPG, the car is a joy to drive and all the little extras really help. I love the reversing sensors in these narrow roads in Devon. I drive 12 miles to work every day and get nearly 50 MPG even up and down hills and small roads. On longer runs we average 55 or more. We’ve had very good servicing from the Skoda garage and excellent help as well. Don’t know how long we will keep this car, but will be buying another Skoda.

Skoda Octavia Estate elegance 2010

Fantastic car, been driving for 47 years and at last the perfect car! I love it! I bought the 1.6 desiel, buy one and do yourself a favour!!!

Skoda Octavia Ambiente 2008

I bought a 2008 Octavia nealry 2 years ago as I wanted a bigger family car and after driving nearly ever make of car available over the years opted for a Skoda and I can honestly say I made a fantastic choice. I have never had any problems with it, it handles every situation that it is in including all that dreadful snow! I was driving up quite a steep snow covered hill while all the other cars were stuck and reversing back down my Skoda kept going and made it to the top, no problem! Fuel consumption is great, I have been so impressed with the skoda that I am getting a new one on Monday, the 1.6 TDI Elegance, which has lots of features included that you would only get from the top of the range models from other manufacturers. Look after the car properly and it will give years of hassle free driving! My recommendation? Buy a Skoda!

Skoda Octavia HB 1.8tsi Elegance Estate

Had this just over three years. Bought 1.8tsi as I am becoming dubious about the overall advantages of diesel economy. Ecomomy overall circa 36mpg/32k miles. Pros: Engine is a gem; torquey, smooth & quiet and pretty good economy considering the perfomance available. Boot massive, interior quality of fittings seems good, no dash rattles etc. Well kitted out for price. Cons: Road tyre noise can be intrusive on coarse surfaces (as in much of UK) however, I have recently changed back tyres to Continentals from the original Bridgestone ER300s, seems an improvement. I will do the same on the front asap. Some clunks from tailgate/ on bad bumps, minor irritation. Failed heater fan @35 months(warranty - just) Failed radio antenna @6 months(warranty) Usual mickey takes, Skoda....most in knowing jest!

Skoda Yeti 2010

Hi, I have ordered a Yeti 2.0TDI fwd elegance. I am disappointed that I cannot buy the dsg version only in 4wd, which I do not want. Surely this is a minus point? My friend has a Audi with the 2.0 tdi car it has DSG.

Responses to this review

This isn’t a review - how can you score a car you don’t have yet? Buy an Audi and don’t load the scoring for people trying to research! Geraldine from Perthshire

Well said - Maggie Turner from Berkshire

Skoda Superb Estate 170BHP Elegance 2010

Having purchased my Superb estate Diesel 170BHP as a demonstrator back in April this year I have found this can to be perfect in every way and this is a complement to Skoda as I have been used to driving Audi A4 Diesels for years and the quality of the Skoda to me is just as good and considerably cheaper than the Audi when you compare what you get for your money as my superb is fitted out with just about every extra you can think about. One excellent car from someone that has been driving for 44 years.

Skoda Yeti 1.2 automatic 2010

Before buying I looked on forums and was alarmed that one or two people did not enthuse about the ’magical’ ride of the Yeti. Experience over the last year leaves me wishing I had paid them more heed. I find the ride uncomfortable on most surfaces, jiggly and unsetttled at slow speed, thumping into potholes unless driven at speed. The 1.2 turbo is unmaneagable for me, plenty of power but the delayed response is uncontrollable. I shall never buy another turbo car. Not a pleasant experience driving my unsurpassable Yeti

Skoda Roomster 1.9 tdi 2007

We’ve had this car from new. 50k miles and only a slight fault with 2nd gear being synchromesh, fixed under warranty. Fantastically versatile car. Loved by kids because of the big windows. Nice to drive, cheap to run and feels fast. Skoda dealers very good. One of the best value cars you can buy.

Skoda Fabia VRS 2010

I bought the car recently due to my Impreza turbo coming to the point where I was spending more money on repairs than seemed practical and I had been looking for some time to find a car that was at the right price under 16 grand and still had enough poke to keep me reasonably happy. My requirement was for a New car (to prevent me picking up a thrashed 2nd hand car which is always a possibility with any sports model) that could give over 35 mpg, around 7 secs 0 - 60, 5 door hatch and small enough to park in a tight car park for work . As you can imagine I didn’t have much luck in that department for quite some time until this car came along. The only let down for me was the propect of an auto gearbox with no option for manual. For any person that considers driving a pleasure to experience and not a means from getting one place to the next on any four wheels, the idea of an automatic gearbox is enough to make one shudder. However the test drive made me raise my eyebrows in pleasant surprise. The Automatic box has the option of Drive, Sport mode (both leaving the car to make all the gear shifts) or with a flick of the gear lever to the side enabling you to shift up and down gears by tapping it back or forwards (which makes you feel more involved) or using the paddles behing the steering wheel to change gears which makes the gearbox quite pleasant to use. The drive can make you feel like you are driving a much bigger car than it actually is. Normal driving can feel quite lethargic if left to the auto gearbox’s own devices as it changes gear upwards quite quickly to save fuel. From the lights the initial drive engages as though hesitantly from the start but within no time at all you are rapidly sent forward at pace if you put your foot down, especially when using the steering wheel paddles. Road noise on motorways can be rather intrusive but in my mind this seems to be all from the tyres. I have only covered 200 miles but I am seriously considering buying some new, quieter tyres. Build quality is excellent and the sound system far better than many I have heard. The internal space at the front and rear at the same time is very good and not a significant trade off, one for the other. I have quiet a long body and find that there is plenty of headroom to spare in the car. The feel of the road feels just a little remote in comparison to the Subaru (again I think this could be improved by a better choice of tyres) and adds to the big car feel. The car can come with numerous options including parking sensors, Cruise control and Climate control again adding to the big car feel. But trust me when you find yourself parking in some tight spaces you realise just how easy it is to park. All in all I can say It tick enough of the boxes to having made me buy one and would suggest that this car is certainly worth serious consideration on these pricey petrol driven roads. When you realise that this small engined 1.4 has a Supercharger and Turbocharger fitted and has 180 bhp, 0 - 60 in 7.3 and 139 mph available from under the bonnet in a 5 door hatchback (the estate does 140 mph due to aerodynamics) and all this with only £125 road tax to pay each year (no that really isn’t a typing error!) It really is a pretty incredible car. I should add that I test drove several other cars before I bought this car which included a new Corsa VXR, and one point you need to watch for on any test drive is the real fuel economy, not just trust what the manual says. The Fabia gave over 33 mpg on my spirited test drive whereas the Corsa only gave 22 mpg unspirited local driving and a pretty bad headache too, from its overly hard (for our roads) suspension. I also tested the Suzuki Swift, which although a pretty nice car to drive was gutless at 65mph if you need to overtake. Currently (Nov 10) there is a 12 week waiting list for the Fabia VRS and was the reason I bought the demonstrator car! which probably tells you what a good car this is. One point to note is that this Skoda is the same engine as is used in the VW Polo and Seat Ibiza as all come from the ’Volkswagen Audi Group’ Company. However in basic format the Skoda is a couple of grand cheaper if you dont want the pricey badge or extra unwanted gadgets. I would ask you though not to buy one as I like the exclusivity for the moment.

Skoda Superb Elegance Estate 2010

I have a Skoda Superb Elegance Estate, just deliverd about 1200 miles ago as my company car replacement for a VW Passat. The big Skoda has the same CR engine 140 bhp as the Passat, but is more refined in the delivery of power and although slightly higher geared the car pulls like a train. Fuel consumption is currently around 53mpg and improveing as the engine loosens up. Superb is well named as all the goodies are there full leather, heated seats, adaptable headlamps etc, the list goes on. I like the adjustable seats and the fantastic touch screen audio sat nav, also the bluetooth connectivity. The car rides softer than the Passat, but still able to shuffle around the B roads at reasonable pace. The car came with factory prep electrics for towing, but beware you will still need a relay box and finla plug at a cost of £150 on top of the £200 you would cough up for the factory option. Loads of space everywere in the car and the carrying capacity is enormous. Can’t fault the big beast and its looks certainly create a double take. A fantastic all round car, can’t fault it as yet.

Skoda Octavia Estate 1.9TDi 2008

After years of driving Ford Focus estates, my new job came with a new car - a Skoda Octavia estate. First impressions weren’t favourable. Firstly, the front doors are very short so if you’re tall, as I am, the driver’s seat is pushed so far back that your shoulder is behind the B-pillar. Getting into the car involves an ungainly fall backwards into your seat. Getting out is equally undignified. Secondly the accelerator is floor mounted - a feature I dislike but which I will conceed may not bother most people. A couple of days later, a few more problems had been come to light. Most of these were niggling features which annoyed me but, again, may not trouble others. The fact that the doors and boot locked themselves as soon as you hit 10mph was incredibly frustrating since my job invovles stopping and removing items from the car and the boot at regular intervals and every time I would find that I had to get back into the car and press the master unlock switch. This feature was turned off for me by my local dealership at the same time as they reprogrammed the car to unlock all it’s doors when I pressed the key fob unlock button rather than just the driver’s door. With the above features modified to my satisfaction I began to quite enjoy the Skoda. It never felt quick but it’s acceleration was reasonably brisk, it’s handling predictable and reassuring (when the ASR system wasn’t causing me to headbutt the steering wheel . . .) and in general it behaved as a car should. Then the low oil level warning light came on. I was a bit surprised at this since the car was less than a month old and had done less than 3000 miles. I pulled over and checked the level. It was low. I topped it back up as soon as I could with the correct grade and kept an eye on it thereafter. This car burned oil only slightly slower than it burned diesel. At the first service I mentioned it. "Oh they all do that, sir, until the engine has bedded in" Well the oil consumption has reduced over the two years I have run the car but it’s still higher than I would expect and it is common across the entire fleet of Skodas run by my company. Once the oil consumption calmed down and the electronic niggles were allieviated, the Skoda became Just Another Car. It was competent but never felt special. And then it broke down. This was caused by a faulty fuel filter which leaked diesel onto the alternator drive belt which promptly shredded itself. In itself, this would be a minor problem fixed in an hour or two but a fragment of the shredded belt got into the camshaft drive belt causing it to skip a notch or ten. Result? A complete new top end; camshaft, followers, valves and guides. Five weeks after I got it back, it threw a rod. Result? Complete new engine under warranty. OK, the car had done 113,000 miles when it threw a rod but that’s no mileage for a modern engine that has been regularly dealer serviced. Also, it wasn’t a one off. Three other cars on the fleet had also thrown rods but they had all done so in the 90 to 100,000 mile range. I’m glad I didn’t buy this car . . .

Skoda Fabia fabia 3. 1.4 petrol 2007

The Fabia is a very good looking car and is surprisingly roomy and practical, my car has the under seat storage boxes which are very handy for hiding things away out of view, it has a good sized boot and the seats fold down almost flat. The suspension is soft and compliant and gives a comfortable ride. I like the auto climate control it keeps you comfortable and keeps the windows clear. One let down for me is the gutless 1.4 petrol engine it’s a good job the gear box is smooth and a pleasure to use because you do need to use it frequently if you want to get a move on, and when extended this engine is quite vocal, it makes hurried driving a chore. My previous car was a Hyundai I 10 comfort with the 1.2 engine which has lots of low down poke and although the fabia is larger and more comfortable I miss that instant pulling power, with the Fabia 1.4 it’s push and wait, if you just like plodding along you will be happy with it but if you like a bit of spirited driving don’t pick this engine, with the right choice of motor, overall the Fabia is a decent car.

Skoda Fabia 19 tdi estate 2008

I thought I would add some comments as car is 2 1/2 years old now. Has worked perfectly since new, no mechanical related problems. Sports interior gives very comfortable seating. Good on long drives 2200 km in two days during the volcanic ash problems. Excellent road holding on snow and ice (winter tyres) Feels safe and stable even on narrow mountain roads. Fuel efficent, did over 900 km on one tank driving to and from the west coast of Norway. Diesel engine is a bit noisy, but you get used to it. Plenty of room, it feels bigger on the inside than it does on the outside. Would definitely recommend it as a good all rounder and I like the style as well.

Skoda Octavia combi 2,0TDI 2008

You don’t know nothing about cars. Do you know that engines in Octavia are the same as in the Passat, Golf, A4 and A6? Did you know that old 1.8 was the same engine as in the Octavia and Audi TT? Do you know that the new Superb is more qualited than the new Passat? No? Please, start read Germans web. Do you know that Skoda has one of the modern technologies in VW group?

Skoda Octavia 1.4 16v 2002

Bought the car new in 2002 and replaced it with a new Kia Cee’d in 2009. Got to admit, wish I had kept the Skoda. The Skoda was well built and felt solid as a rock. It had a few reliabilty issues but these always came down to the rubbish coil packs fitted to the engine. At most it cost me £60 to get fixed at a Skoda main dealer. I covered nearly 84000 miles in it and I think that in 7 years it let me down 7 times but it never broke down or failed to start. Even when firing on only 3 cylinders (due to broken coil pack) it always got me home. While my new Kia feels like it was built down to a price, the Skoda never felt like it. It always felt like I was driving a much more expensive car than I actually was. All the parts are raided out of the VW/Audi parts bin. Eveything had a expensive clunk to it, the bodywork felt like it was made out of decent metal. The gearbox was a quality item, the doors shut with a quality thud to them. In fact everything I can slag my kia off about I could not say about my Skoda. The gearbox on th Kia is crap, the doors are cheap and lightweight and shut with a cheap feeling. The back doors feel like they are made out of paper and most of the car has a cheap squeaking feel to it. The 1.4 16v engine is a bit small for the car and you need to hammer it to keep up with the traffic, but despite being a bit puny it was a decent engine. Back seat was a bit strange and seemed to be set at a almost 90% angle. Good car, should have kept it. If the 2010 models are as good as the 2002 models where my advice would be, buy with confidence but steer clear of the 1.4 (it has 80bhp now, mine had 75 but that is not enought for the car.) Make sure you at least go for the 1.6. The car would really benefit from the extra horsepower. I would buy another, I would not buy another Kia. If I buy another new car Skoda Octavia will be miles ahead of Kia Cee’d on my list. Skoda just need to start offering a 7 year warrnty. Their product is much better than Kia offering.

Skoda Octavia Estate 1.6 TDi SE 2010

Had previously owned a Skoda Felicia Estate for several years as a second car for the Allotment and decided it was time to get a one sensible estate car rather than run two cars. Did my research, booked the test drive and took delivery of the new Octavia 1.6 TDi SE estate at the weekend. Under the current Skoda promotion they paid the VAT and with a few optional extras, i.e. metallic paint, leather intelligent steering wheel, full size spare wheel, I believe I have secured one of the best estate cars available for just over £16K. The engine is responsive with frugal fuel consumption turning in 50+ to the gallon already and only £35 a year road tax after the fist year which was free. The SE level of trim represents excellent value for money with great build quality and finish. Load space is excellent with additional storage areas throughout the car. The 1.6 TDi engine with its turbo charge gives the feel of a lot bigger engine with brisk acceleration and low cruising engine revs. The Skoda slogan to create Happy Customers is definitely their goal. No hard sell from the dealer and nothing appeared to be too much trouble. If only all car manufacturers had the same approach. In 35 years of motoring, this must be the most sensible car I have purchased.

Skoda Fabia VRS 2010

Skoda VRS When a manufacturer puts one of the most up-to-date and best engines into one of the most cultivated hatchback bodies and when they liberate 180 bhp from just 1.4 litres (Thanks to turbocharging AND supercharging) in a small car weighing just 1318 kgs - and when great pains are taken to ensure that all subservient systems from the cutting edge DSG gearbox to the tuned suspension and XDF electronic diff. perfectly complement the 140mph performance: and when provision is made for the driver to be totally relaxed and in absolute control - you have the very epitome of the performance hatchback. That is what the new £15,700 (£17,360 as tested) Fabia VRS is. So - a lyrical interlude in the early autumnal splendour of Somersetshire was keenly anticipated. And with the need to put the VRS through its paces, I looked forward to open roads, uninhibited twisting bends and the avoidance of all that is stress inducing on British highways today. But first I had to suffer a hundred miles of motorway travel along with fellow ’tester’ and highway expert, Dick Turnip. (This time, without his trusty assistant, Slack Bess). We both concluded that whilst the engine was whisper quiet and creamy smooth, road noise was a touch intrusive at normal cruising speed.(Only to be expected, perhaps, with such a sporty set up and low profile tyres). On the day in question, a spell of Indian summer brought fragrant warmth to the bucolic air. In fact, comfortably ensconced in the little five door Skoda (This is a car perfectly proportioned, unostentatiously compact, yet surprisingly roomy) I confess I reached first of all for the air con control and luxuriated in mans control over the elements. Make no mistake: while this is not a traditional sports car of the ’olde sorte’, its eagerness to get up and go is indicative of its perky prowess and perfectly poised road manners. It has a certain cheekiness reminiscent of fluttering skirts and ’hell-for-leather’ gallops: no suggestion of peat moss here - more a suggestion of the ’Stirling’ kind. Press on; work the wheel; drive through the seven gears (which perform any kind of fandango one might wish - at the behest and control of the gear lever, the steering mounted paddles, the electronic brain or even the pilot) and - with a firm ’seat of the pants’ positivity about the suspension and steering, one feels that it would take an angry family of rhinos to deviate one from ones track. And speaking of rhinos, I can tell you that the horn most definitely works - as I discovered in making a countryman who was oblivious to road safety, jump out of his skin. He quickly slapped on the anchors on his rampant tractor with which he was attempting to construct a chicane-shaped dyke across the main road. I think he might have said ’corr’ and even followed that with a ’blimey’ or two. For those who fear that high performance entails extraordinary guzzling applications, I have to report to you that this is correct - but not in the way you think. Rather than displaying an ’Ice Cold in Alex’ type thirst, it sips daintily of the precious juice - which means that you don’t break out into a sweat every time you pull in for fuel. Skoda claim an overall fuel consumption of 45.6 mpg but I managed to get just about 42mpg. After a spell on country roads as darkness descended I stopped at a hostelry and there in the street light free darkness I caught a glimpse of the planet Jupiter shining brightly. I reflected whimsically that our planet could do with a gas giant or two to supply its energy needs. So - I congratulated myself on choosing a car that hit the spot. Not Jupiter’s red spot, I hasten to add, but that very tender spot in your correspondents wallet. However, where fuel is concerned it is not as economical as the previous, sadly missed, VRS diesel with manual gears (The new model is only available with petrol power and the DSG gearbox), which returned nearly 60 mpg. - so necessary in this mean, peevish, money-grabbing land where a chap is forced to extend his plastic card to the limit when refuelling or buying a bag of chips. For those who imagine superchargers went out with top hats and tails, this little wizard will have you waltzing all the way with a whistle on your lips. And you can tell Matilda it won’t hop like a kangaroo thanks to the uprated suspension and splendid steering. It’s a demon of a car ’point-to-point’ and I must tell you readers (In strictest confidence, of course), that on another occasion back on home turf, I crossed from Shropshire into Wales at supersonic speed. The question is, whether ’tis nobler in the mind to settle for yesterdays manual gears, less fuss and more mpg or else face a techno package that packs more punch and wipes most of the opposition clean. In other words, frills and thrills versus a modicum of sense and sensibility. You pay your money and you take your choice. Make no mistake, I love what’s been done to the VRS but miss what has been left behind. But the manufacturers, no doubt, assuredly feel confident that the opposition is right behind - in the rear view mirror.

Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDi 2008

Buying my Fabia is the best decision I ever made... In fact, I only came across this review site as I am looking for brake pads, as over 2 years in, they still haven’t needed changing, so I though that I may get some in to save time when the day comes. It is powerful, comfortable, small enough to park easily and I get about 7-800km to a full tank of fuel. I love my fabia and have been looking at getting a convertible Yeti as my 2nd Car. I love Skodas!

Skoda Fabia 1.6tdi 2010

Well, what can I say about this thing? The test drive went great, but after 10,000 miles this car is such a let down; the handling so bad, tyre wear on the edge of the tyre is a prob, 42mpg at best, the dash rattles and it makes the warning lights come on. If you hit a pot hole the dash lights up! Maybe I got a Friday afternoon car? One thing for sure I will not buy another.

Responses to this review

Increased tyre wear on the sides is a symptom of low tyre pressure. On combined cycle, our 1.2 TSI is achieving 6.5L/100km and there is a lot of city driving included. About the rattle, I would contact your dealer if I were you - Daniel from Czech Republic

Skoda Octavia Estate 1.9 TDI 2001

We have owned our Octavia from new and have nothing but praise for it. It has been ultra reliable and a real work horse. In fact we love it so much that we have not been tempted to replace it all these years! Haven’t really found another family estate to match up to be honest. However we are now thinking of replacing it with a.... Skoda Octavia Scout after last winter! Highly recommend it and we are very happy drivers!

Skoda Superb Greenline 2010

I must admit was a little reluctant to look at the superb. Thought the new model was very good looking and upmarket (although back lights could be a little nicer, but only taste - new Estate much better) Far Far Better than original model. Write ups were very positive so I had a look. AND Was I IMPRESSED OR WHAT! I owned a VW Passat 55 Plate and loved it, this was by far better! Bigger, more toys and cheaper! I had wanted a Jag but the wife was reluctant, but instantly fell in love with the Superb. We have had it 6 months now, done over 10000 miles and it has not missed a beat. Smooth, quiet and responsive. The kids love it, plenty of room and returning phenomonal fuel economy. 64mpg from Edin to Inverness and 79mpg from Edinburgh to Manchester! (Not light footed either) Its averaging around 55mpg around town. My neighbour is so impressed he bought one yesterday and many of my mates thought I had bought a BMW - as if! It has presence and it is well built. 2 Doors along from us have a E Class Merc and I have more leg room and a friend has a new 7 series and guess who has more legroom in the rear! Undoubtedly I will be getting another in the future.

Skoda Superb 2010

I had the first Superb, well originally it was the Passat that was stretched until the Phaeton was developed. So that is why the first Superb looked like the Passat. Well I enjoyed the first one and when the new one came out I just had to look at it, ok ended up buying one (was not planned) and enjoy driving it. Went to a garden centre and had to think after I came out as I had bought a large item and how to transport it, simple with the Superb you transform it from a saloon to a hatch back!! I see there are those who say it has no power to it!! well mine accelerates well enough, I was on a steep hill with a duel carriage way at the bottom of the hill I was in 6th gear over taking some cars when an idiot in a BMW 3 series was flashing me so I put my foot down and before I knew it I was over the speed limit with a big gap between me an the BMW 3 series. pleased I never bought one of them!! one word for my car SUPERB!

Skoda Octavia Estate 2010

Hi all, just a few words about my Octavia estate, it’s sheer class. I’ve been driving vans for years and I wanted a change, something more comfortable and reliable with better performance to match..well what a car, my octavia is wonderful. I get all my gear in and I’m averaging 46mpg, never missed a beat and the performance is great even when fully loaded. I bought mine from Gordon Lamb (skoda) in Chesterfield, very happy with them and my car, i’ll definitely be buying another Skoda,and from them too. Look past the badge it’s a great car, build quality, performance, reliability, oh and they hold their money really well too. Yes I’m a happy driver.

Skoda Roomster 1.6 TDI 2010

Well, I don’t have many opportunities to drive a car like this one, but I got the chance. Maybe isn’t big deal as a family car, but I choose it as a van. I use it for work everyday, fighting with traffic the Roomster van is a relief, I’m happy I choose it through many Comercial Vehicles: Fiat Fiorino, Citroen Nemo, Peugeot Bipper, Opel Combo, Ford Transit connect and finally Volkswagen Caddy Van. I studied all on the road, I didn’t drive them I only saw them how they acting in different conditions: between hills, U turns (curves between 90-180 degrees), on wet roads, but this Roomster at first look doesn’t say anything, you must discover her secrets, I study it on the road....amazing because it has challenged my expectations. I never thought a Skoda could do such  good stuff, for this make this is a new, and I believe it is a very big leap. Roomster is the perfect Commercial Van for the transporters, not small at all, perfect dimensions, perfect handling, isn’t the best running vehicle, but it does its job pretty well and you’ll not be disappointed.

Skoda Fabia 2008

Awful car, warning lights keep coming on. Handles terrible, feels like it will roll over when you go around roundabouts. No glove box so no where to put things like sat navs. Manual key locks.

Responses to this review

David, I do not know what are you talking about. I drive a Skoda Fabia 1.2,73hp; it is my fourth car so far and I couldnt be more pleased by the car. I don’t know what do you mean about the handling, the car handles perfectly on corners, even at high speed. The esp works perfectly and the tyres are sticking to the asphalt. The steering is extremely precise and the variable servo is a huge help. I don’t know what car you were driving but it certainly wasn’t a Skoda Fabia - ilija from Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic Of

Dave, had same problems with mine - Jake Genfield from Derbyshire

What car are you talking about? I have never seen a car of any make without a glove box and my Fabia certainly has one, plus storage boxes under front seats and door pockets with elastic straps for tall items, map pockets on the back of front seats and a large boot. The only disappointment is the gutless 1.4 engine - it has to be revved to get any real power and frequent gear changes are needed if you want to get a move on. It’s a good job the gear box is sweet and easy to use or it would be a chore - Dave Wilson from Warwickshire

Skoda Fabia Estate Scout 2009

Had the car 7 months, 50 mpg average 68 mpg at 56 mph from 1.9 litre engine (105 bhp). The build quality is superb, easily as good as VW. Great car to drive, especially at motorway speeds.

Skoda Fabia 2010

My son bought a little Skoda Fabia in 2006. It was the absolute basic model 1.2 petrol. I rapidly became quite impressed with it and after riding in it on and off for four years decided to buy my own. As I was retiring I bought a Fabia Elegance model 1.6 CR tdi which meant £35 a year to tax and lots of miles to the gallon. It certainly is everything complimentary that other reviewers have mentioned. I cannot find anything bad to say about it only that I would have preferred the leather in cream not black. It’s now done a thousand miles and I am extremely pleased with it.

Skoda Octavia 2.0 Tdi Sport DSG 2007

I see there are a minority of folk rubbishing Skoda on here and I can say with complete honesty.....YOU ARE ALL TALKING RUBBISH!!! I have been using Skodas for 10 years for taxi driving and they are by far the best car for the job, and boy taxis do take some hammer. I have had: 2002 Octavia 1.9 Tdi 90 bhp Ambient A4 Manual 2003 Superb 1.9 Tdi 130 bhp Comfort Manual 2004 Superb 1.9 Tdi 130 bhp Elegance Manual 2005 Octavia 2.0 Tdi 140 bhp Sport Manual 2007 Octavia 2.0 Tdi 140 bhp Sport DSG (Current Car) All the above taxis!!! Yes, I’ve had the odd problem but nothing compared to some of the lads driving Ford and Vauxhalls. It certainly hasn’t put me off. Anyway, it’s not just about the car but how well the dealer looks after me. The Skoda dealers are probably amongst the best in the industry. My mrs has a BMW Z4, BMW dealers are a joke!! Ford dealers are just so uninterested in what you have to say!! Citroen/Peugeot/Renault dealers don’t know what they are talking about!! And yes, I have dealt with them all in 23 years of driving but the Skoda dealers are bang on. If you’re thinking of buying one, take the plunge and give one a try, I doubt very much you will be disappointed!! Take it from a driver who has driven them for 10 years at 50,000 miles a year!!

Skoda Octavia 1.6CR TDi Elegance saloon 2010

If asked to best describe this car, I would say ’value for money’. Consider what you get for £1000’s less than other similarly-spec’d brands: VW - group technology, (clearly visible when you open the bonnet), comfort, fuel economy, more than adequate, if not exactly sporting performance but then I don’t need that, huge carrying capacity, great fuel economy and loads of features. Road tax is low. Residuals are now good. I took all of this into account recently when considering a new 10-reg car and went for the 1.6TDi Elegance, as it ticked all the boxes in what I consider important in a car. I love it,it is easily the best car I’ve ever owned in 35 years of car ownership. Nice one, Skoda!

Responses to this review

I agree with Eamonn’s 100% - Chris Wiley from Ireland

Just to add to my review: on a recent holiday in Northern Ireland, which ended in a fast motorway dash at 75mph from Dublin to Galway, the Octavia averaged an astonishing 63.8mpg. I have also discovered that its boot is larger than that of a Mk 4 Golf Estate with rear seats up - Eamonn O’Regan from Ireland

Skoda Fabia Estate 80 BHP 3 2009

This is my second new Fabia Estate, my first on an 56 plate was impressive. My 59 plate is better except for a water leak from the seal at the top of the drivers door. It has been back to the dealers for a "modified" seal - that did not work. It then went back to the dealers for them to put a solvent on the seal to expand it. This did not work, Skoda have at last admitted there is a problem, the dealers have stuck some plastic in the seal gutter as a temporary measure till Skoda have developed a new seal. They have recogniseD there is an international problem with their seals. The last effort to cure the leak has not worked either. I have had the car 9 months and covered 9000 miles.

Skoda Yeti Elegance 1.2 TSI 105bhp 2010

All interesting cars bring with them the power of suggestion which outweighs the fact that they are just boxes on wheels which get you from here to there with varying degrees of comfort and efficiency. And what the Yeti - newest addition to the Skoda range - suggests is this: that it’s a modern, exhaustively designed and engineered alternative to the traditional family hatchback that brims with originality and aesthetic attitude. It is, in fact, a compact capsule of artfully honed good taste. The Yeti offers the ideal balance between family orientated practicality and rufty tufty 4x4 styling, so it’s a real ’crossover’ vehicle. There’s a choice of either two or four wheel drive and either diesel or petrol power. The Yeti looks terrific, of course. You can see that. Bold yet approachable is how Skoda describe it, claiming that the look imparts a feeling of solidity and safety without seeming bulky or intimidating. It is a sensible compromise for those who want utility without ugliness, capacity without excessive volume and versatility without vulgarity. It will take you where you want to go anytime at all with a minimum of fuss and an admirable injection of style with a ’feel good’ factor that only a well considered design can provide. Inside, the Yeti is designed to make the most of the available space. There’s a bright roomy feel that strikes an excellent balance between practicality and comfort and the cabin architecture displays real substance with clean lines and essential simplicity - and it’s all beautifully assembled. There’s definitely a strong feeling of well-being and all is fine with the Yeti’s lifestyle skills.. At the rear, there’s Skoda’s innovative Varioflex seating that allows the seats to be moved forwards or backwards, reclined individually, rolled up or completely removed. What’s more, rear passengers have a great view out thanks to seats that are mounted higher than those in the front. The test car was fitted the optional power operated panoramic sunroof that gives you a feeling of being in your conservatory. At the wheel you enjoy comfort thanks to a shapely seat and a range of adjustment to suit all, from the smallest Lilliputian to The Incredible Hulk. A high seating position provides a sweeping panorama across to the horizon - good for heading off the lunatic motorist at the pass and ideal for disclosing the beauty of our nations landscape. While the off road capabilities of this two wheel drive version are not those of the four wheel drive variant, the ample ground clearance gives it more capability than your average hatchback. I can confidently say that if Napoleon had owned one of these at Waterloo he most certainly would not have got stuck in his wellingtons. Equipment levels are high on the 1.2 TSI 105bhp SE trim level version, which is priced at £17,995. Extras like Sat Nav., silver roof rails and that panoramic sunroof brought the price of the test Yeti to a rather high £20,450. ’Shocking!’ I hear you say. ’A 1.2 litre petrol engine?’ ’A chap could have a 10 litre V16 for that sort of money’. It must be a Government conspiracy to emasculate our motors! Well, I’m pleased to report that it is indeed ’shocking’ - but in the most surprisingly positive way. The engine is a gold nugget and a willing and lusty servant that whizzes you along at disgraceful velocities. Turbocharged and on steroids its powerband is broad and delivery is seamless. With oodles of torque it transported three jolly motoring journalists to an event with such surprising ease that one of that number refused to believe it was just a1.2 litre (And he’s the ’Flash Gordon’ who does a lot of racing.). Top speed is an easy 110mph and mid-range performance is such that you never struggle even when fully laden. Crisp, willing and punchy - yet very smooth - you can have quite a lot of fun in a 1.2 litre Yeti: and you’ll still get around 40mpg overall. Time spent on rural switchback routes confirmed that the Yeti has real poise and purpose about it. Handling is distinctly capable and everything combines to make press-on driving both a temptation and a pleasure - yet the ride is comfortingly pliant. Should you ever forget that you’re in a Yeti, the furry keyring serves as a token to guarantee cosy passage through all the elements and It will get you home through all the abominations of our pock-marked roads. What’s special about it is that it manages to combine all the best of this kind of vehicle in the most convenient package. It’s spot-on for the sort of owner who wants to box clever and tick all the boxes. And thankfully, with CO2 of just 149 g/km it leaves no abominable foot

Skoda Octavia Estate L&K Tdi PD 140bhp 2007

This is my 3rd Octavia diesel L&K in 6 years. All have been great cars and great value for money. My BIG gripe on my 57 Octavia is the fuel consumption is abysmal. The previous 23,000 mile 55 L&K, with the exact same spec, I was able to achieve up to 57mpg on a long motorway journey. The 30,000 mile 57 Octavia is lucky to reach 44mpg on a similar run. After Diagnostic tests showed all components were functioning normally, Skoda Customer Services washed their hands of the problem, and blamed my driving. NO MORE Skoda Octavias for me in future.

Skoda Fabia Estate TD 1.4 2009

I find that the headlights are not so bright as one expects on a 09 car. On dipped they only light up 5 -6meters, not powerful enough on unlight motorways. On a drive back from Hastings on the A21 IN THE DARK,I FOUND IT QUITE FRIGHTENING. only one head lamp each side, not as good as VW.

Skoda Fabia Comfort 2000

I Love Our Skoda, it’s economical, nice to drive and roomy. It pulls our Folding Camper well too. All in all BRILLIANT I want my own one now!

Skoda Roomster Roomster S 1.4 Diesel 2009

Recognisably different, yet stylistically attractive enough to avoid worrying potential purchasers reluctant to try new things, the Roomster deserves to be judged favourably. Presenting the world with a non-utilitarian appearance, it manages to look reasonable from any angle - no mean trick with a vehicle as upright as this one. The competence of its body design shines through in terms of lots of interior space with a variety of passenger/load permutations. The Roomster is really a five-seater MPV that features a most intelligently designed and flexible interior offering as much space as a two-bed roomed semi. At the front is the ’driving room’ which provides a first class environment for the driver with comfy seating and excellent visibility. Further back you’re in the ’living room’ - a big area that is ’spot on’ for keeping passengers safe, entertained and relaxed. Juggle Skodas ’Varioflex’ seating system and in an instant you have the large cargo hold of a deep-sea freighter. This is a ’Captain Sensible’ car if ever there was one. However, I knew from the start that the Roomster was going to irritate cosy suburban sensibilities. "What is it?" Squealed a sententiously skewed neighbour. "It’s... it’s... unusual." But Skoda isn’t after the approbation of people who buy vacuum-packed Granny Smith apples from Marks and Spencer. This is practical non-conformist styling that’s a little bit daring - and I like that a lot. Being different, though, won’t sustain mediocrity, so I’m pleased to be able to report that in the quality stakes, standards are high. Shut the door, run your hands over the tightly woven fabrics which feel as if they have been recycled from expensive gentlemen’s sports jackets, try out the damped action of the controls. It all inspires confidence. This sense of integrity and solidity is detectable on the road too. The Roomster feels like a car you can trust. There’s a choice of engines from three petrol and three diesel and a choice of three specification levels: S, SE and Scout. with prices starting at just £10,445. Testing the S variant with the smallest diesel engine was quite a revelation. Only 1.4 litres and just 70bhp I mused: the starter motor on my ’superbike’ is more powerful than that. ’Better not head north with a load on board’ I said to myself: ’That’s uphill.’ How wrong I was. The torquey little motor ’pulls like a train’ and without cracking the whip, I was travelling, as briskly as any chap should - secure in the knowledge that fuel was being consumed frugally. Never ones to exaggerate, Skoda are surely conservative in their claims. 53.3 mpg overall, might be the figure attained when heading into a force nine gale - but your leaden-booted correspondent got nearer 60mpg. Those who love to swoosh about, cocooned in sterile silence in the latest diesel powered palaces which pretend to be magic carpets, might comment that this variant of Roomster is not as quiet as their usual inert 5 Series BMW diesel. Well it jolly well isn’t - but it is three million pounds cheaper, gets you from A to B as quickly these days and won’t lose as much money. I found that gruff, torquey little engine a total ’living’ delight. Uphill, down dale, loaded or unloaded it serves you well - just about giving enough ’go’ to let you enjoy the unexpected nimbleness on twisty roads. You can tackle serious journeys in a Roomster. Comfortable accommodation, loads of room, excellent visibility and a wonderfully cohesive air of commonsense about the overall design, make it one of the best ’real world’ travel accessories available. So - when the Roomster crows at the break of dawn, it’s time to be up and away!

Skoda Octavia Estate VRS Diesel 2008

After 4 years of running various Jeeps, the (lack of) fuel economy, Road Tax levy and service costs were beginning to hurt! Sitting with my wife whilst we bought her a Roomster, a six months old VRS Estate, a car used by the garages FD, lured me in its direction. Three days and a 1/2 day test drive later I bought it. I thought it would be ages before I could enjoy a family estate but it happened from the word ’go’. Great performance, especially where it matters. like overtaking, build quality as good as or better than the Jeeps, and averages 40mpg, without driving as if I’m always on an economy run! As I write it’s two years old, I’ve had it for eighteen months and, after twice getting stuck on snow covered roads I was hankering after a 4x4 again. Enter the Octavia Scout, I should pick up my new one next week, having lost hardly anything on the VRS. Only two insignificant gripes: The bonnet release handle is tack plastic and not up to the job, every other time I use it it falls off and needs a rebuild; Secondly, the tip of the dipstick is black plastic, nigh on impossible to see the wet/dry oil level mark!

Skoda Octavia 2000

Good mid size car that’s comfortable on motorways yet not too thirsty around town. Huge boot for carrying. Visibility for driver not as good as some other cars and electrics can be a little temperamental in older cars - e.g. central locking not reliable and windows may all go down as you walk away after parking up, (with no ignition on, so explain that!)

Skoda Fabia Estate 2009

Good car! Good ride!

Skoda Octavia VRS 2004

This vehicle, quite frankly, goes like stink! It sticks to the road, handles well round bends and accelerates just when you want (or need!) it to! Long distance fuel consumption is pretty good and is in fact better than some smaller engine size cars! Obviously if you’re hammering the hell out of it, the fuel doesn’t go so far! My only gripe would be that the front end is a little low to the ground, but as long as you’re careful, its not too much of a problem!

Skoda Fabia 2008

I love this car, my partner and I looked at a number of cars and models (including Ford and Vauxhall), but the Skoda ’capped’ them all. We purchased the Fabia 3 diesel turbo, which is the top of the range model with all round air bags, air con, parking sensors, blah, blah, blah... The most important factor (to me) was that I wanted a ’solid’ car, the mainstream variants all felt and sounded ’tinny’. I had two baby boys to consider in purchasing a vehicle, and the Skoda was seen by accident as I was looking at the Mitsubishi, but could not find the salesmen, so the Skoda salesman stepped in, gave us some information, took us for a test drive, and let us have a good all round look and feel of the car. It is not my usual car, it is not fast, but it is a very solid, stable, good looking car with a vert torquey engine that can and does pull anything. I am happy and confident of my baby boys position and safety in the car, which was paramount in my making the decision. I hope that this review is helpful, as the car is brilliant and we got an excellent deal.

Skoda Fabia Estate 1.4TDi 2 2008

We’ve had the car 9 months and everything was OK until the car suddenly died on my wife one night on a lonely country lane. The car was recovered to the dealer who said the clutch was burnt out. They would have to replace the clutch and the flywheel and would not be covered under warranty even though the car has only done 21k (we’ve done 7k in it). They said it was driver abuse but this is the first time in over 35 years of driving that either of us have had a clutch replaced. Apart from this the car has been excellent except in the recent snow when it was useless. One wonders if the clutch can handle the constant gear changing required by the gutless engine (see other reviews).

Skoda Octavia 1.9 tdi 110bhp 2000

I bought this car new and have covered 250,000 trouble free miles. It still has the original clutch! In that time I have replaced discs and pads twice, routine servicing only required and the only faults have been one door central locking failure and an auxilliary belt tensioner. It has averaged 65mpg and uses a set of tyres every 45-50,000. What else can I say except I’m passing it on to my daughter as I have ordered a new one.

Responses to this review

I had the same model Octavia and a SEAT Toledo with the same engine. That VAG 110bhp engine was brilliant, the performance was good. The emission control was one of the best around and the economy well more than 60mpg + could be achieved without having to worry about having lift your foot. I used to smile as I cruised in the fast lane because I knew that I had a better car using less fuel than most I was passing. That engine in common with many in the Audi’s was the last of its type ITS SUCCESSORS ARE NOT AS GOOD. The injectors of PD and the ’common rail’ engines are controlled totally and electrically by the ECU (car computer) for all its sophistication this form of control and and its poor EGR response complications has yet to equal the previous injection technique in terms of economy. The DPF is another curse requiring a separate addititive or using more fuel to keep it working. So with the 110bhp Tdi you had the one of best engines in one of the best cars for the money. You may find it difficult to get a replacement as good - M Timberlake from Sussex

Skoda Octavia Estate Scout 2009

Few marques have a history like that of Skoda. Once with a high-rolling image to rival anything, Skodas had the prestige and clout to make them the choice of kings. Now you don’t need a kings ransom to own one of the most complete cars you could think of. They’ve given us an improved and enhanced version of the standard Octavia 4x4 Estate which will set you back just over £21,000 - so ’be prepared’ for a good report. In revising the suspension - which is an all important consideration for country folk wishing to venture off the beaten track - and raising the ride height too, Skoda have raised the bar. With the Octavia Scout you’re in good hands. Any Octavia is synonymous with good value motoring and this version builds on that reputation. There’s all the confidence that comes from solid engineering; giving a car that’s suited to most requirements, on and off road. You can go where other estates would either shake themselves to bits over rough terrain or get bogged down in a puddle. Nowhere near as ’rufty tufty’ as a Land Rover or as ’mountain goat’ as a little Suzuki, of course, - but, nevertheless capable of taking you into areas where you would need green wellies and a Barbour jacket: we’re talking here of a ’proper’ country car. You get the feeling that this Scout car is always on the lookout for the driver and passengers comfort and convenience - a testimony to the conceptual planning that’s gone into it. Seats are admirably comfortable and the view from the driving seat is a good one. Light enough to be nimble; solid enough to be reassuring, this versatile transportation package will appeal to many. On motorways, distant horizons beckon: on twisty roads you’re firmly pegged to the ground. This is a sophisticated and refined ’real world’ car with quality to rival any BMW: surely Skoda are on the verge of establishing a new world order. Like all Octavias, the Scout is noticeably well equipped and well prepared for any task. A comprehensive standard specification includes everything from a sump guard to protect when off-road, through comfort features galore like dual zone climate control and special Scout upholstery (thankfully not in khaki), to stylish alloy wheels and solid looking side protection strips plus bigger bumpers for the rough and tumble that it’s likely to encounter - not to mention ESP, ABS, DSR and all the other GCSEs you can think of. A pleasant surprise is yours as soon as you are underway. The diesel engine is refined and has a good and accessible powerband so you know there’s enough power to tackle any situation within reason. Available with a 1.8 TSI petrol engine, generating 160bhp, or a 2.0 TDI PD turbodiesel with an output of 140bhp, both engines drive through a six speed manual transmission and four-wheel-drive Haldex clutch system - the best in the business. This transfers power between front and rear wheels as and when required. There’s even a ’Hill Hold’ control to stop you rolling backwards on a hill start if you’re one of those inept drivers who have poor car control skills. One would think that such sophistication would mean heavy fuel consumption, but I’m pleased to be able to report that my diesel powered test car retuned over 45mpg despite being able to whizz along an autobahn at over 120mph if we had gone to Germany - and cruise control is standard, to make life easy for you on motorway trips. Giving a smooth and quiet ride at all times,this is a car that is relaxing to drive over long distances - and if your journey has taken you into the wilds where boulevard cruisers baulk at the first hint of an unmetalled track, the Scout will get you through. So, loaded to the gunwhales with the contents of a pals flat, we drove to his remote cottage. The Scout was confidence inspiring as we crossed the bleak wilderness of Shropshire’s Long Mynd as snow began to fall. These were treacherous conditions that left all ’ordinary’ cars slip - sliding wildly: the Scout took it all in it’s stride: we were well prepared to go anywhere. Taking advantage of the good ground clearance and broad spread of power we followed a dirt track and the competent quiet progress enabled us to enjoy the panorama of that vast landscape. The Scout is a vehicle that is highly competent offering engineering standards second to none - so it should easily survive the rigours of country use for years. I’m pleased to be able to tell you - the Skoda Scout is a good ’un: honest it is!

Skoda Roomster 2 1.9tdi 2007

I have now covered 93,000 miles, the only niggles are rear bearing failed at 80k and occassional issue with the radio where it is on but no sound until you turn the ignition off and on. I do a lot of long motorway runs all over the UK, it has handled family holidy in Scotland with no problems with the hills and tows my trailer for camping with the scouts easily. The economy averages about 52-55mpg, but careful driving can get 60+mpg, when around town I get 45-48mpg. Minor gripes I have about my roomster are 1:) the projector headlights are as good as candles, 2:) the lack of cover between the back seats and parcel shelf is a pain if like me you carry stuff in the boot for work. On the whole a good car, the way the back doors open wide is good for access, very comfortable on long runs but a little noisy on the motorway compared to some cars but is easy to service once the warranty has expired.

Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI 2009

I bought a new Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI ELG and love it, it’s the best car that I have ever driven. Before that I bought a new 2007 elegence petrol1.6, that too was just fantastic, it’s trouble free motoring all the time. Best cars ever, well done Skoda.

Responses to this review

I am expecting to take delivery shortly of a new Octavia 1.4se dsg give me a few weeks and I ll let you know my views on it. Thank you - David Graham from County Londonderry

Skoda Octavia elegance 2.0TDI DSG 2005

The review from Paul Talbot below reasonates with my experience. My prior car was an auto Omega 2.0 GLS and was a beauty to drive, I just didn’t like the electrical fauts it had. The Skoda feels like it is hewn from solid steel it really feels solid - a very reassuring feel when buying second hand. It’s overtaking ability is very good especially with the sutomatic box, and if you want to feel the urge from the 140bhp engine put the gearstick into sports mode and boot it. My wife and I love driving in town and on motorways. I feel a bit sorry for people who pay all that extra for a VW or AUDI badge, as Skoda are a now scoring higher in reliability surveys. Lot’s of TV adverts for VW and AUDI and none for SKODA ! I like the fact that you can set a variable warning bell for when you go over a certain speed, setting mine at 30mph has saved me from a speed camera ticket once or twice. The boot is bigger than the omega and that was big, the stereo is excellent too. The funny thing is I would never have considered buying one were it not for the fact that I needed a car urgently (the Vauxhall Omega died) and the main criteria were it had to be auto and diesel - apart from a Mondeo the Octavia was the only other choice at the time. I think a sign of a good car is that you look forward to driving it every day- the Skoda Elegance does that for me. The only criticism is that I can’t detach the rear aerial and although it folds flat I am dubious about using the local ASDA auto car wash. Can anyone advise?

Responses to this review

Stick the antenna to the rear window with a adhesive tape. This is how I solve that problem. By the way; I’m just about to replace my Octavia Elegance 1.8 20V T 2003 with a Octavia Elegance 2.0TDI DSG 2007. I hope I can cope with the fact that the 2.0TDI quite slower than the 1.8 20V T - Peter Wigen Bjarnų from Denmark

Thanks Peter - Steve Wall from England

Skoda Roomster Roomster 2 TDI 80 2008

Ignore the silly fools, this is a good car, at a reasonable price which does what it is actually designed to do. Perfect for the medium family and very versatile and economical.

Skoda Octavia 1.9TDi Classic 2006

I bought this car second hand at a year old with 14,000 miles on the clock. When I purchased the car I didn’t realise that it had previously been a rental vehicle so if you’re considering purchasing one of this age / mileage, be sure to ask! I think these are in theory an excellent car, spacious, comfortable, economic, but I’ve had nothing but problems with it, from endless suspension issues, problems with the gearbox and general niggles. The engine is a bit loud, the road noise is dreadful unless you find just the right tyres (in my case pirelli P6000’s), the clutch is weak and the stereo is pretty poor. In the car’s defence, it’s issues seem to be more as a result of unsympathetic rental drivers than bad build quality, but the car is in the dealer’s yet again, and my warranty runs out next friday. Would i buy one again .... honestly, i dont think so, and with the warranty about to expire i’m thinking about getting shot of it before anything else goes wrong.

Skoda Fabia 2007

I think it is a really bad car. It has a messed up tank and is too small. The leather ripped after a year and it has been giving me trouble since I bought it, but nobody wants to buy a Fabia. I regret buying it.

Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI Lauren and Klement 2009

First I must say, stay away from Skoda, it’s by far the worse car I have ever driven! I have driven a vast number of different brands from Honda/Toyota to Ford/GMC to Audi/BMW/Mercedes. I am writing this review so that others may not be misguided as a result of making the same mistake I did. After reading so many reviews about Skoda as being very well rated I picked one my self. I wanted to say this, "how in the world did you come up with these ratings?" I was faced with the decision of choosing a company car and I picked a Skoda based on the reviews I found. These reviews are misguiding for people that have limited time or are not familiar with Skoda brand. I’m confused as to why some people are comparing Skoda with VW, BMW or Audi? Let’s clear this up. This car is simply a Skoda and nothing more! Skoda is built in the Czech Republic and quality is limited. 1. The Engine is loud similar to a Tractor and first and second gears are short and powerless. 2. Road noise is very present and makes driving an unpleasant experience (the cabin insulation seems non-existent) 3. Interior/Exterior: car has lots of plastic materials that look plain and cheap. 4. Visibility issues: Critical Dead Spot- the Left side Pillar blocking driver’s view when making left turns. 5.Diesel Engine: noise is very unpleasant and tiring for long drives unlike Audi, BMW or VW whose engines are quiet and smooth. 6.Seats are very uncomfortable I already have back pains, long drives are horrible. 7.Car is unstable and turbulence apparent especially when driving on pot holes, rougher roads or over 120KM/hr on the highway. Apparently the suspension system is not doing a good job in absorbing the road impacts. Final word: Do not waste your time or money with Skoda, it’s not worth it!

Responses to this review

I’m confused - "1. The Engine is loud similar to a Tractor and first and second gears are short and powerless." 5. Diesel Engine: noise is very unpleasant and tiring for long drives unlike Audi, BMW or VW whose engines are quiet and smooth" What you mean like the 2.0 TDi VW/Audi engine that is fitted to this Skoda? - Simon Bucannon from England

You say that the quality is not as good as Audi, VW, BMW, it is based on and built from VAG parts with the same quality control required in ALL VAG factories. I have also owned BMW’s and the build quality of all the makes you mentioned is almost the same as the Skoda. If you wish to voice your opinion you should do so with factual comparisons rather than open ended unproven comments - Phil from England

There is nothing in this report that you couldn’t have found out by taking a test drive or by doing rudimentary internet research. 1. In a 2009 car you probably have the PD engine that has always been criticised for being at the rough end of the diesel scale when pushed hard- newer models have the quieter and more refined CR. You should have discovered this on the road test. 2. Road noise - you should have picked this up on the road test - Octavias are prone to road noise. 3. Interior - did you actually road test before you selected this car? Did you even sit in one? 4. Visiblity issue - yes I agree but... road test? 5. See 1 6. Seats are firm just like most German cars. Did you even sit in one before you selected it? 7. Suspension is firm like most German cars - test drive? The Octavia is not a perfect car and like all cars will have some characterisitics that don’t appeal to everyone and others that some will accept as compromise and others just can’t live with. This is why you do a good long road test! For the record I am about to get rid of my 2006 diesel Octavia Elegance - and replace it with another! - Brian from Yorkshire

What a w####r you are. These cars use VW engines and components. You clearly don’t understand the engineering concept of a world car. You are one voice against thousands who really rate Skoda - Jock Tailor from Northumberland

I’m confused as to why some people are comparing Skoda with VW, BMW or Audi? Maybe you are missing the point of who owns Skoda and which parts bins they use. My 2004 vRS Octavia Estate has the same 1.8T 180hp engine as an Audi TT. It just means that for 136k miles I have been able to transport myself quickly, my family steadily and safely and with as much luggage as my wife can muster. If you want an honest couple of gripes, from experience rather than spleen, here goes. It’s a little cramped for rear leg space and the front skirt is a little low for many speed humps). I didn’t have to pay twice as much for a fancier badge though. And I think with you therein lies the problem. You’re a badge hater, (and just to let you know I also own a BMW 528i). I also agree with Brian that you should have picked out your gripes on a test drive. To criticise the plastics as cheap eludes me as they are very similar in quality to my mate’s VW Golf. After 136k hassle free, (some taken at pace too) comfortable miles I am happy to say I would whole-heartedly recommend a Skoda to anyone. What’s my next car going to be? You got it Alex, a new Octavia vRS.

I have a late 2006 L&K 140 TDI DSG, bought second hand with 57k on the clock. Fortunately, I also bought the dealer’s used car warranty because initially I had two disasters. The first one within 24 hours of owning it, the turbo was faulty and replaced under dealer warranty. The second came 5000 miles later, a cracked cylinder head was identified (both problems are known faults of the PD engine!). After much discussion with the warranty insurers, the dealer replaced the entire head with a preassembled unit. I’ve now driven for a further 7000 miles. The car is BRILLIANT! The DSG box is a delight both in city traffic and on main roads. Using the kickdown, the only problem I’ve encountered when overtaking is the strong possibility of finding one of Cumbria’s ’Safety Cameras’ at the end of an overtaking opportunity. I have tried using the tiptronic option but frankly, I cannot see the virtue of using it except when needing engine braking when going down some of Cumbria’s very steep hills. I use the Sport mode when climbing the long steep and winding hills otherwise like all autos, it hunts between ratios. Fuel consumption is around 46mpg overall so acceptable especially after my SUV which averaged 36 and only 31 if I drove quickly on a motorway. The Climate Control is excellent and really works, even the split ’his & hers’ function. A couple of minor niggles however. One is the sudden onset of power at low speeds in fraffic, a known feature of the PD engine in all its applications - you learn to cope with it but at first, it is a bit unnerving especially as there is no clutch to slip. The other is the waste gate whistle at city traffic speeds. I barely notice it but passengers occasionally remark about it - John Douglas from Westmoorland

Skoda Superb Elegance 170 bhp 2009

This car is magic. It has heated rear seats, park assist, more room in back and front than any car I have had ,,including Mercs. The only complaint I have is that the satnav (expensive if you buy it seperately) only takes 4 digits and is worse using a post code than a £200 Tomtom, but apart from the satnav I am delighted with the car.

Skoda Octavia Estate vrs td 2007

A great family car. It has the performance, space and spec of a car a few grand more expensive. Like Clare I would find the drop in boot floor a bit of a pain so I spent a few more pounds on a flat boot option. That is my only gripe. 2 years of ownership and no problems at all. Great for overtaking with predictable road manners. Super car, but keep it to yourself or they will put the price up.

Skoda Roomster Scout 1.9 TDi 2009

Used the scrappage scheme to change my old faithful Volvo V70 for a Roomster Scout 1.9 TDi. Having test driven the smaller diesel engine. I opted for the 1.9 version for the extra pulling power. I’ve completed 2500 miles so far, the only problem being an occasional rattle from the passenger door. The flexibility of the rear seating means that there is more room in the back for two adult passengers than in the Volvo. Load carrying is also impressive. Build quality is good, and it is actually fun to drive!

Skoda Octavia Petrol VRS 2007

What a fantastic car for the money, I am thoroughly satified with my VRS and wouldn’t swap it for any other performance hatch. I tried all the other cars in the range, from the ST to the VRX and the GTI, for the money, build qaulity, economy, performance and practicality, it can’t be beaten. I travel mainly on country lanes and B roads, and the suspension is a dream, it absorbs everything the roads can throw up. It is economical and I am averaging 37 mpg. I was amazed when I did a trip to cornwall and got 42 mpg, I had to be careful at the pumps, not to fill up with diesel :-) The old image of the rusty, smoky Skoda has long gone, this is a Volkswagon Audi Group car with all the credentials of an Audi or a Volkswagen. Before you buy your next car and are looking for something the size of an Octavia, throw away your badge snobbery and try one, you will not be disappointed; I will buy another VRS when the wife lets me change this one :-)

Skoda Superb 1.8 TSi SE 2009

Call a car a Superb and it has a lot to live up to. But the marketing people at Skoda clearly know their business. This new Skoda is superb by name and superb by nature - so good that you would question why anyone would pay more when, at the highly competitive price, starting at just �15490 for the entry level 1.4 TSi and rising to �26,675 for the 4WD 3.6 litre V6 fit for a King, you can enjoy this quality level of motoring experience. It truly is a superlative car. It was my pleasure to appraise the 1.8 TSi in SE equipment level. Lacking entirely any of the vulgar stylistic appendages that bedevil even the most expensive cars today, the Superb has an understated presence suggesting taste and discernment and sits well alongside Mercedes, Audi�s and the like. In essence we�re looking at a large luxurious car that is terrifically habitable and attractive inside, amply provided with legroom, splendidly appointed in every respect and amply endowed with the performance and sophistication one expects from the very best cars today. The door test is always a good place to start with any new vehicle. Open the driver�s door, look inside, and close the door. Try it with this car and reassurance is immediate and gratifying. The fit is perfect, hinges are smooth - and comforting aromas of quality materials assail the nostrils. Best of all though, are the sound cues provided by the reassuring clicks and clunks: built �all of a piece�, as they say: it�s beautifully assembled. This Skoda shouts �quality� from the very core of its being. It�s also the most luxurious car Skoda has ever built, brimming with aesthetic appeal and having a �feel-good� factor to rival cars costing twice or even three times as much. With limousine levels of interior space, only a handful of long wheelbase cars have more rear room than the Superb - and this is, in part, due to the new transverse engine layout. Your correspondent recommends that fat corporations ditch their pretentious so-called �executive� BMWs and Jaguars and educate their executives to see the value this car represents. Years ago - before Jaguar and BMW were born - Skoda’s were the choice of Kings and have a significantly better pedigree than almost any other marque. Argue to the contrary at your peril and you display a dreadful ignorance that should condemn you to several years’ penal servitude in a Trabant. There�s a �world first� too with the new Superb. Unsure if your need is for a saloon or a hatchback? Then look no further than this model. Ingenious design enables it to �morph� from saloon to hatch and back thanks to the �Twindoor� boot facility so that you get two cars in one. The advantages, we are told, is that with the Twindoor fully open you have easy access to the boot. More capacious than many estates, bigger than a bijoux town house and nearly as big as my swimming pool, it is, quite simply, huge. Skoda also tell us that should access to the luggage area be needed on a very cold or very hot day then by opening the �saloon car boot� only, your pampered passengers won�t faint from the sudden temperature change: particularly useful in Siberia or the Sahara. You could be forgiven for thinking that at such attractive prices, Superbs would be compromised in some areas. I can tell you categorically that they are not. A host of fitments to soothe you keep you safe and make your driving pleasurable are there in abundance. Top spec. models get everything from Columbus colour touchscreen SatNav. To electrically adjusted and heated front seats, while even the entry level S spec cars have eight speaker sound systems. Just like Bentley, those thinking people at Skoda have even included an umbrella hidden in the water resistant storage space in the left hand rear door. But, of course, it doesn�t just stop there with Skoda (These people are engineers). Your umbrella not only opens at the touch of a button - it collapses at the touch of a button too. If that�s not enough, they�ve even coated it with a special anti-mould solution. That�s class! A choice from six engines (three petrol and three diesels), manual or DSG transmission and even four wheel drive, means that the new Superb has and does what all those other �executive� marques have and do: and in many instances it has more and does things better. Testing the turbocharged 160 bhp 1.8 TSi SE six speed manual version, which costs just �18930 was a sheer delight. The engine is smooth, torquey and so refined that you would swear you were driving a six cylinder car. Of course, it�s no use having smooth power if the car doesn�t have the quiet and comfortable ride to go with it. Settle to motorway speeds, set the climate control to �cool� (which you most certainly are when driving one of these). And you could travel the length and breadth of the land and arrive completely relaxed and unruffled: very little tyre or wind noise at speed means you swoosh sweetly along first class. I�ve travelled in much noisier Mercedes than this. �But it�s a large car that is guaranteed to pitch and roll once off the straight and narrow� I hear you say. Nonsense! I can tell you that with the new engine layout and suspension change it�s a paragon of good manners: nimble and balletic enough for your chauffeur to escape down country lanes when a kidnap attempt is made on you. (Buyers must be aware that riding in one of these will make them a target of considerable envy). Suspension has been tuned to give an almost perfect balance between agility and ride comfort. Should you encounter a Russian tank around the corner, rest assured that if a collision occurs, the array of passive and active safety features will mean the tank will come off worst because this Skoda has achieved a five star EuroNCAP rating for passenger protection - and the tank hasn�t. The complex network of safety programmes stops short of ejector seats. An urgent motorway trip of eighty miles followed by sixty miles of twists, turns and ups and downs and then into the inner city, convinced me that this is the best value for money car in its class - or indeed in the class above and the class above that. On the motorway I set the cruise control and relaxed: on the A and B roads I revelled in the liveliness and good handling and in the infernal nightmare that is the traffic jam, I tuned into Classic FM and listened to the Prague Philharmonic. Skoda has, with the new Superb, given us a thoroughly modern car that is clean lined and simply drawn which satisfies through a mix of design, function and user friendliness - without appearing flashy. At less than �19,000 it�s outstanding value.

Responses to this review

Thank you for a concise report, I gave up after trying to read 2 lines - Peter Clarke from Buckinghamshire

Your car is certainly not going to do 30-70 in 3rd gear. Best check that one again - Tom from Worcestershire

Skoda Fabia Estate GreenLine 2008

I have had the Fabia GreenLine estate now for over a year and I am very pleased with the car. There is plenty of room for the grandchildren and anything I have to carry when the seats are folded down. I have one or two grumbles, The first is the gear ratios, the on;y time I can get into 5th gear is on good straight roads or the motorways. Third gear is used most times around town and I have got used to this now. The other thing is the Soot Particle Filter. This comes on if I have been doing a lot of slow town driving. A drive of about twenty minutes at 40 mph usually cures it, I say usually but I had problems during the winter when the roads were slippy and slow speeds were the only option and the light stayed on and even after a long run it wouldn’t go off, so I had to go to the dealer to get it fixed. The one big advantage of this car is the fuel economy. I have got 80mpg, yes 80, not all the time but even with third gear driving I can get 65mpg around town. I went to Belfast last week, a journey of about 70 miles, and the car averaged 70mpg, not bad for an estate. So a nice little car that won’t break the bank.

Skoda Fabia Estate Greenline 2009

Not the most stylish car but it’s narrow width makes car parks easier to use with less risk of damage. Larger wheels (not an option) would improve its appearance. Very practical with the rear seat squab being removable in seconds should you require even more room. After 6000 miles the car is averaging 78.6 mpg. Sensible and very useful side pockets in the "boot". To date there have been no problems with the car.

Skoda Fabia 3 2009

We have had four Skoda Fabia’s over the years - two diesels, and two petrols. Both petrols suffered from premature piston ring wear resulting in costly repair bills. Best avoided at all costs, unless you want to pay over the odds to have them fixed. Diesels have always been reliable, good fuel economy, well screwed together. We like them a lot, just a shame about the petrols.

Responses to this review

I’ve had my Fabia petrol for 9 years and it has never let me down AT ALL. I recently took it to my house in France and I expect it to last another 9 years! - Chris Newbury from Buckinghamshire

Skoda Fabia VRS 2004

The Fabia VRS 2004. Excellent Performance especially on long drives, proving not only to have exceptional torque when needed but providing unmatched economy as well.

Skoda Octavia 2008

A good value family saloon car. Runs smoothly on motorways & around town. Huge boot for all the families junk & shopping. Only disadvantages are... No rear wiper (I know it’s slanted so rain runs down, but you still need a wiper when it mists up in the cold!). Visibility not great.

Skoda Roomster 1.9TDI 2008

After 3 Skodas and a couple of Renaults, Roomster 3 1.9 TDI became our new family car last autumn, after a lengthy consideration. It won over its competition (C-Max, Kangoo, Octavia and new Fabia) by design, functionality and uniqueness. Well, least off all by price, but I negotiated a good deal. After remapping the engine that now boasts 140 HP, the car is about everything I had hoped for. And no, I have never bumped against the front door rim let alone hatch...

Responses to this review

How do you remap the engine? Peter Reynolds from Somerset

Skoda Superb 1.9 TDi 130bhp (upped slightly to 170) 2003

I see the people who rated this car low don’t even own one ... yet in contrast those who drive them everyday rate them very highly. My Superb is well ..... err Superb. Gives me good mpg in comfort and isn’t exactly a slouch. OK so I admit it doesn’t set any land speed records BUT 0-60 is around 7.2 seconds. Mid-range pulling power is in excess of most cars well above this price range. In 3rd gear 30mph-70mph takes around 3.5 seconds. That’s impressive and moreover it’s acceleration right at the speed most people want it. The ride is set-up for comfort when original. I personally opted to lower and stiffen the suspension slightly and it handles well for a large saloon. It’s no rally car but then again it never claims to be. Comfort is well catered for too. Enough room in the boot for 3 corpses and a cabin so spacious it almost has an echo. Good levels of equipment and attention to detail is nice. Luggage hooks in the boot (curry hooks to you and me), umbrellas in the door, courtesy puddle lights in wing mirrors, the red night vision light in the cabin etc etc etc.. Solid construction too. Economy is a boring subject but to be fair one that affects us all. Motorways give me around 55mpg in real world driving, whilst town journeys anywhere from 37-47mpg dependant on how heavy you are with the right foot that day. Fact is, the Superb is a great all-rounder. Fantastic balance of power, comfort and economy. I have to admit it fails to achieve top marks in any of those categories but it scores well in ALL of them. Not many cars do that, regardless of price range. As for looks, personally I quite like them. Lowered, a set of alloys and it looks incredibly like an Audi ... and that’s no bad thing. I have to admit, the bad reviews do seem to have an odour of badge-snobbery about them ... dare say even badge-envy?

Responses to this review

I completely agree with what you have written. I have owned my Skoda Superb for the past 3 years (which is a record for me in itself). I bought a 2 year old Superb Elegance 1.9 tdi 130 with all the extras. I only looked at it because the sales team at the Mercedes dealership next door ignored me because I was wearing jeans and a hooded sweatshirt!! I walked past the Skoda on my way back to my Saab and decided to give it a once over. I bought it 2 days later for cash and have never looked back. It’s comfortable, smooth, reliable, economical its great round town or on long journeys. I took it round europe last year (5000K) and it never missed a beat. Mine has now clocked up over 90K and I have seen 65K of those. I can’t see past this car and I would definitely own another. Badge snobbery??? You can keep it if it means there are more of these available to the rest of us! - Bill Beeton from Aberdeenshire

Skoda Octavia Lauren and Klement 2007

This is the second Skoda I have leased and will have another one. Great build quality and is one of the most comfortable cars I’ve had. Road handling is excellent and performance from the 2.0 litre Turbo diesel engine takes some beating. Having had the opportunity to lease the Skoda Octavia I have no hesitation in buying one privately. The Lauren and Klement variant is packed with everything you could wish for. Don’t let the historical stories put you off. One of the best cars on the road!

Skoda Fabia 1.2 2007

Having looked at, and test driven other cars, I was completely surprised by the Fabia. It is well built, plenty of room inside, the inside layout is what you would expect to find in a more up market car and is a dream to drive. My wife loves it and so do I. I find the 1.2 engine is eager, quiet on long runs, economical and does the job very well. If I change my car in the future, IT WILL BE FOR ANOTHER SKODA FABIA!

Skoda Fabia Fabia 3 1.9 TDI PD 2008

I have spent the whole day test driving cars, starting with the VW Golf which I had all but decided to go ahead with. I was then talked in to trying the Fabia. I reluctantly agreed. My ’brand snobbery’ combined with the fact that it was a slightly smaller car was telling me I wouldn’t like it. I have TOTALLY changed my opinion. The first thing I noticed was that the styling of the car is gorgeous, it has totally lost the boring ’sensible’ shape and has big, seductive feline headlights, and a sculptured bonnet and bumpers. When I got in the car it felt bigger inside than my current 306 and just as big at the Golf - I am 6ft 2in and there was plenty of room in the back for the sales guy. I took it through the town and on a dual carriage way and I am impressed with the handling, the acceleration and the braking. With this car you also get features as standard that you have to pay extra for on virtually all other makes. These include cruise control, climate control, rear parking sensors and alloy wheels, to name but a few. The interior feels just as good quality as the VW, the stereo is exactly the same, and the only difference is that you get more gadgets to play with for your money. All other cars I looked at for the same money were basic models and at least 6 months older, with much more that 5000 miles on the clock (I was looking to buy a used car). If like me you are looking at the Fabia but have the ’brand snobbery’ looming in the back of your mind, lose it. Be proud that you are making the intelligent choice in buying a nice looking car, that is great to drive, with excellent reliability, and all the features you thought you couldn’t have for your budget.

Skoda Fabia Estate 1.9 Tdi 2008

Very economical car, motorway/urban is 18.5 litres/km, plenty of power although the gearbox isn’t smooth or refined at all. One really feels and hears the diesel, Skoda should have improved sound dampening in the cabin. Steering is precise and cornering good but the suspension is incredibly hard on the slightest bump, quite jarring and the car tires you out because of this, it’s not really relaxed driving at all. Seat and driver position is excellent though with good support although some switches could be better placed, e.g. electric window buttons are too far back as I’m only 5’7" and would have to be over 6’ for my hand to sit comfortably on them. At night, interior illumination is very poor, leaving ventilation ports and ashtray area totally in the dark, they just cut costs. Very practical and spacious car even at back for 5 adults in all. A very boring car to drive with zero grace or refinement, it just gets you there.

Skoda Roomster 2007

I had mine for all of 8 months, and having had Skoda’s ever since 1994 to present day, it was the most god awful car I have had. The sharp corners on the exaggerated front and hatch doors are lethal - a couple of head injuries and two body blows! Economy (Level 1 Roomster - petrol) was abysmal, about 38 mpg combined. Too under geared, it is the same engine as my previous (and now current) Fabia, but geared down to the van version Praktik. I would keep well clear of this car

Responses to this review

What a load of rubbish this man has written. You must be very heavy footed to get such low mpg. Ignore this and give the Roomster a test with an open mind. You will probably be agreeably suprised - Bryan Varnam from Lincolnshire

Skoda Octavia Estate Elegance 2008

Easily the best "family-sized" estate on the road in the UK. So comfortable, everything is in just the right position (I’m 6’2") and so well-built. No rattles, no "zizzes", everything works like a well-oiled lock, and it’s so economical (50+mpg cruising the autobahn at 90mph+) . It is fast, smooth (except at VERY low revs - keep it above 1400rpm) and it cruises at whatever speed (on the continent, officer...!), thanks to it’s very high-geared 6-speed gearbox. And megabucks cheaper than the Passat estate which is probably it’s nearest rival for space and finish. Demolishes the old Skoda image with a vengeance. Well done the Czechs...

Skoda Octavia Elegance 2.0 TDi DSG Diesel 2006

Skoda Octavia Elegance 2.0 TDi DSG - a quick search of Google in relation to Laurin and Klement, told me that two gentlemen founded a car company called Skoda at the turn of the century. Strangely enough, they also produced bicycles and motorcycles but I’m going to concentrate on the car side of things. The name Laurin and Klement has become synonymous with the top of the range of Skoda motor cars and after many models having been produced over the last 100 years or so, it’s now part of the Volkswagen Audi company and is marketed as a brand in its own right, alongside Seat, a car company with Spanish origins. The range of cars offered by Skoda is quite neat. The car I’m reviewing is the Octavia. The model recently won Auto Express’s owner satisfaction survey for the second time and I must admit, this is my second one too. The car fits into the range between the Fabia and Superb and has the traditional five door hatch layout, and an estate can be specified that uses the same floorplan as the hatchback model. It was updated in 2004 with a refreshed front end and "C" shaped rear light clusters together with an updated interior, although there are rumours within the industry that the original model will be re-introduced as a budget buy from 2010. The Octavia now looks decidedly similar to the next car up the four car Skoda range, the more expensive Superb, with its prominent nose, slightly larger length and cosseting ride. The car’s imposing new front and long bonnet give it some executive flair whilst retaining its value for money approach. The doors close with a nice "thunk, a sure sign of quality. The car I’ve got is the 2.0 TDI pump deuse diesel and has covered 36,000 miles in two years of ownership, mainly because I use the car everyday as part of my job. Trim levels range from the rather basic but cheap Classic, to Ambiente, Elegance, Lauren and Klement and sporty Vrs. The engine range from the positively weedy and not recommended 1.4, to the frugal 1.9 TDi and 2.0 TDi. If you’re in the market for a swift model, there is the flying 2.0 petrol that is fitted into the sports variant, the VRs. To give you an idea of size, the car is 1462mm high, 1769mm wide and 4572mm in length. The car is fitted with some factory options such as Sport alloys, sports suspension, xenon headlamps, and exterior courtesy lamps and a boot lip rear spoiler as well as metallic graphite grey paintwork. I chose the car because the layout of the car with its wide opening doors makes entry and exit easy. This model in Elegance trim has height adjustable seats. The passenger seat is also height adjustable and there is a list of standard features that would fill the rest of this article. Here’s a few to be going on with; 6 CD multichanger and multi function radio Climatronic Air Conditioning (works like central heating) Reversing sensors Xenon headlamps Front foglamps Rear spoiler Rain sensitive wipers Electric door mirrors that are also heated Electric windows Driver, passenger, curtain, seat and side airbags 17" alloy wheels Traction Control Stability Control Tyre pressure monitors Alarm and Immobiliser So, I’m sure you’d agree it’s well equipped. All the controls have a positive action and are of the same quality and materials that you would find any of the other Volkswagen Audi group cars. The switchgear has a positive action, the plastics are nicely rubberised and chrome bezels on some of the switchgear mean that it’s a pleasant place to be. From day to day I can cover large mileages and get out as relaxed as when I got in. The view from the driving position is good and the Elegance has parking sensors as standard equipment on the rear so parking is easy too. You may even find that you’ll challenge yourself to get the car in a small a space as possible once accustomed to the sensitivity of them. In terms of economy, the car regularly returns in excess of 40mpg around town and on a long run with the cruise control in operation; a figure of 60mpg is achievable according to the cars on board computer. Passenger space is relatively generous and five people can be carried in comfort and as its front wheel drive, there’s no awkward transmission tunnel hump for the middle occupant to negotiate in the rear. The boot has a relatively low sill and it’s possible for the entire London Symphony Orchestra with their instruments to hide away in there when its shut and nobody would know. Beneath the floor a full size wheel is provided instead of the usual can of filler. The boot also has a cargo net which, unfortunately, has given up the ghost and collapsed, probably as a result of my wheelchair storage. On the road, the car is relatively quiet although I have driven some quieter diesels. The engine is rather heavy but this doesn’t impact upon the steering too much and it’s possible to hustle the car along a favourite twisty road with ease. Whilst it’s not the lightest steering set up that I’ve used, I think that there’s plenty of feedback from it and the six speed direct shift gearbox can either be used as a manual or it can be left in Drive and used as a conventional automatic. The gears have a seamless shift between them and so far, I’ve never needed to use it as a manual as it’s so efficient. It’s perhaps the best gearbox I’ve used yet. The car’s engine is willing and eager, flinging the car forward through the gears with ease. The car is capable of the 0-60 dash in 9.6 seconds and can travel on to a rather academic 130mph, however I value my licence. For those interested in performance figures, the car pulls strongly from 1,750 rpm and has a maximum power output of 140bhp at 4,000 rpm. It drives well and is relatively cheap to run. The car is well constructed and has a sturdy, solid quality feel about it, not to mention the equipment list which goes on and on. I’ve heard of the Octavia covering 100,000 miles in two years easily courtesy of our local taxi service and that can’t be bad. Try one, you might be surprised.

Skoda Fabia 2004

I love my Fabia. Have had her for four years now. Absolutely no trouble. Getting another soon.

Skoda Superb Elegance TDI 140 2006

Had one for nearly two years, love it to bits! Does 47 - 50 mpg on a decent run. Can cruise at whatever speed suits you - or are brave enough to attempt. Don’t worry about the ’misinformed’ Skoda Haters they are actually doing ’us Skoda owners’ a big favour. They actually assist in keeping the price down! If the Skoda brand had the same cachet as VW, or worse, Audi, we can all guess that the Skoda prices would rocket upwards - so thank you Skoda Haters long may you prevail. I’m just on the point of trading my Elegance TDI140 in for the new equivalent only this time I’m going for the TDI 170 engine for a bit more grunt - does the same mpg but CO2 emissions are lower so my RFL goes down about �25. Made the mistake of taking a test drive in this version - fabulous is a term that comes to mind, feature count for £22.8k is unbelievable, it would likely cost another £5k plus for same spec. in an Audi. I should be in one by end of October 08 if all goes to plan. Don’t hesitate; these are fantastic cars at a real value-for-money price but you can buy this car on merit alone. If you will excuse the pun - it is Superb!

Responses to this review

I had one of the original Superbs when they came out (stretched Passat) just wanted to look at the new one but ended up buying one!! If you was to buy an Audi of a similar spec you’d be paying more than £5,000 more try £10,000 or even £20,000 as I read in one magazine and if it was a BMW even more!!! The word Superb covers all any one can say - Jeff from Bedfordshire

Skoda Octavia Estate 2008

Got to be the just about the worst diesel car I have driven. So uncomfortable and the drive is horrible; feels like it has not been tuned correctly. The boot is just terrible; being lower than normal estates which means you can’t put large items in without doing your back in. Electric window switch is too far away a really short person wouldn’t even be able to reach it. Accelerator pedal is to close to the interior so you keep putting your foot on the foot well side panel instead if not careful. Only good part are the brakes. Used to driving bigger heavier cars for very long distances for work so driving this was a big let down and left me with a bad back. If I was given one as a gift I would give it back.

Responses to this review

You obviously don’t know what you are talking about, get yourself a Ford KA where you’ll feel more at home - Brian Briggs from Northumberland

Dear oh Dear! What an awful review. You clearly have absolutely no idea what you are talking about as these are quality vehicles. Also you must be tiny....I mean TINY - John Hunter from Essex

Are you absolutely sure you’ve got a Skoda Octavia, Clare? - Kevin Wright from Essex

This has to be a joke! Clare, this is a review page for a SKODA OCTAVIA ESTATE! Not sure what you’ve been driving but it can’t be one of these. I’ve owned a couple of these over the last 6 years and there is nothing that comes close in terms of value and build quality - Alan Duggan from Gloucestershire

Is this report a wind up? How can you be too short to reach the electric window control! I don’t recognise the car at all - Jean Carlyle-Lyon from Devon

I cannot reconcile this appraisal with my experiences at all. Just goes to show that you cannot please all of the people all of the time. Excellent. If Carlsberg made cars... - Tom Marshall from Staffordshire

Skoda Fabia VRS 2004

This is probably the best car I have ever owned. I have it from new and the only thing that has gone wrong is a passenger wheel bearing and the rear wash motor. The car now has over 90000 miles. The performance from the 130bhp engine is excellent and brings a smile to your face when you floor it. Overtaking is an absolute breeze and the best part it averages 50mpg around the doors. Take it easy on a run and I have managed over 70mpg believe it or not. This is the last week I will be using the car as I am in the process of changing it for a pro_ceed sport. I only hope my next car is as good as my little Skoda.

Skoda Fabia 1.9 sdi 2001

6 years I had this car and it only required 1 set of brake pads and 1 side light bulb plus 1 set of tyres. It returned 66 miles to the gallon running at an average of 65 miles per hour. Excellent performance Ps I now have a new 1.9 tdi 100up - until now no problems.

Skoda Roomster Scout with extra bits 2008

Well I got the Scout 1.9 TDi having opted out from company car schemes . As with all things one gets what one pays for . This vehicle is ideal for ’repping’ and ideal for family use . I suspect if one buys the 1.4 and more basic petrol models one could be as disappointed as the guy above. I have no problems with my Roomster and am very proud of it , especially when the usual Audi or BMW driver gets a bit of a shock when I put my foot down! Remember though - this car isn’t designed for the race track and doesn’t corner well at high speeds... then again it is a good idea to slow down you know! It does 53 MPG on a good run and about 45 in town - I can’t knock that . I would hope that Skoda adopt a six speed forward gear box in future builds and that they also develop a sporty variant. I love mine even if the Government fuel allowance is low - great little car and worth it ... if you buy the Scout 1.9 diesel TDi . Hope that’s ok... oh and to combat the weird front window styling, I bought a red car, and then had some stick on panels made to ’even up’ the sight lines - worked a treat. This car is better looking than the Citroen, Renault and Peugeot models and is much, much cheaper than buying a VW (which of course is where the engine and gear box come from). Highly recommended as far as I am concerned, both for business and family driving. Regards, John.

Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI PD 80 Estate 2008

Just simply an amazing car...well designed & built with plenty of space everywhere. The 1.4 TDI engine is superb with loads of power, and although not the quietest of units is not obtrusive in anyway and not really noisier than any other modern diesel. It offers a pleasantly reassuring high pressure diesel sound at tick over and I’m getting over 70mpg on a run easily. This car handles bumps and corners really well, and is comfortable over big distances. Comfortable cruising speed is between 75-80mph on motorways and it’ll hold this speed all day up or down hill. I’m happy!

Skoda Superb 2.5d 2002

Simply superb. Best car I’ve ever had or driven. (includes Mercs, Audi, BMW, Saab, VW, etc). Quiet, economical, powerful, huge rear legroom (more than my friends S class Merc). Ultra reliable - far more reliable than my friend’s S Class. Great dealers too - Skoda always does well on the the old JD Power doesn’t it? Admittedly not the prettiest car ever, but the space, power, reliability, great equipment level, etc. more than compensate. (Umbrella in air-conditioned pocket, climate control, ESP, cruise control, CD stack, hooks in the boot to hold shopping bags, extra power points, etc.) Best thing is without doubt the engine - sold my car to a friend who delights is pushing those bloody BMW’s out of the way. He’s taken it up to 125k with no problems, and it still pulls like a train. Got to get another one. Think Skoda’s are a joke? Get a Superb - you’ll be the one who’s laughing.

Skoda Fabia Elegance Estate 2006

My third Skoda, only one fault in 2 years, wire broke from starter motor - RAC and Skoda assist fixed at road side, they took the car to the dealer and myself home. Skoda supplied a Vectra for the weekend (not a good car). Cruises happily at 75mph on the motorway, albeit with speedometer saying 80 mph, just under 4,000rpm. MPG range from 38/42 around town to 45 on journeys, the only down side is that the engine needs 98 octane petrol, happy with 97 though. Very free revving unit with peak torque at 4,000rpm and power at 6,000 rpm, very easy to hit limiter at 6,500 rpm. Good dealer, with previous Skoda, at a service, changed silencer 4 weeks before warranty out as could have gone before the next 10,000 service!

Skoda Fabia 2008

First of all, I think your original reviewer (Shamus) must be on drugs and that he should indeed have his head stuck in a cement mixer etc. The Fabia is without doubt the best supermini money can buy. It is reliable, cheap to run and very well built. I am on my 3rd Fabia since 2001 and have not had a single fault to contend with in that time.

Skoda Superb 2008

Sad tot see Skoda haters out there refusing to see and acknowledge that the Superb is a great car. But again I am talking about the old series. I’ve driven first hand the new Superb (2008) in the Czech Republic and believe me people... ITS THE LAST NAIL IN THE COFFIN OF ANTI-SKODA DRIVERS. The new Skoda Superb (new generation) is a car where you simply try hard enough to criticise and see a fault but you find none... expect a revolution in the luxury middle range car section...... the new Superb: - New great look - sooooooo quiet - strong and great automatic smart gear - so STEADY and hearing whispers when driving 210km/h -so much space try and get your hands on one for a test drive.... amazing!!!!!!!!!!!

Skoda Octavia 2.0 litre TDI diesel 2007

The Octavia is not the best looking car in the world but the appeal for me was that it used Volkswagen technology found in the Golf but gives more space and practicality. The cabin quality is excellent and the ride is comfortable and refined. I plumped for the diesel for the better fuel economy. The seats are the most comfortable that I have ever sat in. Aircon was included as standard. I have now completed over 5,000 miles and had no problems. Skoda have really turned their image around and I will not hesitate to buy from them again.

Skoda Octavia Estate 1.9 TDI 2008

Solidly constructed, very spacious and heaps of great equipment. A decent drive the performs well in all areas, every bit as good as the Vauxhall Astra and the Ford Focus.

Skoda Superb 1.9 TDI Classic 2006

I really wanted the Volkswagen Passat but found that it was slightly out of my price range. That’s when a friend informed me that nowadays Skoda’s are Volkswagen in everything but the badge and that the Superb is essentially identical to the Passat. I phoned the local Skoda dealer and arranged for a test drive in the 1.9 TDI Classic and was immediately amazed to see how closely the Superb resembled the Passat. Knowing that VW were behind the engine gave me a great deal of comfort, reliability is more important than looks in my opinion. The interior and boot are cavernous and I feel more like a chauffeur than a father when taking my wife and the children out - they love the space and comfort. This is not a city car, it performs at its best when on the motorway where it is also very economical. I don’t like to use the world budget because this normally means sacrificing quality - many years ago Tesco’s own coffee was exactly than same as Maxwell House inside the jar but with different branding and at half the price - although the Superb is not half the price of the Passat, the principal is the same.

Skoda Octavia Estate 2006

Had this car 2 years from new. 2.0 TDI 140bh. Brilliant car. Good acceleration for overtaking. Comfortable on long journeys. Very large carrying capacity. I grin at Passat and VW drivers who pay much more for what I am driving but mine is under a different skin .

Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0FSi 2006

Just bought one of these cars and after one decent drive on our B roads it is easy to see why it fairs so well on motoring surveys. Excellent build quality, good torquey engine and slick 6 speed box. Excellent sound system and the boot storage is massive and so many nice small touches. It puts my new age Impreza to shame in so many departments!! Insurance Group 15 and over 30mpg makes it a great performance saloon. I’m proud to be driving a Skoda!

Skoda Fabia 2007

Recently I sold my old car, a Honda Day. You would have thought that was a good idea, so did I until I test drove the Fabia. Even in comparison with the feeble Honda Day, I felt like a three year old driving a push car. The interior was almost entirely made out of a tacky plastic, the type you would find in a 90’s Korean made car (and a push car). To be honest, the type of person who drives this car is ether a recently escaped convict, or James Cornford. I hope I am neither of the two, and based on that reason, i would have my head stuck in a cement mixer while somebody serves me haggis on a red hot poker via my anus. A bad, no, TERRIBLE CAR. Full stop.

Responses to this review

This is not a review but simply a tiresome rant which says a lot more about you than it does about the car. Other people have had different experiences. If you did not like the car then why did you buy it in the first place? Food for thought - FM Hope from East Lothian (Haddingtonshire)

Oh dear, sounds like he’s not a happy chappy. I’ve just sold a year old Yaris to go back to Skodas, now my 5th and its like driving a roller compared to the Yaris - Ray Drury from Yorkshire

Skoda Superb 2008

In the village of where I live there is a Skoda garage. I was looking for a luxury saloon that was affordable. So at the dealership I saw the Superb tagged at �16,995. I thought there must be some luxury for that price, so I took a test drive. The interior is plasticy and tatty, the automatic gearbox guesses when to change gear, and it is slow! O-6O in about 12 secs and 6O is about its top speed. And guess what, for the same money you can get a year old BMW 3 Series. Superb-No. BMW-Yes.

Responses to this review

Can never understand why anyone would buy a BMW...talk about being brainwashed! - Bill Dryden from Angus (Forfarshire)

I’m lost on what you are talking about, my Superb is a diesel and it goes fast enough with 0-60 about 8 seconds top speed is in excess of 70 Mph and to prove it the police use them so you stick with your 2nd hand BMW series 3 which is smaller than the superb and cost more to maintain - John from Bedfordshire

BMW’s eh?! A very experienced local police mechanic tells me the only thing that doesn’t go wrong with BMW’s is the badge on the front! Parts are sourced from China - point made! Stuart Montgomery from Lanarkshire

The comments from Mr Mittenslum and Mr Meeks are indeed amusing but ultimately meaningless. Having driven both C-Class Merc and M-Sport 3 Series on the way to the Superb, I can only assume they are mad, short and foolish with their money. Either that or they’ve actually gotten into the wrong car and not actually driven the current Superb? The only downside to this car is the name, though fortunately it’s not ironic and does at least indicate Skoda have a sense of humour - Steve Gascoyne from England

Skoda Superb 1.8T Comfort 2007

I can’t believe this is a Skoda! It looks and feels like a top of the range luxury saloon and gives a very smooth drive, with a healthy dollop of power when needed. Do NOT be put off by the badge and miss out on a very classy car for not a lot of money!

Skoda Superb 2008

Recently I went past a Skoda dealership and I saw this car on the forecourt. I thought "God thats a bad looking Vehicle." So obviously i had to road test it to see if it was any good and i have to say, this Skoda is definitely not Superb. Worst of all is its performance. There is none!!! This car is just a waste of parts, they belong at the scrapyard. Take away the "s" and the "yard" and you got the overall rating of this car. GOing back to the performance i was out dragged from the lights by a gee whizz and the vehicles which the oaps use. ALSO i had trouble getting up a 3% gradient i was unimpressed. and i was over taken on the motorway by a cyclist who was wearing lycra in his 60’s.

Responses to this review

I prostrate myself at the feet of the worlds finest living comedian...oh, wait..pay 25K for a Beemer by any chance? - Max from England

Maybe when you grow up and get a driving license you will be able to make a more informed judgement! David Simpson from Cambridgeshire

Which planet are these prats Mittenslum (sums it up really doesn’t it?) & Meeks, living on? I defy anyone to get such quality and performance for so little money. I suggest you both grow up and learn about cars and motoring before slagging off such a fine car  - Colin Lambert from Dorset

Lord, how I laughed! My sides are splitting still. Of course I would paid a bit more attention to Darren’s review had it been better than semi-literate. But it just could be that Darren was just winding his readers up. Darren, I think you protest too much, I suspect you really like the car ;-) Andrew Barrow from Hampshire

Skoda Roomster 2005

i have recently brought a Skoda Roomster and i was disappointed with the engines weak power output and i saw it on the web and it looked good now i have it on my drive i’m ashamed and people laugh at me as i drive past. Please take my advice and don�t buy this car!!

Responses to this review

We have the 1.4 TDI version Roomster 2 and up to date I can not fault it. There are always some fatheads who do not like something thats a bit different - Bryan Varnam from Lincolnshire

What a wimp. The idiots who laugh obviously do not understand cars one bit are Jeremy Clarkson clones. Ignore them. The Roomster is a decent car at decent price and its styling at least shows some thought rather than being like every other boring car - Bryan Varnam from Lincolnshire

Actually, Clarkson quite liked the Roomster. He said it shouldn’t be brilliant, but it is - Candida from England

Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDI vRS 2007

Fabulous car! Truly a SUPER-mini. Bags of space, surprisingly fun to drive and good price.

Skoda Superb 1.8T Comfort 2007

10 years ago I would have never have dreamt of buing and owning a Skoda. It shows just how far Skoda has come that I not only included Skoda in my list of possible new cars but went further and actually bought one! I wanted a family saloon car that would give us plenty of space but didn’t want an MPV. I also did not want to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a car so a Mercedes was out of the question. The Superb gives me both the space that I want plus the power and performance necessary. All this at a VERY reasonable price, this Skoda really is SUPERB!

Skoda Roomster 1.9 TDi 5dr

Skoda have indeed come a long way. The Roomster is a very affordable MPV, not only to buy but to run. I test drove both this model and the 1.6 petrol version but felt the diesel offers a lot more performance wise for only a fraction more money. Bags of space very enjoyable to drive and really well built. More fool you if you overlook this because of the badge name.

Skoda Octavia 1.6 FSi

This car is fabulous. Superb build quality, comfortable, great handling & plenty of room inside. Would certainly have another in a couple of years.

Skoda Fabia

This is an absolutely fantastic car. Similar in design to the Volkswagen Polo, this is a spacious, with plenty of interior room, and available at an excellent price ( around the £8000 mark ). I chose this over the Vauxhall Corsa and am delighted with my choice. 5 stars.

Skoda Fabia 2 1.4 TDI

Fuel economy is disappointing ( less than 40mpg ) though handling and comfort are good. The new car price is very reasonable but I suppose this is really a no-frills choice that is reliable but unadventurous.

Skoda Fabia Fabia 3 1.6 16v

I test drove the 1.2 model in May, and liked the way the car handled on the road, but found it to be woefully under powered. So I ordered the 1.6 which I got 2 months ago. Driving it I have found that it is very quick and torquey, but I do think that it is a bit low geared, 70mph in fifth gear and the engine is at nearly 4000 revs. I do find that that at speed it is sometimes a little difficult to control due to its fairly high seating position and soft suspension, and this also leads to noticeable body roll in corners, but you get used it. On long motorway journeys it is very comfortable and very quite for a small hatchback. When you first drive one you feel as if the brakes are not doing much, due to the way it nose dives, again soft suspension, but I was very shocked the first time I hit them at speed at how quickly it stopped, although in the wet I sometimes feel that the abs kicks in a little to soon. On the whole I find this to be a great not-so-little, little car, comfortable, quite economical (I average 32mpg but I put my foot down a lot), well equipped, reasonably quick car. I do think however that its price is a little excessive.

Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0 TDI PD vRS 5dr

I can’t fault this car. Skoda have indeed come a long way. Comfortable, spacious, excellent handelling and looks pretty good too. Excellent value for money. Really pleased with my choice.