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Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

Used Škoda Octavia III: the buying guide

Hatchback · 2013–2020 · Petrol, Diesel

✓ 34 sources cited · updated on 15 October 2026

Extra caution
Reliability
2.5/5
Estimated monthly cost
€404/month
Indicative prices
€9,495 – €18,900

6 known faults

Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 1 of 5

Škoda Octavia III, front three-quarter view

Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

Verdict

Extra caution

Five-star Euro NCAP compact (2013) with a generous boot (590 L saloon, 610 L Combi). CarVerif rates it "GO under conditions": keep the maintenance invoices, carry out an extended test drive of the dry-clutch DSG7 gearbox and, on TDIs, check the EGR and particulate filter. Several recalls affect the steering or suspension: check the VIN with a dealer.

Reliability
2.5/5
Indicative prices
€9,495 – €18,900
Monthly cost
€404
Euro NCAP
5/5

Which version to choose

Versions to favour: 1.0 TSI 116, 1.4 TSI 150.

  • 1.2 TSI 105

    Petrol · Manual · 105 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Small turbo four-cylinder at launch, offered with 105 hp (L'Argus, Auto-data).

  • 1.0 TSI 116

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Manual · 116 hp · 4.8 L/100 km · 110 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1

    Turbo three-cylinder introduced with the 2017 facelift (L'Argus). CarVerif recommends favouring a TSI with a manual gearbox.

    Engine: Volkswagen 1.0 TSI (EA211)

    Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice

  • 1.4 TSI 150

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Manual · 150 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Turbo four-cylinder with 150 hp (L'Argus), replaced by the 1.5 TSI. Check the water pump (Fiches-auto, What Car?).

    Engine: Volkswagen 1.4 TSI (EA211)

    Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice

  • 1.4 TSI 150 DSG7

    Petrol · Automatic · 150 hp · Crit'Air 1

    The same engine with the DSG7 gearbox (L'Argus): test it at length, as jerks are documented on the dry-clutch DSG7.

    Engine: Volkswagen 1.4 TSI (EA211)

    Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice

  • 1.5 TSI 150

    Petrol · Manual · 150 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Successor to the 1.4 TSI from 2017-2018 (L'Argus, Auto-data).

    Engine: Volkswagen 1.5 TSI / eTSI (EA211 evo)

    Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice

  • 1.6 TDI 105

    Diesel · Manual · 105 hp · Crit'Air 2

    Launch diesel announced with 105 hp (L'Argus). Check the EGR, particulate filter and AdBlue (CarVerif).

  • 2.0 TDI 150

    Diesel · Manual · 150 hp · Crit'Air 2

    High-end diesel with 150 hp (L'Argus, Fiches-auto). Check the EGR, particulate filter and AdBlue (CarVerif).

Market prices

€9,495 – €18,900

Indicative range: 2014 to 2020, yearly medians of 175 online listings collected by AutoUncle (years with at least 3 listings).

Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.

Known faults

Power steering: loss of assistance and knocking (early cars)

Severity 3/3 · Serious

L'Argus identifies three faults on early Octavia IIIs, up to 2015: a yellow warning light fixed by reprogramming the control unit (until June 2015), loss of assistance with an orange or red warning light requiring replacement of the mechanism (until November 2014), and knocking when steering (until March 2015). Have the VIN checked with Škoda.

Versions
1.2 TSI 105, 1.4 TSI 150, 1.6 TDI 105, 2.0 TDI 150
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Jerks and faults of the dry-clutch DSG7 gearbox (DQ200)

Severity 2/3 · Costly

CarWiki attributes the jerks, low-speed hesitation and intermittent passages into neutral to the mechatronics unit of the dry-clutch DSG7 (DQ200), as well as to clutch wear. CarVerif recommends testing this gearbox at length, and Fiches-auto reports jerks when pulling away and hesitation at low speed.

Versions
1.4 TSI 150 DSG7
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Faulty water pump (1.4 TSI petrol)

Severity 2/3 · Costly

Fiches-auto ranks the water pump as the first reported fault on the 1.4 TSI 140 hp (11 reviews). What Car? reports water pump failures leading to heavy bills, and Haynes describes leaks from the water pump and the plastic thermostat housing on the petrol engines.

Versions
1.4 TSI 150, 1.4 TSI 150 DSG7
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

EGR and particulate filter clogging and faults (TDI)

Severity 2/3 · Costly

CarVerif asks for the EGR, FAP and AdBlue to be checked on TDIs and advises against a car used in town without proof of follow-up; a testimony cited puts the EGR cooler at 900 euros. Au7o reports the 2.0 TDI EGR cooler among the most cited faults, and Fiches-auto notes reports on the EGR and the particulate filter.

Versions
1.6 TDI 105, 2.0 TDI 150
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Steering mounting bolt recall (corrosion)

Manufacturer recall

Škoda is recalling around 1.72 million Kodiaq, Karoq, Octavia and Superb vehicles, including some Octavia IIIs: a steering mounting bolt can corrode and break, with a risk of steering failure. Dealers replace it free of charge; the production periods cited vary between sources, hence a check by VIN.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.2 TSI 105, 1.0 TSI 116, 1.4 TSI 150, 1.4 TSI 150 DSG7, 1.5 TSI 150, 1.6 TDI 105, 2.0 TDI 150
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Front spring recall (2019 model year)

Manufacturer recall

The ÖAMTC reports a recall of the Octavia III (5E) 2019 model year, in which the front springs may have been swapped during assembly, with springs of the wrong stiffness; workshops check and replace them if necessary. Campaign opened on 10 July 2019.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.0 TSI 116, 1.4 TSI 150, 1.4 TSI 150 DSG7, 1.5 TSI 150, 1.6 TDI 105, 2.0 TDI 150
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

All faults by version and mileage →

Manufacturer recalls

See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Škoda Octavia”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.

Real monthly cost

Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated

Monthly cost by item
Fuel or electricity€118
Insurance€70
Maintenance€37
Depreciation€179
Total per month€404

⚠ Estimates to treat with caution

  • NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
  • Insurance: average for a closely related model (other generation or same platform).
  • Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
  • Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
Fuel (petrol)€118

1.0 TSI 116 version: combined consumption of 4.8 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.

4.8 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €118

Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.

Insurance€70

Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.

Maintenance€37

Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.

Depreciation€179

Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.

Inspection checklist

Things to check

  • Have the VIN checked at a Škoda dealer: steering bolt recall, front springs (2019 model year) and power steering faults on early cars.
  • Test the DSG7 gearbox at length: jerks, low-speed hesitation and passages through neutral.
  • Steering: listen for knocking when turning and check that no power steering warning light comes on.
  • Petrol 1.4 TSI: check for traces of coolant leaks (water pump) and the oil level.
  • Diesel: ask for the maintenance invoices and refuse a car used in town without EGR, FAP and AdBlue follow-up; listen to the dual-mass flywheel when cold and warm.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Have the manufacturer's recalls (steering bolt, front springs) been carried out, with proof?
  • Has the water pump, the power steering or the DSG gearbox already been replaced or reprogrammed?
  • What is the complete maintenance history, in particular the EGR and particulate filter for a diesel?

Test-drive tip: read the fault codes

A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.

See OBD2 scanners on Amazon → (new tab)Partner link

Electric or hybrid equivalent

No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost

Alternatives

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Škoda Octavia

IV · since 2020

Good choice, check first
Price
€17,700 – €30,000
Reliability
4.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0

Volkswagen Golf

VII · 2012–2020

Buy with care
Price
€7,200 – €18,800
Reliability
3/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, Electric

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Ford Focus

IV · 2018–2025

Good choice, check first
Price
€10,800 – €20,000
Reliability
4/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Herranderssvensson, CC BY-SA 3.0

Renault Mégane

IV · 2016–2023

Buy with care
Price
€9,500 – €23,900
Reliability
3.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Peugeot 308

II · 2013–2021

Extra caution
Price
€6,500 – €13,000
Reliability
2/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Before you buy: check and equip

Check the history

Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Škoda Octavia III (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

Insure the car

Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Skoda Octavia 3 reliable?

CarVerif rates it "GO under conditions" (7/10): buy with clear invoices, a test drive without jerks, and no emissions warning light.

What is the Octavia 3's boot capacity?

590 litres for the saloon and 610 litres for the Combi, according to Wheels and You and L'Argus specification sheets.

What is the Octavia 3's Euro NCAP rating?

Five stars in 2013: 93% for adults, 86% for children and 82% for pedestrians (La Tribune Auto).

Found a listing?

Soon, we will analyse your Škoda Octavia listing: price, mileage, watch points.

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