2000 Skoda Octavia SLX Estate review from Czech Republic

A windscreen wiper blade split at 10000km. Glued back together.

Brake judder at 30000km.

Slight clutch judder between neutral and first emerged at around 40000km. will be seen to at next service.

The heating control panel lighting began to work intermittently at 45000km.

The car has been reliable and has given excellent service over almost two and a half years.

The car is well screwed together and the bodywork particularly solid.

Performance of the flexible 20v turbo is excellent and provides both swift overtaking on all roads and quiet cruising on the motorway. At the same time fuel consumption is.

Impressive at around 35mpg overall.

The gear change, brakes and steering are first class. There is a fair bit of body roll, but roadholding is good. The ride is also firm, but comfortable and the car copes well with the worst Czech roads can throw at the car. As a Brit abroad, I can say that this is far worse than you would find in Britain.

While very firm on first acquaintance the front seats are supremely comfortable on a long run: I suffer from disk problems and unlike every other care I have owned I can get out after a trip of 3-4 hours and 200 miles without a hint of back-ache.

The interior design is deliberately understated, even austere. I like it a lot!

Rear headroom is excellent, but leg and knee-room poor for adults. This familiar Octavia bugbear does not worry our children.

The boot is massive.