Faults:

Clutch, exhaust, electrical relays, etc soo many replacement parts, but mostly wear and tear.

In its final year it had an oil leak, and it would not go into 1st gear. Rust was also becoming a problem and it was scrapped.

General Comments:

A very solid car. Yes it was used as a taxi as many were. A very cost effective car for this purpose.

Very dull car, but comfortable enough to drive everyday. 1.9 TDi also had plenty of power and did around 50 mpg.

Elegance model had all the electrics of the time.

I'd say I got my monies worth out of it to say the least! An excellent early diesel from Skoda. Later models are nice, but they are all too complex now - I miss when diesels were simpler.

Faults:

A lot of wear and tear items replaced, but no major issues. Change the timing belt and do oil changes on time - these 1.9 TDi units won't let you down.

General Comments:

This Octavia has been my private car for a while now, but I have never used it as a taxi which they are famous for. So as a cheap run about it makes sense - a spacious economical reliable car!

For 20 years old this is still my daily driver. Decent performance and over 50 mpg on diesel, refined and smooth interior, so why not use it everyday? Recent MOT showed no nasty advisories so I will continue to use this car until it dies.

It is a very basic model with no fancy features, but this car still gets me from A to B comfortably and reliably. Not bad to look at, a bit dull, certainly not ugly. My car is silver.

Any VW / Audi / Seat / Skoda from this time period with the less complicated 1.9 TDi engine has to be one of the most reliable and economical cars out there still!

Faults:

ABS sensors, wheel bearings, brakes and suspension components, armrest broke, the usual high mileage stuff. The car had no major problems except the EGR valve clogged and caused the car to run rough; was quite expensive to replace.

General Comments:

Good looking and economical car. The Octavia of this generation was the best in my opinion (1998 - 2004), less complicated than later models.

1.9 TDi was the 110 BHP version and was quick and good on diesel. Good to drive.

Elegance model near top of range, had electric everything. Nice interior.

Was a great car, I only scrapped it last year due to needing too much work at MOT time to justify keeping at such an age and mileage. Easily one of the best value for money cars I have ever had.

Faults:

Air-con weak, and a couple of electrical relays failed. Everything else was wear and tear expected of the age and mileage, such as major work to suspension, brakes, bearings, etc.

I keep the car serviced on time and changed the timing belt. Cosmetically looking rougher now, but nothing out of the ordinary for an 18 year old car; looks as good as any average condition 7 year old car on the road.

General Comments:

Silver Octavia Elegance, near top of range with all electrics and the famously reliable 1.9 TDi diesel engine from Skoda, and mine is the better 110 BHP version. Fast when you need to overtake while averaging over 50 MPG; still a great car to daily drive today in 2021.

On the downside these cars are pretty boring, nothing special at all. But if you want a reliable modern car, check out any used Octavia in good condition with history, and you will have a good car. Be aware many were used as taxi's, so avoid very high mileage cars.

I have had this car a long time and plan to keep it till the bitter end, no point in replacing reliable economical transport, especially these days. Recently passed its MOT with no advisories.