1998 Skoda Octavia GLX from UK and Ireland - Comments

Drivers door central locking unit has been replaced 3 times. It has broke down again and won't be replaced.

Passengers door central locking unit has been replaced twice.

Rear hatch door central locking unit has been replaced 3 times.

Immobiliser packed in and had to be replaced. Took over a week to rectify the fault.

All the locks had to be replaced after fault.

Speedo stopped working and car cut out. Cost over £400 to replace.

Electric sunroof stopped working.

I have owned the Skoda Octavia now for about 3 1/2 years and have been absolutely plagued with reliability faults.

Funny thing is, I actually like the car to drive and the fuel consumption is excellent. I have actually managed to get 71 mpg on one journey.

Thankfully, most of the faults have been repaired under warranty. It must have cost Skoda a fortune! However, the car is now well over 3 years old and the reliability hasn't got any better. And for those badge snobs out there, the electrical parts that keep braking down have VW Audi stamped on them.

I have almost got to the last straw with this car and I don't know if I will buy another. Probably not. I have written a letter to Skoda to complain so I will just have to see what sort of response I get.

Sounds very similar to the problems I have had with my VW Golf. Interestingly, from the reviews the Felicia seems a good deal more reliable. Maybe its time VW fitted Skoda parts to their cars!

Very, Very similar to my experience, I have had many minor electrical failures and one major failure with resulting in the replacement of the top half of the engine.

Again all the parts stamped VWAudi.

My conclusion is the same. Great car marred by poor quality parts which let down the whole.

I will not be replacing my Skoda with another.

Mileage now at three years is 80000,economy good, comfort good, power good.

I'm afraid it seems that VW AUDI electrics are of a very poor quality. My Passat was nothing but constant problems, most of them electrical and all annoying and complex. VW quality is a total myth.

Interesting points. My 2002 Octavia Elegance 4 x 4 turbo is on its 3rd battery! The dealer eventually found a fault in the interior light circuit which was leaking current away. They've fixed that, but, since then the central locking doesn't work properly. When starting it, the car unlocks itself, the interior light switches on, and the lock switch on the driver's door stops working. It's going back to be fixed...

A generally good car, but these niggles are making me lose confidence in the marque.

I have a 2000 Skoda Octavia GLXI auto. This car stalls and restarts after an hour. The problem then disappears for weeks, and then it happens again. Can anyone tell what is wrong with it?

Thanks.