The second generation Skoda Octavia has long been popular in Russia, but opinions about it vary dramatically. Some drivers praise the practical interior, spacious trunk, and reliable 1.6-liter engine with automatic transmission. Others emphasize numerous shortcomings that irritate even experienced car enthusiasts. This is evidenced by reviews on Auto.ru, collected on relatively new cars.
Owners note many problems with the first Octavia models. One user, known as Purple Sedan, described his impressions as "a three with a plus." He pointed to creaking doors, low ground clearance, and limited space for rear passengers. Even after several upgrades, the sound insulation left much to be desired, and the manual transmission and clutch were vulnerable. Problems with the body assembly, especially in cars assembled in Kaluga, added trouble — water got under the sound insulation, and it was necessary to contact the dealer repeatedly.
Other owners faced engine oil consumption issues. For example, user Sergey noted that two years after purchase, oil consumption increased to one liter per thousand kilometers, and the service center considered such indicators normal. In addition, there were problems with power windows, mirror drives, and parking sensor control units, which required expensive repairs and replacement of parts.
User Terminator criticized the reliability and driving performance of the car: the gearbox, clutch, flywheel, and climate system worked unstably. He also had problems with the timing chain and phase regulators, and water penetrated the trunk. With a mileage of only 155 thousand kilometers, the car already required numerous repairs.
Dmitry noted in his review that the interior and trunk leave a positive impression, but the engine required constant monitoring of the oil level, the standard PPD suspension was stiff, and the paintwork of the Kaluga assembly could not withstand winter conditions. He reflashed the steering rack control program from the Passat version, which improved handling but revealed the imperfection of the basic configuration for Russian roads.
Problems with DSG7 and the mechatronic unit of the gearbox are also common. Owners noted noticeable jerks during gear changes, and replacing the clutch and control unit often took several days. Some users encountered warnings about low oil pressure on the on-board computer, which added anxiety and undermined confidence in the car.
The overall impression of the owners is ambiguous. The second generation Skoda Octavia offers a comfortable interior and thoughtful ergonomics, but regular engine, transmission, and electronics breakdowns make you doubt its reliability. Even with timely maintenance and warranty repairs, some problems recur, which makes the car more of a test for the owner than a carefree vehicle.