Skoda Octavia 2014 review
Overview
The third-generation Octavia arrived in 2013 and the 2014 car is the pre-facelift Mk3, recognisable by its single-piece headlights: the facelift with split quad lights did not reach showrooms until February 2017. The 1.6 TDI 105 SE is the volume diesel of the range, priced at £19,925 when new, and the 110 PS version only replaced the 105 PS unit in May 2015, so a genuine 2014 car is always the 105 PS car.
Its 1,598cc CLHA turbodiesel makes 105 PS and 250 Nm, reaching 62 mph in 10.8 seconds and 121 mph flat out. Official economy was 74.3 mpg combined on the old NEDC test, with 99 g/km of CO2, which put it in VED Band A under the pre-April 2017 system, and the 50-litre tank gives a range of around 814 miles. The five-speed manual is standard and the seven-speed DSG automatic was optional; the diesel DSG is the dry-clutch DQ200, rated to exactly 250 Nm.
Space is where the Octavia embarrasses rivals. The liftback boot holds 590 litres with the seats up and 1,580 litres with them folded, which is bigger than many estate cars, and rear legroom is generous for a family hatchback. The car carries a five-star Euro NCAP rating from the 2013 test, with 93 percent for adult occupants, and Skoda gave it a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty when new.
As a used buy, get one thing straight first: this car is not affected by dieselgate. The Mk3 diesel range is the EA288 engine family, not the EA189, and Skoda own FAQ confirms EU6 EA288 engines needed no software fix, so there is no dieselgate update to look for. The real checks are the DPF and EGR valve, which clog and carbonise on short-trip use, the DQ200 DSG mechatronic unit on automatic cars, and the cambelt and water pump as a known service item. Favour cars with motorway history, check outstanding recalls by VIN, and remember the 1.5 TSI did not exist in 2014, so any 2014 car badged as one is misdated.
UK price from: £19,925
Specifications
| Engine | 1,598cc CLHA EA288 turbodiesel, 4-cylinder |
| Power | 105 PS (103 bhp) |
| Torque | 250 Nm |
| 0-62 mph | 10.8 seconds |
| Top speed | 121 mph |
| Fuel economy (NEDC combined) | 74.3 mpg |
| CO2 emissions | 99 g/km |
| VED band | Band A |
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual (7-speed DSG optional) |
| Boot space | 590 litres (1,580 litres seats folded) |
| Kerb weight | 1,230 kg |
| Fuel tank | 50 litres |
| Insurance group | 13 |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars (2013 test) |
Features
- 590-litre boot, 1,580 litres with rear seats folded
- 1.6 TDI 105 with 74.3 mpg combined and 99 g/km CO2 (NEDC)
- Band A VED on the pre-April 2017 system
- Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating (2013 test)
- Huge rear legroom for a family hatchback
- Optional seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox
- 814-mile range on a single 50-litre tank
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (axle set) | £32 | Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified |
| Front brake discs (pair) | £75 | Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified |
| Clutch kit (manual, incl. release bearing) | £210 | Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified |
| Cambelt and water pump kit | £145 | Parts only, typical retail estimate; cambelt and water pump are a known service item on this car |
| Battery (12V) | £110 | Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified |
| Wiper blades (front pair) | £20 | Typical UK pattern-part retail estimate, parts only excl. fitting, not catalogue-verified |
Pros
- Enormous boot and rear space for the money
- Outstanding 74.3 mpg economy and low CO2
- Strong, flexible 1.6 TDI with 250 Nm
- Comfortable, quiet motorway cruiser
- Excellent used value, with tidy cars from around £2,000
Cons
- DPF and EGR hate short trips
- DSG versions can suffer mechatronic trouble
- Interior is solid but plain next to rivals
- Cambelt and water pump are a known service bill
